simon04 Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 As above really.... My friend and I don't seem to be able to get the birds to come down to the decoys right now. We have a reasonable location on cut wheat, and there are birds seen feeding in the area. We have spoken to a more experienced shot, who has had the same proble, and puts it down to a 'bad year'. Could anyone offer advice? Or have any suggestions as to what's going on please?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 You must find a flight line. Just because the birds we're feeding it doesn't mean they will feed there tomorrow. Find the flight line and try adjacent to that if you can. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 The 'bad year' theory does not hold water. Just get out there and observe pigeons behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 As above really.... My friend and I don't seem to be able to get the birds to come down to the decoys right now. We have a reasonable location on cut wheat, and there are birds seen feeding in the area. We have spoken to a more experienced shot, who has had the same proble, and puts it down to a 'bad year'. Could anyone offer advice? Or have any suggestions as to what's going on please?? Is your reasonable location where the birds are seen feeding or on a fight path to where the birds are feeding ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseapaul Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 What are you using in your decoy pattern and how are they laid out with relation to wind direction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Get in the right places and the birds will decoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Simon, your idea of a "reasonable location" and the wood pigeons idea seem to be very different! As has been said above, find where they want to be and set up a good visible pattern allowing for the wind direction, use good fieldcraft with your hide, stay still until taking the shot and you should start to get some shooting. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon04 Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Thanks for the replies.... We have a tree line which seems to be the flight line, although some birds seem to be 'cutting corners'. I have 9 decoys, including one bouncer, which we use the horseshoe pattern. The other guy we spoke to is much more experienced, and also isn't having much luck right now.... Though it doesn't help that I'm merely a novice! We're also attempting to find other locations to try - but obviously, that's easier said than done.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Won't matter where you set up if the birds have been shot at on a daily basis over the last few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Do you want them in range or sitting in the pattern. If you use flappers or angels birds will not fly over them so if you put them to the side or close they will land behind them. I stated this before that when we set up we let the first bird come in to the pattern and land if they do not we change the set up, this will allow us to shoot doubles let one land and shoot the next one in outside of the pattern then the sitter as it leaves the pattern. If only one comes, stand up in the hide to spook it and shoot it as it leaves When you are dragged out shopping or driving to the In laws, watch pigeons in the park or gardens or fields and watch the way they join and leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon04 Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Do you want them in range or sitting in the pattern. If you use flappers or angels birds will not fly over them so if you put them to the side or close they will land behind them. I stated this before that when we set up we let the first bird come in to the pattern and land if they do not we change the set up, this will allow us to shoot doubles let one land and shoot the next one in outside of the pattern then the sitter as it leaves the pattern. If only one comes, stand up in the hide to spook it and shoot it as it leaves When you are dragged out shopping or driving to the In laws, watch pigeons in the park or gardens or fields and watch the way they join and leave. So would I be better not using the bouncer? Or just positioning it away from the other decoys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseapaul Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I personally have found when birds are hesitant and particularly veering away take all magnets/flappers and bouncers out of the equation. On the right day on right conditions they can work well other times can scare birds away. I have never had birds scare away from well laid out pattern of dead bird decoys they either fly straight over on a mission elsewhere or commit into decoys. Try it, it sounds like you've nothing to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon04 Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Bingo! I will try that next time. Thanks for all the input here.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 So would I be better not using the bouncer? Or just positioning it away from the other decoys? Position it at the side or the front of the pattern , front of the vee . Or take it down . You need visual displays if you are not on the flight line and want to draw birds of it to your pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocknee Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Get in the right places and the birds will decoy. I was out on Saturday with 3 mates we spread out over about 400 acres of stubble which I had been watching for a while and there were plenty of pigeons there. The total bag for the 4 of us was 155 all pretty good shots and everyone agreed they had seen loads of pigeons they would just not decoy no mater what I started with my usual 2 dead birds on the magnet then took them off the magnet and put them out as floaters then just as static decoys the birds did at least then start coming to within 50 to 60 yards before veering off I personally ended up with 33 shot and 5 of those actually decoyed the rest were at extreme range. All the other guns with me had the same thing the birds were just so wild, I lost count of the times I was out of the hide tweaking the hide or decoy pattern to try and get them to play ball but all to no avail. The only reason we shot that many birds was that we were all under flightlines and were able to knock some long ones down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbower Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Lots of great advice above, I don't use a floater, or magnet any more. I just have a piece of cotton , to help constantly monitor wind direction. Changing the pattern accordingly. Make sure there is sufficient space within the decoys for the birds to consider landing. Now , I am no expert and never take huge bags , only enough to keep the pigeon stir fry's on the menu. Yum , in sweet chilli and Garlic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt 205 gti Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Hello mate , rule of thumb here or this is what i do anyway , never had a problem geting them in 1. Always set your decoys as close to a flightline as poss , you should only really be using a flapper and / or a magnet if your trying to pull them off there " NORMAL" crossing point, but pigeons are very strict and use roads in the sky to get round ,some people think this is a myth , but you sit there before you set up and watch how much they do not fluctuate of a certain route, they ALL take the same route , if your U shape pattern is not working scrap it and make a really big L shape pattern ,the two furthest points being at least 30 yards apart, the wider the better as pigeons like to feel safe when landing so the more they are surrounded on either side and feel comfortable the better they will fly around the top of the L and land in the bottom left hand corner if the wind is coming west to east , or vice versa depending which way round you have it and taking the wind into account ,just remember also that ALWAYS land into the wind , once you have the setup right YOU will know cause they will just turn into your pattern no probs, decoying is an art and once you know what to look for you will never lose the knack good luck mate ! Lots of great advice above, I don't use a floater, or magnet any more. I just have a piece of cotton , to help constantly monitor wind direction. Changing the pattern accordingly. Make sure there is sufficient space within the decoys for the birds to consider landing. Now , I am no expert and never take huge bags , only enough to keep the pigeon stir fry's on the menu. Yum , in sweet chilli and Garlic. Your making me hungry ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon04 Posted September 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thanks again! That's just the kind of tips I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt 205 gti Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Very welcome mate always glad to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 or try wide v pattern with a flapper in the middle if they veer off turn off the flapper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam_decoyer Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 I was shooting today with my dad and we looked at this feild that had a lovely flow of pigeon flying to and from we set up under the flight line put 10 real pigeons from the freezer and there were pigeon about but they kept veering of to one side I had 2 shots for 2 pigeon but can anybody help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 I was shooting today with my dad and we looked at this feild that had a lovely flow of pigeon flying to and from we set up under the flight line put 10 real pigeons from the freezer and there were pigeon about but they kept veering of to one side I had 2 shots for 2 pigeon but can anybody help it could be the hide or pattern or someone moving what pattern are you using ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon04 Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Update.. I removed the bouncer from the equation, and stuck to the L pattern. Not many birds around, but bagged one yesterday - it didn't come down, but came close enough to get a clear shot. No movement today - just a waste of time!! I just don't think theres enough birds on a regular basis at the moment. So I'm now looking for somewhere else to shoot - then I might re-assess tactics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 I was shooting today with my dad and we looked at this feild that had a lovely flow of pigeon flying to and from we set up under the flight line put 10 real pigeons from the freezer and there were pigeon about but they kept veering of to one side I had 2 shots for 2 pigeon but can anybody help Sometimes pigeons will not decoy, no matter what you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocknee Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Sometimes pigeons will not decoy, no matter what you do. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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