TACDAVE Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Hi Guys Apologies if I`m covering old ground but would like to ask the advise of the members. I used to decoy Pigeons around 15 years ago across 800 acres of mixed arable land, had varying success but by no means the bag sizes I've seen posted. All I had was a collection of a dozen pigeon shells, hide made in the hedgerow and that was it! Work commitments and children basically put a stop to the shooting until now. I've got the opportunity next year to start pigeon shooting again over various locations. It has become obvious from my research on the net that there`s a host of various different gadgets to assist in attracting the birds. My question is what should I buy? Still got my dozen shells (that's it) - what would be a good starting point in relation to the kit I need to start again, but take advantage of the various equipment available? Reckon I`ve got around £300 to spend at the moment . Any advise would be greatly received. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 For £300.00.................if you dont have to buy a gun ...then thats a fair bit to send...........get yourself a lightweight net and extendable poles....you have the decoys...a doz is plenty....and maybe a flapper to introduce some movement.............. the rest is fieldwork............reccy...etc best of luck and welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 I have a pigeon magnet turbo flapper and full body and shell decoy's and a stealth net. But nothing beats real birds still got a gun I hope might be a tad hard to whack them with a stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE MEK Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Flapper, poles and a mod net. Oh a bergara seat aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Dont go mad with your hard earned cash, as has been said, a hide, definitely a flapper, and a few cradles for dead birds.Goods luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TACDAVE Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Cheers Guys that's good advise - still got the gun thankfully Used to shoot gamebore 32gram 6`s what's the cartridge of choice nowadays ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 pretty much the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 you can get a fare bit of kit for £300 if you shop around to get you started. good luck. my missus said when the pigeon god sends for me, she is going to order a skip, or give it to salvage hunters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Cheers Guys that's good advise - still got the gun thankfully Used to shoot gamebore 32gram 6`s what's the cartridge of choice nowadays ? its down to personal choice................32gm i would use for flightlining.............if you are decoying....the idea is to get them close......15-35yds........28gm 6's or 7's......if you are shooting hard an fast close quarters...you can go even lighter... the next question you will be asking is ..."are my chokes for this ok ?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 4 telescopic poles 1 or 2 stealth nets 1 pigeon magnet 1turbo flapper and another 6 shell decoys,fuds,prodecoys whichever you prefer to add to the 12 you have 8 cradles homemade or bought to lift dead birds above medium high crops that's pretty much my kit and covers everything I need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Four telescopic hide poles Ex MOD net Pigeon Magnet Cradles for high crops Angel frames Freezer for birds shot and future decoys ( real birds are the best decoys) One large bag of Fieldcraft!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Four telescopic hide poles Ex MOD net Pigeon Magnet Cradles for high crops Angel frames Freezer for birds shot and future decoys ( real birds are the best decoys) One large bag of Fieldcraft!!!! I forgot that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TACDAVE Posted December 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Great advise Guys you've put me on the right track many thanks to you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dbw1shrops Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Great advice from the guru of PW 👍 Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Five hide poles not four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Five hide poles not four. I would say it is handy to have even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I would say it is handy to have even more. I always carry eight poles but in a standard hides position with a hedge behind I use five. My hide has a point on it to make raising the gun easier. Never having successfully erected a field hide I have rarely used all eight poles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 If you are a hobby maniac (like me) you can go on and on. Plenty of gear out there to moisture your need to collect buds. But as Basic to get you going, what you have already been advised sounds good to me. As some has said definitly 5 poles. From my own perspective I have just bought an electric buggy to carry it all. Oh yea and of course a 4x4 with mud tyres. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I take 6.....Five to make the hide with a point on (including field hide) I walk out around 15/18 yards empty the bag and throw the decoys out in a couple of areas, then use the sixth pole to flip them up right.... I do this because in the past I have looked back at the pattern and every thing was in straight lines.....It is so easy to follow a tram line and plop decoys down.....then they look like a row of prize winning carrots from an allotment....... TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I always carry eight poles as if it's very windy you need more to keep the net clear. When I photograph the the bag I'm able to lay them out in straight lines, when I set up the decoys I never have them all in one direction always have one or two wrong way to wind. if you watch a flock in a park or a grass field they are never in straight lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zechk Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) Agreed on what the others have said. A couple of things nobody has mentioned that I find useful - - A waterproof plastic box with a carry handle for my cartridges, because who doesn't like getting a box of carts out of a slab only to find the rain has soaked the bottom of the box of 25 making it soggy and brittle. Nothing says success like showering floor of your hide in cartridges you have to painstakingly wipe the mud off! - A waterproof gun slip - not so much to keep the gun dry, if it's looked after a bit of rain wont hurt, but putting it in a soggy slip might if you leave it in there any length of time. Plus it's great for fowling. - A really decent flask - an anticipated cup of coffee turning out to be cold is rubbish. - A fine mesh net (a catch keeping net from a fishing shop for example) to keep flies from your birds in the summer. - A packet of wet wipes, because blood can take the blueing off your barrels and grit is never good for shotguns, so I like to clean my hands after setting up fresh shot birds on cradles etc. - And most importantly, don't forget your ear protection! I use moulded passive plugs from Cens. By far and away the best bit of shooting kit I've ever picked up, plus no electric gubbins to worry about getting wet. Get them made in a bright colour (mine are a fetching neon orange) so that if you drop one you will be able to find it again! Aid2hearing did the moulds for me, lovely lady and very professional. Edited December 10, 2014 by Zechk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) 8 hide poles (Pinewood probably the best out there, and that's enough for every situation) £110 2 nets ('2 ply stealth' are my preferred choice) £60 Comfy seat (Bergara sold here on forum is excellent) £70 Dozen decoys (I like Flocked shells or FUDS, then add/replace with shot birds) £30 Pigeon magnet/battery/speed controller (loads out there to suit every pocket) £110 Priced up roughly at £80 over your budget but all good quality. Loads of cheaper variants for all the above available, but having gone down that route when I started and bought all over again I'd say the investment is worth while if at all possible. If I had the same budget and couldn't go more, I'd probably buy the same but exclude 4 hide poles and a net to start with. I only wish that was all the gear we took on a days decoying, but that is the basics; Again, just my personal opinion. Cos Edited December 10, 2014 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 i packed my bag and in it i put a .....blah....blah...blah.........................the rate this is going........................ a quad bike .......to carry all the damn stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 ............... oh yes and you will need some pigeons to decoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 ............... oh yes and you will need some pigeons to decoy. Yep kind of pointless with out them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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