HuskyRich Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Been out a couple of times on the farm when there's been loads of pigeons out but each time I've got into a position in a hedgerow or a wood I've not had a single pigeon come even remotely close enough to shoot. It's frustrating, and not having a single thing to shoot at for hours is kinda demoralising and makes me a bit despondent towards it all and has made me think if I'm missing something.Especially when there's other guns out on the same day getting counts of anywhere up to 100 (and I can hear them going at it whilst I'm sitting in a bush not getting sweet FA ) We've got rape but every time I've been out over there there's not been a single thing, plus we've got quite a lot of kites, spinners and bangers out on the fields which seems to be keeping them away.We've also got freshly ploughed in maize, rolled spring barley and the usual wheat, beans, set aside etc. there's lots of pigeons about but they don't really seem to be particularly bothered about a single thing, they just fly about.Is it just a case of that I've got **** luck or that I'm going about it wrong?Is there any particular thing that they're after this time of year and any crops and fields that are especially worth keeping an eye on? I've been keeping an eye on the rape and even though I've heard other people saying there's lots of pigeons on there I havent ever seen any... I've been out about 4 times so far and the only thing I've shot so far is a couple of rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 You need to set up where the pigeons want to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 As above , unless they are feeding on one of your fields , or at the very least there is a regular flightline over a field where you could decoy them or shoot them flighting you are likely to be wasting your time Sound like you have most crops that will attract them , and I am sure better times are around the corner , if you still struggle when the birds are about then invite someone who can show you the ropes for a day , you will learn so much watching a good pigeon shooter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyRich Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 the place I set up were on flightlines that I've seen being used in the past but for some reason they were avoiding me like the plague.Keep trying to get out with the gamekeeper but it never happens, hes always too busy going out with his other mates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Stick at it as I said , things will soon be starting to get much easier on the pigeon front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Try not to get too dispondent, HuskyRich, as fenboy has said you have a good patch by the sounds of it and things are sure to come good at some point. I wouldn't mind betting that there is Grassland somewhere local and the pigeons are there feeding on clover. I have a similar situation at present with plenty of drilling etc but no concentration of pigeons in any one area. Keep in looking through the bino's and keep an eye on the known flightlines, pigeons will use them again. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 The more you look around your area study and learn from the pigeons their movements and habits in different weather and wind condition's, time of year,crop preference's etc with or without your gun Even the most experienced pigeon shooter's as you may see from some posts on PW often report on birds seen on their travels around the country, it becomes a habit with a learning bonus. Much can be learn't from the guys on here as seen from the replies above. Keep at it, Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) (Just seen the post by Deny Essex which was posted while I was typing and covers some of what I wanted to offer). Stick at it. Silly magazine articles have warped people's expectations because pigeon shooting is not generally an instant gratification activity. Put in the hard yards and you will be rewarded. Personally, I would not go out with the keeper, I would do it all myself. A lesson learned yourself is worth ten free tips from someone else. If you are a beginner and want the quickest route to success, here's what I recommend. It is counter-intuitive because you don't get to the shooting bit until phase four but it works if you are disciplined. Phase 1. Spend five sessions travelling round your land and surrounding area just watching pigeons. No kit except transport and binos. Look in the air. Follow the flight lines to see where they start (roosting/day roosting wood) and where they end (feeding areas). See how often they go back to the day roost. If there are birds on the fields always walk them off. See where they go and if/how they come back. Phase 2. Spend two sessions with hide and decoys but no gun. Don't take a gun with you because you WILL be tempted to use it! Do a full recce. Verify the flightlines. Find the fields where they are feeding. Walk them off. If they come back properly set up your hide and pattern and see what happens. Tweak your hide and pattern until it works. Then watch some more. Then watch some more. It is fascinating and you learn lessons that are invaluable. Phase 3. Spend two sessions learning the day roosts properly. Verify the flight lines of the day and work them back to the day roost/s. Clap them out of the wood and wait to see if/how/when they come back. If at all possible, set up crow bangers on the feeding fields for most realistic results. If you have dozens of fields of rape in your area and only one or two confirmed day roosts you know where to shoot and that's the woods. In the Winter and Spring particularly I have had many days of consistent shooting in the woods while decoyers on the fields fire a couple of shots and never see another bird. Phase 4. Fully kitted up, gun and all, do a proper recce. If you find birds feeding, walk them off and watch closely what happens. With the time you have invested and lessons learned in phase 1-3, you should have a good chance of deciding which field, flight line or wood to set up in with a reasonable chance of success. Looking back on the last 40 years of pigeon shooting most of my enjoyment has come from trying to work it out so I encourage you to enjoy the journey as the destination is always uncertain. Edited March 22, 2015 by Milo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columba Grey Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Sounds like Milo is retired. Nice concept if you have the patience and the free time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Sounds like Milo is retired. Nice concept if you have the patience and the free time! Sounds like he takes his shooting seriously and does the required ground work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Sounds like Milo is retired. Nice concept if you have the patience and the free time! I wish! Note, this is advice for a "new'un" just starting out who hasn't yet had the chance to understand how pigeons generally behave on any given area of land. I wish I had done it this way when I was a lad as it would have saved me a lot of wasted time and frustration. Tightchoke, are you from the Wittering near Stamford? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Milo PM sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columba Grey Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I wish! Note, this is advice for a "new'un" just starting out who hasn't yet had the chance to understand how pigeons generally behave on any given area of land. I wish I had done it this way when I was a lad as it would have saved me a lot of wasted time and frustration. Tightchoke, are you from the Wittering near Stamford? Don't disagree merely stating that it takes a huge investment in time and unless this guy has special circumstances he would be spending weeks on his reconnaissance before he would get a chance to put a load in the air. Ideal scenario yes loads and loads of reconnaissance!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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