Scottyt Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hello all. Am new to shooting and this site. Have been out in the field and having a little trouble with decoys. Im using a horse shoe pattern with 16 shell decoys on the sticks woth springs for a bit of movement. I have been have sucess with this pattern and have even had a few pigeons land. The problem im having is im not too sure what to do with the birds ive shot. Do i make the horseshoe bigger or thicker or add them in the middle. Or do i bring them in with me in the hide? Any help please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 If the pattern is working you can replace your plastics with real birds as you shoot them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Scottyt Do not fill the void, it is where your quarry will want to land, add them to the arms of your pattern. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyt Posted August 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Scottyt Do not fill the void, it is where your quarry will want to land, add them to the arms of your pattern. Good luck. Making the lines of the pattern thicker or longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Thicker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 You aalso don't need to stick to a U pattern, you can use a tick pattern, a J pattern etc too, so long as there is plenty of room for the birds to land in the apex of the pattern, amongst "friends" where they will feel safe, and so long as there is at least one leg to the pattern to help "guide them in" you'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Get yourself some cradles to set up the dead birds, I make my own out of fencing wire, it has two spikes for ground fix, then a decent size oval frame for the birds body with two rings for the legs to sit through, from the front of the oval rises a long spike which goes up the chest and fixes in the underside of the skull, you can bend the wire to have the bird head down or up, these are a must in stubble and young crop as they get the bird up at a decent height for passing birds to see, you shouldn't need more than 20 or so birds in a pattern, as you start to fill in with dead birds gradually remove the shells until you end up with just dead birds, its worth investing in a couple of floater frames and at least one flapper or magnet with a decent battery that will give you 5 hours or so without going flat. dont forget keep all your decoys head into the wind, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Add dead birds to the sides and front of the pattern , as already said to not fill in between the arms as that is where you want incoming birds to be heading . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Using dead birds to make Angels (landers) is also a good use of shot birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 with these patterns why do you guys stick the magnet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyt Posted August 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Using dead birds to make Angels (landers) is also a good use of shot birds. How do i make a lander? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 How do i make a lander? Hi. If you google images Pigeon Decoy Angels you will see images of wire frames made from coat hangers etc. this is one way, but for me it's somewhat complicated and bulky to carry two or three frames. I have adopted a simple approach. A 15" x 1/4" fibreglass rod sharpened at both ends (You can also use wooden dowel rods) and a decoy V wing spreader. (Shootwarehouse UK sell them) Mount the wing spreader on the rod, shove one sharpened end up the pigeon into the skull, spread the wings onto the V spreader, shove the completed mount into the ground at about 45 degrees to look like a landing pigeon. Before getting dead birds I sometimes make an angel by mounting a hyperflap or bouncer decoy on the rod. Out of habit I tend to use two Angels and normally place one in the centre of the V or U pattern, and the second on one of the outside arms of the pattern. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Add dead birds to the sides and front of the pattern , as already said to not fill in between the arms as that is where you want incoming birds to be heading . +1...also don't get too hung up on a perfect' u' ,if you ever watch pigeons they always land into wind(if there is any) then go all over the place,I leave dead ones where they land unless birds start flareing off on approach,or if you have a lot down occassionally nip out and turn them right way round,if you have'nt got any cradles take a pack of tesco wooden kebab sticks and stick up into chin until hit top of head then place them around edges/front of your pattern facing in any direction with head propped up......Avoid the temptation to go out and fiddle with pattern all the time as mostly you will be far better off keeping still in your hide.....I would rarely bring them into hide as you almost can't have too many.all best... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 most of you say leave dead birds out you cant have too many what do you do about all the fly eggs? i hate to throw 10 or 20 away at the end of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 How do i make a lander? Easiest just buy some Bouncer Poles from A1 Decoy.. Slide the spike up the birds bum and Ito the brain, then press in the studs of the arms, fold the arms put into the grooves, and then clip the wings to the arms, Then extend the pole and lock into place. Ensure the bird is facing INTO the wind as if landing. Slightest breeze and they start floating up and down (bouncing) and look very lifelike. I always use about 3-4 of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 most of you say leave dead birds out you cant have too many what do you do about all the fly eggs? i hate to throw 10 or 20 away at the end of the day I personally pick up after every few shot due to this very reason. I can't bear manky flies over something I want to eat. Bonus if there are ferals coming in as well, these get left out but the woodies collected. If picking up means less coming into the pattern then so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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