mrpip

Never known anything like it mate, there's that many in the area the fields still got loads of cobs left on the top, I could see them going to another field about quarter of a mile away in big numbers, but they still drifted back to the wood. All being well going to try the other field tomorrow.

My brother had a drive round the stubbles Friday and he said the only field there were any pigeon on was the one I shot 77 on Thursday, he said there was a good number on and in the area. So this morning set up again, even used the same hole for the whirly. It was quiet for the first couple of hour then things picked up, had some cracking shots and plenty over the decoys finished at 2.30 and picked up another 77 woodies deja vu or what.

Had an unexpected day off today, so went back to the Maize stubble, my brother had informed me the pigeons were back on it Monday after me shooting it Sunday, the wind was fresh so I set up in the same place just off the wood with wind at my back. Plenty showing interest all day with loads in the area. Finished at 2.30 to pick up and walk the wood out so overcast by then it was nearly dark. Finished up picking 77 woodies.

Cheers gents, going on previous years they tend to dissappear in around 3 weeks once they have cleaned up, this block has always shot well the wood in the middle is the magnet. 350 Acre of maize grown on this farm this year some not shootable as on rented land were there is no shooting or to close to houses and roads. Had days on other fields were they won't decoy and move on after a few shots. It's been a week that I won't forget, soon be back to the usual but you won't here me complaining nearly 40 years shooting pigeons seems like yesterday when I was setting up with homemade shell decoys made out of plastic guttering, happy days.

Went out Sunday on the Maize stubble again had a drive around the fields never saw a pigeon so went back to the fields I shot in the week and it was covered all in the same place. So set up at 9.20 in the same spot just stuck the whirly out, first one straight in, shot steady and pegged out as I picked up. They were very wary as you would expect with the large bunches giving me a wide birth, but enough showing interest. Had 24 out on cradles in a rough 2 bunch pattern, got to round the 30 mark then had a bad run of misters 10 shots for 2 pigeon picked. Had a drink and a sandwich and started again, finished at about half two picked up 62, the last one picked when I drove off the field has I had marked it earlier in the day. Best weeks holiday I've had.

Thanks for the replies , they build up every year when the Maize is cut stay for around 3 week then break into smaller flocks, we have 3 main areas were they roost and fortunately nobody shoots them so they tend to stick around to frustrate me on the rape.

[attachmenbt=113063:WP_20161209_15_20_07_Pro_opt.jpg] Had another go Friday on the Maize I shot Sunday, Set up on opposite side of hedge about 5 yds up as the wind had changed direction. Started at 9 o'clock with the whirly and 3 dead pigeon from a walk round thursday and finished at 3.30, pigeons decoyed excellent today had loads of doubles, and a two for one (one unfortunate feral). Old dog well tired at end of day, I don't let her do to much now tend to go out a pick up with her, the old nose has not lost its touch. Total on the day 114 woodies and 1 feral.

Had a cracking day on Sunday shot a Maize stubble combined last Tuesday. Set up on a hedgerow just off the side of a 4 Acre wood. No wind at all and had the low sun in my eyes all day, never any cloud when want it. I have shot this area for years and knew this would be the main flightline in as the pigeon tend to flight into the wood. Set up with the whirly and 8 pigeon carcasses that had been breasted directly in front of the hide for 9 o'clock, very little movement for the first half hour then I shot an half interested one, the shot set a flock from some woodland in the distance and the air was blue with them. I have shot for 40 years and never seen this amount in the area it must have been 5000 plus they wheeled around and large groups started to flight over to me. At first they would not decoy but came close enough for me to have some cracking shots at high birds, every shot seemed to lift more from the wood. About 12ish they started to decoy and the bag started to build. I stopped pegging birds out when I had 30 in the pattern as it was getting a bit congested and they started swinging wide. By 2 o'clock it went dead, I could see pigeon fighting to another field of stubble in the distance, packed up and walked the wood out with my dog picked up 105 and 5 ferals, I don't usually bother with ferals only on drilling but had a bunch of about 100 plague me they were stopping the woodies decoying at times swooping over the whirly.

Deal done with Johnnythefox pleasure meeting you mate

6 old but usable lofting poles, aluminium approx 5 ft each, paints worn off , all connect together no problem, will throw in 4 old full bodied pigeon decoys. Swap for 75 12 gauge steel cartridges 32 gram 4s or 5s, collection only from Doncaster area 2 miles from jt 4 M18, evenings only

Have a look on hilton shooting.com mate, he sells deactivated guns

Gun now sold

1st class, enjoyed that.

Pm replied to

Think your right about the picture my mistake, it's the original varnish, there are scratches on both sides but not deep, the chequering is good,

Cracking video, love to see the dogs working,

Yes JDog aright mixture of flowers and grasses with a bit of wheat thrown in, this farm is mainly beef cattle and sheep, he grows wheat for feed and straw. Field was heavily manured last year from the cattle sheds were there fed on silage, when it failed he decided to leave it and crop it as silage so it never got sprayed. I saw a bloke hanging around the gateway mid afternoon, turned out he was taking photos of the poppies. This field and block it's in are all earmarked for industrial development, planning gone through already, looks like we need another industrial estate.

Another great couple of days, have you ever shot a crop circle ? I can remember reading an article years ago on it.

Double post

Had a good afternoon today, been watching pigeon building up on a failed wheat field at the edge of the village. Had a walk around this morning when I got 20 yds into the field the wheat thins out and it's a mass of poppies and grass, farmer is cutting it for silage when the weathers right. There are houses on one side and a main road down another side, a triple powerline with double poles runs across the middle. I set up against the middle set of poles with my back to the houses at 1.15 put the whirlie 25 yds out with 6 shell decoys on cradles to the right. Had a steady flow mainly from behind me out of the village, decoying well with 5 squads shot on day, finished at 6 with 44 pigeon picked for 65 shots 32 gram steel. Left the shells out all day because of the flies. All in all a nice afternoon out, old dog enjoyed herself had plenty of blind retrieves. Can't get the pics to go right way up ! And the gun is unloaded

After some low lives cut through my steering wheel to get a crook lock off I now need another one as follows Defender TD5 2005 3 door 7 seats classed as an estate 36 spline rebated on back Brit parts won't fit (no rebate) If anyone can help I'd be very grateful Trawled the net rang every breaker up to now no success, can't find the right one on fleabay Cheers Paul

bought the phantom in 410 wooden stock new when they first came out £295, found it very fiddly to load at night when your hands are cold, used it a lot with 3 inch magnums was quiet enough (never tried sub sonic) shot plenty of rabbits, after about 6 months regular use found the spent cartridges were jamming would not eject. Took the gun back to gun shop & it sat on the shelf for 3 month waiting for collection, they ended up giving me a full refund. Ended up with a second hand peddreti hushpower for which I've no complaints. hope this helps

Looks like you dropped on there mate, bet you'd struggle to find another that low mileage & condition

Smart looking in very good nick by the pictures, what year is it on if you don't mind me asking

Cheers, at least I'll have an idea next time,