motty

Shot like a **** yesterday, and my xtrema kept jamming, but still got a nice bag of 111 on the peas. There were hundreds and hundreds of birds around, so i may go on that or another field near it,tomorrow. Happy with the way things are going at the moment. Total - 8041.

I totally agree with the posts here. If the birds aren't really feeding on a field, then the best set up in the world might not persuade any birds to come in.

If they are landing on the outside of the pattern just out of range, i would consider bringing the pattern in a bit closer to you. Then if they still land just on the edge of the pattern, you can nail them.

This time of year, i generally get set up to shoot by around 10-11 am. I did this on saturday on a pea field, with only around 6 birds on the field when i arrived. Within 2 hours i had bagged around 35. I shot through until around 6, and ended with 93. The peak time was probably around 3pm, but i think if i'd only got set up at that time i may have run the risk of the birds having a good feed before i got there, limiting my chances. It normally works for me to set up at around 10 - 11 am no matter what the crop- peas, rape stubble etc. I know that Peter theobald generally prefers this kind of time to set up too, having shot with him a few times. Having said all this, i also love getting home from work at 4pm and shooting 20 or 30.

154 to add from me since last post. This includes a cracking little bag of 93, shot on peas on saturday. They are certainly starting to hit the peas in my area now. Spotted hundreds on one field today on my travels. I phoned the farmer and got permission to shoot that plus another 16 of his pea fields. :blink: Should be out again on thursday. New total - 7901

The only answer i can give is, if almost every pigeon you see comes into your pattern comes in there is no need to add more. I usually start with 15 flocked shells, then add dead birds until i am convinced that i have enough that most birds are coming in. When this point comes, there is no need to add more. I have had upwards of 100 dead birds in the pattern, though. But even if you only have five decoys out and everything comes in, why change?

Two outings on drilled barley fields last week yielded bags of 65 and 71. Hoping to have a go on peas this weekend, should have over 30 fields to choose from by now. Total- 6130

Another 137 to add from me, including 108 on a turned over old potato field yesterday- my first ton this year. Total 5588

My total so far for year is 587,including some decent bags of 90,81 and 29 on rape in the last week. Total-5118

Reconnaisance is vital here. If the birds aren't feeding ,then no matter how many gadgets you have , you won't entice them. They don't burn as much energy, shot sounds carry a long way, if it's also hot, then you've no chance. But having said that,( as I've just put on another post) my biggest ever day of 168 woodpidgeon was on a red hot windless day. The birds just wanted to feed on that particular field . Watched them for about half an hour before setting up. Gas gun in the field didn't deter them,probably just helped me. If they're feeding , then great, if not , it is really difficult. But it's still better than staying in at home isn't it. What a contradiction! You say you've no chance when it's hot, then say you had your best ever bag on a red hot day!! You quite rightly mentioned though, the importance of birds feeding In a certain place. I firmly believe if they are well into a field, they will decoy in almost any weather, wind or no wind.

Shot 107 since my last post. New total =20,776

Shot on freshly cut rape last saturday and shot 6 and a crow. Returned yesterday to shoot 102. TOTAL 13128

Got 51 pigeons,5 crows and 2 jackdaws on laid wheat on sunday afternoon. Went back again this morning and had shot 32 pigeons and 2 crows in just over an hour. Gamekeeper came along and told me i had to go due to dispute over shooting rights there. Shame, as birds were really starting to pour in. Missed out on another 100+. :angry Total 10364

Got a small but satisfying bag of 32 on wednesday. Total- 9524

Had a nice day yesterday,Shooting 90 pigeons on pea stubble. 8454

Shot 6 last friday whilst out looking for a good shooting opportunity. New total- 7634

After a promising opening half hour on saturday i got soaked by rain and went home.Shot 11. Went back on sunday and got a disappointing 34.Both on same field of peas. Hundreds of pigeons about and hopefully just a matter of time before i really get amongst them again, especially as i now have access to over 1300 acres of peas in my locality. 7198+ 45=7243 new total.

Don't know if anyone has the same problem as me. I Have to go to the forgotten password bit to get a new password every time i log on to the site as it will log me in but not seem to let me post anything.Once i have registered my new password i am ok,until the next day. Extremely annoying!

While i agree with trying to blend in with the background if you can, it certainly isn't essential. I wouldn't advise people against using a hide that is different from the background. I've often used a desert camo net in front of dark green backgrounds to good success. I also wouldn't be afraid to set up with a dark green net in the middle of a freshly drilled field if circumstances demanded it.

Got 59 on peas with the old man yesterday morn, before being rained off. Went on same field again today on my own(9am-3pm) and shot another 111 from a hide in the dyke. Learnt from yesterdays shoot and set up in a far better place today. Glad i took plenty of drink with me. Correction from ultimate hunters score-only woodies count. 5639 -8 = 5631 + 170= 5801

No problem on the peas i've been shooting on for last 2 days. Got permission for 9 new fields this week(well chuffed), and they're only 3 inches tall at the mo. Got 59 yesterday morn with old man before we got rained off. Turned up this morn on same field on my own(9am) and shot 111 in the heat.

I quite agree. There are certainly plenty of pigeons around in my area.Took my fifth hundred+ bag of the year so far today. Not sure if i've seen this many birds in previous years, so in my opinion i would say they are on the increase. I'm sure in a month or two, people will start posting that birds are about in big numbers and bag numbers increasing.

This doesn't surprise me. We all know that pigeons like peas but don't make the mistake of thinking that they are some magical crop that will make pigeons just appear. Remember that at this time of year they will have so much variety to choose from i.e rape, set aside etc. I went to look at a field of peas today myself,hoping that there would be some pigeons about. Three got off the field! But i have seen this so many times before. My guess is that when the peas come into pod the pigeons will go crazy for them. Of course you may find the next time you look at these fields that they are blue with birds. A field with no birds on today could be heaving in a few days. I'm sure it'll come good in the end.

Shot 19 more on rape. Slow afternoon. New total-5229

Slightly disappointing 24 on rape today. Total 4976.