army646

Has anyone shot over or had a look at the NPPC pea fields near Malton, Yorks in the last week or so? I had a look a few weeks ago and the vines were about a foot high but very few birds were bothering with them and still seemed more interested in the rape where they could get in, possibly feeding on the under ripe seed pods. Just wondering if they had flowered and podded and anywhere near harvesting yet. My problem is that I am over at Skipton, N.Yorks and it is a bit far to keep popping over to check crop progress. Cheers Nidge (army646)

I think everyone is experiencing the same difficulties at the moment. Big flocks of wary pigeons, with loads of rape fields to go at. Very little in terms of predictable behaviour, hard work trying to find birds moving along flight lines. Hopefully later on in March the flocks should start to break up and make life a little easier. This is the first year that I have put any real time to decoying pigeons and it is just plain hard graft at the moment. The weather is definately not helping. I sat fishing the other weekend watching flocks of varying sizes passing over me on a roughish flight line. This weekend the weather was not that much different. I was in the same area, but the blighters were in tighter flocks again and not moving much at all. I think a lot of it is just the luck of the draw at the moment.

How you doing Flying Fisherman. It was a pleasure to meet you at Rainton on Saturday, it was a shame that the pigeons did not want to play. Give it a few weeks and the big flocks should start to break up and make decoying a bit easier. I will definately be shooting at Rainton again in the near future and if you fancy a day out, drop me a message and we will sort something out. If you could keep me informed as to what the birds are up to over the comming weeks and how your trips out have gone, it would be much appreciated. Look forward to speaking with you soon. Regards Nidge

So it is not just me then! I have the same nagging doubt about being on the right field. I have bought the relevant 'land ranger' maps. I know what Iam doing as far as map reading is concerned. But the idea of getting it wrong and looking like a right turnip when the bizzies turn up does make me feel a little uneasey. Nidge