ShropshireSam

Had a look at my three pea fields on Thursday lunchtime with few pigeons about but crop was been sprayed off. Tractor sprayer resulted in crop flattened and peas on the ground down the tramlines. Went back on Friday lunchtime with around 200 birds constant movement of pigeons coming in and out of one of the fields. Problem was that crop is about a metre high in places and the pigeons were dropping in all over the field. Returned on Saturday and set up by 10 AM with the hide against a beck/hedge with the wind side on Put a magnet out on the first tramline (only 20 m from hide but would be 44 m to secound tramline) and clustered decoys as two thick bunches either side of the magnet with a big gaps between them and the magnet (10m). Birds did not decoy well with many flaring or just not committing. Spent plenty of time adjusting the pattern to try to get birds to commit. Always unsure if a deadbird showing belly up in the peas so kept picking up. Started quiet but had a busy couple of sessions, packed up after flattened 2 batteries on the magnet. Concentrating too much on where birds had fallen I lost count. Dog did well to collect 32 without doing to much damage to the peas. These peas will be cut after a week of sunshine which should be the best opportunuty for some good numbers.

Same as Karpman - Wet hessian sack kept in shade. I just fold over the top to stop flies getting in. I still use pigeons shot that day as decoys in summer and they get fly eggs but not a problem if you debreast them the same day as the flies are not in contact with the meat. Any going in the freezer for the game merchant go straight in the wet hessian sack.

Excellent cradles. I had all I needed in the shed to make a dozen. Thanks for this DIY idea. Used them with half-shell decoys and dead birds on 1.5 ft bamboo canes when decoying over peas.

I have been watching three pea fields on a new permission since they were just starting to emerge. Had one good day early on with 31 but not many about since then. The crops are now nearly 2 feet tall and just finishing flowering; and numbers have started to build. They seem to be dropping in on tramlines on the field boundaries with most popular spots are the corners where the crops are thinner. Thankfully the farmer has 2 gas guns on 2 corners of each field so that reduces their options. Decided to leave the best option (more pigeons feeding and bigger area of thin crop) until Saturday as will have a full day on it. Shot option 2 (Not ideal to set up a pattern as very limited space to set out decoys and leave room for pigeons to see as a landing site and fewer pigeons on it) yesterday evening 5-7 and got 13 but failed to find 3 which dropped further out. Had a dog with me but the peas are so thick his preferred option was to bounce over the peas which is not ideal when trying to pick up a scent!

Reminded me of my mate, lets call him John, arrived home from a night of excessive drinking in the early hours of a beautiful sunny day in June. Having just got to sleep a cock guinea fowl started crowing outside his bedroom window. After three hours of trying to get back to sleep with a severe hangover and the racket outside he decides to act. John lived in an old farmhouse with a backstairs leading straight to the kitchen. John went downstairs to the kitchen where his mum and dad were having breakfast. Without saying a word, he went and collected a 12 bore and two cartridges from a corner where they were "stored" (common in those days). He went to the back door, shot the crowing cock, emptied the gun, returned it and went back upstairs without saying a word. His parents sat in stunned silence until the bedroom door shut then his dad piped up "From now on....you can wake him on a morning"

Go for some tuition, sooner the better, its good value for money compared to wasted cartridges.

Thanks to Dbw1Shrops for an invite to join him on a field of beans yesterday (Saturday). Field looked to be bare of beans but plenty of **** to indicate the pigeons had been feeding there. Day started very quiet but picked up and we had a steady day with plenty of time to exchange tips, admire the view etc. Sport was challenging as we were near the brow of a hill with a good breeze with birds coming fast and low from all directions. Finished with 33 with the lions share to my host.

I don't pluck, just stick under tap and ruffle feathers on breast and they naturally part at the breastbone. Cut down breastbone with a knife then push skin clear of breast meat. Remove breast meat with knife. As feathers are wet there are no feathers going astray and quick to clean sink out when finished. Also slit below breast and remove liver and heart for pate (see recipe section). When still have pate in freezer then boil up liver and hearts and any damaged breast meat to add to the dogs dinner. With the meat I take out the inner muscle (lighter coloured) and strip out the sinew. I freeze this seperately and use as an alternative to chicken. The main muscle I remove the sinews, wrap in pairs before freezing.

Anyone made a trailer that can assemble into a mobile hide? Thinking of a small trailer with big ATV wheels. Would be easy to have hide pole fittings and adjustable legs to set trailer level. If light enough could use as a wheelbarrow but could hitch onto ATV when access permits. I have access to the trailer parts but not the shooting to justify it...maybe something for when I retire and spend more time shooting??

Really enjoyed this book and wondered how things have changed. It certainly sounds like there were more pigeons around for him to shoot. Archie was not a fan of fancy aids such as flappers operated by string as he found them too fiddly. Wonder what he would have thought of todays remote controlled/variable speed electronic stuff. He was also a big fan of straw hides. Are they as effective now when a stack of small bales is a rare site? Personally I don't think hide contruction material matters as long as you are hidden.

29 on rape 8 on rape 31 on peas over last 3 weeks + Everhopeful 2 additions above Total 4834

Thanks. He's a 2 year old lab/pointer cross with the speed/chase instinct of a lurcher.

Just got a new permission with 3 pea fields. They must have been drilled early as emerging now. Went out on Saturday early and very quiet until around 10 then a steady couple of hours, quiet again and then another steady couple of hours. Birds that came in decoyed well and bagged 31 from 58 shots. This is my highest bag and best hit rate in my first season. Can't wait to get out again. Surrounding rape is shooting up so expect more pigeons to home in on these peas.

I use a large decoy bag from AA decoys. Placed a very large plastic bucket in bottom to add some strength and acts as a seat when emptied and upturned in hide. Bag fits battery, 100+ shells, 30 shell decoys, other kit and lunch. Bag has an outer sleeve that will fit poles, gun in slip, and 2 winged decoys on bouncers or magnet arms. Then arms free to carry magnet. This is manageable on way out but generally have 2 trips if a successful day with a bag full of pigeons. Important to load the bag up carefully so nets are against your back rather than the decoys/batteries etc.

I have just got a new permission on a farm with 3 fields drilled with peas. These were all drilled a few weeks ago. There are no peas to be seen on the surface but one field has the first few peas just emerging. Each field has a small flock on when I have a ride round. When are pigeons going to hit the peas hard?

Thanks for all the positive comments. I don't worry too much about the number of shots ..... I just want to keep a count so I can see I am improving.

Just started shooting/decoying late last year and have struggled to decoy many pigeons .....mainly keeping big flocks off the rape but thought this would keep me in with the farmers I have access with. Yesterday was different, I decided to try the magnate again on a field of rape next to a good flight line. I was set up by 9 AM and had birds coming in before I was back in the hide. Had 2 busy hours and then a quiet 3 hours. Birds were drawn off the flight line to the magnate but many were then spooked and flying off, so not easy shooting. Bagged 29 with not much change from 5 boxes shells...good sport but need more practice. First time I've felt warm as well. Took out the dog (18 month old lab/pointer cross) and he did well....seems to be proud of his retreiving in the photo....although he needs to line them up neater!! Hopefully this is the start of some better decoying days. Will ask around and see if i can find some peas or beans, none on my permissions.

Thanks...I'll try to get out on Saturday nights and help keep 'em moving

Just got back into shooting and have had a few decoy and roost sessions in last two months adn have two good roosts on my permissions. Many years ago when I lived in Yorkshire it was traditional to shoot roosts on Friday nights in February. I see from other posts that others shoot roosts on Saturday nights. Obviously better with more people out to keep the pigeons moving. Does anyone know what nights people are roost shooting in North Shropshire (Newport) area?

8 on winter rape yesterday. PW Total 62

7 on the 1st. Total 12

Thanks for all the advice. I will head to the West Mids Shooting Ground as soon as the licence comes through. Still undecided on the semi v ou. They have a good selection at WMSG so I will see what feels right/fits. Thanks again for the friendly welcome

Hi all Just joined up and eagerly waiting my shotgun licence to start shooting again. I was "educated" by a gamekeeping Grandfather (a well mis-spent childhood) but have not shot for 25 years so plan to get down to a local gun shop/shooting ground to try some guns for "fit" and possibly buy there (or look around for cheaper alternatives) as well as have some tuition before I get out in the field. I am keen to get some advice on gun choice before then. I have only shot sbs in my youth but see most pigeon shooters prefer ou or semi's. I plan to mainly pigeon shoot but already have invites for lamping rabbits, a rough shoot and some wildfowling so want something as an all rounder...not interested in clays. So would a cheap semi be a good start.....are they still frowned upon by some if on a farm pheasant shoot? I see mixed reviews of escorts on this forum. Which semi's have the best, most reliable mechanisms? 28" barrel best for an all-rounder? Anyone any experience of gunshops/shooting grounds offering tuition in Shrops/Staffordshire? Sorry...lots of questions!

Excellent recipe. I had a tub of about 20 hearts and livers in the freezer just waiting for inspiration.....followed your recipe but without adding the breast meat. Wonderful on some wholemeal toast and topped with some damson chutney.....all homemade. As you said...easy to collect the heart and liver and well worth the effort.