Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) All, I had a call from a farmer today to say that his 100 acre rape field is covered in Pigeons. I went and had a look and he wasnt joking!! Must have been 1000 feeding on the rape which is now around 10cm high. Good thing is the fields near bye dont have anything growing on the so may have a chance of keeping them interested. Planning to go later this week but wondered if you had any tips on keeping the flock interested, in the past ive not had much luck with big flocks they just seem to fly off after the first couple of shots and thats it for the day. Any tips...apart from using a Hushpower that is!!! Edited December 22, 2009 by stevienicknacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Any tips on the best pattern to try over part grown rape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I just made my hide in a hedge this afternoon ready for a similar situation Bring on a windy day ................ Trouble is large flocks are not so good shooting as many small ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Any tips on the best pattern to try over part grown rape? There's a good decoy pattern in January's Sporting Gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Agreed, wind is always better too as you said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadShot Stu Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I have got the same problem there must be 4000 plus birds on the rape where i shoot, But i cant seem to get them interested in the decoys. I have started with about 15 decoys out and added more in total about 60 at one stage, and i took some in, I changed the pattern about 5 times but the big flocks dont give it a second look. It just tends to bring the odd two or single birds. The bigger flock (2000+) is in the middle of the field and surrounding fields, There not shot shy as they just keep movein around the area of where i am. In total theres about 500 acres of rape? I have shot 40 today but should have been 400 if i could get them in. Any advise is more that welcome Cheers frustrated Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Loads of decoys is half the battle, at least 50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I have got the same problem there must be 4000 plus birds on the rape where i shoot, But i cant seem to get them interested in the decoys. I have started with about 15 decoys out and added more in total about 60 at one stage, and i took some in, I changed the pattern about 5 times but the big flocks dont give it a second look. It just tends to bring the odd two or single birds. The bigger flock (2000+) is in the middle of the field and surrounding fields, There not shot shy as they just keep movein around the area of where i am. In total theres about 500 acres of rape? I have shot 40 today but should have been 400 if i could get them in. Any advise is more that welcome Cheers frustrated Stu More shooters in the surounding area to keep them moving about might help ............. you need some friends It is very very hard on our own with big flocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Someone mentioned a good pattern in tips and tricks. Anyone got the link to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 More shooters in the surounding area to keep them moving about might help ............. you need some friends It is very very hard on our own with big flocks. Defo makes a big difference. May need to split up...only prob is we have 1 magnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I HAVE ONE ALSO! lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Defo makes a big difference. May need to split up...only prob is we have 1 magnet. Wouldn't worry about only 1 magnet, just use good fieldcraft and anything to gain movement in the patterns of each of the lads. Get under the flightlines and try different patterns until one works for you on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonevo Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 A little tip ,among your decoys strategically place some crow decoys as these will highlight your decoy formation,this will attract your pigeons aswell as crows etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Have tried adding crows outside of the pattern in the past with mixed results. Some suggest that having crows near the pattern can scare of the Pigeons. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Put some bangers at one end of the field or just past it if you can, failing that put some flags up to keep the birds away from those places and use plenty of decoys above the crop in your pattern, as many as you can get your hands on. If you have a bouncer, flapper or rotary that should pull them toward you as it will add movement. If you can get under a sittie tree a couple of lofters might help. The only thing is mate, remember the farmer wants them off, if you delay a few days and someone pops their heads in and asks if he can shoot for a day, the chances are the farmer will say yes. He's interested in his crop, not good shooting for you I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 If you dont have enough shooters to cover the land, you can also use the magnet with 2 white plastic bags attached to help keep the pigeons off a piece or patch of field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) The only thing is mate, remember the farmer wants them off, if you delay a few days and someone pops their heads in and asks if he can shoot for a day, the chances are the farmer will say yes. He's interested in his crop, not good shooting for you I'm afraid. Agreed, just gunna struggle to get there until Boxing day im afraid, working tomorrow and the XMAS is in the way!!!I walked the fields woith him today and he said he understood the time constraints but defo need to give them a good hammering over the next week. He actaully has 2 large sections of rape which are around a mile apart both with 1000 birds chomping on!!!! Could be a bust Christmas for the shotty. Edited December 22, 2009 by stevienicknacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevor8262 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 hi if you nead a hand let me know Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 sounds like you need another couple of guns mate. If you want to keep them moving, otherwise they will bounce from field to field, but never the one you are in.... I'm sure a few of us hear would be willing to lend a hand when you go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadShot Stu Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I have got a magnet with Hypaflaps but dont always find it works it sometimes makes them scared before they come into range, There is also a bangor set up at the bottom of the field and they take no notice of it. I also use bouncers and peckers I do shoot with a couple of other lads but still havent managed to bring the big flocks in close. I will get some more decoys and see how we go failing that it will be telephone calls........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Any tips on the best pattern to try over part grown rape? http://www.pigeonwatch.co.uk/tips.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 I have got a magnet with Hypaflaps but dont always find it works it sometimes makes them scared before they come into range, There is also a bangor set up at the bottom of the field and they take no notice of it. I also use bouncers and peckers I do shoot with a couple of other lads but still havent managed to bring the big flocks in close. I will get some more decoys and see how we go failing that it will be telephone calls........... It may have nothing to do with your set up, these big flocks do not always want to decoy. Regarding the rotary etc, I would start with just the decoys then watch the reactions of the birds: If you introduce bits one by one you will see how they react. If you put it all out at once, how do you know what they are kinking away to? I'd put the peckers out to start with, I don't think these would scare them off! Also don't be scared to change the pattern about if it ain't working. If they are constantly feeding the other end of the field, you should move there! You're sitting in the wrong place!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 Thanks for the tips chaps. Would be good to get a few bods across the 2 fields and keep them moving but this aprticualr farmer is a bit cagey about having too many people on the land...If I dont have any joy Ill run it by him and drop you a note and see if we can meet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steyr 6.5 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Well we got there early today and managed to shoot 999 of them (my mate missed one)!!!!! Honest!! We actually finished off with close to 60 birds for the full day which we were happy with considering that the flock ****** off as soon as we got there, but we did keep getting smaller flocks coming over through out the day. Unfortunately heavy fog set in at arounf 11:30am which didnt help with decoying.. Back there again later this week. Happy hunting. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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