Gutter Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have done loads of shooting over most crops over the years but never pea’s (just never had the opportunity.) The Farmer will be drilling mid March when the ground warms up (if it ever will) and wants me to shoot over this What’s the best method on pea’s regarding the timing as this can be cruial. Do I wait a week and just watch? Do I go straight after drilling? Do I wait until the peas are chitin? Are their different times with pea’s and what’s the best time after the crop has come up? While its in flower? When there are new pods developing? Or when the pods are fully developed?. I would imagine just after harvest would be good too. Your thoughts would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bothbarrels Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 As pigeons apparently dont scratch around under the surface but prefer to take seeds and shoots from the surface. I would imagine you need to wait a little while, but you'd probably do best having a few reccies, to see if they are on the peas. An hour or so just sitting and watching can bring dividends in the long run. Good luck matey. BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 It depends on the quality of the drilling. I have had big bags shooting over newly drilled fields, where there was a lot of spilled peas about. Equally I have looked at a freshly drilled field, not seen any peas (or pigeons) and not shot it until they are chitting. Look for the birds is the easy answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 hi i had a pea field on my shoot last year and from the day they went in the birds started on the field . they seem to pick the spilt stuf first (look around it there )after it was sowen then the started on the young shoots (as they came through) and once again when the flowers came on but i think you can get a bag on peas from sowen to cut( i did) just keep watching the field for birds on my field the did stop feeding on it at times but always came back after a short time (weeks ) good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trxnav Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 just have to watch it mate you will know when the time is right i have foun best on my permission is when the peas come out in flower and the pods start to form i shot the same field in the same place every weekend for a month and had between 100-150 birds every time some of the best shooting i ever had but just really depends on how the birds feed it. Good luck mate im sure you will get a few on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popgun Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 i used to shoot a lot of pea fields the estate stopped sowing them now, first they go for the sowing just wait till you see them it may take a day or two then they go for them as they first show above ground then they have a go at the flowers and buds then again when the peas have been harvested,peas are a great crop to shoot over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Like said you may get some shooting when drilled ,i have some good days on peas when drilled but find the best time is when there around 3inches tall but i have shot over them from drill to cut and had good days . 1 of my best days came with my shooting buddy a few years back ,was set up on the peas they were 2 inches tall shot 308 from 12 till 4pm then 287 for 12 till 4pm the next day in same hides . There is some good shooting to have on peas just keep watching them i no i will be watching mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 My experiance of pea shooting is that the birds will have them from the day they are drilled to well after they have been harvested . I will go as far as to say that peas are proberbly the most consistant crop to shoot over throughout the growing season . The birds will hit them at any stage of growth and tend to go mad for them as they come into flower and the pods start to form . You are lucky to have peas to shoot over .My farmer has not grown peas for 5 years and that has lost me some wonderful shooting days . You really must keep your eyes on the fields and have a good look around . No time spent in watching the fields is waisted . The good thing about peas is that you will get about 5 months of shooting out of them . Every farmer should be made to grow just one field of peas for his pigeon shooter . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have found in my experience, that if you have a lot of rape in the same area as your peas, that the pigeons may be reluctant to leave the rape until it has grown too tall for them. I've found the good days on peas for that reason, seem to start around mid may. Of course, you can shoot these fields at any time and get a result. Also, don't forget to keep an eye on any old stubbles that don't get ploughed in, as you may find the birds on them even a couple of months after harvest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoughton Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 ..... Every farmer should be made to grow just one field of peas for his pigeon shooter .Harnser . I like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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