J@mes Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Went out on my new permission today, first time on my own. Crop protection sport? Did my homework, worked out the wind, flight lines, hide positions and how to set my decoys and magnet. Drove to the spot, set up, and all the pigeons vanish Confused They seem to be moving in huge flocks, so as soon as they spot you, they move on. spent between 1-2 hours in 3 different fields (all rape) and had 0 shots. I shot on a few fields where I wasn't allowed to spend much time as there are horses near by, just to try and get the flocks moving in the other direction towards my shootable fields. no joy. quite disappointed really, its a 40 minute drive each way to my permission and I came away with nothing. Oh well, there's always next week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Jim its very hit and miss at the moment big gangs ******* cold we tend to roost shoot occasionally and have the odd day with decoys but not that often. You really need other people out and gas guns about to stand much of a chance. Summer will give you more of a chance when crops are up and you can see where is being hit easier and the birds tend to split up more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batch Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 You just have to stick with it fella, although it can be pretty soul destroying at times!! Like you I have only just recently started shooting on my own and have had some pretty grim days, but you will occassionally get a day where it all kicks off and it is a pretty good feeling when you leave a field with an empty cartridge bag and motor stuffed with woodies!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK38 Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 The only thing you can't plan or allow for is the birds themselves.... Had the same last year, huge flocks feeding intently on a field, only to vanish at the first shot.... spent hours driving from field to field just moving them on. Bangers or other shooters can help sometimes to keep them moving, but with the choice of food they have they can still go elsewhere. Other days and no matter what you do, they keep coming in ...... it's just the way it goes i'm afraid.. Still at least you kept the fields clear of Pigeons for a day... and any Famer would be happy with that. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berettaman Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Be carefull mk38 i have had bad days took nothing and the conversation with the farm manager went something like - well if you cant kill the pigeons you wont last long here he(the farmer) wants to see you carting off loads of dead pigeons. The man doesnt even own a shotgun but expects you to kill phantom pigeons now i do the roost shoot and when i cant get pigeons i leave a dozen dead crows by the farm entrance gate which he must have seen havent had any more of those first comments,i think he realises its not down to my shooting alone at last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigwallet Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 been havin same problem but last monday me and mate did a big rape field and flocks of 30 to 40 kept coming in had a good day.As above said we always make sure farmer giles sees us there we toot horn long as he knows were there hes happy and we always ask if he want some pigeons far the pot he says no as he dont like them so even if we ant shot any we still ask him as a joke mind one day he will say yes then theres a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Every shooter has bad days, went roost shooting couple weeks ago, nearly allways get a few woodies. This time nothing, never had a shot, so there you go, just keep going mate it will get better. Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 It might be worth trying an early morning flight on the field. I often find that if you are set up before the pigeons start to leave the roostong woods the first flocks are smallish and after being shot at scatter . this stops a big flock forming up on your field and the scattered bunches return during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Never easy but that makes it interesting! I have loads of frustrating days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 I'm fairly new to this and have had some poor days in terms of pigeon numbers shot, but I'm chilled out about that. If there is such a thing as a bad days pigeon shooting I've yet to experience it. I learn something every time I go out, I get to observe nature up close and personal and enjoy the peace and tranquility. An old cliche I know, but a bad days shooting beats a good day at work any day of the week. If I was guaranteed a red letter day everytime I went out, I wouldn't bother. It makes the good days far more memorable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepe Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Jim its very hit and miss at the moment big gangs ******* cold we tend to roost shoot occasionally and have the odd day with decoys but not that often. You really need other people out and gas guns about to stand much of a chance. Summer will give you more of a chance when crops are up and you can see where is being hit easier and the birds tend to split up more Ditto. Spring drillings can give you some good shooting also. The farmers around here are getting ready I try shooting under the flight lines or trees they use for resting sometimes if they are not decoying. This is pigeon shooting, proper hunting. Some people expect to turn up to a field an shoot a hundred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted March 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Some people expect to turn up to a field an shoot a hundred. yeh that was me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big simmo999 Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Same happened to me and my mate yesterday - one shot and they didn't come back! - its takes us 1.5 hours to get to our ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 They seem to be moving in huge flocks, so as soon as they spot you, they move on. spent between 1-2 hours in 3 different fields (all rape) and had 0 shots. Try using plastic bags on sticks on the fields you don`t intend to shoot, that will save them being on those fields eating while you are on the other waiting. I would also advise setting up early ! Oh well, there's always next week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzzy Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 glad its not just me i went out last week got to the field at 7 30 to see about 300 take off set up and after 3 hours and not one shot but the farmers just turned over a field just waiting for him to drill it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted March 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Thanks for the comments, will keep them in mind! Drilled beans coming soon too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 If you're travelling 40 minutes south of you and want some pointers let me know, if its 40 minutes North you'll have to find someone else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christy Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a bit weird the first few times on your own. If you don't get any then you blame yourself. Sure, chances are you may not have been as sneaky as you could have been but hey, you were there and tried. Next time you will be more familar with the trerritory and see things slightly differently. And the time after that more so etc. Pigeons are sharp eyed and very wary. I see it a bit like fly fishing-if it was easy I don't want to do it. Also it's harder on your own, if I have a couple of mates in the distance 500 yds apart at least I may get a shot at what they miss! Stick with it and you will find every time you go you learn/see a little bit more regarding your shoot. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Downie Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Some people expect to turn up to a field an shoot a hundred. Only a hundred? Blimey. On the past few days out where I've fired ZERO shots, I have optimistically lugged about 250 cartridges with me just in case I have one of those days - the days that only ever seem to happen to other people in magazines. ********! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Been out three days running and not had a shot till today.Farmer told me the times they came to the field and where they were landing.Did not get a sniff the first day.Second day had just taken cartridges out of gun at 1730 hrs to pack in for the day and about 100 landed in front of me.I was numb with cold the wind had been in my face all day.I fumbled to get the gun loaded and they must have seen me move and flew off.Today i set out the hide and decoys in the same place under a tree and waited.Thought i heard something and looked into the tree and there were three pigeons eyeing up the decoys.It took them about thirty seconds to spot me and they were off.Never had another pigeon near me all day but they were at the other side of the field near a busy road.Had three shots at birds that were flying back to roost it was more in hope than anything.Came away again with nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 it's never as much fun on your own surely your wife/girlfriend will help you out! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott82 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 (edited) Hi all. I've had the same problems and I'm also starting out. I think I've found some flight lines and this might sound stupid but how "busy" "should" they be? Do they change their route dependant on wind etc? I ask as sometimes I seem to get birds flying over every couple of mins other times none at all and they seem to be passing over other parts of the field? Thanks guys Edited March 12, 2010 by Scott82 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Hi mate im over in lincolnshire they were huge flocks near me a couple of weeks ago even landing next to the scarecrows the farmers had put out. talked the wife into buying me a semi escort last week for my birthday. rushed off and the flocks had gone. got a few rabbits that i could have popped off with an airgun so it spoilt the fun really. went out 3 days on the trot got a few pigeons, watched the mad march hares, got some more rabbits but still missing the pigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripey999 Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Perseverance is the key, keep at it. At least that what I think (haven't got any permissions at the mo though). If you need another to move them round (in Gloucester) then give me a shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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