number of decoys

[adam1]

How many decoys are you using as standard practice at the moment. 6, 12, 24, or another amount.

Edited March 23, 2010 by adam1

[Cranfield]

The answer to this question depends on so many variables, there is no one answer.

On low crops , including drillings I use an average of 20-30 decoys (sometimes up to 50), plus 2 floaters or bouncers and sometimes a rotary.

On higher crops I use less ground decoys, but up to 6 floaters or bouncers and definitely one rotary and sometimes two.

All this depends on wind strength and whether the pigeons are liking the layout, if they don't I make changes.

[Lez325]

Trial and error Ive found- over a Rape crop last week I stuck out 21 Sillosocks in a huge flock only to attract 3 or 4 Pigeons the rest flared off

 

I removed all but 5 and had a half decent day shooting some 30 + so if the Pigeons aint coming into your pattern a change is as good as a rest so they say lol

 

Les

Edited March 23, 2010 by Lez325

[adam1]

Yeah, sorry I've worded the question really badly it's just the more people i see decoying or get talking to around here the more seem to have just a set number (normaly 10 or 12) shells and thats it ( I fall into this category although i've a couple of floaters more than the local boys) and just was curious how many members fell into this category as it's obviously not uncommon, although I suspect some may not want to admit they are what many will consider to be underequiped

Adam

Edited March 28, 2010 by adam1

[Popgun]

I use about 20-25 shells 10 sillosocks and 2 bouncers this time of the year i put out dead birds as i shoot them i dont put out dead birds in the warm weather because they get fly blown and it's a waste of good meat.

[UKPoacher]

The more deeks you have out the more likely that one falls over or isn't sat right and causes incoming pigeons to veer off. A smaller flock of deeks can be easier to manage especially in high winds.

 

P.S. I've had the problem of birds occasionally veering off at the last minute over the last couple of weeks. A pigeon fairy was rolling over some of my dead birds when my back was turned as I was walking back to the hide. Here is the guilty party....