how high to set decoys on rape

[pigeon chasser]

The rape has started growin fast now and is nearly at knee height where i shoot but i'm not really sure weather to lay the deeks on top of the rape or push it over as to speak and put them on the ground on the sprung stick's.

what do you all reckon

[david bram]

Try and find a patch that the birds have kept low or hasnt come up very well even if its in the middle of the field if the whole fields knee high you might struggle to decoy on it i wouldnt suggest pushing it over.

[soontjen]

if you push it over i dont think you'll have to worry were to put them . as i'm sure the farmer would throw you off ....i'd us longer stick's or place them on top of the rape

[pigeon chasser]

if you push it over i dont think you'll have to worry were to put them . as i'm sure the farmer would throw you off ....i'd us longer stick's or place them on top of the rape

not push it over as in a sence of ruining and breaking the farmers crop and not pushing over a massive area. i mean just where the decoys are and just spreading it as so the decoy can be seen. the flight line seems to change daily where i shoot and it so frustrating.

[soontjen]

get some longer stick's or cane's to raise them obove the rape .. or just lying them on the rape is ok

[pigeon chasser]

thanks. it looked like i was saying do i break down acres of 3 foot rape to set my pattern up but thats not what i ment. it's only 8inches or so. i just didnt know if the pigeons flying would of been spooked seeing them all sitting on the top if you get my drift.

[soontjen]

as long as they come and have a look that's all you need them to do .

[Fisherman Mike]

Shooting over rape that high my farmers would have a total fit. You are probably doing more damage than the birds at this time in its growth. You would do well to secure future trips to ring the Framer and say " Ive ceased shooting on the sprouting rape as there is a likelyhood that I would do more damage than the birds " 100 quid says he will think more of you for that admission, and remember you next season or at harvest.

[pigeon chasser]

that is a fair point spoken there. I'll have to ask him if he has any drilling going soon

[pigeonblasterian]

It should be easier to see where the pidgeons are eating the rape.Can easily tell when you see bare earth.If you cannot see where they have been maybe it is time to go looking somewhere else for them.

[Cranfield]

The easy answer to the question, is just make sure the pigeons can see them, I use longer sticks when the rape gets higher.

With regard to crop damage, its always sensible to use the tractor tracks when the crop gets higher, but you are not going to cause any real damage/loss, until the crop has ripening pods.

Thats when I wouldn't even let a dog retrieve from the crops, as its so easy to spill the rape seed.

[pigeon chasser]

The easy answer to the question, is just make sure the pigeons can see them, I use longer sticks when the rape gets higher.

With regard to crop damage, its always sensible to use the tractor tracks when the crop gets higher, but you are not going to cause any real damage/loss, until the crop has ripening pods.

Thats when I wouldn't even let a dog retrieve from the crops, as its so easy to spill the rape seed.

cheers cranfield