djrwood Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Went and attempted decoying for my first time with my mate Jack (Chezza1986). We usually walk the lanes and pop them as they fly out the trees. Never get big numbers but its a great way to spend a couple of hours in the fen's. We noticed a lot of pigeon feeding on a potato field for the past few days. We were both unsure whether this was a great field to shoot on, but they were there repeatedly in stedy numbers so thought we would try. We had a late start (Jack unable to be up before 9 on a Sunday) so therefore didn't get out until 10ish. Walked the gear to the bottom of the field and there were a few birds in the air. As i haven't done any decoying since i was 12 (with my dad and his experienced friends) i was abit unsure about how to start. We picked a point and set the hide up so we were nesstled nicely in front of the trees with the wind on our back. Scatted some whole body decoys out in front of us and a single crow. Also had a bouncer which we positioned to look as though flying into the wind. Was slow for about 20 mins and then saw a couple of birds flying. One came in to have a look and landed amongst the decoys. Would have been an easy shot but with several other birds flying in the area we didnt want to scare them all off and ruin the morning. The pigeon flew off within 30 seconds and we continued the wait. A little while later i nailed a bird flying right to left at around 40 yards with a single shot. We stayed at this set up for around 90 minutes and the whole time we could see birds on the opposite side of the field in front of a row of connifers so decided to move over to the corner and see what happened. Set up again and scattered the decoys out in no particular pattern. Around 15 minutes in, a woody flew from the opposite side of the field straight towards us and the decoys. Jack waited and then took his shot, hitting the bird. It was still flapping so he went out and quickly dispatched it. We stayed put for another 30 mins but felt we were wasting our time as there were so few birds so decided to pack up with the two we had and go and find out what they tasted like. We stopped on the way back to mine to walk a tree line and Jack nailed another woody which flew out in front of us. 2 shots 2 birds. We plucked two of the pigeons and took off the breast meat. I opened the crop of mine which was empty with the exception of three beans. Jack decided to fry his breasts whole in olive oil. I also fried them in olive oil but decided to slice them into strips. The were cooked in no time and tasted stunning. First time either of us had eaten pigeon and definately wont be the last. Both plates empty. After our little snack, we headed back to jacks to have a quick wander around the orchard. The pigeon saw us coming and around 40 - 50 birds up and left in a big arch just out of range. As we walked further another smaller flock took off. Two birds strayed from the flock and flew behind us and i managed to nail the second bird. Missed with the first but downed with the second shot. Was using Saga 32g 6 shot carts and couldn't get over how great they were. This bird was far away but it was a clean kill. We paced it from where we found the bird back to where i stood which worked out 59 yards. Therefore adjusting after it fell from being shot im sure it was around 50-55 yards. So overall our 3 hours out only landed us 4 woodies but also got us our first taste of pigeon. It was beautiful. A good day and we learnt a bit. WE need to get out doing it each weekend until we work out what we are doing and hopefully our numbers will increase. I've attached a few pic's below. By no means our first pigeons that we have shot but first we shot decoying and that we cooked and ate. It doesnt get much fresher. We ate them within 3 hours of them flying though the sky towards our decoys. Brilliant!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrwood Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrwood Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrwood Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 (edited) Two beautiful pigeon sandwiches Edited April 18, 2010 by djrwood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Great story and you certainly don't let the birds hang around in the fridge for long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 nice write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonsterandmerlin. Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 As Tom says nice write up boys. Good work OTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Good write up. I take a disposable BBQ and some ingredients in a mess tin - Sprinkle-on flavourings, salt, small bottle of oil, and some skewers. Easy enough to carry in the boot, and really great to make up some pigeon kebabs for an impromptu lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyh1988 Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 good job fellas dont feel you have to shoot loads and lods to keep up with the pros on here somethings better that nowt lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezza1986 Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Good write up woody Like you say mate well good day. Had a laugh and a new food is on the menu. Will have to keep going and keep learning. We'll get there in the end son. Good photos to boss. Brilliant day over all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Nice write up, you are now well and truly hooked! Just an idea, but if a similar situation was to occur, why not one of you move to the other side of the field and set up a second hide (if opposite each other make sure you are within safe shooting distance to one another). This way you cover more of the field and move the birds around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonySmith Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 A great read... ....Sarnies look well tasty... ATB Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 great read m8 that sanny is making me hungry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 well done guys and a good write up with the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verminator69 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Nice one boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgunspud Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 well done lads, keep at them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOCKY A391 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Good write up. I take a disposable BBQ and some ingredients in a mess tin - Sprinkle-on flavourings, salt, small bottle of oil, and some skewers. Easy enough to carry in the boot, and really great to make up some pigeon kebabs for an impromptu lunch. Shwartz spices do a wicked rub on cajun seasoning , just the thing to keep with the kit ! Well done , its a small result but one you will always remember ! Stocky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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