jarranick Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hello Gents, I have been pigeon shooting since December, from then till March time I was doing quite well shooting over oilseed rape. But lately in April I have noticed a huge decline in the numbers of birds on the fields I shoot also the ones which are around aren't at all interested in my decoys any more. I have noticed as the crop has grown to 12-18 inches high my decoys aren't that visible any more. Please could you give me any advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hello Gents, I have been pigeon shooting since December, from then till March time I was doing quite well shooting over oilseed rape. But lately in April I have noticed a huge decline in the numbers of birds on the fields I shoot also the ones which are around aren't at all interested in my decoys any more. I have noticed as the crop has grown to 12-18 inches high my decoys aren't that visible any more. Please could you give me any advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks Nick. Two reasons;- 1. They are breeding and so are preoccupied with that. 2. They will feed better on shorter crops than rape. Look out for freshly drilled cereals and clover or weeds in grass pastures for the next month or two. It will probably be slower sport than in winter though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarranick Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Two reasons;- 1. They are breeding and so are preoccupied with that. 2. They will feed better on shorter crops than rape. Look out for freshly drilled cereals and clover or weeds in grass pastures for the next month or two. It will probably be slower sport than in winter though. Thanks for your prompt reply, do you suggest leaving the rape fields for now, if so when is the best time to shoot over them again, because they are pretty much all i have got. One other thing, what is the maximum height of crop would you shoot over?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hi Nick. Welcome to Pigeon Watch. Enjoy your stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratman Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 You can shoot over rape at any time, obviously if and when the pigeons are on it. This time of year they do tend to turn their attentions to clover, and newly drilled crops and the large winter flocks of a couple of months ago will disperse to allow for breeding. I have shot good bags over tall rape but mainly because there was a flightline over it, the pigeons that were feeding on it were tight to a hedge where the rape was much shorter. The secret is being able to make your decoys stand out over the top of the crop, a magnet is a good start and I also use Chris Green floaters which will stand out and bob and weave above the crop. One very important thing to take into account is collecting the dead birds, are you going to cause more crop damage than the pigeons by walking about in a standing crop ?? A farmer will soon revoke the permission if he can see damaged crops caused by trampling around looking for birds. The next best time to shoot these fields will be at harvest time, often my best bags have been the day after the field has been cut, pigeons seem to hit fields hard in this area as soon as they are harvested and then move on. It is not always the case and some times it can benefit to leave the fields a few days to let numbers build up. As always it is best to spend time watching the fields to work out flightlines, it soons becomes obvious when the pigeons are moving most and from which direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 As Ratman says; you can find birds on rape especially where it is not as high as esewhere, but if you haven't got a dog to retrieve then you will be struggling to pick them. They will go onto fallen rape if it flattens after heavy rain especially after it has ripened. At this time of year I tend to favour the airgun and pick them off from sitty trees near water around midday. That way I don't disturb the nesting game birds. If you have a manure heap on your shoot keepyour eye on thatand also short grass in pastures and clover fields. They won'tcome in great numbers until August or thereabouts though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarranick Posted April 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 Thanks fellas for your helpful advice, i will put it to good use!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester energy Posted April 26, 2010 Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 Its a little sleepy on my farm permission aswell ......The owner has planted wheat this year and at around a foot high now, the Pidgeons dont exist.....few Rabbits . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarranick Posted April 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 Its a little sleepy on my farm permission aswell ......The owner has planted wheat this year and at around a foot high now, the Pidgeons dont exist.....few Rabbits . I hear it is quiet everywhere this time of year due to the mating, hopefully it will pick up soon. I'm investing in some bouncers to bounce above the rape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 26, 2010 Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 Welcome Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted April 26, 2010 Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 I hear it is quiet everywhere this time of year due to the mating, hopefully it will pick up soon. I'm investing in some bouncers to bounce above the rape. It certainly isn't quiet everywhere at this time of year. In the last two weeks i have had bags of 116 and 94. A mate of mine and another bloke who shoots on the same farm have also had a ton each in the last week or two. The barley drillings produced good sport, the rape also. Very shortly, i will be expecting to start shooting some decent bags on peas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Rape over my shoots is almost a metre high now- had some good sport shooting the tractor wheel lines and edges though best bag 13 so far as they just dont seem to want to commit to deeks Les :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Welcome along, and good luck with the birds. It has probably been mentioned, but I havn't read all of the above, watch out for the pigeons eating the chickweed in the wheat. Its normally a winner :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicelydoesit Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Rape over my shoots is almost a metre high now- had some good sport shooting the tractor wheel lines and edges though best bag 13 so far as they just dont seem to want to commit to deeks Les i think a poll over the best score with what deeks over different regions of uk would be advantageous cause i have nooo luck wiv mine. id be lucky to bag 1-3 in half a day over rape. i can clearly see flight lines and my field skills are next to none as ive done this from a verry young age and know the score round my grounds if you know what i mean. but what ive noticed is the growing amount arround houses and town centers. they seem to be laughing at me from every tree, even when i come back from my local farm, there hasnt been nothing on the wing then suddenly when ive retrieted home theres 10-20 there sat on the roofs. ha ha ha they even seem to laugh down ma chimney ITS PIGEON PARANOIAAAA lol im now confused . com i dont know what will work deffinately should work out a poll as it will derive interesting results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarranick Posted May 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 welcome I have tried shooting around the edges of my rape fields but with no success, i spent 3 hours there yesterday and didn't even see a bird let alone shoot one!! Didn't even fire 1 cartridge!! Do you think it is a good time to shoot over pea fields?? Any help appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 (edited) spend some time looking to see where the Pigeons are feeding ( over your shoots obviously) look for where they fly to and from ( Flight Lines) try to set up under one of these flight lines for best results Pea's sound good- are they actually feeding on them?:blink: If so give it a go- nothiong to loose have ya? Les Edited May 10, 2010 by Lez325 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarranick Posted May 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 spend some time looking to see where the Pigeons are feeding ( over your shoots obviously) look for where they fly to and from ( Flight Lines) try to set up under one of these flight lines for best results Pea's sound good- are they actually feeding on them? If so give it a go- nothiong to loose have ya? Les thanks for the reply, have you used air pro decoys or hypaflaps, has anyone has any experience with them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 My main pea farmer has probably got around 50 fields drilled by now. I have driven past several of these in the last week or so and the pigeons are starting to hit a few of them. I know the areas where the pigeons are likely to hit. I will have my first go at them some time this week. Hypa flaps can work well. My best bag using them is 202. I don't use them that often, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 thanks for the reply, have you used air pro decoys or hypaflaps, has anyone has any experience with them?? I use Hypa Flaps and Sillosocks and they are very good No experience with Pro air sorry Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuddster Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 You from Jarra? it takes a keen eye to spot the detail.personally, i'm from the other side of the tyne valley but currently lodged south of ebor. cheers fudd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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