BountyHunter Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Ok things aren't s bad as the title may suggest but: I have had a few lovely woodies but I must confess that I have happened upon them, not stalked or decoyed. One thing that I have noticed is how skittish they are, even dressed in full camo staliking along the hedge, I scare them before I see them. So a few questions. Stalking roost shooting - How on Earth do you get to within airgun range of the little blighters without spooking them? I have a lovely little tree in mind, a gnarly old oak which is coverd with ivy, yesterday I got quite close, 50 yds maybe before scaring a dozen or so birds out of it. There is quite good cover close by. Decoying : We don't have any rape etc around here, I often see small groups of birds in the fields of grass presumably after clover (?) so how do I decoy them? Is it just a case of shoving the deeks out in the field and getting settled down, are they likely to be fooled over grass? Any advise is welcome. BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I have noticed a good number of pigeons feeding on clover, putting out half a dozen shells and a bouncer could prove fruitful, but you would be better off with a shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted December 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I can hardly wait to get my shottie licence , I am half expecting the local pigeon populace to have signed a petition against it... Is there a definative guide to pigeon bashing, or would any local shooters mind meeting up for a pint and a chat about the way they do things? BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 When roost shooting, or intending to daytime shoot a "sitty tree", you need to be there before the birds and well concealed. Stalking pigeons rarely works, as they are very aware of movement, regardless of how well camouflaged you think you are. When pigeons are feeding on clover, they are very "decoyable" (new word ?). Archie Coats shot his record bag over clover. Set up just like on any other crop, but once again the hide is very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted December 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Thanks. The setup in the top field seems to be good, the Woodies feed away from the edge, around which is a dense wood, some of the oaks are massive and the Pigeons seem to sit up in the trees before dropping to feed. Under the trees the field is surrounded by a 2-3ft deep ditch which has nearly vertcal sides. A recent reccey suggested that I may be able to set up the hide in the ditch which would give it (and me) a lower profile. I was going to go up and set up a hide a couple of days in advance to allow them time to get used to it, is that a waste of time? BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 If you are able to erect a "permanent" hide, especially with natural materials, it is always a good idea. Don't be too concerned about making the hide small. You need to be comfortable enough to sit in it for long periods and still be able to shoot effectively. Don't forget to wear a face mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted December 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 (edited) Thanks Big C I will have a go at the weekend I think (get some fresh air and get away from the Wizard of Oz or whatever other cr4p they put on) I bought a camo cap with a face veil, the wife makes me wear it in public 'cos she says it is less embarresing than going round with me not wearing it... Incidentally, how many deeks and what sort should I be using over clover? BH Edited December 19, 2005 by BountyHunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I must say this is all very interesting as I am going through a "pigeon phase" at the moment. I have got hold of 12 shell deeks and 1 full bodied deek. Is this going to be enough do you think? I did not want to invest in anything else until I know it is workable with the air rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 dont forget the lofters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plinker Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 bh they are on clover and ivy arond helston at the moment but you won,t get big bags around here simply because there are not enough of them and they can get clover virtually every where. plinker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanber1088 Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Hi, don't forget to try and put some movement on your decoys,or try a floater, as magman said if you have a lofter or two they can also bring them in with in range for your air rifle. Happy shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted December 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 bh they are on clover and ivy arond helston at the moment but you won,t get big bags around here simply because there are not enough of them and they can get clover virtually every where. plinker Hey up mate, don't want big bags just a bit of sport and some nice tasting pigeon breasts for tea. Thanks everybody for the advice BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 They're not so tasty when you get good at this game - you end up shooting so many you've got to eat them for breakfast, dinner & tea, (and sandwiches for work). Friends & neighbours no longer answer the door to you, everybody gets fed up with eating them..!! Catamong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanber1088 Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 They're not so tasty when you get good at this game - you end up shooting so many you've got to eat them for breakfast, dinner & tea, (and sandwiches for work). Friends & neighbours no longer answer the door to you, everybody gets fed up with eating them..!! Catamong To true mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I used to have some very enjoyable days sitting under a sitty tree with me falcon fn 19, so quiet hardly disturbed the other birds asI dropped there pals . best day i had was a bag of 28 woodies in 4 hours ..best advice is get there before the birds ,make sure your well concealled but also you have enough room to reload ect without snagging yourself spooking birds ,also fire a few zero shots at a branch where you expect birds ,as you need to be bang on, i took all my birds with head shots and lastly at least your out in the air so enjoy it no matter how many you get.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 and lastly at least your out in the air so enjoy it no matter how many you get.. Wise words indeed. I am not after dozens, just 3 or 4 a session would make an excellent meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted December 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Amen to that. Is there information on hide building on this site? I have seen limited info on others but nothing other than common sense really. BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning GTS Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 Decoying : We don't have any rape etc around here, I often see small groups of birds in the fields of grass presumably after clover (?) so how do I decoy them? Is it just a case of shoving the deeks out in the field and getting settled down, are they likely to be fooled over grass? Any advise is welcome. BH Bounty i am in the same position the farm i shoot over only has livestock and very few crops, i have found decoys on grass do bring them in somtimes, but most of my shooting is flightline. This time of year it is off to the small wood about an hour before it gets dark and wait for them to come in, normally get a few Magies this way as well Also with this method of hiding in the wood i do not have to worry to much a bout camo either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beater Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 I must say this is all very interesting as I am going through a "pigeon phase" at the moment. I have got hold of 12 shell deeks and 1 full bodied deek. Is this going to be enough do you think? I did not want to invest in anything else until I know it is workable with the air rifle. Snakebite If your going 2 be decoying and shooting with an air rifle u could shoot a dozen birds 1st and freeze them, and keep using them for decoys. My mate decoys alot using an air rifle in summer and says woodies will land alot better on a dead bird decoy patten with flapper than plastic decoys. Save a few ££ on decoys that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris lewis Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 one thing you must do is dont move! I have been doing some rough shooting , walking along the hedge rows , with them flying out way before I get near them, I can across a flight line , there is a oak tree in the line , I found that if I stand aganist the tree with the gun pointing up , the birds dont see you , then as the wings change to slow for the tree , then move for the shot , got three the last time a went out at roosting time. The same will apply with the rifle shooting find the trees they go in and dont move if they come in , move your gun to the tree just before the land , once they land keep the final adjustments slow . I use to do this as a lad , they love fir trees this time of year . good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BountyHunter Posted January 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Thanks chaps - loads of good advice there! BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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