adam f Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 We had a good 8" of snow last night and so my planned trip to a driven shoot in the South East was cancelled. A call this morning from my shooting mate to inform me the farmer had been on the phone doing his nut as 1000's of pigeon had hit the rape this morning. I dont own a 4x4 - in fact quite the opposite I drive a BMW - the worst car ever in the snow, so I couldnt get out to the farm, however a quick plan was hatched and another shooting mate took a 30 mile detour to pick me up in his Disco... he arrived late - 11am and as we drove up the fields were HEAVING! Ive never seen so many birds both in the air and on the fields.... made me glad I'd grabbed a full slab of carts!! However.... the birds just didnt decoy - once we put them off the field they continued to fly over all day long - didnt matter where you stood, camo or not, over they came... the closest bird I took on was 30/40 yards - most were 60-100yds up - I really, really struggled!! We tried small groups of deeks, big groups, rotarys, bouncers, sitty trees - the lot, not a single bird commited - they just few over! Most of the time it was pointless shooting, as we just stood and watched then fly over not even worth raising a barrel to. A great day out, nice to see so many birds and have a few shots but pride feels a little bruised for so few birds. Anyone else had this? Any tips? Do they decoy better early morning? Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 I am getting the same, few flocks on the rape as soon as you walk them off you see the odd one or two flying bout but they show no interest at all in the decoys. must be plentiful food elsewhere I think they are still eating acorns doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 They don't decoy well in the snow, they seem to become "snow blind". The more movement the better, use 2 fast spinning rotaries if you can carry them, otherwise stay at home and do some DIY. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted December 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 It's wierd you'd have thought the deeks would stand out a mile against the white snow?? The rotary we had out was set real slow today so we'll try and speed it up next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missedagain Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 tell me about it!!! - how many days have we thought we were about to have a red leter day and then ... nowt... take 20 minutes with the bino's and look @ flight lines and where the little darlings are resting and do not worry about asking farmer/estate if off your ground - the can only say no . I think Snow blindness is a real issue - but I have found that if you can get then to see then decoys in the tree's and then 'spot' the doo's on a food - rape/beech/stubble you can take a poor day into a reasonable few hours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 I'm sorry to hear of your frustrating day, I have had a few days like this - even without snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 just been out on my rape fields, and nothing about mind you the fields are covered with snow, will have a look tomorrow and see if any thing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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