alan campbell Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 Right guys I am looking for advice regarding my new rough shoots. I have managed to acquire permission on a 1500acre estate, with 3 additional farms attached adding a further 600 acres or so. Mostly beef, dairy and a few sheep. Largish fields with hedgerows some small wooded areas and a few ponds. There are loads of rabbits, some duck and Canada Geese, have been requested to deal with these along with crows, jackdaws, rooks, magpies and jays. Generally, I walk the hedgerows and pot a few bunnies with 12 bore, however, have now acquired a .22 rimfire and will be shooting the hedgerows from a static position in the spring. What I really want to do is shoot some of the pigeons that are continually flying across and also landing in the trees and hedgerows. On 2 of the farms large fields of maize have been harvested, but there is nothing to really hold the birds or attract their attention. Would it be worthwhile setting up nets and decoys on these old maize fields to try to attract birds in? Next question, on another farm that I shoot, the land drops down to a wood, for which I do not have permission, but can stand on the boundary outside. However, this wood is a major pigeon roost. The problem is that when the birds come in because of the way the land falls, they are too high to shoot. Again is it worthwhile setting up a hide at the top of the hill and trying to shoot birds as they come over? As you can probably guess, I am fairly new to this type of shooting and any advice or comments are welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1419 Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 Hello Alan, what i would do and this is your choice,i would try and get somebody near you who has experience in all these aspects of shooting.I myself have been introduced to and met a lot of good guys on PW and we have now become friends and good shooting buddies.Its all down to trust at the end of the day.What i would do is if you like put a topic in PW and see what people are interested in joining you,meet them somewhere,and make your own mind up.believe me you will know when you have picked the right person to join you and share their experience with you.Where are you based in the UK.If you are anywhere near the North East i would help you out-if not then go your own way and get somebody local to help you.Because at the end of the day,if the vermin is not controlled i can assure you the farmers will get somebody in who can.---Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 Welcome to pw Fill in your profile and as said see if someone will be your shooting buddie to get you going If it were my permission i would set the rotary up under the flight path to the woods,keep an eye on when farmer is drilling or harvesting and do a recy the day before you shoot. As for rabbits,can you lamp with rimmy from vechicle as this will get better results than day time stalking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 it be worthwhile setting up nets and decoys on these old maize fields nets for what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 nets for what most use them to hide behind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan campbell Posted December 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Dave, Thanks for that, unfortunately, I am based in the Chester area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan campbell Posted December 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Vampire, Thanks, will give both a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Find the flight lines and wait for a good wind , do you have any rape on the land as this time of year it will be your best bet Spend a much time watching as you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Alan, hi. Please note, replying here based on what you've said. There is no mention of pigeon among the species that you've been asked to control. Consequently, unless it's a slip of the pen, I would tend to do some work on those which you've been asked to cull before doing what you want to. Failure to attempt to do what the land owner wants could end up bringing Dave's final sentence into play a bit smartish. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1419 Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 (edited) Dave, Thanks for that, unfortunately, I am based in the Chester area. No probs Alan,just take your time looking for somebody thats honest and trustworthy. a little bit of help is better than trying to do it all yourself,i have about as much land as you to shoot over and its an impossble task to do it all by myself,thats why you could do with a shooting buddie,i have many i can and do trust.---best of luck---Dave Edited December 20, 2010 by dave1419 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan campbell Posted December 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Dave, Many thanks for your interest and advice. I think that we will try and set up a few patterns using the decoys and a hide and see what happens, the only way to get experience is to give it a go. Best wishes. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 most use them to hide behind I must of been having a blonde moment, I was thinking nets to catch birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedark Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Find the flight lines and wait for a good wind , do you have any rape on the land as this time of year it will be your best bet Spend a much time watching as you can Top advice. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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