Decoying in the corner of a field

[Bobba]

Does decoying in the corner of a field have different results from, say, along the edge of a field? Or did we just have one of those unfortunate days with cantankerous and unpredictable pigeons?

 

I ask, because yesterday my farming friend asked me to shoot over rape in a certain field and because of footpaths, properties and shot drop out etc I was instructed to shoot from a particular corner. It was not away from a flight as birds passed regularly by.

 

The hide was good because they pitched in trees not 30 yards away but i could not shoot in that direction and they would not drop into the decoys. The pattern and rotary was good in that it brought them towards the layout. But they stayed about 50 yds from the corner and when they did pitch it was about 60 yds away. Despite changes in pattern and with / without rotary, nothing we could do would bring them within range. Really frustrating. Was it the corner or just bl**dy minded birds?

 

Bob

Edited December 31, 2010 by Bobba

[yickdaz]

bit of both really sounds like it was tight for em to get into pattern plus you don;t really see them feeding right in the corner of a field if bordered by hegerows.

[Cranfield]

Its frustrating when obstacles (footpaths, etc) stop you shooting in the right place.

 

Perhaps the birds felt a bit "closed in" going into the corner.

[Fisherman Mike]

I like to think that Pigeons are actually very intelligent birds....

 

I dont think it makes a bit of difference...if they think something isnt right, it generally isnt right and they will not come down to the decoys no matter what you do..

[mossy835]

if they wanted to eat in that part,in the corner they would go in .but because you want them to they wont, funny things are pigeons,

[shoot31]

always helps to put up lofters if you have them too,i always like to be near a tree(sitty tree) that way will always draw birds in close"especialy in the sitty tree with your lofters....if you look closely at most fields birds will always flit to and from the trees down to feed....most will drop down close by.....only when new birds come in will draw more out"say in middle of the feild"

[caeser]

I have in the past, successfully decoyed in a corner of a field. I have also watched birds feeding in the corner of a field on other occasions. So, in conclusion, I suspect the corner bit didn't make any difference. But' who knows ? it may have done on this occasion.

There's so many other factors, most of which we won't even realise most of the time.

In the winter they are so finnicky, its just difficult ,full stop.

They may have fed near there recently, or there may be some great food supply somewhere else that they are fully aware of, or the decoys didn't look inviting, if its really still, was there any movement in the pattern ? BLA BLA BLA BLA

I always put some decoys on nearby hedges, overlooking the decoys, or a couple of lofters, keeping guard,close by.

There is no definate "this is the way to do it", it's all trial and error.

What may get you 100's one day, can give you a blank another day.

The only other thing that I will say is, movement.

I've yet to see a flock of real feeding woodpigeons without movement. So a flapper and a few decoys on spring sticks is always in my pattern.

Trouble is ,if they don't want to feed in the only spot that you can decoy, then there's nothing you can do, but keep trying different things to pull them down.

Best of luck.

[cocker3]

what you dont say is what way the wind was coming from i have found in the past that they will not decoy into corners if the wind is blowing into the corner of the field or a sertain anlge an i dont know why.or it could just be one of those days i had days when they would not decoy to a field and i felt pritty confident in my pattern then tryed the same spot next day and had them pour in it can be a really annoying thing to happen but thats pigeon shooting for you

Edited January 2, 2011 by cocker3

[Constantinos]

Ditto some of the above. From experience the major issue is visibility and wind, at least when I have had to decoy in a corner. Dependent on the corner and how the birds are passing, there is a good chance they don't pick out the decoys until late, normally too late.

 

Saying that it can work.

[Bobba]

Thank you one and all. V Useful comments.

 

My farming friend also suggested lofting pigeons and poles and corner congestion. Another farmer suggested that birds which are being shot are quite plump for this time of year and some full of berries. so there is still other food available and they are fussy feeders. Bad days are all part of the fun - rather like a blank days fishing. Oh yes, I did pour coffee, eat sandwiches and have a peee but still they didn't come when I was ill prepared.

[caeser]

 

I did pour coffee, eat sandwiches and have a peee but still they didn't come when I was ill prepared.

 

These things do really work too. :lol: :lol:

They usually work for me.

[shoot31]

HA HA.... always the way"when you either take a wizz or pour out a warm cuppa.....i always seem to get in a mess lol or the dog decides to go through the hide instead of the opening you have left....its the same when carp fishing.....i went out yesterday without fireing a shot....MR WOODCOCK DID NOT PLAY FAIR" EITHER THAT OR MUTLEY WAS NOT DOING HIS JOB PROPERLY.....HAVING SAID THAT BIRDS WILL SIT TIGHT....OH WELL ALL PART OF THE FUN