claybreaker88 Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Hi people pigeon shooting over rape or any other crop how many decoys looks the part more say for this time of year when the pigeons are in bigger flocks so how many would suit and as the months wear on less decoys or the same amount all year round so how many suits the picture. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno 357 Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 I am currently using 36 shell deeks. I pigeon magnet and 2 pecking Jonno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 More decoys is better than less, as a general rule. Where the crop is high, like rape, some stubbles etc., I use more decoys and make sure they are above the crop and in clear space. I also use more floaters, flappers, a rotary, etc. On drillings, short clover etc., I use less decoys, as I believe the birds can see them from a greater distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno 357 Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 More decoys is better than less, as a general rule. Where the crop is high, like rape, some stubbles etc., I use more decoys and make sure they are above the crop and in clear space. I also use more floaters, flappers, a rotary, etc. On drillings, short clover etc., I use less decoys, as I belive the birds can see them from a greater distance. Do you prefer floater & flappers to magnet Cranfield ? Reasons and success rate appreciated ? Jonno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Fieldcraft, fieldcraft and fieldcraft. Watch the birds (always) and decoy accordingly. At this time of year big decoy patterns and lots of movement (assuming you're setting up in a big wind) are better than few decoys with little movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 i use 40 decoys 1 magnet 1 flapper 3 peckers and a floater owe and if i have some good trees around me then i put up the lofting pigeons as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 It is almost impossible to do a scientifically accurate experiment, comparing a rotary against flappers and floaters. My criteria is plenty of movement. If I believe, due to the layout of the field, the crop, the wind strength and the amount of birds about, that floaters will suffice, then that is what I will use. If I saw birds in the distance that were ignoring my layout, I would put out the rotary, but that hasn't happened yet. Where the crop is thick and the field closed in by trees, hedges etc so the pigeons can only get a quick look at the layout, I always put out a rotary, as well as everything else. This seems to work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Where the crop is high, like rape, some stubbles etc., I use more decoys and make sure they are above the crop and in clear space.I also use more floaters, flappers, a rotary, etc. Hi Cranfield, how do you make the decoys higher? What are you using for that? what is a floater? Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 To make the decoys stand higher, I just use longer pegs. These are sections of bamboo cane and I cut one end to fit the decoy. I have put a picture of a floater in the Pictures Section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 (edited) :*) what is a floater? :*) i will let you answer that cranfeid i might get it wrong :( beat me to it Edited February 20, 2006 by magman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackthorn Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 i have started with as little as 5 birds if you are in the right place right time and the birds are feeding any will do (that day i went on to shoot 176 on peas) if you set out 100 wrong you still will have a bad day watch the real thing and learn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 @cranfield: you use the pegs to make the head of the pigeon higher or the body of the pigeon? Thanks for the pic of the floater. I will have a look in the pic section. Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Using artificial decoys, I place the bamboo pegs in the holes/slots provided on the decoy. I have a few dead bird cradles, with extra long pegs as well. There was a member who made their own dead bird cradles, who made some with extra long pegs, to raise the dead birds above the cover. I can't remember who it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Thanks for the explanation Cranfield. in your country you have much more tricks and gear concerning pigeon shooting. We dont have the stuff here. Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Boy Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Hubert, Over rape in the winter months many pigeon hunters waste their days thinking a handful of shell deeks and a wyrley bird will suffice, then they moan "the pigeons won't decoy"- believe me a lot of static deeks are needed, 50 odd will put you in the frame but around 100 will give you a good result and summat to talk about!! Cheers, CB:} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wixit Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 hi like to use as said before 2 to 4 floaters full and half shell deeks and a magnet always good to change pattern about if there is no birds commiting to the pattern, also what i have found is that magnets can either be hit or miss now, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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