point and shoot Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 We are told by the makers of UV paint that Pigeons/birds see in the Ultra Violet spectrum range and that by applying UV paint to our decoys that they will become super noticable to our unsuspecting prey. My question is 'is the whole bird seen in ultra violet or is it just the wing bars and neck flash'? Anybody got any experience or greater knowledge than mine who can give a definitive answer to my question or an educated opinion or guess? Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 We are told by the makers of UV paint that Pigeons/birds see in the Ultra Violet spectrum range and that by applying UV paint to our decoys that they will become super noticable to our unsuspecting prey. My question is 'is the whole bird seen in ultra violet or is it just the wing bars and neck flash'? Anybody got any experience or greater knowledge than mine who can give a definitive answer to my question or an educated opinion or guess? Les I don't know for sure, but I have a strong suspicion that pattern, time of day, hide positioning and just about everything else to do with field craft is much more important. It smacks of snake oil to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I recently read in Sporting Gun or Shooter, the paint make no bit of difference what so ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I don't care what anyone says, my decoys with the UV white paint in the correct places really stand out in the field. They may not attract more pigeons than the next bloke, but they give me extra confidence and thats all that matters. I can also remember as a kid using all sorts of different things as pigeon decoys, including lengths of plastic guttering,glass milk bottles, bits cut off corrugated metal sheeting, all with a few splotches of white paint in the right places. They all attracted pigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I don't care what anyone says, my decoys with the UV white paint in the correct places really stand out in the field. They may not attract more pigeons than the next bloke, but they give me extra confidence and thats all that matters. Pssst.... wanna buy some of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I was really looking for sensible constructive comments/views! Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I can also remember as a kid using all sorts of different things as pigeon decoys, including lengths of plastic guttering,glass milk bottles, bits cut off corrugated metal sheeting, all with a few splotches of white paint in the right places.They all attracted pigeons. That must give you a great understanding of decoying, so if I may, what do you use now ? I currently use half shells on sprung sticks, is there something more effective that you would recommend ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caeser Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 This is one of those questions that nobody really knows the answer to. They can only give you their opinion. Personally all my decoys have been touched up with UV paint on all the white bits. Now whether they attract more pigeons who knows, but they don't scare them off, so ,what have I got to lose. Like Cranfield says, it gives you that extra confidence, that should they see better in UV then you've got that covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I use basic shell decoys only on spring sticks(much easier to carry round) and put sillosock slip over jackets on them. If I was starting from scratch, I would consider the sillosocks decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I use basic shell decoys only on spring sticks(much easier to carry round) and put sillosock slip over jackets on them. If I was starting from scratch, I would consider the sillosocks decoys. I also use around 20 plastic shells with Sillosocks slip ons over them along with half a dozen proper Sillisocks. I wouldn't use all proper Sillisocks simply because the pattern would look like a marching band in gusty conditions. Too much movement. Back to the original question; I agree with ceaser in that we all might have opinions but few if any will have done enough controlled and intelligently thought out research to give a qualified answer. When I'm spotting pigeons feeding on the ground amongst crops the white is really noticible. But then again, flying pigeons have a bird's eye view and may see things differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I don't care what anyone says, my decoys with the UV white paint in the correct places really stand out in the field. They may not attract more pigeons than the next bloke, but they give me extra confidence and thats all that matters. I'll be honest and say that I SEEM to be getting better results since highlighting the white areas on my FUD decoys with UV paint. It's virtually impossible to say whether or not it really is working, though, as every day is entirely different. If anybody wants some, I have most of the bottle left, or can decant a small amount into a smaller container. Prob enough for a dozen decoys. (that's if it hasn't dried-up ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Thanks for all your comments chaps. Seems that it might be worth a go. Cheers Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I use basic shell decoys only on spring sticks(much easier to carry round) and put sillosock slip over jackets on them. If I was starting from scratch, I would consider the sillosocks decoys. Thanks, I'll have a look for some slip-ons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Thanks, I'll have a look for some slip-ons. Click on the UKShootwarehouse advert at the top of the page and look under Sillosocks. You also get a Pigeon Watch discount at UKSW (not a fortune, but better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Well PW certainly draws them in!!! FUD decoys are printed with UV inks supplied by the manufactures (of the inks) Bird Vision and I quote, 'Rigorous tests have determined NRA FUDs meet or exceed UV requirements.' However back to the subject, anything that might give us an edge has to be considered and I try most things. When Sillysocks first came on the market (and they are printed with UV)we set up 2 decoys patterns under a serious flightline. 1 of flocked shell decoys and the other of Sillosock decoys about 40 yards apart. At first all the birds came into the Sillosocks pattern until we added some dead birds to the flocked shell pattern and then there wasn't much of a difference in their choice of pattern. I have also played with the FUD decoys in a similar way and would say they have a slight edge over conventional decoys but not as good as the Sillosocks. They seem to work best on open ground or low crops. If you take a look at Sillosocks from a distance and I do mean DISTANCE they stand out better than anything else. I'll be honest and say that I SEEM to be getting better results since highlighting the white areas on my FUD decoys with UV paint. It's virtually impossible to say whether or not it really is working, though, as every day is entirely different. If anybody wants some, I have most of the bottle left, or can decant a small amount into a smaller container. Prob enough for a dozen decoys. (that's if it hasn't dried-up ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonstool Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Has it ever crossed your mind - the UV protection is IN the PAINT - is to STOP the PAINT degrading under SUNLIGHT ! . So - it might make your Deeks last longer - but ATTRACT pigeons -- you gorra be avin a lafffffffff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Think of this way, if you grabbed a few pigeon and UV painted them, do you suppose they`ll become more attractive to their mates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 MAKE WAY! HERE COME THE COMEDIENS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonstool Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 SEE = http://www.jstor.org/pss/4090151 you are nearer the truth than you think "The colors of avian plumage are produced and the laboratory have further documented by chemical pigments, or by nanometer-scale that near ultraviolet (300-100 nm) hues in avian biological structures that differentially scatter, plumage function in intersexual communication or reflect, wavelengths of light." Think of this way, if you grabbed a few pigeon and UV painted them, do you suppose they`ll become more attractive to their mates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Now I feel completely justified in going to the trouble of painting my foam-winged floaters with UV paint GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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