Mightymariner Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Well today, I thought, this could be the 'big day' we all dream of. A field of rape with a large corner patch completely ravaged by pigeons for months, some nice weeds coming through and just the right height. The field hasn't been shot for years and the pigeons have been happily feeding on it for months as the decimated crop shows. I have watched the field over several days in the last two weeks, seen birds on the ground, driven round, pushed them off and waited 20 mins for them to appear again and drop in on the patch...which they did even with me parked nearby. Did two reccys this week, final one yesterday and again pushed plenty of birds off. Droppings and feathers all over eaten patch, and droppings round several trees round the edge. You can guess what's coming. Set up today, fied about ten shots all day, four at pigeons, six at rooks. Result: two rooks. Someone tell me what I have to do to get a good day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Well today, I thought, this could be the 'big day' we all dream of. A field of rape with a large corner patch completely ravaged by pigeons for months, some nice weeds coming through and just the right height. The field hasn't been shot for years and the pigeons have been happily feeding on it for months as the decimated crop shows. I have watched the field over several days in the last two weeks, seen birds on the ground, driven round, pushed them off and waited 20 mins for them to appear again and drop in on the patch...which they did even with me parked nearby. Did two reccys this week, final one yesterday and again pushed plenty of birds off. Droppings and feathers all over eaten patch, and droppings round several trees round the edge. You can guess what's coming. Set up today, fied about ten shots all day, four at pigeons, six at rooks. Result: two rooks. Someone tell me what I have to do to get a good day. a good wind usually helps produce desent bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 it depends on how many was using the field to start with,was there a decent flightline into the field, was there a decent wind,have they anywhere else to feed nearby.. because it sounds like you didn,t do much wrong just didn,t play ball going off what you said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Sounds like you did what you needed to but some times it dont work no matter what you have done or did . Birds have left all the rape around me to go on peas spring rape and young sugar beet and they feed times on each crop are different . The young sugar beet seems to shoot all day had a client on some today and he had 200+ with the bulk first thing ,then the peas and the spring rape seem to show the birds late on in the day . Keep at it mate your big day will come im sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted May 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 I'm working on law of averages, if I go out enough times I will hit it big one day! I think they may feed on it later in the day, I packed up at 5.30pm as I had had enough, I suspect they use it before roosting and keep returning to it in between other crops that become available. Off out again on Mon as I got a text from a farmer friend who had a load on some autumn/spring rape today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawntredder Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 yeh was shooting spring rape monday gone and nowt to report ended up w dozen woodies and that was keeping mobile aswell,.i was under a proven flightline aswell at 1 point all i got 4 my effort was a pulled neck muscle w carring my kit but best keep on watchn&moving sooner or later it will come good so always keep lots ov ammo in the motor 4 round 2,al be down sunday and try again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm working on law of averages, if I go out enough times I will hit it big one day! I think they may feed on it later in the day, I packed up at 5.30pm as I had had enough, I suspect they use it before roosting and keep returning to it in between other crops that become available. Off out again on Mon as I got a text from a farmer friend who had a load on some autumn/spring rape today. Keep at it and i'm sure you'll hit the jackpot sooner or later. It's been a strange year so far for me and i've struggled on the rape.I've only hit one ton as well - normally i would have 3 or 4 by now. Just out of interest, how many acres do have access to? I must have over 15000 acres to go at and struggle to find good situations at times.Peas are mainly what i'll be concentrating on for the next couple of months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted May 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Cheers! I enjoy going out (most days) even if I only shoot a couple. People will think I am a lucky so and so and shouldn't complain as I have access to probably 8000+ acres, but like you there is much land you can write off at present because of the crops in them. I have some peas and plenty of rape. Some linseed and some sugar beet. I recently got access to some new land which is much nearer home so I have been concentrating on that, but this week will be heading back to my old haunts further afield to see where the birds are. Also, I have never seen so much failed and poor rape as this year. Tomorrow I will be on some spring rape, drilled after the autumn crop failed so fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted May 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Happier now. Went out yesterday on some apring/autumn rape and what a difference. Loads of birds about, ended up with 16. With straighter shooting, it would have been 35, but the wind made them tricky to say the least (haha, my excuse). If I had been able to keep them off another part of the field I would have had even more shooting I think. I moved the farmer's kite over there but it made no difference to the pigeons. Got soaked in a hailstorm too. This field will be productive all through summer as the new rape is only inches high now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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