kobidog Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 I took the shotty out for a walk on sunday to farm which only has wheat and barley on it but several big woods. I thought as the rape on other farms would be to tall to for the pigeons now there would be alot round here, especially in the woods and i should find a good flightline. Anyway i hardly saw a pigeon anywhere, not even in the skies even though it was windy let alone in the woods. So my question is where are all the pigeons? my only guess is that they are still feeding on badly damaged rape or spring rape on the neighbouring farms (which i do have permission for). Do you think it would be worth me checking these farms out or if not what other crops do they feed on this time of year? thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foghorn Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Half of them are sat on nests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 I haven't seen any decent numbers all year! Had plenty of days out driving round hundreds of acres looking for them, tried rape, peas, wheat, barley, lucerne etc etc. Been a very poor year so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caeser Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 I would guess that they're now feeding on clover, buds, in hedgerows etc. Its that time of year I'm afraid. Don't worry it'll all come good soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobidog Posted May 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thankyou for the comments, as you can probably tell ive only really just got into pigeon shooting so im not to knowledgable on it. Considering the farms i shoot on grow wheat, barley and rape, when would my next chance be for some pigeon decoying? I have heard that shooting over laid wheat and barley is very good but this wouldn't be until late June/ July. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobidog Posted May 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Half of them are sat on nests I thought maybe that is why there werent alot flying around but then when i went into the woods i didnt flush a single pigeon from a nest, and there where hardly any in the trees atall. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawntredder Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 if u have permission on uva land and it has spring rape try that,i have just had some good shooting on it at the wkend try a couple ov floaters if theres a breeze on with a dozen deeks..also laid cereals r great apart from that its gan b harvest time..gud luk mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would guess that they're now feeding on clover, buds, in hedgerows etc. Its that time of year I'm afraid. Don't worry it'll all come good soon enough. Now is the time when i'm expecting to see big numbers on peas. I saw approx 6-700 piling in next to the pea field i was shooting on Friday. I didn't move there as i plan to give them another go this weekend. Where there is peas in my area, they are now starting to switch, as the rape is getting away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Plenty round the Lincs Wolds, I shot nine yesterday on some peas after a disastrous morning on another field where I didn't fire a shot. Am off to shoot on some spring rape tomorrow that is continually hammered. Patience is the word for finding birds at moment, it seems, as they are hard to spot in taller crops and you have to wait and watch to see where they go. I spotted a good spot for my next outing on the peas whilst shooting yesterday too. Round here it's rape, peas, sugar beet and some maize starting to come up that seem to have the birds on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Gone, going the way of the American Bison and the Passenger Pigeon. All due to over hunting! :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caeser Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Now is the time when i'm expecting to see big numbers on peas. I saw approx 6-700 piling in next to the pea field i was shooting on Friday. I didn't move there as i plan to give them another go this weekend. Where there is peas in my area, they are now starting to switch, as the rape is getting away. You're right of course. I'd forgot about peas, as there never is any where I shoot. Spring rape is a favourite of mine also, but not always available to me, even though I do have about 4000 acres of arable to shoot over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unapalomablanca Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Shooting has been rubbish for me for ages and it seems to be getting harder. I wonder whether its best just to enjoy the obvious times like harvest and to forget the times when you more or less know its going to be rubbish. Maybe use the time and petrol money you save to go on a foreign shooting trip to Argentina or have a couple of days on a decent pheasant shoot. Failing that just do clays. I cant even find flightlines for some sport. I feel like a Cod fisherman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironhorse Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 Where I shoot pigeon have been on the decline for a few years now, there not in the next door farms, half of them are not sitting on nests, they simply are not here. Since rape began to be the predominant crop where I shoot which was about 17-20 years ago, I noticed every year less and less pigeons , this year our rape has barely been touched, beans drilled we always expect to have to shoot over them, but no not a pigeon to be worried about. I’ve heard all the excuses, Oh there feeding in the woods, NO there not, oh it’s the time of the year it’s always quite at this time. No it’s not. Apart from the odd few pigeons numbers are grossly down where I shoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkite Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 I live in Stratford upon Avon and my house is on the edge of town next to the canal. There is an absoulte plague of them on the estate where I live. First thing, as I set off for work (7.30am) there is one on every lamp post and every chimney pot. They just sit there and look at you. In the evening the males make a hell of a row calling...... My permission is about 200 yards from my house along the canal.....try getting near them then....no bloody chance. A full camo-scim up and hide with decoys is the only way to bag any and even then it's tough...... D'oh!!! redkite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blasterjudd Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 Plenty in Essex at moment, also loads in Waterbeach cambs, on peas last weekend we shot loads no shortage at all round here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 plenty around the outskirts of liverpool,around kirkby and halewood and other surrounding ares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 plenty around the outskirts of liverpool,around kirkby and halewood and other surrounding ares. bet theres more in your freezer atb dolphin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 bet theres more in your freezer atb dolphin 40 in at min took 138 to game dealer yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 40 in at min took 138 to game dealer yesterday theres nothing like rubbing it in do you think he will buy my freezer atb dolphin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I haven't seen any decent numbers all year! Had plenty of days out driving round hundreds of acres looking for them, tried rape, peas, wheat, barley, lucerne etc etc. Been a very poor year so far. Things have changed for Cos since he put this reply up. Wait for his report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Plenty my end on hitting spring rape peas and young sugar beet and with alot of young birds around already expect the next few months to be very busy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Yep no shortage in Lincs Wolds area either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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