Barley deoys or shoot the flight line

[Mike525steel]

i currently have permission on a field of barley there is no pigeon currently feeding on it but there is a very strong flight line across it. however the birds are super high (although hitable).

 

What would you do. is it worth setting up some deeks in the field to see if i can bring a few down or stand on the line and test my shooting skills on the high fast shots. ???????

 

Do pigeons really feed on barley or only as a last resort my dad would never dream of setting up on barley......

[yickdaz]

i currently have permission on a field of barley there is no pigeon currently feeding on it but there is a very strong flight line across it. however the birds are super high (although hitable).

 

What would you do. is it worth setting up some deeks in the field to see if i can bring a few down or stand on the line and test my shooting skills on the high fast shots. ???????

 

Do pigeons really feed on barley or only as a last resort my dad would never dream of setting up on barley......

i would just try shooting them on the flightline unless there is a patch of laid you can decoy on.

find that hard to understand why he would never set up for pigeons over barley

and yes definatley pigeons feed on barley, when its first sown, then on laid patches then on the stubble after harvest.

[Cosd]

Setting up your decoys right under a strong flightline is what you want. Start with just your decoys and if they're not coming in for a closer look you might need to entice them with a flapper, magnet and or bouncers, whichever you have.

 

There was an interesting pattern in one of he shooting mags last year (If I recall correctly it was called the "tramline" pattern) and it was for a situation like yours where the flightline goes straight through the middle of the field.

 

You basically put a line of decoys down so they point in the direction the birds are flying with a couple of landers at the end, and the birds are supposed to follow the line and you have a hide at the end of the decoys where you can shoot at them whether they decoy or continue their route.

 

I haven't had he opportunity to try it myself but it's something I would definitely try given the right situation.

 

Good luck whatever you try!

Edited June 17, 2011 by Cosd

[turbo33]

Yes the pigeons will definately hit the barley, and as Yickdaz said, laid is the next opportunity. Around here in the south, they are on it now with the rain and wind laying patches everywhere. There are a couple of issues with it IMO in that it is so thick here and also its very deep when laid and its very difficult to find the shot birds as they fall through it. You can't use a dog as the barley hairs will work thier way straight into the dogs skin with disasterous consequences.

The best option IMO is if you can, position yourself at the edge of the field and try and drop them away from the barley.

Good luck

Edited June 17, 2011 by turbo33

[Cranfield]

I think pigeons interest in barley can depend on what else is on offer.

In my area they don't hit it very hard, preferring peas and even green wheat (especially if any is down).

[vampire]

I think the reason your dad wouldnt shoot over barley is because pricked birds will just be lost in the barley and you trying to retreive them will damage the crops,so may be better to keep an eye on the flight lines ready for harvest,then you will be set to hit em hard.

[Mike525steel]

Cheers guys ill think i will try the line and maybe a couple of deeks to bring em down a bit

 

my dad says he wouldnt set up for barley as the hairs used to get in the dogs feet when picking up.(dogs brought from home after the shooting, not a believer in blasting dogs ear drums in hides all day)

[Jurrasicway]

My local farmer has said that he has 4 field of barley with crows on it. I have not had a chance to look yet but do you get more crows on barley than pigeon? It seems from this post that pigeon only go for barley if there is nothing else around. Has anyone shot crows over barley?

[BenBhoy]

flattened field near me and it being hit really hard, pigeons deffo feed on barley. i'm setting up near the hedge and hoping to drop them into the pasture field behind, make picking up that bit easier.

Edited June 28, 2011 by BenBhoy

[ziplex]

Yes the pigeons will definately hit the barley, and as Yickdaz said, laid is the next opportunity. Around here in the south, they are on it now with the rain and wind laying patches everywhere. There are a couple of issues with it IMO in that it is so thick here and also its very deep when laid and its very difficult to find the shot birds as they fall through it. You can't use a dog as the barley hairs will work thier way straight into the dogs skin with disasterous consequences.

The best option IMO is if you can, position yourself at the edge of the field and try and drop them away from the barley.

Good luck

 

I posted a question earlier about taking the mutt over some laid barley.............obviously a no go, she'll be on a downer then