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Pigeon Shooting Etiquette


Catweazle
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I rolled into the field today at about midday, but was disappointed to find someone already set up and shooting. I actually spotted his car first and walked about for a while to find him, he was well camoed.

 

I asked if he had a problem with me setting up and pointed where, he said actually he did because it was right on the flight line he was decoying and he planned to stay all day.

 

All totally reasonable, it's a smallish field, and the guy was completely right - he was there first, fair's fair. He even told me about another field that was seeing some pigeon.

 

It made me wonder though, whether you guys would set up at the other end of a large field, say a 500yd field, if there was someone already shooting it. And what would you say to someone who complained if you did so ?

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To my mind, they were there first and if you're trying to pull in the birds that would otherwise go to them it's not on. If you know each other and agree to spread out on a field to keep them moving, that's totally different, but to plonk yourself down in a field someone else is already shooting without even speaking to them is very rude at best.

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To my mind, they were there first and if you're trying to pull in the birds that would otherwise go to them it's not on. If you know each other and agree to spread out on a field to keep them moving, that's totally different, but to plonk yourself down in a field someone else is already shooting without even speaking to them is very rude at best.

 

Agreed :good:

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You did the right thing by asking and he tried to be decent by suggesting an alternative field for you to shoot.

So you both behaved as gentlemen. :good:

 

If I wasn't on "shooting buddy" terms with another gun, I would not set up in the same field regardless of how big it was.

Equally, I would not want someone doing that to me.

 

Coincidentally, there was a gun in the field I wanted to shoot today and I didn't even slow down as I drove past, I just went on to my second choice.

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Well another take on it is the fact that I work hard on all my permissions all year round and it pees me off greatly when suddenly the harvest is here and it seems that half the country is heading out to the stubbles I have done my best to protect, never to be seen again til the same time next year.

 

I think I deserve priority regardless of if they got there ten minutes earlier.

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It is a difficult one when all everyone want's is a bit of decoying and decorum really.

 

I found a farm this year when I went round knocking and was given permission. I shot 10 pigeons for my one effort on the Barley before harvesting.

 

I called back to see the farmer some days later when I was passing to thank him and someone else was there walking about.He had shot there the year before also as the farmer explained. I met up with that person introduced myself and gave him my card with my details and asked if he would contact me when he was coming onto the farm in order that I could arrange a set up on the adjoining farm, which I had permission on, to keep them moving around.

 

The field was harvested last week and when I went today, I found that the other person had been and shot over trhe stubble, shooting about 100 birds, I could see where the hide had been, the place was littered with empty cartridges, and also, plastic wads all around.Needless to say he did not phone.

 

I set up and decoyed 23 in two hours this afternoon, had a great time, cleared my cartridges and was using felt wads! It may be me, but respect is obviously lacking in some.

Edited by Cyffyllog
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Well another take on it is the fact that I work hard on all my permissions all year round and it pees me off greatly when suddenly the harvest is here and it seems that half the country is heading out to the stubbles I have done my best to protect, never to be seen again til the same time next year.

 

I think I deserve priority regardless of if they got there ten minutes earlier.

 

I agree entirely, in fact the chap on "my" field this morning was a summer stubble shooter, but its not up to us (the pigeon shooters) to have arguments on the field, its up to the farmer to sort things out.

I would mention your feelings to him and I would also comment on cartridge cases being left, on the basis "it wasn't me".

 

I have posted before that a couple of the Farms I shoot on now give out permission annually.

If you are not seen around in the Winter months, you will not get your permission renewed.

This sorts out the summer stubble shooters and also the chap who has permission on a load of farms, but doesn't get round to half of them.

The farm workers all have a list of "approved" people and vehicles and even the Agronomist reports back on who he sees out (or so he told me :) ).

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on my permissions I have taken two apporaches. First, for the guys I know, if they are there first then I generally stay well clear. but I also make a point of saying hello and if I am ask to stay then I will. It nice to makes friends.

 

Last year, however, when I was there first another person did exactly what is being described and set up at the bottom of the field. I mentioned this to the landowner. The offending party was kindly asked never to set foot on the ground again.

 

Second, when it comes to stubble I have had no problem going to the landowners and gently pointing out that when the crops are being hammered in the depths of winter or when there is vermin problem in the sheds the guy currently sitting in his stubble field is nowhere to be seen. Farmers are canny the message is usually taken on board and relayed to the offending party.

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I go shooting with family, they have permission on a large rented farm in the winter. Come the summer the landowners gamekeeper bans anyone else from shooting on the land other than his friends.

 

Farmer said the other day he is going to cut and plough the fields in the same days to spoil their chances.

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You did the right thing by asking and he tried to be decent by suggesting an alternative field for you to shoot.

So you both behaved as gentlemen. :good:

 

If I wasn't on "shooting buddy" terms with another gun, I would not set up in the same field regardless of how big it was.

Equally, I would not want someone doing that to me.

 

Coincidentally, there was a gun in the field I wanted to shoot today and I didn't even slow down as I drove past, I just went on to my second choice.

 

I make you right on this :yes:

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I shoot on a farm that has had a pair of guys shoot there for twenty years and i have just started only two years ago,we quite often meet in the field and whoever is set up first gets the whole area with the other going to the far end of the farm or to another permission,both of us have observed each other from our trucks,but would NEVER get out and walk up to the others hide :no:

The same farms have many lampers and we have sorted out a router to avoid accidents.

 

Last saturday we were shooting over stubble and a black audi appears at the bottom of the field directly under a flight line :angry: he could see our rotary and i let off a couple of shots at 90 degrees to him just to let him know someone was shooting,but he still got out and started metal detecting :rolleyes: ,when i rang the farmer he confirmed that he had permission but i could ask him to move and that he is a copper,oh what fun to tell him to leave :lol: he was a nice guy but didnt have a clue about shooting ettttiquuettte !

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sitsinhedges is rite they turn up at harvest neva see them in winter months :no: alot ov the time i turn up afta av recced a field and am planning 2 shoot it,am staight ova no messing and tell them to do one harsh yes but it took me to long to build it up for them to try and muscle in and thats that :yes: ..mind u a hav met uva lads before they go on and we have come to an agreement to work to geva :good:

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To my mind, they were there first and if you're trying to pull in the birds that would otherwise go to them it's not on. If you know each other and agree to spread out on a field to keep them moving, that's totally different, but to plonk yourself down in a field someone else is already shooting without even speaking to them is very rude at best.

:stupid:

 

Im lucky to only have 1 permission that has others shooting over it and its big so have no problem finding somewhere else to shoot , all the others are sole permission which is great :)

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Went on Monday passed there and pulled up alongside the field. Had all the gear ready to go for the pigeons but seen the farmer bailing in the field so decided to go after some rabbits until he was done. It was then I seen some movement in the far corner of the field, which turned out to be a rotary magnet. Just after seeing this there were two shots let off in quick succession, followed by two pigeons flying frantically away from the area.

 

This is a rather long 18 acre field, and the only safe shots would be shooting the length of the field and not across the width. This guy was blasting away with a main road in front of him at around 165 meters and another to the left of him at around 220 meters. There are also cows in the adjacent field at around 120 meters to his left, and on three seperate occasions I witnessed the cows being struck with shot. There is no doubt that peoples vehicles were also in danger of being hit.

 

I watched in amazement as this continued to happen. I also tried ringing the farmer but he must not have heard his phone. As much as I'd have loved to reprimand this thick twit, it was simply too dangerous to attempt an approach, as he was shooting all directions over the field, including towards the farmer (which later turned out to be a farmhand). I'll be speaking to the farmer in the next couple of days. For all he knows it could have been me doing the shooting. :angry:

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Went on Monday passed there and pulled up alongside the field. Had all the gear ready to go for the pigeons but seen the farmer bailing in the field so decided to go after some rabbits until he was done. It was then I seen some movement in the far corner of the field, which turned out to be a rotary magnet. Just after seeing this there were two shots let off in quick succession, followed by two pigeons flying frantically away from the area.

 

This is a rather long 18 acre field, and the only safe shots would be shooting the length of the field and not across the width. This guy was blasting away with a main road in front of him at around 165 meters and another to the left of him at around 220 meters. There are also cows in the adjacent field at around 120 meters to his left, and on three seperate occasions I witnessed the cows being struck with shot. There is no doubt that peoples vehicles were also in danger of being hit.

 

I watched in amazement as this continued to happen. I also tried ringing the farmer but he must not have heard his phone. As much as I'd have loved to reprimand this thick twit, it was simply too dangerous to attempt an approach, as he was shooting all directions over the field, including towards the farmer (which later turned out to be a farmhand). I'll be speaking to the farmer in the next couple of days. For all he knows it could have been me doing the shooting. :angry:

seriously, I would have phoned the local station. the balloons are always out in force at this time of year.

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