Super major Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 A field of Barley got combined on one of my permissions on Tuesday and my plan was to look at it yesterday evening and this morning then maybe set up tomorrow. It's the only field they've got cut so it's the only one I'm looking at for the moment. Had a look last night and there wasn't a bird in sight although I maybe went a little late, about 6:30pm. Went this morning at 7am and saw a few birds on what I thought looked like a couple of definite lines over the field which was encouraging as I've struggled to spot lines before. There certainly weren't masses of birds on the field so I don't know whether to go or let them build. I'll have to find out how soon the farmer's planning on working it in to decide how long I can leave it but how many would you like to be seeing before you'd set up? I'll certainly have another look tomorrow morning as I don't think I'd be setting up until the afternoon anyway. Cheers, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 I have never been sure about the "let them build up" policy. If the birds were on crops, letting them "build up" means letting them eat the crops, which doesn't sound right. If they are on stubbles, then you usually have to take every opportunity, before the tractors come and work the fields. Personally, if I see birds that look as though they are on a field, I will shoot it. If the birds are not there during the day, then I can always move. Talking to a tractor driver yesterday, he said that when he started discing a stubble field this week at 6am, there were about 500 birds feeding. A shooter turned up at 9am to have a look and there were only about 20 birds on the whole 40 acres. He left, perhaps he was waiting for them to "build up". He also added that there were birds over the field all day, but they came back strong around 3.30-4pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 I think you have to strike when you can, as soon as you can. I watched two rape stubbles on Tuesday with alot of birds on them. We couldn't shoot it till Friday. By then the birds seemed to have disappeared somewhere else. I am not sure 'let them build up' works on stubbles as sometimes they glean what they can quite quickly and then move on - how long do you know the food will last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super major Posted August 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Thank you both for replying. I think I'll go tomorrow afternoon and see how I get on. It'll be the first time I've shot on stubble and was thinking of asking the farmer if I can make a hide from some of the round bales left on the field. Thanks again, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 i think you have to hit them when there on the fields, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think you have to strike when you can, as soon as you can. I watched two rape stubbles on Tuesday with alot of birds on them. We couldn't shoot it till Friday. By then the birds seemed to have disappeared somewhere else. I am not sure 'let them build up' works on stubbles as sometimes they glean what they can quite quickly and then move on - how long do you know the food will last? That's the thing. If there are alot of birds on the field (maybe 300+ at any one time), i'd say shoot it a.s.a.p. If there aren't any birds or very few, then either wait or leave it altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I have to add, I don't know which is right! Tomorrow I am going out, and likely to visit a rape stubble, just harvested which has been partly cultivated. I am hoping there will be plenty of birds but I don't know. I watched plenty wheeling around the field as it was harvested on Sunday, and decided to go tomorrow as later in the week he is likely to have cultivated it all, plus tomorrow there will be some wind which should help matters...I am still keeping my fingers crossed though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) That's the thing. If there are alot of birds on the field (maybe 300+ at any one time), i'd say shoot it a.s.a.p. If there aren't any birds or very few, then either wait or leave it altogether. Some cases yes but some cases not the case ,take where iver shot today have let the birds build for over a week well over 1000 birds from day 2 ,shot it today and shot 119 woodies and 71 ferals with another field to shoot in the week with the same number on been left 2 weeks now Edited August 15, 2011 by proTOM1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Some cases yes but some cases not the case ,take where iver shot today have let the birds build for over a week well over 1000 birds from day 2 ,shot it today and shot 119 woodies and 71 ferals with another field to shoot in the week with the same number on been left 2 weeks now Nice work! The point i am trying to make is, if the birds are there and you leave it too long, the field may get cultivated and the birds may move on. If i had left the field i shot 216 on the other week for a few more days, we would have lost the opportunity. I imagine you knew the field you shot was going to be left for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretman_2009 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 try leaving 3 or 4 decoys in the field this trick has worked for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Nice work! The point i am trying to make is, if the birds are there and you leave it too long, the field may get cultivated and the birds may move on. If i had left the field i shot 216 on the other week for a few more days, we would have lost the opportunity. I imagine you knew the field you shot was going to be left for you. Yes see your point there I have the benefit that on this farm they will not cultivate the rape stubble at all as it will be direct drilled . On aside note to the op or anyone else speak to the farmer to see what there plans are with the field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I think, unless you know exactly what the farmer is planning to do, and can do hours of reccying work, then you are taking chances whether you get a decent day. Yesterday, the field I planned to go on was being disced as it was too wet to harvest so I went elsewhere on spec and got five birds. Tomorrow I am hoping to go to the disced fields as I know the birds are keen on it, but I still don't know whether it will be any good....at this time of year it seems to be a changing picture all the time, depending on what is being cut or cultivated....you takes your chances! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Yes see your point there I have the benefit that on this farm they will not cultivate the rape stubble at all as it will be direct drilled . On aside note to the op or anyone else speak to the farmer to see what there plans are with the field I try to phone the farmers so i know in advance what their plans might be. Today i was told that if it rains tomorrow, the field i want to shoot on friday will be left alone. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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