unapalomablanca Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 I am seeing thousands of acres wherever i go, i reckon much more than the last couple of years, i think this is going to be a bit of a waste of time this winter - like last winter. I struggled and birds just wouldnt come to decoys. I will definetely go out but i am going to set my targets a lot lower and just do afternoon sessions. I reckon flighting and roosting will be what i do most of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Seems the best way is to be there at first light, once all other food sources have been exhausted, before they flock up for the day. Have an hour or two then go home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Seems the best way is to be there at first light, once all other food sources have been exhausted, before they flock up for the day. Have an hour or two then go home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE MEK Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 just wondering what the general daily pattern of the pigeon is this time of year. what are the problems with birds flocking? why can you only shoot first light? sorry if these questions are stupid but im new to all this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 just wondering what the general daily pattern of the pigeon is this time of year. what are the problems with birds flocking? why can you only shoot first light? sorry if these questions are stupid but im new to all this At this time of year pigeons will generally prefer to eat higher energy foods such as beech mast, acorns and berries so they'll concentrate more on the woods and hedges. Once these are exhausted they will turn to whatever they can get and a large proportion of that will be rape leaf and they tend to gather in large flocks to feed on the rape fields. These large flocks are easily scared off with a single shot and there is so much choice of rape fields they tend to not come back. By shooting early you are hopefully getting a go at them before they have had time to form into a flock and disappear en masse elsewhere for that day. I think that because rape leaf is so bulky they also seem to spend a lot of time just sitting up digesting later on in the day rather than actively feeding which can be frustrating as you wonder why they aren't interested in your pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) At this time of year pigeons will generally prefer to eat higher energy foods such as beech mast, acorns and berries so they'll concentrate more on the woods and hedges. Once these are exhausted they will turn to whatever they can get and a large proportion of that will be rape leaf and they tend to gather in large flocks to feed on the rape fields. These large flocks are easily scared off with a single shot and there is so much choice of rape fields they tend to not come back. By shooting early you are hopefully getting a go at them before they have had time to form into a flock and disappear en masse elsewhere for that day. I think that because rape leaf is so bulky they also seem to spend a lot of time just sitting up digesting later on in the day rather than actively feeding which can be frustrating as you wonder why they aren't interested in your pattern. Completely agree with last paragraph especially Although you often see them piling in close to dusk for a last feed. Either end of the day, its a couple of hours only imho. The rest of the day is a waste of time. Edited October 12, 2011 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Completely agree with last paragraph especially Although you often see them piling in close to dusk for a last feed. Either end of the day, its a couple of hours only imho. The rest of the day is a waste of time. Yup, It's amazing when you roost shoot how much they actually have in their crop to digest overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE MEK Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 so, am i right in thinking if 2 or 3 shooters got together and where shooting different fields or adjoining farms you could keep them moving, unless they left the area altogether. would this extend your shooting time possibly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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