steve_b_wales Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Making the most of the weather, 'The Poacher'(Mark)and I went back up the farm, where we have had some good results on the corvids. We met at 06.30, and as usual, were all set up and ready to go by 07.00. We set up in the field where we tried on Tuesday,and used the dead birds (from Tuesday) as decoys, but it was rubbish. We stayed there for over an hour, and saw absolutely nothing! We decided to go back to our old place again, and within half an hour, we were set up again. A crow came over, and I shot him, followed by another one a minute later. That one was dispatched as well. Jackdaws came over the rota/floaters, but most of them stayed out of range, and would not land, which we found very unusual. When we were out in the field, placing dead birds as decoys, jackdaws were hovering above us, but when in the hide, they stayed away. We switched off the rota,and later, removed the floaters, to see if that would help. Some did land, but many still flew passed our decoys. We can only assume that most of the jackdaws (stupid as they are) had become educated to the rota, or perhaps they new there was danger in that part of the field, as we had shot a few 100 recently. We decided to move again, down to where the farmer had planty turnips for the sheep to eat. Most of the turnips/sheep had gone, so it was safe to set up. We placed a few dead birds out as decoys and waited to see what would happen. Again, it was a complete waste of time, and after about 1.5 hours, we called it a day. We ended up with 26 birds shot, which consisted of 23 jackdaws, and 3 crows. Two jackdaws and 1 crow fell into the woods, but we did pick up 21 jackdaws and 2 crows. We were a bit disappointed with the day, but still enjoyed ourselves. We intend to try again on Sunday, as there is still 100's of crows/jackdaws still there. Once again, my thanks to Mark for joining me. The photo's show some of the birds used as decoys, and the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Well done mate, Good shooting :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the poacher Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 a very strange day it was, as having some good results on this farm the birds were not playing the game today we could not put our fingers on why they wouldnt come in to the decoys it was very frustrating but like steve said we moved a few times during the day but to the same outcome they would not come in so in the end we called it aday,we will have another bash at them to see if they are educated thanks for a good day again mate see you sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Some days things never go to plan. Good shooting all the same,not a bad bag in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Never underestimate how clever Corvids are. They learn danger very quickly and can become very shy if you use the same layouts, etc. I can only use my flapper once in a while because as soon as I have had a go at them and I included a flapper in the decoys then the next time I shoot as soon as they see the flapper they are off (this has also been the same with a rotary). If they are intent on feeding on a certain area then you will probably get some good shooting but generally if you have a pop at them too much and there is nothing food wise to interest them you can end up with very poor days. That's why I enjoy shooting them to be honest as after a while they become a bit of a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Never underestimate how clever Corvids are. They learn danger very quickly and can become very shy if you use the same layouts, etc. I can only use my flapper once in a while because as soon as I have had a go at them and I included a flapper in the decoys then the next time I shoot as soon as they see the flapper they are off (this has also been the same with a rotary). If they are intent on feeding on a certain area then you will probably get some good shooting but generally if you have a pop at them too much and there is nothing food wise to interest them you can end up with very poor days. That's why I enjoy shooting them to be honest as after a while they become a bit of a challenge. I agree with you regarding how clever corvids are. But I have only found that Crows are the clever ones. Jackdaws, in my opinion, are stupid, especially the younger ones, which is what we shot the most. While standing upright by the decoys in the field, Jackdaws were hovering above us, with some, even landing a few yards away. I have never come across this with Crows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Those decoys are looking good steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Maybe it's just Gloucestershire Jackdaws then Steve. Seriously a few years ago I used to hammer the farm a bit, it got to the point that as soon as I drove down the farm track to the farm (1/4 mile - fields on either side) any jackdaw, crow or rook within sight would just fly off. The farmer used to watch this as he said any other car that came down the track they would all ignore apart from mine! I had to start easing off with the trips after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deputy dog Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Well done again mate, good shooting :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Those decoys are looking good steve The decoys, this time, are actually real (although dead!) birds. My crow decoys work almost as good though. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren h Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Good shooting lads, some days I suppose it just goes like that but definitely agree that the corvids are extremely sharp on picking up on things. Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) Well done steve looks a nice big pattern mate :good: BB Got a nice crow shoot planned for the coming week myself will post pics,if we have a good un BB Edited October 21, 2011 by Bluebarrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Well done steve looks a nice big pattern mate :good: BB Got a nice crow shoot planned for the coming week myself will post pics,if we have a good un BB Thanks. We used 36 jackdaws from our Tuesday shoot, as decoys, and then added more as we had them. Steve. PS. Good luck with the crow shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Well done Steve and Mark on your shooting of these big pests.Song bird and other nesting birds will get a little more peace now.Keep up the good work mate i'll keep a few for your visit up here very soon i hope. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Well done Steve and Mark on your shooting of these big pests.Song bird and other nesting birds will get a little more peace now.Keep up the good work mate i'll keep a few for your visit up here very soon i hope. Terry Cheers Terry. The only disappointing bit about our shoots, are that we are mainly shooting Jackdaws, which, in my opinion, don't do a lot of harm, apart from eating the farmers newly planted seeds etc. I try my very best to get Crows, because of the carnage they cause to songbirds and lambs. Look forward to meeting you soon (I hope) Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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