pigeon shooting ,Harnsers way .

[Harnser]

After many years pigeon shooting and taking novices out one tends to realise that good advice is paramount in becoming a good pigeon shooter . The first piece of advice that I give novices is ,reconnaissance , and then know your farm . You must get to know all the flight lines across the fields that you are shooting or you are wasting your time ,but not before lots and lots recce trips .

 

I will spend many hours on recce (pigeon watch ) just sitting in the truck and watching the birds arriving and leaving the fields . Because of the amount of time I have been shooting my farms I have an ingrained memory of all the flight lines throughout the farms and know exactly where to set up on any of the fields that I shoot over to get the best results ,this info is only available from lots of recce trips .

 

Once you have decided what field you are going to shoot then you have to set up . This can be a bit of a pain and hard work if you have had to hump your gear long distances . I will always try to set up with my back to the wind ,mainly because because this is in my opinion the most comfortable position and I always carry a fishing umbrella to keep the wind and rain off me . I always prefer to set up in a hedgerow as this will give you the best cover from the birds ,but using a brolly and nets you can set up in the middle of a field very successfully . Once the hide is up then I will set out my decoys . You will read lots and lots about decoy patterns in books and on the internet . I normally use 20 flocked coys and 2 floaters . I never ever go out decoying with a preconceived idea of how I am going to set out my coys . Decoy patterns are something that you are going to have experiment with . I generally have a random pattern with coys in groups of 2 and 3 spread out with a fairly wide gap between them . The two floaters I like to keep fairly close to each other and will set them up either to the left or to the right of the main pattern to start with . Once a couple of birds have committed to the coys I will then decide if the floaters need to be moved or split up . Remember the job of the decoys is to get the birds in close enough to shoot ,not necessarily to get them to land among the coys .

 

If you are not to sure on what distance you are shooting at then another good tip is to cut a stick out of the hedgerow and stick it in the ground 35 paces from your hide in front of you and another stick at 35 paces to the left and the right of your hide and not shoot at any birds beyond the sticks . The average shot at decoyed pigeons is about 20 yards . Guns and cartridges are a matter of choice ,and for pigeon shooting I like to use my 12 bore semi and 28 grams of no 6 shot . I like the semi because of the quickness and ease of loading ,but they are a pain when it comes to clearing up afterwords trying to fined the empties .

 

The thing that will put pigeons off quicker than anything ,is movement in the hide. You must keep still and not move until you are committed to take the shot . I like to wear a peaked cup in the hide and will look through the hide below the peak of my cap with my hand on the gun and then only move when the bird has committed and is in range . I always shoot from the sitting position as I find it much quicker to get on the birds and less movement .

 

I carnt cover every situation in this thread but I carnt express how important it is to recce your fields and watch for the flight lines . Happy shooting to you all .

 

Harnser.

Edited December 29, 2011 by Harnser

[mpk]

Do you use any electronic items such as a flappers or a rotary ?

[Harnser]

Do you use any electronic items such as a flappers or a rotary ?

 

 

I do have a rotary and have used it on occasion . I am not a lover of the magnet ,but have found that it does work well on laid cereals . I like to put it in a small patch of laid corn next to a larger patch that have the decoys on .

 

Harnser .

[pigeon controller]

What a wonderful description on how to decoy pigeons, I was taught that fieldcraft is worth twenty decoys. Find the flightline and put one decoy on it and you will shoot every pigeon crossing on that line. Hide discipline is the most important thing to learn, I shoot with two in a single hide, when its my turn to shoot I look through the hide wait till the bird is in range and move,mount and shoot. When it is not my turn to shoot I look through the hide and wait for two/three shots if birds are still in range move,mount and shoot. I sometimes like to park up and scan other shooters in there hides it is amazing the amount of birds that spook before the gun is over the hide. Well done for publishing some very good information.

[mpk]

I do have a rotary and have used it on occasion . I am not a lover of the magnet ,but have found that it does work well on laid cereals . I like to put it in a small patch of laid corn next to a larger patch that have the decoys on .

 

Harnser .

 

Admittedly I don't own one and always wonder if I should bother ?

[PhilR]

Harnser, I'd have liked to have been your sorcerer's apprentice when I was a lad

[Harnser]

Harnser, I'd have liked to have been your sorcerer's apprentice when I was a lad

 

 

Thank you phil , you wouldnt have got rich as I have not YET found the formula to change lead into gold . But you would certinly had some very good times in the field pigeon shooting .

 

Harnser .

[utectok]

Good stuff interesting I now prefer to stand to take my shots though after sitting for years I find I shoot better standing so slower it may be but more on target for me!

Edited December 29, 2011 by utectok

[Frenchieboy]

This is one of the most informative and helpful posts put on here for a long time,something that will benefit every pigeon decoying novice.

Well done Harnser for taking the time to put such helpful advice up for us all to benefit from!

[Harnser]

Whilst out on your pigeon recce watch how the birds drop into the field . you will see that they dont form any kind of pattern ,but will spread them selves out and face all directions not only into the wind . They tend to form groups of birds scattered over quite a large area . Dont make the mistake of putting your decoys in nice even rows ,this is not natural ,spread them out but keep them within shot . From one edge of your pattern to the other can be as much as 80 yards and still be in shot . Pigeons do seem to have a feeding etiquette and wont land to close to a feeding bird ,they do seem to have a need for space when feeding . To tight a pattern of decoys will put them off . You will know when you have got it right as you will see the birds put their airbrakes on and drop like a stone into the decoys .

 

Harnser .

[clakk]

what great advice ,iused to sit in the pheasant woods on my last permission watching the pigeons comings and goings b4 setting up.but never tried decoys or marking a sensible shooting distance.something to try out as you say hopefully put up my tally.youre sound free advice will teach an old dog some new tricks cheers harnser :good:

[Harnser]

Another thing that I always do ,is when I have set up my hide and put my coys out I walk back a way and have a good look at the decoys and the hide . I then imagine I am flying 100 feet above the coys and the hide ,just to see if every thing looks natural .

 

Harnser .

[Actionpigeons]

Nicely written topic full of good advice and hints, I to like to sit when I shoot but I think that comes with age. Good shooting

[beerdeor]

Hanser I have to say wise words indeed,excellent advise to a novice pigeon shooter like me

Quite possibly the most useful post I have seen on PW in my 3 years of membership.

Well done Hanser keep it coming

Thankyou Jim

[chrispti]

Thats the beauty of pigeon decoying. . . . . there is no one right way of doing it.

 

Some excellent advise posted above

 

I will add; dont be afraid to experiment or try something new/different

[mrpip]

Excellent post Harnser, some good pointers in there. I was taught the basic art of decoying (it is an art) 30 plus years ago & I.m still learning. Pigeon habits have changed over the years also the range of decoying equipment often wonder how I used to shoot a bag over decoys made out of plastic guttering & paper mache, but I did. Couple of bits of advice that have stuck with me over the years, set up were the pigeon are feeding not were it looks a good spot for you, dont spend to much time on the hide you could be moving shortly if they dont come, Another tip I have used in the past when shooting tallish crops without a dog, is to stick a few twigs out beyond the decoys with a bit of coloured tape on them, makes it easier for marking your birds when picking up. I could go on but theres only one way to learn fieldcraft thats by being out there at every opportunity watching the wildlife, trying to outwit them & learning by your success & your mistakes.

Edited December 30, 2011 by mrpip

[FreddytheFox]

NOW THERE YOU GO !!!.......AFTER READING POSTS BY "HARNSER", THATS WHAT I LIKE TO SEE IN PRINT, 12/10 FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS THE PIGEON SHOOTING "DISEASE", JUST READING HIS SCRIBBLINGS TELLS ME HE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ! HE GOES AS OFTEN AS HE CAN AND "DOES" IT, COULD'NT EVEN ADD TO ANY THING HE'S SAID.......HARNSER YOU SOUND OLD SCHOOL TO ME, AND I'M QUITE SURE THERES A FEW "COLUMBUS", UNDER YOUR BELT .......DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT JUST PUT YER AGE DOWN ON YER NEXT POSTING WILL YOU........ALL THE BEST FOR 2012.....FreddytheFox..

[chefy]

good read is that .its people like you that this sport needs ,thanks you have taught me some good things which put birds in the bag

[Harnser]

NOW THERE YOU GO !!!.......AFTER READING POSTS BY "HARNSER", THATS WHAT I LIKE TO SEE IN PRINT, 12/10 FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS THE PIGEON SHOOTING "DISEASE", JUST READING HIS SCRIBBLINGS TELLS ME HE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ! HE GOES AS OFTEN AS HE CAN AND "DOES" IT, COULD'NT EVEN ADD TO ANY THING HE'S SAID.......HARNSER YOU SOUND OLD SCHOOL TO ME, AND I'M QUITE SURE THERES A FEW "COLUMBUS", UNDER YOUR BELT .......DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT JUST PUT YER AGE DOWN ON YER NEXT POSTING WILL YOU........ALL THE BEST FOR 2012.....FreddytheFox..

 

Just look at my profile freddy it will give you some info .

 

Harnser .

[Paladin]

A realy good post Perhaps we should 'pigeon watch' more, then our bags will increase.

 

Paladin

[FreddytheFox]

Hello Harnser, could have took £50 on that!....am 5 behind you at 17/63....still thinks I'm 17, equipment and 5 barr gates pose problems these days so try to stick to, Apache' ways....."Travel light, Travel Fast" shoot from the knee! (sometimes can't get up of that knee these days, me old 12 hammer is now a crutch as well).....Cut and sharpen two Elderberry branches, instant hide, find the flight in, and if I ain't put 10/15 down in 1/2 hour, I still don't go back to the motta, to get any of my kit....Poles/Net/decoys/Cartridges/Seat/Whizza,etc,etc.......sutch a pain if you ain't picked that just right spot ain't it?.....don't like setting up more than once Eh??? .....10/15 now set up is then and only then, I go back to fetch my gear, "After years" of doing this I know who the fella is who has to bring it all back to his motta!!! (YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN DON'T YOU) perfect if you can drive on/off???.......Plus the EXTRA weight when you've got it right! "if" you've got it right.......Harnser, I thought this Pigeon Shooting Disease would get better as I got Older but It gets worse.....Jazzus, If ever I come back as Mr Columbus, I'm going to stay round Urban Bird Tables, and sit on Tele Arials all day......Keep taking the (Pills...Ners).....Best Regards......FreddytheFox.

[cocker3]

what a great read that was harnser very sound advice for newbies thanks for posting it one point i will add is that as before hide discipline is paramount so is cleaning up in the pattern i never leave the hide or send one of the dogs out unless

a/ there is a bird on its back

b/ there is a wounded bird that needs to be dispatched

c/ there are too many dead birds in or around the pattern this can both put birds off from committing to the pattern pattern and make the pattern to messy and over crowded

d/if its summer time and there are lots if flys about this is the one time i tent to pick up every 5 min or so

e/ or to sort or adjust the pattern

 

 

just sit still and watch dont go running out after every bird is shot :good:

[yickdaz]

what a great read that was harnser very sound advice for newbies thanks for posting it one point i will add is that as before hide discipline is paramount so is cleaning up in the pattern i never leave the hide or send one of the dogs out unless

a/ there is a bird on its back

b/ there is a wounded bird that needs to be dispatched

c/ there are too many dead birds in or around the pattern this can both put birds off from committing to the pattern pattern and make the pattern to messy and over crowded

d/if its summer time and there are lots if flys about this is the one time i tent to pick up every 5 min or so

e/ or to sort or adjust the pattern

 

 

just sit still and watch dont go running out after every bird is shot :good:

also there is periods in a day on a hot session when they are coming in thick and fast so if you keep running out picking birds, well you can do but your final bag total will drop because you can shoot 3 or 4 birds in the time it takes to tidy up add that 10 times in your day before you know it your 30 or 40 birds down on what your final tally could of been

[motty]

what a great read that was harnser very sound advice for newbies thanks for posting it one point i will add is that as before hide discipline is paramount so is cleaning up in the pattern i never leave the hide or send one of the dogs out unless

a/ there is a bird on its back

b/ there is a wounded bird that needs to be dispatched

c/ there are too many dead birds in or around the pattern this can both put birds off from committing to the pattern pattern and make the pattern to messy and over crowded

d/if its summer time and there are lots if flys about this is the one time i tent to pick up every 5 min or so

e/ or to sort or adjust the pattern

 

 

just sit still and watch dont go running out after every bird is shot :good:

I agree with most of this but i don't believe that a dead bird on it's back puts off incoming pigeons.