southeastpete Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I met with bighit1985/darryl and catweazle/steve today and drove to one of my permissions, where we took an early walk to see if we could bag a pheasant or two. As we arrived, plenty were flying across the field, so we had high hopes. Me and darryl went round one way, and steve went the other. Steve fired off 2 shots, missing one, and bringing another down, which managed to tuck away in the rape, and without a dog couldnt be found... Me and darryl flushed one that i missed with both barrels of the sbs, first barrel fired a bit early tbh, hadnt quite lined up yet, and the 2nd barrel fired at too long a range. Further round i was just telling darryl that even in this 2-3 inch rape a pheasant can manage to stay out of sight, even 5 feet away, when with that distinctive wing beat a hen jumped up between us. We both span around and this time I took a couple of seconds to make sure I was lined up ok, and took the shot, knocking her down. Unfortunately Darryl wasnt quite quick enough. We then went on to meet with cz550kevlar/andy. He took us to one of his fields where there were some crows building. We walked onto the field of spring wheat for a look, pushing of a couple of dozen crows, and futher up, several dozen pigeons. We decided andy and steve would stay that end, and try for crows, while me and darryl would head up the other end and try for pigeons. As we set up there was a reasonable breeze coming over the tree line behind usat a slight angle from right to left. I decided to put a crescent of flocked shells out 35-40 yrds away, with a rotary 5 yards behind the lead decoy, and a crescent/group of FUD's as a close arm of a rough v shape. Then 2 bouncers out 20-30 yrds from the pattern. Whilst we did this the wind changed and came straight from the trees, so moved the bouncers slightly but left the pattern. Then the drizzle set in and i thought the day was going to be a loss. But it didnt last and in fact the sun came out! We had pigeons coming over every now and then, we were on/near a reasonable flight line, but to my surprise for spring wheat they actually came to the decoys! We did change a couple of things. brought in the foam wing bouncers and used real birds. And the rotary had to be left at first, as one of the dead birds had a large bald patch on its back, but it was soon replaced. It took a little bit of time for Darryl to get his eye in, but then got some really good far out crossing birds. We paced one bird out to 42 yrds, and he was using a Hatsan semi on improved cylinder. I wasnt up to my usual awesome standard on the pigeons, but managed to stay equal with my hide buddy. But i did cheer myself up with some cracking long range shots on 3 crows, one paced at 54 yrds with the old SMK sbs 3/4choke. We ended the day (about 9.45-3) with 10 pigeons 2 crows and a jackdaw, with 3 pigeons and 1 crow lost. Andy or steve may be along to type out their adventures, but their end of the field was alot quieter thn ours, and i think they got 2 pigeons 1 crow. I'd like to say it was just because our aim was better, but i think we missed more than they did aswell as getting more! I'll try and add a little pic soon, and i feel like i've rambled on loads, so congratulations if you made it this far, and thanks for reading!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning n spaniel Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 sounds like a good few hours mate, when did they drill the spring wheat?? still ploughing this way so will be few weeks yet here before they start drilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosebank22 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Nice to see a pic - thought my brother was lying! Well done considering numbers of pigeon are a bit shocking most places at the mo. Haven't had chance to go out anywhere since ive been back in Cornwall. So not been out since with you and Darryll. Thanks for the time out by the way - hope the dog didn't annoy you too much! Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Lol, she was fine. long way to go, but she didnt bother me any. She tried her best and didnt spoil anything at all. Not sure when they drilled that field, it was cz550's permission not mine (thansk to him for a cracking day out) I was jsut surprised to see them feeding the ground there, even more surprised they came to the deeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 It was a good day out ( cheers Andy and Pete for excellent venues }, although the pigeons weren't playing the game up our end of the field. The birds were flying past us, 50yds up and 50yds out, and just completely ignoring our decoys. I have no idea why, we tried small patterns, large patterns, medium patterns, patterns with just the flocked decoys, patterns with flocked and unflocked, with and without the rotary. The pigeons weren't spooking / jinking, they just completely ignored us and the decoys and flew slowly past, out of range. Perhaps a clue might come from the crops, I opened one which was full of small green berries, no wheat. When we arrived we saw a good number on the ground near the hedgerow/trees , the prevailing wind was from the hedgerow/trees into the field. My guess is that they were feeding on the berries that were being blown off the trees into the wheat. More puzzling was the crow behaviour. I shot a rabbit earlier and placed it with the entrails out between 3 crow decoys. As I was putting it out several crows took a close look. As soon as I got back into the hide the crows ignored it completely. So, not a successful day for me, but fun all the same and I enjoyed it. PS/ I've just had a thought - the only thing we didn't try was packing away the crow decoys ( set up nearby ). I wonder if that was the pigeon problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighit1985 Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Yeah a great day and thanks goes to Pete for letting use his Hatsan semi, which was really nice gun to use and as you said once I got my eye in it was a far better day, But a massive thanks to Andy for letting us all come down and have a day with him on his permission, It a shame that all of us weren't as lucky to have the bird activity, may be next we will all have more chances. thanks to all for a good day and for the experience, till next time!! Darryll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Sounds like a good day was had. This time of year decoying can be a little hit and miss. You did everything you could by changing patterns around, but sometimes they just don't want to play. It's always a good day when you have good company in the hide in my opinion! Great write up and picture...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Well done, i have given up decoying pigeons for now as it is just a complete waste of time around here. How ever as i write this i have hundereds of crows floating about so might give them a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 It was a very good day, thankyou all for coming and glad there was shooting to be had, i think it could be highly possible the crows might have kept the pigeons away from the pattern, next time try without i think. i must admit Steve and i were kept highly amused in a good way by the firing squad that seemed to have formed up Peter and Darryl`s end. i`m planning on doing the same thing next week so if anyone is interested you are more than welcome again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'd love to, but i'll be back at work im afraid. Tuesday im off, will try decoying my field at first light i think, but was there midday today for a look, no pigeons really. If your out tues, could do mine at first light for 2 hrs, then over to yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'd love to, but i'll be back at work im afraid. Tuesday im off, will try decoying my field at first light i think, but was there midday today for a look, no pigeons really. If your out tues, could do mine at first light for 2 hrs, then over to yours? I`m on the school run in the mornings and afternoons now i`m self employed so i`m restricted on going too far, i was out this morning and went upto the spot you guys setup at, put out a rotary and 10 decoys and they were taking the pattern, i`ll try and get a photo up but got 18 for 29 shots so looks like the hottest field at the moment but got chatting to a local farmer who wants to see me to get a copy of my licence etc and give me permission for his land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighit1985 Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 It was a very good day, thankyou all for coming and glad there was shooting to be had, i think it could be highly possible the crows might have kept the pigeons away from the pattern, next time try without i think. i must admit Steve and i were kept highly amused in a good way by the firing squad that seemed to have formed up Peter and Darryl`s end. i`m planning on doing the same thing next week so if anyone is interested you are more than welcome again. When you looking at going out next week/week after next Im off tuesday this week coming and then Im off Week saturday, Sunday, Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday. So if your out any of those day, I'd love to come down and join you, If Petes not able to come though Id need to borrow a shotgun if poss. (Dont worry if not) Bloody license still not through. Its 2 weeks from being 3 months now. let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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