ste eibar Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Our shoot is mostly rape field's. A lot of the rape is in flower now. The question is when are they cut? Is it worth decoying after they are cut? I can't wait for some decent pigeon shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Rape will be cut sometime around end of July/beginning of August - Depends on the summer really!! Absodefinitely worth decoying once harvested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 The best shooting is after they are cut. Preferably they are swathed and left to dry for a couple of weeks and you can get right in it with a pigeon magnet up until it is combined, or just shoot the stubbles before they are ploughed in Best left for now though as it will be too high to easily find the shot birds if you get any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 As above, plus still worth keeping an eye on any balding patches and tram lines , possibly wont find most of the birds that may be dropped as falling in long crop, a small dog for retrieve is beneficial long as not damaging the crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I had my best days shooting of last year on rape stubble...130 birds...defo worth keeping you eye on in the summer..Great shooting... :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 as been said end of july into august when harvested and more evidence showing its worth shooting after harvest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 most rape now gets sprayed off - keep and eye on this - if we get very heavy rain/wind when its standing and ready to be cut -you might get some flat patches - these can be very productive shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted April 10, 2012 Report Share Posted April 10, 2012 I couple of points on shooting rape in summer. Do not shoot the standing crop. The seed spills out of the plant very easy so when you or your dog go to retrieve a bird you will be doing as much dammage as the pigeons. I doubt the farmer will be very happy. Once harvested be ready to shoot the stubbles very quickly. Spilt seed germinates within days if it rains and once germinated its rare to get good numbers of pigeons comming onto the field. And finaly if its dry be very careful using a dog. Rape stubble can be very sharp and splinters so a running dog can get splinters from the stalk into its skin easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretman_2009 Posted April 11, 2012 Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 Still worth ago while in flower still get pigeons dropping in eating leaves near the ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Still worth ago while in flower still get pigeons dropping in eating leaves near the ground I agree, I had some good days last year on patchy rape and edges of fields, which can concentrate the birds because they are easy pickings, especially if near sitty trees. One farm I shoot on always has some patchy fields because of the nature of the land, and always gives some hotspots for pigeons right through to harvest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste eibar Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Thank's for the reply's. I'll have a scout around the rape field's on friday for some short bit's that are near flight line's and give it a go on sunday. I'll let you know how i get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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