malcolm Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 OK, what is going wrong? A week or two ago I set up decoys (rape stubble) about 5-6 am and before I could get in the hide pigeons came right in. I shot, put the dead birds in the pattern then nothing more into the pattern (in 2 hours). "Well that's just pigeons", I thought. Days later same thing. "Coincidence", I thought. This morning (in a different location) I put out the decoys again, before I could sit down they came in. I shot two (and a deek) put the dead birds in the pattern and then nothing into the decoys for 2 hours. They were still in the trees all about. This is no longer coincidence or just pigeons whim. What I doing wrong? Too late (5.30 am)?, they don't like my dead birds (I didn't put them legs up) Please does anyone have any ideas? Cheers Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 more to do with the amount of food about and the long day,s . could also be lack of wind plus the heat . try the afternoon feed may have more luck. same around here 1 shot and there gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm Posted August 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Thanks Magman, That gives me hope, that it happens to others. It is too easy to believe, that everyone except me, shoots 20+ pigeons per hour. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 This can be a funny time of year, plenty of food options, long days, some birds still breeding, hot weather, little wind and a few other factors that make life difficult for pigeon shooters. If I can't find a field that pigeons are really committing to, then its a case of a few hours in the morning (and it doesn't have to be 5.30am) and a few hours early evening. Alternatively, if you want to have a full day out, travel light and keep on the move. You may get a few shots on a field and once its disturbed, the birds move off. Then you move to another field and repeat the exercise. This is great for showing the Farmer that you are really committed to crop protection, as you become a mobile bird scarer. Seriously, you can get some good shooting as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 My take on this is you got interest when there was movement but it was likely too hot and too easy to find food elswhere. Recently the heat has pretty much killed off the sport you can find at normally reliable times of the day. Even when it died down I still found very quiet spells and wandered off to see if they were getting in eleswhere, worth doing becuase just out of view they can be getting on the same crop, put them up with a clap or something and use movement in the pattern to get them interested. Has worked recently for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm Posted August 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Thanks for all your advice, Generally, after such experiences, I have just left the decoys and wandered 'round withe the shottie. This has been more fruitful I am quite inexperieced and I was so looking foward to the "harvest bonaza" which really didn't happen for me Thanks again and any futher advice would be much appeiciated. Cheers Malcolm Ok, we have just had another post from "Topgunner". I know he is a pro , but ....... 20+ per hour I I the only **** one! Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topgunners Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Thanks for all your advice, Generally, after such experiences, I have just left the decoys and wandered 'round withe the shottie. This has been more fruitful I am quite inexperieced and I was so looking foward to the "harvest bonaza" which really didn't happen for me Thanks again and any futher advice would be much appeiciated. Cheers Malcolm Ok, we have just had another post from "Topgunner". I know he is a pro , but ....... 20+ per hour I I the only **** one! Malcolm Yo Malcolm. Just a quick correction. Neither I , nor my partner are Pro's. Just very dedicated, COMMITED amateurs who have many years of experience in the art of Field Craft. You will gain this also, in time. What we do is cover many miles and hours reccying our land; OVER & OVER AGAIN.. We are also suffering from the problems that are being experienced all over the country by many members (and non-members) of PW and I agree whole-heartedly with all the previous replies. Heat, too much harvesting all at the same time, one bang and they are gone etc etc. But instead of packing up completely we drive round again and again , stopping and looking through the binos for quite a while at each permission. Chat and have a coffee whilst waiting etc. Then we move on and repeat this. And we also go looking in the week WITHOUT shotguns just to see if flight-lines have changed and feeding patterns have altered. We are also privileged to have many thousand acres to shoot on. (But also many acres for the pigeons to hop to and from..) Persevere and one day it will all come together. Good Luck. Dave K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Austin Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 I in my area there are plenty of birds but as seems to be the norm during the recent weather they are easily put off feeding. Where I have found them to more consistent with a steady number of ones and twos comming in, is when they need to drink. In two of my locations there are muck heaps which have laid wet with puddles even during the hot weather, it seems to attrach them, if disturbed they fly up to the nearest trees or wires but come back after a while (when I miss!). Andy Austin Long time no post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Instead of the 5am start try going out at 5pm, when the heat of the day is dying off, you can still get 2 or 3 hours sport as they are having there last feed before roosting up for the night. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Thanks for all your advice, Generally, after such experiences, I have just left the decoys and wandered 'round withe the shottie. This has been more fruitful I am quite inexperieced and I was so looking foward to the "harvest bonaza" which really didn't happen for me Thanks again and any futher advice would be much appeiciated. Cheers Malcolm Ok, we have just had another post from "Topgunner". I know he is a pro , but ....... 20+ per hour I I the only **** one! Malcolm Yo Malcolm. Just a quick correction. Neither I , nor my partner are Pro's. Just very dedicated, COMMITED amateurs who have many years of experience in the art of Field Craft. You will gain this also, in time. What we do is cover many miles and hours reccying our land; OVER & OVER AGAIN.. We are also suffering from the problems that are being experienced all over the country by many members (and non-members) of PW and I agree whole-heartedly with all the previous replies. Heat, too much harvesting all at the same time, one bang and they are gone etc etc. But instead of packing up completely we drive round again and again , stopping and looking through the binos for quite a while at each permission. Chat and have a coffee whilst waiting etc. Then we move on and repeat this. And we also go looking in the week WITHOUT shotguns just to see if flight-lines have changed and feeding patterns have altered. We are also privileged to have many thousand acres to shoot on. (But also many acres for the pigeons to hop to and from..) Persevere and one day it will all come together. Good Luck. Dave K That is the best advice you will get on this site mate so take heed. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Top Gunner's got more sense than to be a pro pigeon shooter. His advice is spot on...Woody (almost) never gives you a chance but with hard work and a lot of time input you just might do better than the average monkey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Pieman Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 The rape stubbles near me have produced large bags (100+) between 2pm and 8pm. Prthaps try an afternoon session. It tends to cool off, the wind usually increases, 'woody' concedes that he has to have some tea before bed and you don't need te get up when its still dark!!! Out of interest TG, do you really believe experience is a function of time? (Cerebral challenge for you all). PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Experience is a function of time over ability to learn times natural ability, I think you will find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 the birds dont tend to feed much in the morning up here either but 12 noon on wards is good ps only shot 2 on sat mmmm was a funny day no wind and spitting rain had a great sleep from 3 to 3.30 happy days, just happy to be out in the fresh air tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topgunners Posted August 9, 2006 Report Share Posted August 9, 2006 Out of interest TG, do you really believe experience is a function of time? (Cerebral challenge for you all). PP In my opinion Experience is acquired over a period of time and comprises of the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities. Also; learning, wisdom and understanding. Above all ,remembering what you have learnt and being adaptable to changes and being prepared to try or "ring the changes". Experience and learning seems to happen in fits, stops, and starts. Sometimes it seems one is going nowhere or even backwards. Other times there is steady, plodding progress. Learn by your mistakes and experience will grow. Listen & inwardly digest. Psychologist, philosophist, ex teacher, ex pupil and outright EXPERIENCED Pigeon Shooter. PHEW !!! Dave K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted August 9, 2006 Report Share Posted August 9, 2006 Out of interest TG, do you really believe experience is a function of time? (Cerebral challenge for you all). PP In my opinion Experience is acquired over a period of time and comprises of the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities. Also; learning, wisdom and understanding. Above all ,remembering what you have learnt and being adaptable to changes and being prepared to try or "ring the changes". Experience and learning seems to happen in fits, stops, and starts. Sometimes it seems one is going nowhere or even backwards. Other times there is steady, plodding progress. Learn by your mistakes and experience will grow. Listen & inwardly digest. Psychologist, philosophist, ex teacher, ex pupil and outright EXPERIENCED Pigeon Shooter. PHEW !!! Dave K Bought a new dictionary Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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