whats the best pattern for a still day?

[berettalover]

hi guys,

been out on some barley stubble today and set up in a good spot where the birds had been feeding but there was no wind, i set the decoys in a horseshoe shape towards where there was a couple of small blows of wind, i had a few birds commit to the pattern but i wondered what pattern others use for when there is no wind.

thanks for any advice given

adam

[welsh1]

Here you go,Nickbeardo kindly did this in the section "pigeon shooting tips" it is a sticky.

 

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/153348-setting-a-pigeon-decoy-pattern/

[Actionpigeons]

I use a random pattern on still days.

3 or 4 dead bird/decoys in two or three spots (about 8 birds in total) with a flapper in the centre or to one side, building as I drop more birds.

Never been a fan of the horse shoe pattern as in all the years I have shot never seen pigeons feed in a horse shoe pattern

Even when there is some wind I use a group of dead birds and shot the incoming birds as the join the edge.

Edited July 28, 2012 by Actionpigeons

[carpentermark]

I use a random pattern on still days.

3 or 4 dead bird/decoys in two or three spots (about 8 birds in total) with a flapper in the centre or to one side, building as I drop more birds.

Never been a fan of the horse shoe pattern as in all the years I have shot never seen pigeons feed in a horse shoe pattern

Even when there is some wind I use a group of dead birds and shot the incoming birds as the join the edge.

I agree, Pigeons dont feed in a 'pattern' so i dont use one, i just scatter 'em and clump 'em with heads pricked up more or less facing into the wind, leaving a hole between them and the rotary for them to land in (kill zone). Each to their own but it seems to work for me.

[pigeon controller]

If it's very still we tend to put two groups out in front of the hide with birds coming from all directions. Then during the day you will find a dominant flightlne and build on that, also reduce the decoys by bringing in the shot birds.

[southeastpete]

Here you go,Nickbeardo kindly did this in the section "pigeon shooting tips" it is a sticky.

 

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/153348-setting-a-pigeon-decoy-pattern/

 

 

but doesnt mention what the OP was asking, for patterns for NO WIND days...

[Cranfield]

With no wind, I place my decoys in small clusters of 5 or 6 birds (a couple of feet between each decoy) and about 15-20ft between each cluster.

This gives incoming birds plenty of space to look at as they come into range.

 

As PC says, even with no wind a definite flight line will become apparent.

I shot on an oblong rape stubble with no wind yesterday (set up half way along a long side) and the birds ended up all coming from my right, but from both the top and bottom corners of the field on that side.

When this became apparent, I moved my clusters further to the left, so as to draw more birds in front of me on their way to the decoys.

Where you put the "pattern", is as important as the shape of it IMO.