theoben fenman Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 OK I finally got out shooting the other day after weeks of bad weather, work and every oover imaginable impediment!! We went set out the 4 decoys and sat there and got bored. We shot at some high fliers Hitting but not damaging one and getting very close to the rest so I'm not to diheartened. However the decoys just didnt seem to attract any attention. Do we need more than 4? They seemed to be well placed and some where having a good look but the birds seemed to just want to fly on. Our hide and camofluage were good so either the pigeons werent hungry (we were shooting from 1000 to 1400) or the decoys didnt work. It wasnt a good day for my gun dog but she did learn one important rule. If the gun goes dont bother getting up until your told. I think she was a bit bored! The real question is do I need more than 4, Personally I think you can over do it and so we went with small numbers. Cant wait to try again, wether that will happen again this year is as yet unknown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 you would be better with at least a dozen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Try starting with about 8 decoys and a least one bouncer, A magnet or flapper would be a big help if you have one. You need movement to get them interested. You would be lucky to get birds coming in with just 4 static decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 As said adding a little movement to your pattern is the key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I usually like to start with around 12-15 this time of year and 20-30 or more when shooting rape in the winter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Ok I will try and up it a bit by next time. 3 of them were the ones with springs on poles are they bouncers? Magnets seem great but expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss.tony Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) Ok I will try and up it a bit by next time. 3 of them were the ones with springs on poles are they bouncers? Magnets seem great but expensive! lol the springy stick thingy is not a bouncer as such that just helps in wind to make the shell decoy move a tad he was on about a 4ft adjustable carbon pole that you attach a dead bird to they cost 15 quid ish when you buy more decoys get the flocked coated 1s miles better in sun Edited September 7, 2012 by swiss.tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 If the birds aren't feeding on your field then all the deeks in the world are unlikely to make much difference-if ,however,you saw birds feeding as you arrived then thats roughly the number of decoys you need-the birds will expect to see similar numbers as they witnessed last time they were feeding in this field.As said elsewhere-movement is a big help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I would shoot earlier or later too, pigeons often have a siesta in the middle of the day at this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 If the birds aren't feeding on your field then all the deeks in the world are unlikely to make much difference-if ,however,you saw birds feeding as you arrived then thats roughly the number of decoys you need-the birds will expect to see similar numbers as they witnessed last time they were feeding in this field.As said elsewhere-movement is a big help. That is the answer. You need to find birds feeding on a field, before you set up, then there is more chance of them returning to the decoys. At this time of year I use less than 10 decoys quite effectively, there are no big flocks about (in my area) , with all the birds in small groups.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 If the birds aren't feeding on your field then all the deeks in the world are unlikely to make much difference-if ,however,you saw birds feeding as you arrived then thats roughly the number of decoys you need-the birds will expect to see similar numbers as they witnessed last time they were feeding in this field.As said elsewhere-movement is a big help. well i don,t have 200 decoys to put out lolbut obviously you need at least 12 to start then put dead birds in with them as you go, then add either a floater, flapper, magnet , or all of them if situation dictates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted September 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 We saw a couple about as we turned up but we had no choice of where to go im afraid. The sticky things seemed to add a nice bit of movement however it clearly wasnt enough. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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