Major Misfit Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Hi everyone, usually only rough shoot but fancy trying out pigeon shooting. However as with everyone strapped for cashier theming, however I do have some old army cam nets and some NRA FUD pigeon decoys in a box(think there's 5) will I be wasting time and wait till can afford a magnet/flapper etc. gotta few fields of rape being hit at the mo so want to try and give it go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Certainly is. Dont wait until you have all that gadget stuff, just get out there. Build a cheapo hide, and stuff grass and bits onto it. Then, put the fuds where the birds are hitting. Build your pattern up with shot birds. When i started decoying, i used to have to shoot under a flightline, and use only shot birds as deeks as i had owt else. hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) A few more decoys wouldn't go amiss, but you don't need the mechanical gizmos. I leave my magnet in the truck more often than not these days. Army cam nets are fine, I used them for a while. The dedicated shooting nets I use now don't hide you any better, they just weigh a bit less. Decoying is harder at this time of year, so don't beat yourself up if you don't have have huge success, but get out there and enjoy yourself Edited December 31, 2012 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Misfit Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Cheers MM gonna try get out this thurs and give it a go. Have tried reading bout it all but thinking am better just to get out and experiment Cheers blunderbuss will give it a go and let you know how it all goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Cheap net and 6 decoys hcve been the start of some of my best days, the right spot and not moving has more to do with it than the best gadgets imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Cheers MM gonna try get out this thurs and give it a go. Have tried reading bout it all but thinking am better just to get out and experiment Cheers blunderbuss will give it a go and let you know how it all goes No probs. If you manage to hit one birds, then great!! You have done it!! It snot about having all the gear, but being able to make that one bird come to you. Like its said, its harder this time of year, so dont expect much. Just shoot, and then build your pattern up. most of all, just enjoy it and learn the craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam-1990 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 In summer me and my mate set up with about 5 decoys and abit of camo netting put the decoys out while we was sorting the netting out one landed about 6ft away from me had no gun out so it got away but we built the pattern up and did well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Cover your mush, stay still, well covered and set up under a flightline... They'll come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I started with a 6x4 net and 6 plastic deeks, had more than enough birds come in to keep me happy, probably more so than when you walk across fields armed to the teeth with electrical gear,nets,ammo,loads more deeks, and have a **** day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 It is nice to have all of the gizmos but the most important thing is to shoot what you do get a chance at. I would pick out the best bit of net that you have and take some of the scrim off of the other nets and make a better more covered one. I use a heavy/thick plastic drum to carry the net, decoys and three sticks. When emptied the drum is turned up and that is my seat. I usually make the hide reasonably small with the net forming a triangle from up in the hedge or bush with two longer sticks holding about a third in and a shorter stick about face height in front. If you have a facemask and sit still they don’t seem to notice. Any movement and they will flair away. I look for a flight line or better two that cross somewhere near a hedge or tree and set up there. If it is a tree then I set up the hide & pattern about thirty yards away from the tree on the upwind side. If they land in the tree I can see them and shoot them in the tree as they land. If they come over or around the tree then they usually come straight into the pattern. Keep still and wait until they are committed over the pattern and then take them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 If you can get yourself a bouncer or two, they weigh very little and can be very effective with a couple of real birds on them. £15 each or buy two and get a third free last time I looked. That and your decoys and you're away. Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 I'm another one who started with very litle gear. Abut 8 fullbodies and a hugearmy net. Had some good days too as its far more important being in the right place at the right time. Having all the gear is fine but when it takes three trips to unload the car you' re knackered before you start! That's the stage I got to at one time and when I finally realised I didn't actually shoot that many more I went back to basics. So get out there and enjoy it. Do your reccy and stay hidden. I would recommend a facemask but its not essential. GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) Cover your mush, stay still, well covered and set up under a flightline... They'll come in. I agree. I dont bother with a hide if im shooting alone. I ask the dog to get under a little cover, push my back in to a hedge or a little cover. I only use dead birds when possible, but only start with a dozen out any way. A little roost shooting would set you up with them and put them in the freezer, replacing them with fresh birds each time you go out. It would help if you had a bouncer as a little movement will bring them it so much better. Edited January 1, 2013 by Actionpigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Much better to be in the right position with basic kit than in the wrong position with all the kit time on recce is never wasted BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 I hate carrying loads of kit! Do t do much now but used to take 8 she'll deeks and a bouncer out. Always a few bits of branch etc you can rest up behind provided your face is covered and you stay still they will come. My best afternoon ever I went out with no decoys just a gun and shells; built the pattern up as I shot birds and had a blinding afternoon- ran out of shells! Staying still and being in the right place is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Misfit Posted January 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 Well gave it a try today not very successful. Recce fields chose my spot got tempt to change as other field was swamped but just like at the bank it changed once I moved. Had a few flying in then turning last min. Had wind side onto me decoys in a horse shoe ish shape 25 m from the hide. So shall u invest in a bouncer or rotary or just keep trying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBS Posted January 3, 2013 Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Birds turning at the last minute suggests either you moving as they are coming in or the pattern not quite right, never as easy with the wind coming side on either IMO Also when you say 25m from the hide is this the furthest decoy? It should be, or not too much further Edit to add that bouncers can be made free and easy in the field, one bendy stick through a dead bird to the head and stuck in the ground with a shorter one through the body to hold wings outstretched Edited January 3, 2013 by JBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimh Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 I'm in me second season with no more gear than you have, love it, win sometimes loose another... fall asleep as well, all great though. I too at the first opportunity put one on a bendy stick the main thing is keep bloody still and covered only move when their focus is on where their feet are going to touch down. just get out there and when it don't work change it but don't get hung up about it, enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 I only have six decoys, an old camo net and some welding poles for posts. First time out I shot 18 in just four hours...... so chuffed I did not stop grinning for days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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