Catamong Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 I've noticed loads of acorns and beechmast in my area this year, that normally means that for most of the Winter the birds stay in the woods and don't venture out on to the rape until well after Christmas. Unlike last year when they were hitting the rape hard before the end of October. I've even known them stay clear of it until mid February, because contrary to popular belief, I don't think they enjoy eating the stuff, they eat it simply because they have to as there is little other food available. Looks like I'll be doing even more clay shooting this Winter. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 They are in the woods in large numbers around my shooting area and there does seem to be a good crop of beechmast and acorns this year. It is no doubt that this is their preferred food. Ambush them when they go for a drink, apparently they drink a lot more when eating acorns and beechmast, I suppose there is not much natural moisture in them. Hopefully, they will be out on the rape once the leaf goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainwt Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 i ALSO NOTICED BIG NUMBERS AROUND THE WOODS I THINK I ONCE READ THAT ONCE IN LIKE THE 1990S PIGEONS DIDNT TOUCH THE RAPE ALL YEAR BECUASE OF THE ACORNS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roe doe Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 yes acorns and beech mast every where so are the pheasants so by december we should big numbers of pigeons up here in cumbria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 i ALSO NOTICED BIG NUMBERS AROUND THE WOODS I THINK I ONCE READ THAT ONCE IN LIKE THE 1990S PIGEONS DIDNT TOUCH THE RAPE ALL YEAR BECUASE OF THE ACORNS Yes, I remember it well, and don't forget that was before whirlies were invented, and true fieldcraft was required to get a decent bag. Cat. PS - Iain - DON'T SHOUT - IT'S RUDE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 i ALSO NOTICED BIG NUMBERS AROUND THE WOODS I THINK I ONCE READ THAT ONCE IN LIKE THE 1990S PIGEONS DIDNT TOUCH THE RAPE ALL YEAR BECUASE OF THE ACORNS Yes, I remember it well, and don't forget that was before whirlies were invented, and true fieldcraft was required to get a decent bag. Cat. PS - Iain - DON'T SHOUT - IT'S RUDE. They are starting to move a bit round my neck of the woods,,,,seen a couple of "flocks" of about 20 birds making their way around.... Loads of "corns" on the floor under the trees and loads of beech mast...............................If no piggys,,,,,,,,,,then its crows for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonrms Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 IF its safe to do so... MEANING.... you have enough land.. and know you wont miss... lol use a air rifle... shoot them out of the trees and go back to basics... its alot of fun... and its more work.. but none the less you will get a large amount of birds.. I did that before just sitting outside my garden... and I got near ten pigeons in less than 2 hours... not bad with a air rifle... this also means less damnage to the meat... just to give you another bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Been out for a recce for tomorrow and found that the farmer has just finished drilling a field - loads of pigeons Flock of about 100+ with little groups spread across the field. Other permission has only little goups at the moment though. This year he's drilled a massive amount of rape so it's going to be difficult to attract them to one area in particular. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 On one of my permissions , there is a row of beeches which line a stubble field. The farmer is leaving it as set a side, so next windy weekend i'll give it ago . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Looks like I'll be doing even more clay shooting this Winter. Pray for snow then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Went for a quick walk this evening......... Managed to bag one woody breaking from the woods.... Opened its crop up.............full of acorns and beech mast...............never seen that before being a nuooob..... Quite suprising at the size of the acorns,,,I thought that they bashed em and pecked them instead of necking them whole.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Quick mooch with the lab and 12 bore resulted in 3 woodies tonight. When I was emptying the crops at home They all had acorns in with a little cereal but one of them had 7 acorns in it's crop. Best set the hides under the oaks chaps LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 same up here folks i was shooting over peas last sat, but on a flight line also and several of the pigeons i shot had beech mast in there crop as well. we will just have to out wit them eh? cheers kirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...c=23081&hl= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...c=23081&hl= He has his shades on TC LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted October 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Looks like I'll be doing even more clay shooting this Winter. Pray for snow then Henry, We don't get snow down this part of the World anymore - you jocks are welcome to it, to keep out the cold just sling another Mars bar into the deep fast fryer. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 So find out where the trees are that they're feeding on/under and set up some flying decoys to look like they're diving in and then shoot them like roost shooting. Damn good sport and when it works it works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkhotbarrels Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 been up in the suffolk/norfolk border today & seen plenty of birds on drill & the rape fields had gas guns & flags so obviously having problems up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Hopefully this is a sign they are about to get on the rape, I can't wait! Not had any piggy action here for ages now Obviously shooting for crop protection, the farmers are happy with this situation, but when it changes I am sure there are hundreds of us ready to rid this agricultural menace from the cash crops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Hopefully this is a sign they are about to get on the rape, I can't wait! Not had any piggy action here for ages now Obviously shooting for crop protection, the farmers are happy with this situation, but when it changes I am sure there are hundreds of us ready to rid this agricultural menace from the cash crops I'll stick my neck out on this one and say that you won't see any Pigeons on rape until late January in our area. The birds that you see on the fields now are not eating the rape, they're picking off the chickweed and grain leftovers that are still on the surface. I hope I'm wrong, other parts of the country where there are fewer oaks & beeches will no doubt see birds earlier. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 With the best of intentions I also hope you are too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beater Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Nothing showing on winter drillings in my area of mid Cheshire, dozen here & there but nothing worth setting up for. Didnt even show on the bean stubbles, 600+ feeding on them last year for the 2wks before ploughed in. Big acorn crop here to, anyone in cheshire havin any good days...? or just poor in my bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Had a decent day on beech mast and acorns yesterday , picked up 43 in 3 hours. The birds were very high i needed tight chokes and 32g no6 rotties. One pigeon i shot had 17 acorns on its crop , it was a wonder it could fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Shot from behind I assume, 17 acorns in there would make it pretty much bullet-proof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 not quite bullet proof, but the 20 i missed must have been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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