silver pigeon III Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 I have got my first permission on a sheep farm set over several fields some of which are adjacent with just a fence line, some separated with copses and others the other side of woods. I have spent some time looking for flightlines, roosts etc and have set up on the edge of a copse being used as a roost with loads of pigeons on the turnip fields. I am putting out 18 decoys. After setting up, I might get the occaissional bird showing an interest but most fly past or go to a completely different part of the farm and feed there. Do I need a flapper or magnet to put some movement in the pattern to attract more interest? At the moment I feel I'm just chasing the pigeons off one field to another part of the farm. I went out yesterday and got three which was every bird that came into range. My brother and I have tried setting up in different fields to try and keep the birds moving but this hasn't made a difference and I am keen to do a good job for the farmer. The other things I have considered are rope bangering the other fields and flagging but this would means doing several fields over a large area. Any advice and suggestions gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 And when the pigeons go to a different part of the farm what do they feed on? Roost shooting is a totally different excercise from decoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 I would recommend you get at least a flapper, it makes all the difference, I use a magnet and a flapper which is much better than just static decoys, birds that would otherwise pass by at some distance will turn and dive straight into the pattern, all you need to do then is hit them, plenty of pattern info on here, just watch wind direction and get your hide right, best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 They are going to feed on other turnip fields or clover on the pasture. I have not tried to roost shoot yet but just set out the decoys as there is a lot of movement from that particular copse. Lakeside , I am intending to get a flapper probably the AA turbo one to see if that improves the numbers. Its frustrating as I can, on the whole, hit what is coming into range. Apart from using a dead bird, is there any kind of decoy that can be used with one as the wife is reluctant to have frozen whole pigeons in the freezer. She's not so fussy when they've been breasted and cooked!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fielddweller Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Sheep farm? Not ideal for pigeons,probably only good for clover or stubble turnips,that said try a magnet on the turnips works well for me. atb Fielddweller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) I havn't found a good decoy for the flapper, on the magnet I use whole bodied with foam wings or sometimes put spinning wing decoys on it but nothing works as well as a real birds, I also use two floaters at the back of the pattern with dead birds on, anything to put movement into the pattern, the problem with the flapper is the rapid movement of the wings needs something very flexible at the wing roots, might be worth trying something home made, maybe a full bodied with fabric wings over wire frames, might work .I've got the AA standard flapper but wish I had gone for the turbo with battery and timer included, good value. Edited February 17, 2013 by lakeside1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Yeah it is a sheep farm. Plenty of pigeons about though, more than enough for a starter like me. Might be the opportunity to get some rape fields elsewhere as well if all goes well. I'll try the turbo flapper and some bouncers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Do the pigeons head towards you then turn off? either suddenly or very slightly at long range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 No they just don't appear to notice the pattern on the whole. The odd bird comes in but most just fly over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss.tony Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 your ******* in the wind trying to decoy over grass at this time of year iv got over 20 massive Fields of rape main food source now and they still wont play 1 or 2 shots and they just move some where else out of way you need to get under a flight line or roost shoot them but Evan that's hard work for 20 mins shooting . shooting at this time of year is not easy 1 bit you really need to set up in the turnips or where the birds are feeding or your just wasting time and effort and getting cold for no results some times its better to just walk about so farmer see s and hears odd shot that will be good enough for him wait for spring drilling that's the time to hit them hard and make good bags . i no your giddy to get out i use to be same iv even set up in snow 4 " and lost the decoys in it to make a good impression as it was a new farm so its up too you in the end but most on here who no owt will tell you same fella . atb swiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks for the advice. It's just so frustrating but then if it was easy it would be called hitting not shooting. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 If the pigeons are taking no notice of your decoys, then they want to be elsewhere. Find the spot where the pigeons really want to be and you might have some luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Motty, several of the fields will have 50-100 pigeons on them at the same time. Is there a way of improving the odds of picking the right place. I have looked at the flightlines and set up near or under them but they just **ss off to one of the other fields. and just to be sure that I'm on the right track, a flightline is the route that most of the pigeons use to move from one place to another??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I used to shoot a sheep farm too, plenty of flight lines over it, but rarely would pigeons come down unless tempted, my advice would be look for the manure pile, I used to decoy the piles with rimfire, using the manure pile as a back stop, I did on occasions use a 410 or 12, but always the hushpowers as noise was an issue with scaring his sheep/goats never bothered with a rotary, just 10 or so shell decoys, placed as though they were feeding on worms/insects, had some good bags there, never as good as shooting over arable crops, but just to be out with gun or rifle was a bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Farmer isn't worried about sheep being scared. He's very much of the "they'll get out of the way" opinion. FAC will be the next step for geese, foxes and deer( loads). I am just desperate to do a good job for the farmer as he's a genuine chap and has been so accommodating. To get some land within 10 minutes of home around here is a miracle too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 If you have seen that many pigeons on the farm there is no reason why, with a bit of observation work, that you should not decoy some into a pattern. Don't take your gun the next time you go but just sit and observe where they are coming from and the line they take into the field in which they are feeding. If they are going into a stubble turnip field and there is a field with clover in it on the flight line then that might be the field to set your decoy pattern up in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Motty, several of the fields will have 50-100 pigeons on them at the same time. Is there a way of improving the odds of picking the right place. I have looked at the flightlines and set up near or under them but they just **ss off to one of the other fields. and just to be sure that I'm on the right track, a flightline is the route that most of the pigeons use to move from one place to another??? It sounds like typical winter behaviour for those pigeons. My advice would be (unless the farmer is desperate to have them shot) to leave the pigeons alone for a while if you can, and wait until their behaviour changes. Left alone, these birds will soon start to co-operate and i'll bet you'll have success. If you (or the farmer) can't wait, then you'll probably have to make do with small bags for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm enjoying being outside as much as anything else and can't wait for short sleeve weather. I'm going to concentrate on the geese next time and try to clear a few of those with a mate who has a FAC. I'm sure I'll get there eventually Motty lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm enjoying being outside as much as anything else and can't wait for short sleeve weather. I'm going to concentrate on the geese next time and try to clear a few of those with a mate who has a FAC. I'm sure I'll get there eventually Motty lol Inland geese in February? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Canada geese, apparently 10 geese eat the same amount a one sheep in a day and there must be at least 100 milling about. Nothing has succeded in scaring them away so will be culled under General Licence. I'm sure once a couple are popped off, the rest will get the idea. Will probably be with rifle on the ground but needs must unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 and the amount of **** they produce is beyond belief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drivendays Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I'm pretty sure you need a crop protection licence for geese mate mste I shoot with has one anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon III Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Canada are listed on general licence so will be covered under that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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