-Mongrel- Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I may have an invitation to do some rook shooting. I'm aware of the practice of shooting branchers when they leave the nest, but are they decoyable, can you shoot them on the way in to roost with any reliability? I have other people locally I can call on but was just looking to see how other people deal with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 the idea of shooting branchers is the havnt yet got the bottle to fly, mid may is the best time, yes you can decoy or roost shoot them, but they cant count, 3 walk into the wood 2 walk out, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Decoy the parents off the nest and shoot with a shotgun once you have shot the mature birds ,shoot the branchers with an air rifle BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Decoy the parents off the nest and shoot with a shotgun once you have shot the mature birds ,shoot the branchers with an air rifle BB That's what I wanted to hear, any good tips for decoying? Are they like crows in that they really don't like owls? Are rook decoys viable...I'm thinking about the other thread of sticking pigeon deeks in a balck stocking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 set your decoys up close to the nest site,get a rotary out with a dead bird on,and also a flapper if you can shoot all the adult birds that decoy(use normal crow deeks) once the day slows,clear your kit away and get your air rifle out and get under the trees ive shot a few nest sites like this in the past and had very good results take a set of lofting poles along,if the branchers are reluctant to come off the nest, give em a gentle prod the poles will also come in handy for clearing the trees of dead birds when you finish BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 If you haven't got any crow decoys,cover pigeon deeks in cheap black socks once you get some birds in the bag replace the decoys with the dead birds BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 or if you don't want to go to the bother of decoying,stand under the trees with a shotgun and shoot the adult birds as they fly backwards and forwards to the nest site,but make sure you wear good camo and a face veil/net.Once you've sorted the adult birds out get the air rifle on the branchers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Bluebarrels said...loads! Thanks for all the info, all taken on board and very much appreciated, hadn't considered lofting poles to move them or a flapper. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I shoot the rooks every may and have done for about 16 years with the air rifle averaging 80 a year in a few trips at 2 hrs a time . I don't bother no more with the shotgun as I do to much tree damage and owners don't like it . Ive tried getting permission in more but people seem to be protecting them of late as they are not really pests and I know a few land owners that won't let me shoot rook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 The approach is from a local farm, they have a game syndicate who don't seem to bother. Apparently the rooks hammer the new born lambs every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 The approach is from a local farm, they have a game syndicate who don't seem to bother. Apparently the rooks hammer the new born lambs every year. Some ones telling porkies their mate as rooks are vegetarians . They eat seed only and potatoes a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Some ones telling porkies their mate as rooks are vegetarians . They eat seed only and potatoes a lot To be fair, he did say rooks and crows, but I'll know more soon enough. If rooks aren't a predatory problem, why are they culled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 To be fair, he did say rooks and crows, but I'll know more soon enough. If rooks aren't a predatory problem, why are they culled? I guess because they eat seed at flock in the hundreds sometimes. Hushpower is good in a woods normally but airgun shoots between the branches a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I shoot the rooks every may and have done for about 16 years with the air rifle averaging 80 a year in a few trips at 2 hrs a time . I don't bother no more with the shotgun as I do to much tree damage and owners don't like it . Ive tried getting permission in more but people seem to be protecting them of late as they are not really pests and I know a few land owners that won't let me shoot rook which I understand,but common sense prevails and I would shoot the birds on there outward /inward journey to the nest site otherwise I might aswell shoot the adult birds/young birds on the nest,thats why I suggested using the air rifle on the branchers to avoid tree damage BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Some ones telling porkies their mate as rooks are vegetarians . They eat seed only and potatoes a lot Sorry mate I think you will find Rooks eat much more than seeds and potatoes do a search you will find you are wrong BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabarm gamma boy Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Sorry mate I think you will find Rooks eat much more than seeds and potatoes do a search you will find you are wrong BB +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) To be fair, he did say rooks and crows, but I'll know more soon enough. If rooks aren't a predatory problem, why are they culled? They have a varied diet,which includes small mammals,small birds,eggs,roadkill and pretty much anything else BB Edited March 2, 2013 by Bluebarrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Rooks aren't carrion crow and they don't attack lambs . They mostly eat seed,potatoes and grubs which is why you see them in ploughed fields and on grass . On the shot gun bit its impossible where I shot to shoot outwards as one way is a pub and the other is the A5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=buckley&book=birds&story=rooks I did my research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Rooks aren't carrion crow and they don't attack lambs . They mostly eat seed,potatoes and grubs which is why you see them in ploughed fields and on grass . On the shot gun bit its impossible where I shot to shoot outwards as one way is a pub and the other is the A5 Carrion crows are carrion crows,Rooks are Rooks do a search on Rooks and you will get your answer and as for the shotgun,were not discussing your situation on your permission,we are talking in general obviously common sense plays a big part and everyones permissions will provide a differing set of circumstances(which way safe way to shoot etc),as for Rooks on ploughed fields and grass,well ive shot many crows and jackies on plough and grass BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I did my search and put a link up . I shoot 6000 acres and over half won't let me shoot rook. I do know the difference between rook and crow and it couldn't get more obvious . :):) tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Have a look on the RSPB website think you will find they eat,pretty much as I posted before BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 My neighbours at work are the rspb lol My neighbours at work are the rspb lol by the way I'm being serious as its the middleton reserve with their pride rookery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I did my search and put a link up . I shoot 6000 acres and over half won't let me shoot rook. I do know the difference between rook and crow and it couldn't get more obvious . :) :) tt I know they eat seeds,potatoes slugs etc,but im also saying they eat small mammals,young birds,eggs,are you saying they only eat seeds,potatoes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 All I was saying is lambs are safe mate. You should see the rspb when I'm pigeon shooting at work .lol. their faces drop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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