Decoy Pattern

[dadrew]

This is a pattern that Im thinking of setting as my standard based on my (very) limited experience and after talking to a number of more experienced pigeon shooters. Anyone have any advise that might make it better.

[deny essex]

We all have our usual and favorite layouts to start off with so you are going to get quite a few suggestions

my preferd layout with your hide and wind position would be to remove 6 of the decoys closest to the hide and add them to the head of the pattern and move the rotary down to where the number 2 is on the index, out about 25 yards from the hide, if the birds draw to the magnet you will get a crossing shot, if they draw to the magnet as is they could be a long and maybe pushing range shot .

That is my preferd layout to start with, gives the birds the option to decoy into the pattern or move to the rotary without any major deviation in flight.

But like all decoying different ways on different days and you have to watch the birds reaction to your layout and interpret it to make an acceptable and inviting picture for them.

[lakeside1000]

You have not indicated size of area etc., but I always have a much larger 'kill' zone in the centre, also I would move the flapper further to the front, where the floaters are, bring the rotary more to the centre line and move the floaters out to the sides with the shells, just my way but it works well for me when they are decoying, farthest decoy out would be 40 yards, nearest about 10 to 15 yards, kill zone at least 20 yards wide and open right through with no decoys in the front area. just the flapper or rotary. also I always try to get the wind at my back so that as the pigeons flare out to land they are coming head on to the hide, this make the first shot much easier and usually more successful. I use the outer marker decoys as my range finder so I can calculate lead on the bird without having to think too much about it.

[dadrew]

Thanks guys, I put the rotary out there (and this was on advise) because rotarys have been known to scare the birds. I was advised to use it as"an attention getter!" Then to let the flapper (No2) to get them into the pattern.

 

I do get what you say though about watching where they are going and change the pattern to suit.

 

Do you find that differnt patterns work better than others depending on the crop or depending on the area. With that in mind do you keep a record of what and where you placed it.

 

I shot yesterday and couldnt get them to commit to the pattern, plenty had a look but none actually came to land. I didnt have a flapper or any Floater/Lander/Gliders with me, so just the static decoys, 3 x bouncers and a rotary which I had at the head of the pattern on the left.

[deny essex]

I dont keep any records of patterns or even shooting days , apart from what memory allows in my old head

To me there is no particular pattern for any given crop, Ive had some good shooting with 6 plastic decoys just thrown out at random and other times needed just about everything I could carry to the field decoys wise to even get them to give a passing look.

General rule as such is more decoys in winter than summer are needed but thats not written in stone, and If you can take real birds they are obviously the better deal.

Watch the fields , watch the birds as much as you can , if you see a cpl of birds drop in and land followed a little later by a constant stream of one's, two's or more birds, that could be the "hot" day, a supply of birds like that is what to look for, winter flocks where you see hundreds of birds land and hundreds of birds lift and go are often one shot wonders as they move from field to field all be it an exciting scene.

With the best equipment , guns, decoys and gizmos going if the birds dont want to play and commit its a keep trying different things in the hope of finding the right formula for the day.

[motty]

On the whole, the pattern is the least important aspect of a successful days decoying to get right.

I would personally ditch the floaters,set the magnet near point 3 at no more than 25 yards and put the flapper where you would ideally like the birds to land.