IXI KARL IXI Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Hi am new to shooting and this may sound a daft question but here it goes. Can you decoy for pigeon with a air rifle? I mean instead of shooting in the air with a shot gun, could you let them land and pick of with a air rifle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Yes but you have to be reasonably quick on target before they realise the decoys are not the full ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXI KARL IXI Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Cheers for the answers, I was wondering as some farmland near has a problem with pigeons and was going to try my luck and offer my services. Didn't want to look a idiot tho turning up and get laughed at. Don't know why I put a " ! " at the end of that. Probably a case of fat fingers and small keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Best way is to decoy next to a sitty tree or loft decoys in said tree-build a good hide and pop em off the branches when they land-its very difficult to get pigeons to land amoung decoys on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Best way is to decoy next to a sitty tree or loft decoys in said tree-build a good hide and pop em off the branches when they land-its very difficult to get pigeons to land amoung decoys on the ground. I beg to differ, if you leave a clear KILLING ZONE the pigeons will readily come in to land. There are plenty of little films on Youtube showing how it's done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXI KARL IXI Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I will have a look on you tube. I've got some good ideas on how to set up and a little plan in my head . I've drove past these fields for about 5yrs now and never seen anyone shooting. That could be a good thing or a bad thing as maybe farmer always say no. But it worth a shot no pun ment lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 If you watch the birds you will see they have certain trees they prefer to rest in, use one of those trees to set up on, either with lofters, just 3 or 4 in the branches as high as you can get them, I use a 14 mtr fishing pole to get them up there, bit of a ****** getting them down again if the wind gets up, or with a decoy pattern on the ground near the tree, they will either land in the pattern or sit up in the tree, I use both a shotgun and an air rifle, not at the same time obviously, but on the right day you can get good results , just need lots of patience, best of luck with the asking for permission, the hardest thing to achieve in shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Best watch youtube then,Karl,my 38 years of decoying and countless thousands of birds shot have taught me nothing-leave a killing zone and the birds will ,apparently,readily land.Do let us know just how keen they are to land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) Cheers for the answers, I was wondering as some farmland near has a problem with pigeons and was going to try my luck and offer my services. Didn't want to look a idiot tho turning up and get laughed at. Don't know why I put a " ! " at the end of that. Probably a case of fat fingers and small keyboard. Hi Karl & welcome to the sport, at the moment we have a new shooter (Air Rifle only) looking after one of our permissions he is in for his SGCHe is very keen and out most days getting pigeon & rabbit, don't be afraid about asking for permission thinking you are lightly armed. If you become overwhelmed after he sticks a load of peas in.....plenty lads on here will answer the call......All the best. Yes will decoy both on floor & trees.....I think we decoy more in trees as it looks better when they fall? Edited March 6, 2013 by The Ghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXI KARL IXI Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Best watch youtube then,Karl,my 38 years of decoying and countless thousands of birds shot have taught me nothing-leave a killing zone and the birds will ,apparently,readily land.Do let us know just how keen they are to land. I have watched some stuff on you tube am unsure, what you said a few posts ago sounds like what I was thinking about (shooting near trees). I might try both at some point, just at the moment I don't have the gear to set out loads of decoys. But I will start with the tree pattern you suggested. Hi Karl & welcome to the sport, at the moment we have a new shooter (Air Rifle only) looking after one of our permissions he is in for his SGC He is very keen and out most days getting pigeon & rabbit, don't be afraid about asking for permission thinking you are lightly armed. If you become overwhelmed after he sticks a load of peas in.....plenty lads on here will answer the call......All the best. Yes will decoy both on floor & trees.....I think we decoy more in trees as it looks better when they fall? Yeah am sure a few people would be up to help if I needed it. Thats what I like on here people help and offer shooting to other members. I've been on other boards where its just little digs here and there and no one really answers the question. If I get permission I will let people know how it goes If you watch the birds you will see they have certain trees they prefer to rest in, use one of those trees to set up on, either with lofters, just 3 or 4 in the branches as high as you can get them, I use a 14 mtr fishing pole to get them up there, bit of a ****** getting them down again if the wind gets up, or with a decoy pattern on the ground near the tree, they will either land in the pattern or sit up in the tree, I use both a shotgun and an air rifle, not at the same time obviously, but on the right day you can get good results , just need lots of patience, best of luck with the asking for permission, the hardest thing to achieve in shooting. I like the fishing pole idea I have a old prop in the back garden I will give that a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Yes but you have to be reasonably quick on target before they realise the decoys are not the full ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Yeah I tried last week 1 landed stood with neck up high looked about then the penny dropped an off he went. Would suggest decoying near trees then hopefully they fly up into tree an u get second chance if lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 (edited) Best watch youtube then,Karl,my 38 years of decoying and countless thousands of birds shot have taught me nothing-leave a killing zone and the birds will ,apparently,readily land.Do let us know just how keen they are to land. Oh Bruno Don't get offended because someone offers an opinion that is different to yours! Wood pigeons regularly land within the killing zone when I am out decoying. Only yesterday it happened when I had my head down going through my bag. I looked up and two were sitting right in the middle. I let them take off before I shot them! Edited March 7, 2013 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I am a patient chap,Tightchoke,and not offended in the slightest by anyone elses opinion-but my money is on this guy getting more birds out of the trees than he will on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEE243 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 My cousin loves shooting with his Daystate he shot 66 woodies 2 crows in one day identified a group of trees in a field of oats the birds were going to.It wasnt a one off he had a couple of fortys thirtys and the odd 20 bag off the same field. alb Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I am a patient chap,Tightchoke,and not offended in the slightest by anyone elses opinion-but my money is on this guy getting more birds out of the trees than he will on the ground. I don't dispute that he can shoot them from the trees, BUT you were the one who got a snotty on, look back at your posts and mine. I have been polite and made my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 best thing is to watch were the flight line are and if thay land in a group of trees set up under them ,put same decoys in trees as well as on the ground . i have trouble getting them to land but theres a lot of shooting in this area. so if youve got no one shooting that ground you could be ok. get out there and have a go good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Bottoms Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Best way is to decoy next to a sitty tree or loft decoys in said tree-build a good hide and pop em off the branches when they land-its very difficult to get pigeons to land amoung decoys on the ground. I was out the other day over OSR with a horseshoe pattern of 24 decoys out. The wind was on my back so the decoys were facing straight for me and I set up a gap of about 3 metres where the pigeons are looking to land. I shot one bird with each barrel and even after reloading I had 2 or 3 land in the pattern. If you watch a pigeon coming towards your pattern, it will open its wings to slow down as it commits TO LANDING. I have also before decoyed with an Air rifle and had no problem but I usually (if it is possible) set up some decoys on the ground and some in a tree to increase my chances. Hope this helps, HM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telf Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 i am by no means an expert on this subject as i have just bought my first shotgun and am just starting off in the pigeon shooting game,but there is a video or 2 made by hunters vermin shooting pigeons with an air rifle,might be worth a look atb dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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