number of decoys?

[FalconFN]

Is that a direct quote from the JonathanL book of advice....

 

TEH

Still after an answer as to whether it is a bad idea to have a decoy in a nearby tree, and if so why. I geuinely am keen to know peoples thoughts.

[fortune]

Still after an answer as to whether it is a bad idea to have a decoy in a nearby tree, and if so why. I geuinely am keen to know peoples thoughts.

There's no probs with a decoy up in a tree but if they are coming to feed on a patch of fallen wheat ECT there is no need. if the place is right and the pattern is right then they will come in. you just got to put the lead on them.

[bruno22rf]

If you get to the field and its grey with birds then you should put out every decoy that you possibly can-birds that have been feeding on the site will expect to find large groups-if , however, the birds are feeding in small, scattered , groups of 10-20 birds then I would reduce the decoys accordingly. As is usual, however, pigeons can be unpredictable and after setting up on a site carpeted with birds you may not see one all day-or worse still (never happened to me ) the birds pour in like gulls to a pasty and you find you couldn't hit a cows backside with a Banjo-I have "heard" of one chap who went thru 4 boxes of shells and only got 6 birds-and one of them was a Feral that was walking along the path.

[motty]

Still after an answer as to whether it is a bad idea to have a decoy in a nearby tree, and if so why. I geuinely am keen to know peoples thoughts.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting a decoy in a tree. It could add to your overall layout and some birds may land with it. But don't make the mistake of thinking that other pigeons will spot it and then start thinking they are safe because they have a lookout. If your logic was correct, then I would take some lofting poles and set up 'lookouts' next to my main pattern every time I go decoying.

If you get to the field and its grey with birds then you should put out every decoy that you possibly can-birds that have been feeding on the site will expect to find large groups-if , however, the birds are feeding in small, scattered , groups of 10-20 birds then I would reduce the decoys accordingly. As is usual, however, pigeons can be unpredictable and after setting up on a site carpeted with birds you may not see one all day-or worse still (never happened to me ) the birds pour in like gulls to a pasty and you find you couldn't hit a cows backside with a Banjo-I have "heard" of one chap who went thru 4 boxes of shells and only got 6 birds-and one of them was a Feral that was walking along the path.

I don't agree with this. Pigeons won't forsake a field because there aren't enough of their mates out on the field as they would expect. As long as incoming birds can see a pattern of decoys - however small or large that may be - they should join it.

[THE AD]

Have you decided on the amount of decoys for your pattern or are you still trying different numbers.

[cocknee]

2

[bruno22rf]

With the greatest respect Motty, and with over 30 years on pigeons, the birds in my area are ultra suspicious and will not respond ( majority of the time) to any decoy pattern that is not perfect. I have shot in other counties where you could think that the birds were another species because of the way they react (Cambs. for example) and bids in Norfolk may be easier to decoy than birds in Bucks (no disrespect to your ability to decoy birds) because of numbers, amount of people shooting at them or food abundance.

[fenboy]

With the greatest respect Motty, and with over 30 years on pigeons, the birds in my area are ultra suspicious and will not respond ( majority of the time) to any decoy pattern that is not perfect. I have shot in other counties where you could think that the birds were another species because of the way they react (Cambs. for example) and bids in Norfolk may be easier to decoy than birds in Bucks (no disrespect to your ability to decoy birds) because of numbers, amount of people shooting at them or food abundance.

 

Are you accusing us of having dumb pigeons I respect your opinion but I really cant see why pigeons in Bucks should be any wiser than those in the rest of the country.

[motty]

With the greatest respect Motty, and with over 30 years on pigeons, the birds in my area are ultra suspicious and will not respond ( majority of the time) to any decoy pattern that is not perfect. I have shot in other counties where you could think that the birds were another species because of the way they react (Cambs. for example) and bids in Norfolk may be easier to decoy than birds in Bucks (no disrespect to your ability to decoy birds) because of numbers, amount of people shooting at them or food abundance.

Well, I have decoyed birds in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. The pigeons all seem pretty much the same to me.

[dead eye alan]

Ho dear Motty commenting on look outs, I sense SCOUTS coming in any minuet.

[THE AD]

Do what you want if it works then fair play. Try different things until you are cool with the outcome.