squiffy58 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi all I am the shoot captain / keeper on a syndicate shoot, that puts down over 2000 poults. I am not new to shooting , but this is only my second year in charge. I have an issue with some members (older), who say that I should feed the boundarys, but I completely disagree with feeding the birds out and away, I have a couple of mentors, who are very successful keepers, and one used to run the same ground, who agree with me. I returned 40% in the first season, so its not all bad, but I would be intersted in what some of you thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I'm with you. I see no point in feeding birds on your boundary, as far as I am concerned you feed the birds where you want them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Ur spot on stick to ur guns, if ur feeding them where ur wanting them and there staying there, and esp so if that's wot the previous keepers done on ur ground and it worked well. Possibly if ur birds begin to move as season goes on, but it is a gamble yes u may stop ur birds wandering off ur ground but it may attract more off ur birds out there. Depends if u can drive ur boundries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I agree with your viewpoint. Feed hard at the centre of the shoot when it gets cold - pens best. Feeders from pens to drives, keep well away from boundaries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerman59 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I took over a shoot this year, the previous keeper feed where the birds went. I ask the advice of experienced keepers who I know and they told me to feed where i wanted the birds, so i did. The results are last years first day bag, 9 this year 52 last year second day bag, 22 this yeat 48 third day bag, 32 this year 42 Total bag last year from 10 days shooting 180ish This year bag from 3 shoots 142 Feed where you want the birds Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 As said feed where you want them, not where you find them, they will look for food especially in hard weather. I have heard that water is as important as feed so put a drinker with every feeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Fresh water seems to make a difference as well. We had plenty of water filled ruts and puddles plus some drinkers with stale dirty water in them . Two of the drinkers I refilled with the last of the clean water from the bowser. Both were empty within two days. It really did seem that the pheasants preferred the clean water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Consider putting grit near the feeders as well as birds will often wander in search if it if your ground is scarce. As already said, feed the birds where you need them to be and dog back from the boundaries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddaftspaniel Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 Birds will move back from the boundaries to your feeders. I have watched birds on our shoot go on a route march to the feeders at the same time each day. You could set your watch by them. Knowing where your birds are going to be at any given time is the key to knowing which drives to do at what time. Spend some time observing your birds habits and you will learn a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordripon Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 We always dog the boundary's in the mornings, pushing the birds back in to the centre of the shoot, and watch the boundary's in the afternoon. if you see birds walking back in from over the boundrys towards the centre to go to roost, you need to get up earlier in the mornings as they will be walking off your ground at first light, just using you for your safe roosting woods ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roebuck1 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I wouldn't feed boundaries as logically it will encourage birds away from areas your trying to concentrate them. Lots of dogging in is the best way to go about it. Landlords/syndicate members can be frustrating sometimes haha.Try explain to him why it wont work Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scutt Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 aah but what if the shoot next door is feeding the boundaries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 aah but what if the shoot next door is feeding the boundaries If you can dog in hard enough you should be able to keep most of your own birds away from the boundaries so it shouldn't effect it a great deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 If you can dog in hard enough you should be able to keep most of your own birds away from the boundaries so it shouldn't effect it a great deal. Dogging in at a specific time when birds are straying can be difficult for a part time keeper. I agree about not feeding boundaries. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Dogging in at a specific time when birds are straying can be difficult for a part time keeper. I agree about not feeding boundaries. Blackpowder True,it is for a part time keeper but it is essential for a full time keeper. For the part timers it is often helpful if you are able to get some of your beaters to walk the boundaries as extra dog training etc, some will jump at the chance to give there dogs a bit of pre season training. It would also benefit the syndicate members if they could chip in with some of the dogging in if they have some spare time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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