red_stag88 Posted October 30, 2002 Report Share Posted October 30, 2002 whats the best formation to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted October 30, 2002 Report Share Posted October 30, 2002 I always start the day with the traditional horseshoe pattern facing into the wind and my rotor to the rear on one of the sides. If things get too quiet I will then start moving things around and experiment with different patterns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted October 31, 2002 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2002 thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeVeTaS Posted November 5, 2002 Report Share Posted November 5, 2002 Any other patterns to try, how far away from the hide should you set up the decoys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 5, 2002 Report Share Posted November 5, 2002 If you think that the objective is to produce a "killing area" (as Archie Coats called it), the decoy layout can be very flexible. The "killing area" is a decoy free space, within range of your hide, that you have a clear view of. The decoy layout should channel/direct/encourage the birds to land in the "killing area. I do not place any decoys more than 35 yards from my hide. That is a quick comment, on a very involved question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 5, 2002 Report Share Posted November 5, 2002 There are several patterns to try depending on wind direction in relation to your hide.Rememer as a rule the birds will usually land into the wind as this means they can get airborn again quickly if scared off.They head for the front of the pattern,acting like humans thinking that the best is at the front and I usually make this point about 25yards away from me.The main point of any decoy pattern is to try and coax the birds to this point.Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules that the pigeons adhere to and as every shooter will tell you,it all depends on what they do on the day.If you are any wiser after this,then please feel free to explain it back to me,as I have found the most pleasurable thing about pigeon shooting is the unexpected happening on any specific day. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE PREDATOR Posted January 23, 2003 Report Share Posted January 23, 2003 if it is nice an windy i have found three deep L shape most affective if wind is blowing down hedge not saying it is the best for every were but seems to work best for me x x x x x x x x KILL ZONE x x <-WIND x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x --------HIDE------------------------------------------------ :what: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hey Predator, do use a sherpa to carry all those deeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean johnston Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Does all this information apply to setting crow deeks as well or are crow deeks set out differently? Regards sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Two things, at least, are the same. You need a "killing area" and crows like to land into the wind. Whereas most of us put out between 10 and :) pigeon decoys. Most people I know, only use between 2 and 8 crow decoys. Perhaps thats because they haven,t bought many. I set pigeon decoys out on Thursday, with a head on strong wind, unfortunately, I had no other option. I put my decoys out 70 paces(broke my own 35yard rule) from the hide,horseshoe shape,facing into the wind. The pigeons came mainly towards me on the wind, turned over the hide and dropped in towards the back of the layout. I shot them as they were tavelling away from me. Some came from the side and I had "crossing" shots at them. I finished with 25 in about 5 hours.Not a big bag, but if I hadn,t adjusted my layout to the conditions, I might as well have stayed at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE PREDATOR Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 no tony no sherpa just me i always take 35 full bodies in a shoulder net like ruck sack got from attlebourgh catologue and i tend not to walk far unless needs must :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 I sometimes use a pattern similar to Predator, but I place a few decoys at random inside the horseshoe, and the odd one in front. Where I am shooting at the moment, the pigeons feed facing different directions, and so I tend to place the decoys out like this, copying the formation the pigeons make themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted January 25, 2003 Report Share Posted January 25, 2003 Here's a good pattern that works: x x x (Add more birds as you shoot 'em) Here's one for Crows (not Rooks): x I'm not joking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elma Fud Posted February 7, 2003 Report Share Posted February 7, 2003 Like pigeons, I try to put out as many rooks as possible. usually upto 20 and on cradles. One other factor I employ with rooks and crows is Not to get out the hide, leave the birds where they fall unless it is wounded. I dont use any specific pattern, I just leave little gaps amongst the birds and let the rooks find there own space. I usually only shoot the birds when their wings go back and their undercarrige is down. This way the birds are concentrating on the ground and not on there surroundings. Like pigeon shooting, rook shooting you need a focal point. i.e. pig farm, drillings stubble grass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.223 Posted February 8, 2003 Report Share Posted February 8, 2003 heres one of my favourites when thers 2 of you in sepertate hides. leave about 15 yards between each group and about 40 between the hides. 2 way radios are worth buying aswell if you do alot of shooting with 2 hides l l x l x x l x x x hide 1 x x l l kill zone l l wind -> l x l x x l x l l kill zone l l hide 2 x x l x x x l x x l x l l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reynard895 Posted February 23, 2003 Report Share Posted February 23, 2003 I am a believer in the horse shoe pattern, I have used it for years to great success. But there again the question of where to set them up and which pattern to use, depends on the wind, decoys in close, if they have to land with their beaks into the wind comming straight into your pattern from the front, Or deeks sitting 60-70 yards out into the feild with the birds coming into land over the back of the hide (great sport). cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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