Target Practice Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Hi all, Is it acceptable to walk over rape to retrieve your birds this time of year when the rape is still in its early stages per picture below. Is it likely to do any damage to the crops? Many thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 it will be fine, the rape will quickly recover from being walked on. the farmer would prefer you walking over it rather than pigeons/rabbits eating it obviously driving over it is a no no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Target Practice Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 thanks aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longchalk Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) I assured one of my farmers recently that I would keep off the crop as much as possible, and only go on to retrieve the fallen. He said you won't do any harm just walking on it, and nothing compared to pigeon damage! ... That was winter wheat mind you, but I'd guess it's much the same with rape . I just have a little think before I start setting out the decoy pattern, so that I have everything to hand, and a plan in place to walk out once to furthest point and work back to the hide, with the minimum of criss-crossing or backtracking. Same when collecting them in again. Edited December 31, 2013 by Longchalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I shoot with a farmer on his land and was on winter rape today. He wasn't bothered about walking on it. As said just don't drive on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodfordpigeon Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Well I am allowed to drive on the rape if they are hitting it hard. one wheel in the tram line one wheel doing damage. The rape always seems to recover and I have been doing it for 20 years and the farmers are well aware of it. sometimes if you have a lot of gear and the pigeons are a long way out to get the flight line you just need to. Best to give the farmer a call and ask. woodfordfallow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I just hover over any growing crops when I am setting out the rotary and decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I just hover over any growing crops when I am setting out the rotary and decoys. Too many sprouts????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Too many sprouts? ? No he is just wanting someone to ask about the new jetpack he got for xmas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Target Practice Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Ha, Got to get me one of those Magic carpets jdog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 We only walk out of respect but I've never seen a farmer do anything but drive along the wheelings if they need to get about so I doubt it does any long term damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linny Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 No he is just wanting someone to ask about the new jetpack he got for xmas . just like the other load of hipe what you got for xmas carp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 just like the other load of hipe what you got for xmas carp Yes the Jetpack will soon be on the pile of unwanted toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I just hover over any growing crops when I am setting out the rotary and decoys. I wait for the field to flood and then just walk across the water ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 You are there to protect the crop, so you just have to be as careful as possible. Missing the crop where and when you can and not constantly walking over the same route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpaulc Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Again, the farmers on the land we have game shoots over are not too bothered about walking over their rape. Could try to send the dog out to save a bit of damage perhaps, if you have a dog that will retrieve that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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