umney531 Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Hi all went out this morning on some rape I have been watching this about four days there have been loads of pigeon hitting it I got there just as it was breaking light got all set up and ready within minutes pigeon was on the move but wouldn't decoy there was plenty about but I tried everything to get them in but they just wouldn't come I think we need some very heavy frosts just yet oh and I never got a shot but enjoyed a few hours out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 its still to warm,nead some cold weather, i have loads of rape fields but nothing on they at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lg1 Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 This situation has nothing to do with frosts lads. You state the pigeons were feeding on that field? I'd say something else was a miss here, patten , movement , hide??? Something has put them off, hence there were feeding on it a day before.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umney531 Posted January 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Yes I agree with you there but they were also feeding on three more fields the last few day yet they wasn't dropping on them either and there big fields yesterday I watched the flight line and pigeon was dropping in only forty to fifty yards out and they could see me miles away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 I think what people mean is that the birds are not "committing" to the rape yet, there are still alternatives out there. Hard weather reduces the alternatives and thats when the birds hit hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 could be a similar problem to what we have at the moment. rape fields everywhere the birds are on the rape here but way too many acres for them to choose from. if there disturbed they simply move onto different fields/areas. the only hope we have at the moment is to shoot windy days [to deaden shot sound] and have plenty of movement in the decoy pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 could be a similar problem to what we have at the moment. rape fields everywhere the birds are on the rape here but way too many acres for them to choose from. if there disturbed they simply move onto different fields/areas. the only hope we have at the moment is to shoot windy days [to deaden shot sound] and have plenty of movement in the decoy pattern. Agreed, too much rape, not enough birds, other food sources equals no commitment, as Cranfield says. In addition, they are not hungry, any I shoot are plump, with fat. So, any disturbance, like a shot ot a dog walker and they either leave to another field or just sit it out in the trees. I watched a rape field yesterday for an hour, approx 150 birds on it. In the hour, they drifted down for a quick bite, which took 10 minutes, then floated back to the trees and sat in the sun. Eventually a dog walker 400 yds away sent them off. They will not settle down, even a very distant rocket going off gets them off the field and into the trees for 20 minutes. That is why I want it cold, with snow, because right now it's all in their favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xplor Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 I was out yesterday morning on a rape field I had been watching for a few days , There had been a steady build up of birds all week. I arrived nice and early with a view to start at first light, hard frost overnight so the rape was completely white. Set up 12 full bodied flocked decoys, rotary and flapper. Had no joy until the sun burnt off the frost it was though they couldn't see the decoys. I had no trouble getting them into the pattern, shot 21 for 48 shots, not great but first half decent day since harvest . Packed up and home for 12 30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDRsniper Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi All at least you have potential for the rest of the year, due to last years weather and flooding no rape was planted on any of my permission so i have 1000 acres of wheat and barley....looks like it will be a year of crow shooting for me. keep smiling and throw lead in the air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael170874 Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Umney531) i know how you feel bro the pigeons are just not decoying at all .I was out all day saturday the conditions where perfect up here blustery icy cold wind frost the rapes just about 4 inch high here .ive been keeping an eye on the birds all week theres plenty now about but they are here and there one minute on stubble ,then into the rape for a few minutes ,then breaking up into different flocks Resting up in the trees then picking chick weed .then on fresh plough ,300 birds in one field 50 just messing about in trees then 500 or so came flying over and just sat sunning themselves in the wood .They didnt even look at the decoys i had the magnet going 2 bouncers 45 decoys mainly the new ringers which look great but uptil now havnt pulled a thing in .wished ide kept my fuds they worked eveytime just a pain to set up..theres way too much food about still like someone said we need a few inches of snow to get them feeding on the rape. Just cant wait till feb3 rd at least i can have some great roost shooting i have a huge wood all to myself its a fantastic roost wood it holds thousands every year .i usualy take my bsa r10 airgun and sit there picking em off when they keep coming back to rest from feeding .then around 3 pm the fun starts with the 12 g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 I think what people mean is that the birds are not "committing" to the rape yet, there are still alternatives out there. Hard weather reduces the alternatives and thats when the birds hit hard. Thats correct . Harnser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Are all you shooters really surprised that shooting on rape in January is difficult? It's the same pretty much every year. This is why, unless I get a call from a farmer, I rarely venture out. From memory, my best bag on rape in January is 83 - it's tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Are all you shooters really surprised that shooting on rape in January is difficult? It's the same pretty much every year. This is why, unless I get a call from a farmer, I rarely venture out. From memory, my best bag on rape in January is 83 - it's tough. I'll be happy with that at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) I think what people mean is that the birds are not "committing" to the rape yet, there are still alternatives out there. Hard weather reduces the alternatives and thats when the birds hit hard. The food requirements of all birds go up as the temperature goes down Edited January 14, 2014 by Actionpigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael170874 Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 Are all you shooters really surprised that shooting on rape in January is difficult? It's the same pretty much every year. This is why, unless I get a call from a farmer, I rarely venture out. From memory, my best bag on rape in January is 83 - it's tough.i think you exagerate alot mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 i think you exagerate alot mate In what way do I exaggerate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 i think you exagerate alot mate Still no answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 i think you exagerate alot mate that is a bit baffling why you say that got to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 I did 60 miles today traveling around looking for birds on rape most fields are completely devoid of any birds did find some late in the day about 100 just sat in the trees on the edge of a rape field I threw some decoys out in an hour about 12 birds in total came anywhere near the field and only 2 in range which I got, they had acorns in them so they are still not commited to the rape around here, but the acorns are going black and rotting so it should come good or least better come feb /march on the rape around here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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