rape

[steve w]

I was out on Sunday deer stalking and found myself watching a good flight line into the next farms rape just hope are there next weekend .started on the rape at last

[pigeon controller]

Well done , keep your eye on it and get there first.

[kitchrat]

I was out on Sunday deer stalking and found myself watching a good flight line into the next farms rape just hope are there next weekend .started on the rape at last

Yes, it's a bit cooler and they have started on the rape to some degree, but with no conviction. I've been watching a farm near me for the last few weeks and they are there OK but can I shoot more than a few?? They slowly build up in the trees around the farm, then all follow the brave 1st bird down. Feed for a few minutes then back to the trees, wait half an hour and repeat: follow the brave 1st bird down. Feed for a few minutes then back to the trees. They almost never arrive and go straight onto the field.

Anything put them off the field - noisy lorry going past, gas gun 1 mile away. A gun shot repeats earlier scenario: all leave then they slowly build up in the trees around the farm, then all follow the brave 1st bird down. If you see them all streaming in from the trees, it's like a good old-fashioned flightline but I call it a flock-string, it's just the built-up birds following one another, It only lasts a few minutes, then almost as soon as all birds are down - they are up again.

They are NOT hungry, they are plump and fat, crops are mostly empty, just a bit of rape here and there, or wheat from old feeders or maize from old game covers but mostly nothing. When it's warm they can just sit in the trees and use very little food to keep warm.

A single gas gun will clear a 500 acre farm right now, unheard of last year, it was lucky to clear a 100-yard circle.

They are NOT hungry and until they are we will have to scratch about for bags of a dozen or so.

[motty]

Yes, it's a bit cooler and they have started on the rape to some degree, but with no conviction. I've been watching a farm near me for the last few weeks and they are there OK but can I shoot more than a few?? They slowly build up in the trees around the farm, then all follow the brave 1st bird down. Feed for a few minutes then back to the trees, wait half an hour and repeat: follow the brave 1st bird down. Feed for a few minutes then back to the trees. They almost never arrive and go straight onto the field.

Anything put them off the field - noisy lorry going past, gas gun 1 mile away. A gun shot repeats earlier scenario: all leave then they slowly build up in the trees around the farm, then all follow the brave 1st bird down. If you see them all streaming in from the trees, it's like a good old-fashioned flightline but I call it a flock-string, it's just the built-up birds following one another, It only lasts a few minutes, then almost as soon as all birds are down - they are up again.

They are NOT hungry, they are plump and fat, crops are mostly empty, just a bit of rape here and there, or wheat from old feeders or maize from old game covers but mostly nothing. When it's warm they can just sit in the trees and use very little food to keep warm.

A single gas gun will clear a 500 acre farm right now, unheard of last year, it was lucky to clear a 100-yard circle.

They are NOT hungry and until they are we will have to scratch about for bags of a dozen or so.

Of course they are hungry. Just because a bird has fed well recently and is plump, it doesn't mean they are not hungry. There are pigeon shooters all over the country getting good bags, don't make the mistake of thinking they are not.

[Actionpigeons]

Of course they are hungry. Just because a bird has fed well recently and is plump, it doesn't mean they are not hungry. There are pigeon shooters all over the country getting good bags, don't make the mistake of thinking they are not.

"Of course they are hungry"

you clearly know nothing about birds metabolism, birds do feed better is cold weather because they need more food.

I fly hawks and have done so for many years, and the food intake during cold weather just about doubles to maintain the same flying weight

Kitchrat is absolutely right when he says,

" When it's warm they can just sit in the trees and use very little food to keep warm."

 

I am shooting some good bags, but its hard work.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Actionpigeons

[kitchrat]

"Of course they are hungry"

you clearly know nothing about birds metabolism, birds do feed better is cold weather because they need more food.

I fly hawks and have done so for many years, and the food intake during cold weather just about doubles to maintain the same flying weight

Kitchrat is absolutely right when he says,

" When it's warm they can just sit in the trees and use very little food to keep warm."

 

I am shooting some good bags, but its hard work.

Thank you!!

Of course they are hungry. Just because a bird has fed well recently and is plump, it doesn't mean they are not hungry. There are pigeon shooters all over the country getting good bags, don't make the mistake of thinking they are not.

Anyone in N Herts/ West Essex getting a lot??

[motty]

"Of course they are hungry"

you clearly know nothing about birds metabolism, birds do feed better is cold weather because they need more food.

I fly hawks and have done so for many years, and the food intake during cold weather just about doubles to maintain the same flying weight

Kitchrat is absolutely right when he says,

" When it's warm they can just sit in the trees and use very little food to keep warm."

 

I am shooting some good bags, but its hard work.

Well, following that logic it would be pointless going pigeon shooting in the summer.

 

All this **** about birds on rape in colder weather/snow is ridiculous. It is just as difficult (probably more so) to shoot pigeons on rape in freezing conditions.

[motty]

Thank you!!

Anyone in N Herts/ West Essex getting a lot??

Don't you know many pigeon shooters? I guarantee that loads of shooters in your area are shooting 100+ bags on maize strips. I know a few that are doing just that around my area.

[kitchrat]

Well, following that logic it would be pointless going pigeon shooting in the summer.

 

All this **** about birds on rape in colder weather/snow is ridiculous. It is just as difficult (probably more so) to shoot pigeons on rape in freezing conditions.

They have loads of young to feed then!

[kitchrat]

Don't you know many pigeon shooters? I guarantee that loads of shooters in your area are shooting 100+ bags on maize strips. I know a few that are doing just that around my area.

Yes, I know loads, we're all struggling. I took 23 (2 days bag) to the game dealer, they were only the 2nd double-figure bag he's heard of this year. (Hide and Deeks near Bishop's Stortford if you don't believe me)

The maize strips (and I have several) are attracting a few dozen but they have no committment and don't come back after you have shot a few, just like winter rape this year,

Norfolk is in a different universe!!

Edited February 18, 2014 by kitchrat

[Actionpigeons]

Well, following that logic it would be pointless going pigeon shooting in the summer.

 

All this **** about birds on rape in colder weather/snow is ridiculous. It is just as difficult (probably more so) to shoot pigeons on rape in freezing conditions.

 

 

once again you show your lack of knowledge

 

Pigeons are feeding young in the summer, they also fatten up on the farmers ripening crops at harvest time ready for the winter months as well as needing the extra food ( protein) as they moult

Rape seed, wheat, Barley, acorns (high protein foods)

spring and early summer can be hard work for the humble wood pigeon, this is why they eat a lot of young beech leaves chick weed, clover ect that has very little food value (low protein foods)

A lot of the pigeons I shoot in early summer are quite thin, as some other PW members have stated in the past

 

As the pigeon have fattened up in the summer months on the high protein foods, it takes very little to keep them at their fat weight due to the weather being so mild this winter.

Unless we get some cold weather they will not need to feed heavily on Rape leaf to keep their weight on.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Actionpigeons

[motty]

 

 

once again you show your lack of knowledge

 

Pigeons are feeding young in the summer, they also fatten up on the farmers ripening crops at harvest time ready for the winter months as well as needing the extra food ( protein) as they moult

Rape seed, wheat, Barley, acorns (high protein foods)

spring and early summer can be hard work for the humble wood pigeon, this is why they eat a lot of young beech leaves chick weed, clover ect that has very little food value (low protein foods)

A lot of the pigeons I shoot in early summer are quite thin, as some other PW members have stated in the past

 

As the pigeon have fattened up in the summer months on the high protein foods, it takes very little to keep them at their fat weight due to the weather being so mild this winter.

Unless we get some cold weather they will not need to feed heavily on Rape leaf to keep their weight on.

I'm sorry, I don't think there's a lack of knowledge on my part.

Has it been freezing lately? No. Have I shot pigeons full to bursting point with rape/sugar beet/ maize/various berries lately? Yes! Maybe I just imagined it, though, as pigeons aren't hungry at the moment. Tell PC to stop going out, please, pigeons aren't hungry!

 

Strangely enough, I was out on a rape field in freezing conditions a few weeks back. What did the pigeons do? Sit in the trees for an hour or two before feeding.

[Catamong]

I have to side with Motty on this one, in my experience, colder weather does not mean bigger bags on Winter rape.

 

It's all about the availability of their preferred food, which in my part of the World happens to be Acorns & Beechmast.

 

Winter rape is not their food of choice, they eat it because there is nap all else for them to eat.

 

Last year, there were very few Acorns about, the birds were hitting the rape hard in late October & early November when the weather was relatively mild.

 

This year, it's been mild all Winter, but with plenty of Acorns about they've shown no interest in the rape, and only now are starting on it, but in small numbers.

 

A lot of newbies seem to think that the birds will turn suicidal once we have blizzard conditions, I'm afraid I've found the opposite to be true, they're more inclined to conserve energy by stopping in the woods and hitting the Ivy berries, those that do venture out become "snow blind", and difficult to decoy.

 

And please don't start on about laying a camo net on the snow or sweeping the snow off a 6 foot square patch, the birds around here don't fall for that one.

 

Cat.

[Actionpigeons]

I'm sorry, I don't think there's a lack of knowledge on my part.

Has it been freezing lately? No. Have I shot pigeons full to bursting point with rape/sugar beet/ maize/various berries lately? Yes! Maybe I just imagined it, though, as pigeons aren't hungry at the moment. Tell PC to stop going out, please, pigeons aren't hungry!

 

Strangely enough, I was out on a rape field in freezing conditions a few weeks back. What did the pigeons do? Sit in the trees for an hour or two before feeding.

"freezing conditions a few weeks back"

Was you in the UK?

 

You just cant grasp it can you!

Yes pigeons have to eat, but they are just maintaining their body weight with very little food.

I shoot just about every day, and have done so for many years.

I am having some good bags this year, and I do shoot about the same number of birds each year take a few hundred or so one way or the other.

However I know for a fact that pigeons decoy better in the winter if the weather is cold.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Actionpigeons

[motty]

"freezing conditions a few weeks back"

Was you in the UK?

 

You just cant grasp it can you!

Yes pigeons have to eat, but they are just maintaining their body weight with very little food.

I shoot just about every day, and have done so for many years.

I am having some good bags this year, and I do shoot about the same number of birds each year take a few hundred or so one way or the other.

However I know for a fact that pigeons decoy better in the winter if the weather is cold.

As I just stated, the birds I've been shooting have been stuffed with food. They are obviously hungry enough where I am, where incidentally, the pigeons have been feeding hard on rape for several weeks.

[Catamong]

This thread just highlights the difference in feeding habits and bird behaviour from area to area.

 

They've been on the rape around Norwich for many weeks now, but they've hardly touched it here.

 

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, based upon how they find things in their area.

 

Clearly the pigeons in the Midlands are a lot tougher than the birds just North of London, who don't like cold weather and feeding in snow covered wastelands, it does vary from area to area.

 

I well remember a guy on this forum from bonny Scotland maintaining that he kills every bird near his hide out to 65 yards first barrel through quarter choke with 21g loads,..... just try that on the Woodies in these parts..!!?

 

Cat.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Catamong

[Hamster]

My biggest two bags on rape have both been in Feb and very very mild weather, half way through one I stripped down to a shirt as it was sunny with no wind as well which is the complete opposite of what should produce good days.

[kitchrat]

This thread just highlights the difference in feeding habits and bird behaviour from area to area.

 

They've been on the rape around Norwich for many weeks now, but they've hardly touched it here.

 

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, based upon how they find things in their area.

 

Clearly the pigeons in the Midlands are a lot tougher than the birds just North of London, who don't like cold weather and feeding in snow covered wastelands, it does vary from area to area.

 

I well remember a guy on this forum from bonny Scotland maintaining that he kills every bird near his hide out to 65 yards first barrel through quarter choke with 21g loads,..... just try that on the Woodies in these parts..!!?

 

Cat.

Hi Cat, well we argree on this much! However, up here (only a few miles away) there is no above average supply of acorns or berries to feed the pigeons, just less pigeons about, and they are well fed.

I still say that cold weather will make them more hungry, so we will have a CHANCE of a good bag. But suicidal??, only after a prolonged freeze like 1963, when you could get them with a hockey stick!!

[steve w]

All this talk of shooting on rape they were the first birds I have seen this year near me on rape that's why I posted ,but there is still loads of food in the woods and the clover will start soon then the spring drilling ,so they could never go back on the rape as it will be to high soon if we don't get any cold weather .I am going to check again this sunday to see if that flight line is back on ,talking my son deer stalking Saturday for his birthday .too many things to shoot so little time .

[kitchrat]

I'm sorry, I don't think there's a lack of knowledge on my part.

Has it been freezing lately? No. Have I shot pigeons full to bursting point with rape/sugar beet/ maize/various berries lately? Yes! Maybe I just imagined it, though, as pigeons aren't hungry at the moment. Tell PC to stop going out, please, pigeons aren't hungry!

 

Strangely enough, I was out on a rape field in freezing conditions a few weeks back. What did the pigeons do? Sit in the trees for an hour or two before feeding.

Just goes to show that Cat is right on one thing - vastly different behavour in different areas. Of the 50 or 60 I have shot in the last week or so, NONE had a full crop, most were nearly or completely empty. All birds plump and fat. Some had a bit of maize, or wheat, some had a bit of rape and some had a few berries. NO acorns!!

When they ARE hungry for rape, the crop is like a small rugby ball, they can hardly fly and you can see the crop as they fly over. NONE OF THAT this year!! (Not round here)

[motty]

Just goes to show that Cat is right on one thing - vastly different behavour in different areas. Of the 50 or 60 I have shot in the last week or so, NONE had a full crop, most were nearly or completely empty. All birds plump and fat. Some had a bit of maize, or wheat, some had a bit of rape and some had a few berries. NO acorns!!

When they ARE hungry for rape, the crop is like a small rugby ball, they can hardly fly and you can see the crop as they fly over. NONE OF THAT this year!! (Not round here)

I still won't have it that pigeons are not hungry. Pigeons are known for being very greedy.

It's like saying a fat bloke won't have a huge fried breakfast because he's got a good layer of fat on him.

By the way, on the way home from work I put at least 800 pigeons off a rape field. That was after 16.30. I'd have thought they'd have gone to roost already if they weren't hungry.

[Actionpigeons]

I still won't have it that pigeons are not hungry. Pigeons are known for being very greedy.

It's like saying a fat bloke won't have a huge fried breakfast because he's got a good layer of fat on him.

By the way, on the way home from work I put at least 800 pigeons off a rape field. That was after 16.30. I'd have thought they'd have gone to roost already if they weren't hungry.

strange how you shoot so many pigeons and have so many on your land but never post.

pictures of all the pigeons you shoot threw the winter. all your post are negative.

you talk a good game

[motty]

strange how you shoot so many pigeons and have so many on your land but never post.

pictures of all the pigeons you shoot threw the winter. all your post are negative.

you talk a good game

I shoot a few now and again. The last few months have been filled killing ducks and geese, while all the pigeons have been away in the woods.

I do post about successful days. Back in October I had bags of 155 and 118 within a week. If you look back through Sporting Pictures you may find this information.

I predict (as well as hope) that some good days are not far away for me.

I've also posted videos of my pigeon shooting, too.

Edited February 19, 2014 by motty

[Actionpigeons]

I shoot a few now and again. The last few months have been filled killing ducks and geese, while all the pigeons have been away in the woods.

I do post about successful days. Back in October I had bags of 155 and 118 within a week. If you look back through Sporting Pictures you may find this information.

I predict (as well as hope) that some good days are not far away for me.

I've also posted videos of my pigeon shooting, too.

Yes I seen the vids, easy shooting in the summer., as I said talk a good game

[shootnfish]

The better bags i have shot on rape have been in milder weather but in the proper winter months december to then end of February, i think it makes no difference if its freezing or mild if there's nothing else to eat then i think they hit the rape hard if there is plenty of other food around like there is this year then they wont be so keen.