Getting frustrated

[Dazza9t9]

Hey all,

 

Well I'm getting very frustrated with the pigeons at the moment. I've been watching a field for some time now and it has gone from nothing to about 500 pigeons on it, I watched for a day or two and I got out, pretty much where they were feeding the previous day and not one came in.

 

I was told to put a couple of crow decoys out as this helps the pigeons come in, I got some and I did get about 5 pigeons coming in but had gun / shooting problems.

 

I went for a walk around the field yesterday tea time about 4pm and the flock were feeding. 3pm today I bet down set up my decoys, nothing on the field and then the field came in to roost in a couple of trees I have never seen then roost in, I packed up, had a walk over the flock disappeared. Much and feathers all over the floor. I sat at the base of the tree for an hour and nothing came back. 4 or 5 returned to a wood close by.

 

I feel like I do a reccy, set of and the pigeons do the opposite, is this what it's like this time of year?

 

Background on myself, I've been pigeon shooting for about 9months now. I'm completely self taugh (the little I know) from reading books and on here.

 

Kit I am using, 2 full bodies, 10 half shells and 2 flocked crow shells.

 

The other person who occasionally shoots this land shot 30 about a week ago so it is certainly something I am doing wrong.

 

I guess I don't have confidence in myself or kit as I have never been out with anyone, if that makes sense. It doesn't help as my biggest bag in the last 9 months has been 10!!

 

Grrrrrr

After that rant, I guess what I am looking for is some pointers or how I can increase my skill set/equipment

[fenboy]

Its difficult to know if its something you are doing without being there, I always recommend people find someone that knows what they are doing and take them along to watch and ask questions , it really would help , I am sure there must be someone on here local to you that can help out.

 

Without a doubt the shooting at this time of year can be difficult , just because someone shot a few the week before means nothing , things can change daily even hourly.

 

If you get to a field that has a good few on walk them off then sit there for 30- 40 mins or so and see if they start returning , if they dont then the chances are your wasting your time.

 

Kit wise more decoys this time of year would be better , as would anything to put movement in your pattern like a magnet or flappers , but all the kit in the world will not help you shoot them if they are not feeding on the particular field you are shooting.

[JDog]

There is absolutely no point in setting up if the birds do not return once you have pushed them off the field.

[kitchrat]

Hey all,

 

Well I'm getting very frustrated with the pigeons at the moment. I've been watching a field for some time now and it has gone from nothing to about 500 pigeons on it, I watched for a day or two and I got out, pretty much where they were feeding the previous day and not one came in.

 

I was told to put a couple of crow decoys out as this helps the pigeons come in, I got some and I did get about 5 pigeons coming in but had gun / shooting problems.

 

I went for a walk around the field yesterday tea time about 4pm and the flock were feeding. 3pm today I bet down set up my decoys, nothing on the field and then the field came in to roost in a couple of trees I have never seen then roost in, I packed up, had a walk over the flock disappeared. Much and feathers all over the floor. I sat at the base of the tree for an hour and nothing came back. 4 or 5 returned to a wood close by.

 

I feel like I do a reccy, set of and the pigeons do the opposite, is this what it's like this time of year?

 

Background on myself, I've been pigeon shooting for about 9months now. I'm completely self taugh (the little I know) from reading books and on here.

 

Kit I am using, 2 full bodies, 10 half shells and 2 flocked crow shells.

 

The other person who occasionally shoots this land shot 30 about a week ago so it is certainly something I am doing wrong.

 

I guess I don't have confidence in myself or kit as I have never been out with anyone, if that makes sense. It doesn't help as my biggest bag in the last 9 months has been 10!!

 

Grrrrrr

After that rant, I guess what I am looking for is some pointers or how I can increase my skill set/equipment

It aint easy, especially this time of year and this year in particular. Nothing can be relied on, wind change, weather change, time of day, even the sun coming out/going in can change things it seems. A magnet and a floater usually help get their attention. My birds don't seem to like decoys much, flocked decoys are less bad, real birds much better.

Good luck!!

There is absolutely no point in setting up if the birds do not return once you have pushed them off the field.

What if they DO return, but you haven't set up?? I'm finding that big numbers don't come back but you can always get Nobby-No-Mates.

Edited March 1, 2014 by kitchrat

[Dazza9t9]

Thanks guys, I might put a thread up to see if anyone locally wants to take a walk out with me.

 

It's good to know it's not just me. Don't get me wrong I love being out and I look at it as a bonus if I get a couple but some times it feels so frustrating

[JDog]

I looked at three separate lots of pigeons today, none less than 200 strong, and I never set up at all because none returned to where they were feeding when I saw them.

[motty]

My first bit of advice would be to not rely on crow decoys when you want to shoot pigeons. Don't believe every bit of advice you get.

Pigeons on rape can be very hit and miss. It helps if the birds have been in a settled pattern ie seeing them feeding on the same field day in, day out. If the pigeons disappear to the next rape field in the vicinity they are unlikely to return unless disturbed. Less choice for the pigeons means more chance for you. Always try to set up where the pigeons really want to be, not just where is most convenient.

It's been a frustrating time for myself, with mainly small bags resulting. With the amount of birds in the area, however, i'm sure it's just a matter of time (maybe a week, maybe a month) before the birds start to play ball on the rape and hopefully drillings. This could well be the same for many.

[carpentermark]

Forget about where they're feeding, it can change day by day after all the field they're on is just a great big dinner plate!

Watch for flight lines mate. Find out where they fly into the field from? They might use a 'marker' i.e. hole in a hedge, tree, building etc. once you've figured the flight line get under it or as close to it as you can. Also try flagging off areas of the field you don't want them in, i use garden canes with carrier bags tied to tops.

Bottom line......... You need to keep watching them! Lol

[kitchrat]

I looked at three separate lots of pigeons today, none less than 200 strong, and I never set up at all because none returned to where they were feeding when I saw them.

Universal problem, except in S Norfolk and near Hitchin it seems. Rather than do no shooting, I have been selective and have had "bags" of 12,11,11,8,3,24,4,18,5,8 in Feb, not much for a month's work but some of my farmers are happy......

[kitchrat]

Forget about where they're feeding, it can change day by day after all the field they're on is just a great big dinner plate!

Watch for flight lines mate. Find out where they fly into the field from? They might use a 'marker' i.e. hole in a hedge, tree, building etc. once you've figured the flight line get under it or as close to it as you can. Also try flagging off areas of the field you don't want them in, i use garden canes with carrier bags tied to tops.

Bottom line......... You need to keep watching them! Lol

You make it sound easy!! However, down here we have no true flight lines, just "flock-strings" where a large bunch will follow each other from a wood where they have rested up to an apparently random destination. If you distrupt the flow, they go and rest up somewhere else, then head off to a different destination. When they are flock-stringing, it looks like a really strong flight-line, but in minutes all birds have made the trip and it ends stone dead.

To make flags work, you need about 1 flag every 50 yards in all directions. I use hi-vis jackets on sticks, but how many do you need to cover one 80-acre field, let aone a 700-acre block of rape???

[Actionpigeons]

If you push the birds off and they are not returning because there are feeding fields near by there would be little point in setting up, but if they are returning:

 

You didn't say if you have any movement in your pattern.

Some times less can be more, this time of the year.

 

I start as a rule with four or five dead birds.

one bird on a flapper, one bird on a bouncer set well back, and a cpl between the two,

as you shoot more birds add them to the pattern.

There will be a flight line to and from the field, however this will change with the wind direction.

If there is a sitter tree all the better, set your pattern on the flight line on the way to the sitter tree.

The birds with a little luck will at least come and have a look at you.

 

good luck

Edited March 2, 2014 by Actionpigeons

[la bala]

i went out with my son on thursday to a rape field where a good flock had been feeding all week. After walking the birds off, we set up about nine with 2 magnets, 2 floaters, a flapper and 20 dead birds.The first hour was great, then it gradually tailed off. We packed up at 1.30 with 27 shot, but that is rape for you. i personally have never had a red letter day on rape, but certainly enjoyed my few hours out on thursday.

[kitchrat]

i went out with my son on thursday to a rape field where a good flock had been feeding all week. After walking the birds off, we set up about nine with 2 magnets, 2 floaters, a flapper and 20 dead birds.The first hour was great, then it gradually tailed off. We packed up at 1.30 with 27 shot, but that is rape for you. i personally have never had a red letter day on rape, but certainly enjoyed my few hours out on thursday.

27 sounds good to me!

Worth noting that they had been there all week, ie had been allowed to build up in numbers and confidence....

[Dazza9t9]

I've been trying to identify flight lines however I've found it very difficult. I've seen one of two come in the same way and no more, I then go and watch a different day and it all changes.

 

There does not seen to be any consitancy.

 

Whenever I've been watching I have either seen nothing at all on the rape or the large flock is already there. More time watching it needed that's for sure.

[carpentermark]

I've been trying to identify flight lines however I've found it very difficult. I've seen one of two come in the same way and no more, I then go and watch a different day and it all changes.

There does not seen to be any consitancy.

Whenever I've been watching I have either seen nothing at all on the rape or the large flock is already there. More time watching it needed that's for sure.

How long do you sit and watch? (Honestly)

[Dazza9t9]

Probably half an hour however I live right next to the fields I shoot so I am always watching. I sat for half hour and watched this morning. I think I have identified a flight line on a different field. There is a place for a hide however the pigeons will be approaching from behind

[carpentermark]

Probably half an hour however I live right next to the fields I shoot so I am always watching. I sat for half hour and watched this morning. I think I have identified a flight line on a different field. There is a place for a hide however the pigeons will be approaching from behind

I would probably put aside a day to watch them properly. Get there before light and stay till lunch time it'll give you a proper idea of what they're doing. Think about it..... Ive had days where I've shot 60+ birds and during them days there have been plenty of half hour periods where nothing has happened and haven't seen a pigeon!

You said yourself that sometimes you get there and theres a flock already feeding, well they had to arrive at some time and from some direction?! If its a field they want to be in and are there daily then putting the time in watching them will pay off.

Read 'the pigeon shooter' by John Batley has some good tips for layouts and hide building.

When i first started i asked a friend of mine who's been shooting pigeons for 40 years "how long have you been shooting pigeons?" He said, "about 10 years and about 30 years watching the bloody things"! Says it all.

Edited March 3, 2014 by carpentermark

[Dazza9t9]

Thanks mark this is all great advice and I will get out and do some more watching. I'll look for a copy of that book too

 

Cheers

[cocknee]

Its difficult to know if its something you are doing without being there, I always recommend people find someone that knows what they are doing and take them along to watch and ask questions , it really would help , I am sure there must be someone on here local to you that can help out.

 

Without a doubt the shooting at this time of year can be difficult , just because someone shot a few the week before means nothing , things can change daily even hourly.

 

If you get to a field that has a good few on walk them off then sit there for 30- 40 mins or so and see if they start returning , if they dont then the chances are your wasting your time.

 

Kit wise more decoys this time of year would be better , as would anything to put movement in your pattern like a magnet or flappers , but all the kit in the world will not help you shoot them if they are not feeding on the particular field you are shooting.

Totally agree but would probably wait for an hour or so to see if they return.

[Mark74]

Perhaps you need to start setting up earlier? You state you get there and there is already a flock there, if your on the field already set up at dawn you may get to them as they initially come in.

But you need to Watch the field to get the flight lines so your set up in right place not just in a convenient place.

 

As others have said, if there are plenty of places to eat you may just be pushing them off and they go elsewhere where they are not disturbed.

 

Can also recommend pigeon shooting by john humphreys as another good book to read!

 

Good luck

[Dazza9t9]

Keep all the information coming I'm finding it very useful.

I nipped down to the main rape field yesterday. There was a flock of about 100 on it, while I was sat watching another 200+ came in. All just where I was set up a few days ago, there all came in from the same way, and it was not the direction I was expecting. They were flying right across a large field to join the back of the flock facing the hedge row.

 

I also identified another field they are hitting, then seem to be coming over the hedge row and dropping straight down onto the rape.

 

As for flight lines, I as shown a flight line last year on another farm and this was like the m1 of pigeons, 2's and 3's every few minutes exact same line. I don't seen to have any lines as strong as that one was

[Mark74]

The large flock entering the field from one way does not mean its a flight line, they may have been feeding elsewhere and were pushed onto your field. It's very temping to see this kind of thing and grab the gear and go set up. You have described very well what a flight line is, so if there is not one operating in your field it may be difficult to shoot and if you push them off they may not come back. It sounds like the birds are not spoiled for choice in fields to feed on in your area which will make your job harder.

 

Of course if they are truly feeding in your field you don't HAVE to be under flight line into it and your decoys will pull birds in but not to the extent they would work if already under pigeon traffic, however if they are not 100% feeding in the field you will only get passers by. If you are lucky somewhere on your land there may be a flight line that is used by birds going to and from their roost wood which they use even if not feeding on your land. if that's the case even if they are not feeding on your field you can decoy off the flight line. I have had great days decoying on ploughing/growing wheat etc just by pulling birds off the main flight line.

 

I would watch your field for a few mornings to see if flight line exists and wait for steady pattern to build up, then I would get out there set up at first light to see if you can get them before they get chance to build up the numbers.

 

Welcome to frustrating world of decoying 😊

[kitchrat]

The large flock entering the field from one way does not mean its a flight line, they may have been feeding elsewhere and were pushed onto your field. It's very temping to see this kind of thing and grab the gear and go set up. You have described very well what a flight line is, so if there is not one operating in your field it may be difficult to shoot and if you push them off they may not come back. It sounds like the birds are not spoiled for choice in fields to feed on in your area which will make your job harder.

 

Of course if they are truly feeding in your field you don't HAVE to be under flight line into it and your decoys will pull birds in but not to the extent they would work if already under pigeon traffic, however if they are not 100% feeding in the field you will only get passers by. If you are lucky somewhere on your land there may be a flight line that is used by birds going to and from their roost wood which they use even if not feeding on your land. if that's the case even if they are not feeding on your field you can decoy off the flight line. I have had great days decoying on ploughing/growing wheat etc just by pulling birds off the main flight line.

 

I would watch your field for a few mornings to see if flight line exists and wait for steady pattern to build up, then I would get out there set up at first light to see if you can get them before they get chance to build up the numbers.

 

Welcome to frustrating world of decoying

See my earlier post on this thread about flock-strings....

[Dazza9t9]

Kitchrat, from what I have seen so far they do seen to be flock stringing a bit

[kitchrat]

Kitchrat, from what I have seen so far they do seen to be flock stringing a bit

I got under one, once, last year. There were a huge number of birds, coming down-wind from a distant wood, going to God knows where. It was very windy, so they were lower than usual and they couldn't hear my shots. I was in shallow valley, with a couple of high hedges so approaching birds couldn't see what was going on in the valley but could see birds further in front and didn't know of the danger. They were advancing along a 100-yd wide front, so, whilst that meant that I was usually in the wrong place, most birds got by unbothered and "lured" the next batch along. They came in bunches of 1-15, for about 60 minutes, there were 1000's!! I had about 50 shots and only hit perhaps 20. They were incredibly alert, even by hiding under a hedge and trying to skeet-shoot them as they went over I was getting seen as soon as I moved the gun and evasive action in the wind was very effective!

Best sport of the winter!!