tom1991 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 hi i have resently bought a magnet and have found somtimes found that it can scare the birds when they get near it, i spoke to a friend and he says he puts his maget about 80 yards up wind from his patternt because the magnet it to draw the birds to the field not to pattern, however i have been reading on here and people seem to be saying at the front of the pattern, Any help I have also noticed that the half shell decoys can somtimes scare the pigeons, is this just me or has it happend to other people!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchie the white hunter Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 hi i have resently bought a magnet and have found somtimes found that it can scare the birds when they get near it, i spoke to a friend and he says he puts his maget about 80 yards up wind from his patternt because the magnet it to draw the birds to the field not to pattern, however i have been reading on here and people seem to be saying at the front of the pattern, Any help I have also noticed that the half shell decoys can somtimes scare the pigeons, is this just me or has it happend to other people!! me and my m8 noticed that moving it to the outside the pattern was working well depending on the wind try turning the thing off as well that works or even puting it in the park behind you just to get there atention also if you put your shell deeks out in a W patern with them with a good space between them that was working to had some good bags last year over 800 in total and the year b 4 1000+ so give it a go might work or not who knows try anything! ps happy hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Its difficult to be precise as to what could be putting pigeons off a decoy layout. Firstly, they must have room to land near the decoys. A lot of people put their decoys too close together, or too near the hide. If a shell decoy, or decoy on a spring stick, is slightly off line with the wind, it can rock sharply and erratically out of tune with the other decoys, this can spook pigeons. It is claimed that pigeons that regularly see rotary devices can get spooked by them, I have never proved to myself that this is the case. However, on days when they are a bit finnicky (bright days with light, or no winds are the worse), I will alter the pattern throughout the day. This includes bringing the rotary in, or moving it. Its only by trying different things will you be successful. What is even more frustrating, is that what works one day, may not work the next. The other thing to consider, is it the decoys, or is it the hide ? Are you well covered, perhaps moving up for the shot too soon ? How far away is your vehicle parked ? Can they see the dog when they get in close ? Is there a dead bird laying on its back 50 yards from the decoys ? Has someone got large bed sheets flapping on a washing line half a mile away ? Can they see your face because you forgot the face mask ? People on the footpath half a mile away ? All these things and more, have spooked pigeons for me. If you regularly shoot a field and generally place your hide in much the same positions (which is usually the case), its well worth setting everything up and then walking off almost as far as possible (a lot further than 100 yards) and have a look at things from the pigeons point of view. If you can get someone to be in the hide when you do this, its a bonus. Always remember, if it was easy, there wouldn't be as many pigeons about as there are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 LOOK at your set up. Does it shine? Does the magnet glare or sparkle in the sun, especially the spinning arms, are the decoys shiny or wet. Sometimes too much or the wrong sort of movement among the decoys is a put off. What birds are you using on the magnet? Sometimes certain flying/rotating decoys can look like a hawk in silhouette. Shell decoys that are sitting 'tail up' show a black underside to low incoming birds, that might be a put off. Some days almost anything will work and Woody will commit suicide whilst on others no matter what you do Woody will do nothing...ain't life grand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 The last two replies from Cranfield and Highlander were in my opinion some of the best advice posted on this forum to date. Good posts chaps with some VERY good tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 The last two replies from Cranfield and Highlander were in my opinion some of the best advice posted on this forum to date. Good posts chaps with some VERY good tips. Good Lord praise indeed...Cranners get this pinned before he changes his mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currieboy Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 The last two replies from Cranfield and Highlander were in my opinion some of the best advice posted on this forum to date. Good posts chaps with some VERY good tips. hear hear!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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