MJO Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I am fairly inexperienced so would welcome any helpful advice They are due to cut the maize on the farm where I have permission to shoot. The farm is mainly grazing with some woodland, so to date I have just shot around roosting sites in the trees, but I have high hopes for the maize field once it is cut. Do they typically go for maize fields once they are cut? Any tips on general fieldcraft specific to this type of crop? Any help much apreciated Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Maize can shoot very well but that is usually old game covers that have been chopped up leaving all the old maize on the ground. If your is being cut now it will be going for feed which will leave very little for pigeon to feed on usually , so it may not be great As always though keep a eye on it and the pigeon will soon tell you if its worth a go or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I am fairly inexperienced so would welcome any helpful advice They are due to cut the maize on the farm where I have permission to shoot. The farm is mainly grazing with some woodland, so to date I have just shot around roosting sites in the trees, but I have high hopes for the maize field once it is cut. Do they typically go for maize fields once they are cut? Any tips on general fieldcraft specific to this type of crop? Any help much apreciated Regards Just watch the field and the lines coming and out.....Also you best info will be on when they might pull it up, as getting to a field when the cultivator has just pulled out on they day you planned to shoot it is really pants..... If they find it and are feeding then the timing is the hard bit, shoot it to early and you might not achieve the bag you want (depending on what you are looking for) The nights are drawing in so I would check it quite early and around 2pm and if it is on, then plan for the day.... Good luck TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Can be good, depends how they harvest it as to what is left on the ground. I've seen pigeon in biblical numbers on maize stubble, especially if the field is left for a while before cultivating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I can add very little to the expert advice above except to say that I have found that pigeons seem to have difficulty picking up ie seeing static decoys on maize stubble. If you have a rotary use it and possibly put some decoys on the adjacent field if the flight line permits it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I had my best bag of pigeons on maize this April, that was cultivated a few days before I shot it. It was harvested the previous autumn. Can be good, depends how they harvest it as to what is left on the ground. I've seen pigeon in biblical numbers on maize stubble, especially if the field is left for a while before cultivating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJO Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Thank you all - very useful all round. We will see...... Considering the rest of the permission is grazing fields with a little woodland - any other tips or things to look out for as the rest of the year progresses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 i was waiting to shoot a field of maize after being cut,next day it was plowed and now in wheat so be quick, soon as its cut get out and have a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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