JDog Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 One estate nearby which I do not shoot (the beaters and pickers up have the pigeon shooting under instructions from the 'keeper - fair enough) chopped up half of their maize cover crops yesterday. Between the two I would estimate that there are 600 pigeons and 300 corvids feeding on them today. I expect to hear plenty of shooting tomorrow. Speaking to the farm manager I was informed that the remaining cover crops will be chopped up in three weeks time. They do this to extend the period of pigeon shooting as it all does not get done in one go. Those lucky enough to have maize cover crops being chopped up better keep an eagle eye out. The cobs will not last very long when pigeons and corvids get on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 I have 2 cover crops of maize and find you either need to be the first or last to chop it up as in a shooting area it soon gives them more options, but they do love it great sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan2477 Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi all im going to try my luck on some tomorrow. Any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Er.............shoot straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi all im going to try my luck on some tomorrow. Any tips? I am not convinced that incoming pigeons pick up static decoys placed on the ground where maize has been chopped up. If the cover strip is fairly narrow place some decoys in the adjacent crop to lead incoming birds into the pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi all im going to try my luck on some tomorrow. Any tips? Look where you're going - smelly stuff badger poo - they love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Enjoy it while you can. One of my main permissions doesn't have any cover crops this year so no chopped maize to look forward to, if you can persuade the farmer to cut them in stages they can be really good especially when chasing them on OSR is so hopeless this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 I have the option of two strips of maize still standing but looking at the cobs there is hardly any grain left...assume the crows have feasted on it already....not sure wether it is worth chopping....however had large number of pigeons in nearby wood and rape field so might draw them in?? Had a large strip last year in a nearby field with loads of corn on it. Had it chopped and watched intently for large numbers to appear.... they never did. Not many maize cover crops round here so maybe the pigeons have not learnt its a good feed in lean times? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 On one of my perms the farmer is going to chop half of one cover strip late Friday afternoon so we can have a bash at them on Saturday. Hopefully get a bit of shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I have the option of two strips of maize still standing but looking at the cobs there is hardly any grain left...assume the crows have feasted on it already....not sure wether it is worth chopping....however had large number of pigeons in nearby wood and rape field so might draw them in?? Had a large strip last year in a nearby field with loads of corn on it. Had it chopped and watched intently for large numbers to appear.... they never did. Not many maize cover crops round here so maybe the pigeons have not learnt its a good feed in lean times? Pretty well no grains left in the covers round here either - the crows have been on them all season . This is normal and we rarely see many birds on the chopped stuff. Also, they get ploughed in a day or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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