cloudwalker Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Had a phone call from my shooting buddy to say that 2 small fields of former pasture had been drilled with wheat. These fields had been pasture for about 3 years. They used to be good fields before as they had good flight lines over them and I had shot some good bags there in the past. Anyway arrived at 9.00am and sure enough pigeon were flighting over it. Unfortunately the only spot I could set up up meant I was looking straight into the sun all day. My mate was banging away in the next field just behind me, They were obviously dropping in well to him. Managed to drop a few despite the sun and soon they started to decoy well. Packed up at 3.30pm and between us we picked up 99 woodies. We could have had more but unfortunately each time one of us shot it scared the birds that were that were coming in to the other. Anyway a good day but I was surprised that the farmers have started spring drilling already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 That was a good day. Spring wheat is a rarity. It may be winter wheat drilled very late (the agriculturalists on the forum may have different opinions). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Well done great result, we've had some drilling in our area last week but the ground is so wet the birds will not land on as the soil is loose and clings to the feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I was shooting pigeons on spring wheat drillings in March last year. It does seem a little early but if the land is workable then i suppose it will germinate ok, after all daffodills and tulips etc are already poking through. Well done on the result cloudwalker the field may well produce another bag yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I was speaking to a farmer earlier today. He told me he will be drilling some spring wheat as soon as the ground is dry enough. A few more days like today and he will be drilling. I think more rain is on the way, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 My Son was shooting over drill last Saturday, think he managed 16 woodies and 15 blacks. As has been said, as soon as that top is dry the farmers will be at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudwalker Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Well done great result, we've had some drilling in our area last week but the ground is so wet the birds will not land on as the soil is loose and clings to the feet. I was surprised they came in so well as the fields were really wet after it rained all day yesterday. Each time I went out to set up a bird my boots were like divers boots by they time I got back to the hide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 That was a good day. Spring wheat is a rarity. It may be winter wheat drilled very late (the agriculturalists on the forum may have different opinions). Why would we agriculturalist be any different to the other varied and opinionated members of this forum!! Could be anything as can drill some winter cereals in late winter or some springs early if winter hardy...in Ireland the most popular winter sown oat is a spring variety!! Doesn't really matter what it is as long as it pull some pigeons in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Why would we agriculturalist be any different to the other varied and opinionated members of this forum!! Could be anything as can drill some winter cereals in late winter or some springs early if winter hardy...in Ireland the most popular winter sown oat is a spring variety!! Doesn't really matter what it is as long as it pull some pigeons in. I simply meant those who would know more about agriculture than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 we shoot dairy farms and they rotate the pasture fields for barley for cattle feed get some good days on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Bring on the drilling, it cant happen soon enough in my part odf the world. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Bring on the drilling, it cant happen soon enough in my part odf the world. Blackpowder Depending on the altitude that could be pretty late then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick morton Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 speaking to some farmers around here lots are telling me that they are thinking about not growing OSR as a lot of the chemicals sprays they would have used have been band,also the way the payments of subsidies are made,this year a lot of peas are going to be grown that will push the prices down.so its looking likely that spring & winter barley may be on the cards cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Depending on the altitude that could be pretty late then? I've seen them start first week March but more likely the middle of the month. Old farmers talked that they liked ," to see some stoor" (dust) behind the drill before they would start so going back to the little grey Fergy day's it would be late March to April before farmetrs had power driven machinery to create a suitabale seed bed. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I've seen them start first week March but more likely the middle of the month. Old farmers talked that they liked ," to see some stoor" (dust) behind the drill before they would start so going back to the little grey Fergy day's it would be late March to April before farmetrs had power driven machinery to create a suitabale seed bed. Blackpowder Of course I forgot that although there is some altitude round you it is relatively dry. When I lived on the banks of the Tweed I was surprised to note that the annual rainfall was only 18''-21'' per annum. I suppose that the Cheviots and some of the other hills to the west of you take most of the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudwalker Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 speaking to some farmers around here lots are telling me that they are thinking about not growing OSR as a lot of the chemicals sprays they would have used have been band,also the way the payments of subsidies are made,this year a lot of peas are going to be grown that will push the prices down.so its looking likely that spring & winter barley may be on the cards cheers I think you may have something there. For the first time in 20 years we are having peas drilled on some of our land. Never shot over them before but heard that you can get some good sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Of course I forgot that although there is some altitude round you it is relatively dry. When I lived on the banks of the Tweed I was surprised to note that the annual rainfall was only 18''-21'' per annum. I suppose that the Cheviots and some of the other hills to the west of you take most of the rain. Yes, you're spot on there JD. The Cheviots in particular deflect a lot of the westerly rain flow away from Northumberland/Borders. It's usually a south easterly that brings poor weather to us. We are a week or 2 of dry weather away from any drilling. Being nosey, where on the Tweed did you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Yes, you're spot on there JD. The Cheviots in particular deflect a lot of the westerly rain flow away from Northumberland/Borders. It's usually a south easterly that brings poor weather to us. We are a week or 2 of dry weather away from any drilling. Being nosey, where on the Tweed did you live? Originally at Horncliffe then across the border by three miles to Hutton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Originally at Horncliffe then across the border by three miles to Hutton. Were you on the shooting scene up here JDog? Its a pretty compact world shooting wise up here and most participants are usualy known of not directly at leat through third parties. Difference in spring drilling from you could have as much to do with Latitude as Altitude, but it just takes one farm to start sowing and the rest cant resist. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I was under the radar as normal when I was up there. I spent a lot of time under hedges shooting pigeons and slightly less time game shooting in Northumberland and the Borders. We may have come across each other but I doubt that you introduced yourself as 'Blackpowder' and I may not have been 'JDog' then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Seems our farmers are getting ready for spring drill as well!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I was under the radar as normal when I was up there. I spent a lot of time under hedges shooting pigeons and slightly less time game shooting in Northumberland and the Borders. We may have come across each other but I doubt that you introduced yourself as 'Blackpowder' and I may not have been 'JDog' then. Certainly my end of the country around these villages, you must not have had that hat in those days as would certainly have remembered it after even a brief encounter. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudwalker Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I was shooting pigeons on spring wheat drillings in March last year. It does seem a little early but if the land is workable then i suppose it will germinate ok, after all daffodills and tulips etc are already poking through. Well done on the result cloudwalker the field may well produce another bag yet! Sadly went out again yesterday. Same 2 fields, same weather conditions but one thing missing- PIGEONS!! We couldn't believe we were shooting the same fields. On Tuesday there were flightling in all directions in small bunches and pairs all day, Yesterday barely a bird in the sky anywhere. 99 on Tuesday. 19 yesterday!!!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve w Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 were I shoot they are ready to drill just waiting for a dry spell or as the farmer puts it a drying wind .I have been culling cwd all last week shot 7 in 2 days, if all goes well the cwd season will finish just as the drilling starts in a perfect world . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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