the hitman Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) I was looking at some of my old shooting books , and a couple of things made me chuckle , like cutting the eyelids off shot pigeons before using them as decoys , and my favourite , don't shot the first pigeon of the day , as it's the scout bird , and needs to return to the flock . One of these books that contains such myths was written in the 80s, long before Archie Coats published his classic book, which does not contain such silly things . Does anyone else know of any more shooting ?myths. Hitman Edited February 27, 2015 by the hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I am sure it was Archie coates that advocated cutting the eyelids off the decoys , as for the scout theory , there are those on hee that still believe that is the case , I am not one of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) I think if archie thought the eyelid thing worked , he would have put it in his book . I know a chap who recons that , crows cannot be killed with a shotgun, as their feathers are too tightly packed for the pellets to penetrate, I have dispelled that one many times . Edited February 27, 2015 by the hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 One of these books that contains such myths was written in the 80s, long before Archie Coats published his classic book, which does not contain such silly things . Does anyone else know of any more shooting ?myths. Hitman I chose Archie Coats book as a course prize in 1965. Do you mean 1880s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I am sure it was Archie coates that advocated cutting the eyelids off the decoys , as for the scout theory , there are those on hee that still believe that is the case , I am not one of them Seen the scouts in action, many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Sorry should say long after Archie's book . Good spot that man , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIDENSEEK Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I am sure it was Archie coates that advocated cutting the eyelids off the decoys , as for the scout theory , there are those on hee that still believe that is the case , I am not one of them I may be wrong, but I think Colin Willock quoted Kenzie Thorpe as cutting eyelids off pigeon (my favourite book, re-read many many times) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I may be wrong, but I think Colin Willock quoted Kenzie Thorpe as cutting eyelids off pigeon (my favourite book, re-read many many times) Who ever it was they were bananas and this is back in the day when they were supposedly easy to decoy ! Seen the scouts in action, many times. So have I , when I was a cub they were round the back of the hall having a crafty fag . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I love hearing of some of the strange beliefs that people have. One of my favourites, too, is the scout pigeon theory. Some others are ; Pigeons know that we're shooting at them, a hide won't work in the middle of the field (it MUST be erected a few days before to allow pigeons to get used to it.), pigeons will spot us from over a mile away, pigeons can tell the difference between dead birds and plastic decoys, you can have decoys too close to the hide, you can have too many decoys out, etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 What about the one where if you run your magnet backwards the pigeons approach the decoys backwards -------------------------------------------------------------------- ok I made that one up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 pulled off the eyelids of many a pigeon.....that was years ago....dont do it now.....also heard the "scout" theory......always thought it was a load of old tosh..... the latest one i heard was ....put a stick up the dead pigeons bottom....and the incoming birds get confused...thinking they have taken the wrong turn and have ended up at Stoke-mandervile-hostpital............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 You have all failed to notice that a 'scout' pigeon wears a neckerchief complete with a woggle ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) You have all failed to notice that a 'scout' pigeon wears a neckerchief complete with a woggle ! dib-dib-dib.................oh brown owl ! next thing is someone will have us beliving that if you whistle or sing "king gang goulie, golie, goulie...watcha ya doing .....".....the birds will come flocking in ... Edited February 27, 2015 by ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) It's often thought that too any feathers lying around will put birds off , however if I am shooting drillings I will often cover up any large clumps of feathers on the ground , although I am not convinced it makes any difference . Edited February 27, 2015 by the hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 two of my favs are 1. when shooting branchers in a rookery , two of you need to walk in and then one needs to walk out so the crows think your leaving hahaha **** ***** ! 2. Hares are boy rabbits ................ give me strength Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 If pigeons are as thick as some people think they are.Why do some people think that they have to say they used fieldcraft in decoying them.Does it make the person decoying them feel better because the pigeons are thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 'Town pigeons are easier to shoot/decoy than country pigeons'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Everyone who gets decent bags of pigeons is only shooting country pigeons not semi tame town pigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Now I am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 One myth that often rings true for me is - If you have not see a pigeon for the last hour break out the flask and pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee better still a cup of soup and you can be sure a bird will come into your decoys. It works almost every time pigeon shooting or wildfowling. In the haste to grap your gun you can be sure you will spill the hot drink all over your jeans , kick the cup over or if you do manage to get a bird by the time the dog has found and retrieved it when you pick up your drink you will find its stone cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 'Town pigeons are easier to shoot/decoy than country pigeons'. That's definitely true , that's not a myth. Due to the confines of the terraced houses they can only fly in straight lines to your decoys.!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 That's definitely true , that's not a myth. Due to the confines of the terraced houses they can only fly in straight lines to your decoys.!! And I guess your waiting at the end of the street Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 And I guess your waiting at the end of the street Of Course, !!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossEM Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Steel shot being unsuitable for live quarry?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 That's definitely true , that's not a myth. Due to the confines of the terraced houses they can only fly in straight lines to your decoys.!! aye and they don,t make it back either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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