Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 If your birds come out the freezer really tatty and you can't put em on a rotary what kind make of decoy would you put on a Whirlie. Yes I know dead birds are best but whats second best??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) Hyperflaps or proflaps,I had both couldn't decide which was best both pulled the birds in.I sold them on as I found myself swapping them round too much.I always keep at least a dozen frozen birds just pack the in the freezer neat & tidy ( wrap individually in news paper or bubble wrap)& you'll get a few outings out with them.I always take 6 out 2 for the rotary & 4 for the bouncers. Nothing like a real pigeon on the magnet Edited March 27, 2015 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Pigeons will only come out of the freezer tatty if they are put in tatty. I always select two of the best looking birds without broken wings and store them separately in a side compartment of my freezer , I use them about 3 times and then replace them. I am yet to find a artificial alternative I would be happy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Must admit I haven't yet had really good bags so the best ones usually get eaten, by me, sometimes I just don't get enough to freeze any so I was hoping for a good alternative to real birds!! One day I will crack it and my freezer will have quality feathered decoys in it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRWC Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I really don't think it matters if they are tatty. Surely a bird that's close enough to notice your decoy is in rag order is also close enough to be shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Everything I have read, not practiced, as I am new to this suggests using the best birds on the rotary, I must admit Ive tried putting some ratty ones out and they do look ****, If I were a pigeon and saw one I would think twice, especially when you see what a splendid bird they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I use hypaflaps 90% of the time on the rotary, their flapping motion and the extended battery life are added bonuses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Do you need to put the hyper flaps closer in or do you use them just as you would dead birds?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Everything I have read, not practiced, as I am new to this suggests using the best birds on the rotary, I must admit Ive tried putting some ratty ones out and they do look ****, If I were a pigeon and saw one I would think twice, especially when you see what a splendid bird they are. I don't know where you might have read that, but think about this; a tatty looking dead bird will still look more realistic than any decoy. I have had many a good day, starting with only the most horrible and stinky dead birds as decoys. I honestly don't care how ropey my magnet birds get, it's only the smell that makes me throw them after a while. I only need to keep two dead birds to get the ball rolling, and they are kept in the fridge, therefore keeping better than a bird frozen and thawed a few times. Another point for you to consider. If you just eat the breast meat, save the carcass of your pigeon afterwards. Don't worry, the pigeons won't be able to tell that it's breasts have been removed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Ah I've wondered about that Motty, the birds don't look at the breast on the magnet do they, it would also make the decoys lighter and the thing would go round better/longer so everyones a winner, except the pigeon as long as I can shoot straight?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Do you need to put the hyper flaps closer in or do you use them just as you would dead birds?? Use them just the same as dead birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Im going with that cheers Cranfield! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Here mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 *** have you tried it on a Rotary, hear me chortle (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I use two half shells with chris green pack of wings and tail slit each side of shell pop them in push the shell down on my spikes just pierce the shell to make a tight fit replace when you get two fresh birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I've adapted two bouncers. A hole up the backside to take the rotary arm and a wing spreader cable tied to the rear to tighten it to the arm. Seems to work ok. I replace them with the real thing as soon as available. I do not freeze dead birds. My access to our fridge for sporting purposes was denied many years ago when a discretely secreted tub of maggots was found by my social secretary!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocknee Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I don't know where you might have read that, but think about this; a tatty looking dead bird will still look more realistic than any decoy. I have had many a good day, starting with only the most horrible and stinky dead birds as decoys. I honestly don't care how ropey my magnet birds get, it's only the smell that makes me throw them after a while. I only need to keep two dead birds to get the ball rolling, and they are kept in the fridge, therefore keeping better than a bird frozen and thawed a few times. Another point for you to consider. If you just eat the breast meat, save the carcass of your pigeon afterwards. Don't worry, the pigeons won't be able to tell that it's breasts have been removed! Totally agree I don,t use artificial decoys at all. I just start off with two dead birds saved from the previous outing and put them on whirly or cradles floaters flappers or whatever the pigeons react to best on the day. Every day / crop is different so experiment until you get it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I don't know where you might have read that, but think about this; a tatty looking dead bird will still look more realistic than any decoy. I have had many a good day, starting with only the most horrible and stinky dead birds as decoys. I honestly don't care how ropey my magnet birds get, it's only the smell that makes me throw them after a while. I only need to keep two dead birds to get the ball rolling, and they are kept in the fridge, therefore keeping better than a bird frozen and thawed a few times. Another point for you to consider. If you just eat the breast meat, save the carcass of your pigeon afterwards. Don't worry, the pigeons won't be able to tell that it's breasts have been removed! Top advice that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Thanks for all the advice, I decided to pop down to the farm wood the other evening, couple of shots and they usually all divert to a neighbouring, bigger, wood. Any way got two fine pigeons speically for the rotary, carefully stored in tip top condition, will always try and keep a few like that from now on. The best bit was one was a cracking shot and the young (nearly two) black lab bitch was right on it and right back, lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 I use dried "preserved" pigeons on the magnet. They last a year if you look after them....nearly as good as fresh birds but benefit from been much lighter..better for the magnet battery and better when carting the gear across a field. (Preserve with a salt called borate - will do a DIY thread on it sometime!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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