Columba Grey Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 A couple of farmers from whom I have permission to shoot have expressed concerns about birds being shot over standing crop. They wouldn't want my springer charging in to retrieve the pigeons and they don't want dead birds in the unharvested wheat/barley/rape. Apparently dead carcasses can lead to botulism which concerns the farmers obviously. Is this scare mongering or have any of the seasoned experts come across this before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 never heard of that one before................yet again what do i know.....im only and ole country boi.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 It seems highy unlikely but perhaps there is a scientific chance with too many dead birds in the crop. Either way you just have to respect the thoughts of the farmer. Some like you shoot standing crops other don't for there own various reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Strange. I haven't heard of any diseases like that before. I could have shot loads over standing wheat, recently, but I've chosen not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Never heard of that one . Any how any birds that you don't pick up will be dealt with by old Reynard . My farmer wants them shot wether I pick them up or not . If I can't see them without stomping about in the corn to much then I leave them . I am there for pest control . Harnser Edited July 16, 2015 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Listeriosis would be more likely due to the carcass or parts of it being picked up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Never heard of that one . Any how any birds that you don't pick up will be dealt with by old Reynard . My farmer wants them shot wether I pick them up or not . If I can't see them without stomping about in the corn to much then I leave them . I am there for pest control . Harnser +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lg1 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I would personally be surprised if there was a bird left in the field after 48 hours, On several occasions shooting feral pigeons I have pretty much ditched good amounts in the hedge only to find the next day there all gone! Once them foxes turn up they will sharp clear the lot.. I stand to be corrected but it sounds like a bit of a polite excuse as the farmer is not keep on shooting over there standing crop.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Botulism can be carried in any animal or bird carcases and is dangerous to livestock....but feed processing would kill the bacteria so only an issue if farmer is using crop directly as on-farm feed. According to some, any carcase on grazing land is hazard...see link to pdf from Irish Dept of Agriculture....http://www.afbini.gov.uk/adds-cattle-botulism-in-24-february-2006.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I find badgers also clear all sort as they seem to eat anything including dead foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I think he may be looking for maximum yield from his crop and you shooting will introduce scavengers which I turn will damage the standing crop. I've been asked to shoot standing and also to not shoot standing crops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I have heard of this before. Our shoot captain (a dairy farmer) told me of someone he knows whose animals contracted botulism from shot birds caught up in a silage bale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 At the end of the day you are there by invitation and must respect the farmers decision, it not about what's right or wrong, if you want to keep well in you should stay out, its not long to harvest then you can blast away to your hearts content in the stubble. this time of the year I always ask the farmers 'where and when' if I cant get in the crops I will sit in the wood and wait for a few roosting birds , there are not many fields around here that you could shoot without causing some level of damage. be patient and persevere, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lg1 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I think he may be looking for maximum yield from his crop and you shooting will introduce scavengers which I turn will damage the standing crop. I've been asked to shoot standing and also to not shoot standing crops. Hi mate, Iv seen you comment this same answer on a couple of posts, what preditors do you think will come to scavage and damage the crop ? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 my farmers dont mine birds falling in the crops, they just want them shot, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columba Grey Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Thank you gents for the varying views and numerous responses. Big als point reminds of something one of the farmers said that he noticed a bird in one of the straw bales and was prompted to remove the bale from the trailer taking it to his barn. Also the article from Dept of Agriculture is enough to put the cat among the pigeons so to speak! Going to shoot an early cut in the west of the province tomorrow morning. Here's hoping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 dropped a pigeon in a grass field with rare breed cattle in last year before i could pick it up one of the animals started eating it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaunda Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Drop a crow on a free range pig unit and see how long it lasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I don't like shooting what I can't pick and particularly those that may be wounded. Attempting to recover the latter inevitably causes damage to the crop to a greater or lesser degree which the farmer is not too keen on. In order to respect both opinions, my job is to run the electronically controlled type of banger which I place out when and where as they're needed. By simply altering the 'shot' frequency and the number keeps the birds from getting wise. Then, just before the harvest they're removed so that the 'table can be laid'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 id much rather shoot stubble than standing crop , BUT , its a case of just get on with it and get the job done , its always a shame to leave dead birds in the field , but , the farmer just wants them dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Hi mate, Iv seen you comment this same answer on a couple of posts, what preditors do you think will come to scavage and damage the crop ? Cheers Hi Lg1, I'm not sure what they are, could be Badgers , Foxs or even Raptors but when we have returned the week later the whole area we shot has been flattened not as we left it . With feathers in the crop but no carcasses This has happened on at least ten occasions in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lg1 Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 For what ever reason I never thought badgers eat that sort of thing, I guess those big old lumps could paddle a fair bit down if they hung around for a while... And raptors lol ? That one a leg pull 😂... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Foxes and badgers clear the lost birds up in my area and in recent years, we have had the buzzards around to chip in. I haven't noticed a lot of crop damage by their efforts, but thats not to say it doesn't happen elsewhere. I imagine a family of badgers could create a bit of havoc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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