Bobba Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) One of my permissions North of Bristol is on the flight path of military helicopters on their way to Hereford (I think). I've noticed that on those occasions of two Chinooks in formation (not routine or daily) they will disturb the pigeon shooting for quite a few hours. Birds take off and do not return for hours. Yesterday, I was on another farm not far from the first Severn crossing. I can see the M48 and the West bound traffic was in chaos as the M4 second Severn crossing was closed due to an accident and all traffic was diverted to the first bridge. Pigeons were present and then at 10.30...........!!! Damn TV helicopters hovering over adjacent fields for 10 - 15 mins at a time. This went on for the best part of the morning. Pigeon decoying went down the tubes big time to zero. Curiously, it didn't seem to annoy the crows. So, out came the Crow Fud's. Good bit of fun. 12 crows, 6 Jackdaws. And only 2 pigeons. Does anyone have similar experiences of Helicopters on decoying? Edited September 26, 2015 by Bobba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I've had it where the decoying had gone a bit quiet as they went of to wood and a copter came over and stirred them up a bit and there was movement again but they didn't clear off. I thought that I could do with a few more flights over the woods in the area to get others on the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Had a private helicopter flow by a mr p. r. att buzz down low over my coys , just clearing the oak tree I was sat under, felt the pressure of the down draft and thought the oak branches were going to come down. Guess he and the hoppo's with him thought it was funny, trashed my decoying for the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I've had it where the decoying had gone a bit quiet as they went of to wood and a copter came over and stirred them up a bit and there was movement again but they didn't clear off. I thought that I could do with a few more flights over the woods in the area to get others on the move. Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Had a private helicopter flow by a mr p. r. att buzz down low over my coys , just clearing the oak tree I was sat under, felt the pressure of the down draft and thought the oak branches were going to come down. Guess he and the hoppo's with him thought it was funny, trashed my decoying for the afternoon. Should have got the number off it, I think that sort of thing is frowned upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) We have a para huge centre about 3 miles away, and every weekend, sometimes during the week too, they will be flying two or three planes full of parachutist so, above my permissions, circling to gain height, then dropping a parachutist, before circling to gain height to drop the next. One plane takes four, the next six, and the largest eight parachutists. Every time we are Decoying,you can forget shooting once they start. The constant drone of the propellers, and the sight of parachutists (think the Birds believe they are birds of prey out to get them), means EVERYTHING stops flying immediately :( What looks to be a good day, suddenly dies in its tracks, and it usually means we can pack up :( Edited September 26, 2015 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 We have shot some fields that were on the flight line from Brize Norton to the QE hospital, Birmingham and it had a few flying when the overseas conflicts were busy and they always brought us birds . We have had simular results with the Police and Air Ambulance helicopters , stirs the birds up and keeps them on the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 out last week Worcester area 2 jets doing a figure of 8 for 20 minutes fuel for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Agree with PC. Helicopters over my patch usually put the birds up and keep them moving. Can turn a quiet day into a reasonable one sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 Have regular helicopter flights over most of my permissions as a pilot training school at RAF Shawbury. Local pigeons seem to ignore them unless they do some low flying practice....which is regular.....seems to help keep pigeons on the move as long as not doing it in same field I'm decoying. My big day on rape stubble in August when I bagged 219 had a helicopter repeatedly fly round and drop low in next field. Well clear of me and the flight lines and didn't stop the pigeons or my sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 In my area its not just helicopters, but also microlights and a few low flying small private propeller planes. They are not much of a problem, as they do keep the birds on the move, which is a good thing. Its quite strange to watch the pigeons feeding on the clover on the local Army ranges, when (very loud) firing is taking place less than 100 yards away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 Had a private helicopter flow by a mr p. r. att buzz down low over my coys , just clearing the oak tree I was sat under, felt the pressure of the down draft and thought the oak branches were going to come down. Guess he and the hoppo's with him thought it was funny, trashed my decoying for the afternoon. A quick report to the CAA will kill off this sort of idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 In my area its not just helicopters, but also microlights and a few low flying small private propeller planes. They are not much of a problem, as they do keep the birds on the move, which is a good thing. Its quite strange to watch the pigeons feeding on the clover on the local Army ranges, when (very loud) firing is taking place less than 100 yards away. They don't like radio controlled planes either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Had a private helicopter flow by a mr p. r. att buzz down low over my coys , just clearing the oak tree I was sat under, felt the pressure of the down draft and thought the oak branches were going to come down. Guess he and the hoppo's with him thought it was funny, trashed my decoying for the afternoon. Civilian stuff shouldn't be below 500ft unless taking off or landing. If you want to report it to the CAA you need evidence. Film it and get the registration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Bobba unfortunately for you your permission is next to the Severn Bridges and a lot of pilots use them as a waypoint. Go North near to the power stations and you will find its restricted airspace so it should be quieter for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted September 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Hi Harry, I've no permissions that far North. Just Aust, Elburton, Alveston and, as we both know, Tockington!!! Regards. Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Civilian stuff shouldn't be below 500ft unless taking off or landing. If you want to report it to the CAA you need evidence. Film it and get the registration. Only happened the once to me,was coming straight towards me and seemed to deliberately drop in height over the decoys , there was no time to film anything and was about 8 years ago or more, no decent phone for videos then and doubt I would have had time. I could see the pilot and 2 others in the copter laughing it was that low and looking straight at me as they came towards me low before pulling up and just clearing the tree top. My impression was he was flashing off to buddies for a laugh,but do feel he only just missed the top of the tree by the skin of his teeth, I got a shower of summer oak leaves, a wobbly hide and near brown trousers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I shoot on farms near and around an RAF SAR base in Northumberland that has just been disbanded. Very sad for our area. Like others have reported, I have found the regular helicopter activity assists pigeon shooting, particularly on flat calm days as it keeps birds on the move. It will be interesting to see if shooting is affected now there will be no further flights from the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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