Blackpowder Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 After having a nudge from the Kippielaw Kid and J.Dog I set out today in search of the fabled uncut bean field adjacent to where my Assoc shot last Saturday. Fortified with loads of cartridges, scotch pies, hot drinks and extra sacks for the slain it was all systems go. Research had given me the farmers name, but no one was at home in the farm house, a mobile number was pinned to the door however and upon ringing this the man himself appeared from the farm buildings. I must have looked presentable as permission was given with the warning that quite a lot of people had been trying to get bags of pigeon from the field with moderate success. There was a convenient double hedge suitable for concealment which seemed a good thing. There was evidence that other shooters had been about but by 11am I was set up with hide and decoys out although they would be difficult to see in the standing crop which the farmer still intended to harvest as soon as it was dry enough on the land to take machinery. A copse over the march but adjacent to the bean field was blue with pigeon, a bumper day was envisaged. Before going further for the first time I had donned a pair of safety glasses with a black dot on the left lens to compensate for central vision. Occasional birds were on the wing and the first three which came within extreme range fell to the first barrel. The other two in the bag were at similar distances and I can only say that thanks to the advice on this forum I tried the strategy. At times there were hundreds of pigeon in the air flighting to the far corner of the field, a minor road stopped me getting under the flight line. For periods of 20 minutes to half an hour not a bird could be seen- then the sky was full. These large flocks had one thing in common, they avoided the decoys and did not come withing easy range of the double hedge. So from11 am to 3pm 11shots for 5 kills. Not a lot for the time and effort. Yet it was pleasant to be able to sit out in sunshine and relative warmth, listen to a lark sing and mutter bad words at the pigeon which seemed intent on the far corner of the field. Even when a buzzard lifted the flocks the pigeon kept clear of the double hedge where I was set up. Yet I was pleased with the result with five long range pigeon, 45 paces the furthest ,with a modest 28g in a felt wad 65mm shell. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Good report and another permission, well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 enjoyable read and well done for getting a shot, sounds like you got a few fantasyic birds. will you be back at them? atb 7diaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 enjoyable read and well done for getting a shot, sounds like you got a few fantasyic birds. will you be back at them? atb 7diaw I hope so, perhaps if it gets combined and a better chance for decoys to be seen. Also must contact the owner of the copse which was a direct flight line into the field. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Sounds like an opportunity to "get your feet under the table" there. Has the farmer got any other useful arable crops ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Sounds like an opportunity to "get your feet under the table" there. Has the farmer got any other useful arable crops ? Yes plenty arable and the farmer replied to my text thanking him to say I am welcome anytime. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Eley Firsts? After having a nudge from the Kippielaw Kid and J.Dog I set out today in search of the fabled uncut bean field adjacent to where my Assoc shot last Saturday. Fortified with loads of cartridges, scotch pies, hot drinks and extra sacks for the slain it was all systems go. Research had given me the farmers name, but no one was at home in the farm house, a mobile number was pinned to the door however and upon ringing this the man himself appeared from the farm buildings. I must have looked presentable as permission was given with the warning that quite a lot of people had been trying to get bags of pigeon from the field with moderate success. There was a convenient double hedge suitable for concealment which seemed a good thing. There was evidence that other shooters had been about but by 11am I was set up with hide and decoys out although they would be difficult to see in the standing crop which the farmer still intended to harvest as soon as it was dry enough on the land to take machinery. A copse over the march but adjacent to the bean field was blue with pigeon, a bumper day was envisaged. Before going further for the first time I had donned a pair of safety glasses with a black dot on the left lens to compensate for central vision. Occasional birds were on the wing and the first three which came within extreme range fell to the first barrel. The other two in the bag were at similar distances and I can only say that thanks to the advice on this forum I tried the strategy. At times there were hundreds of pigeon in the air flighting to the far corner of the field, a minor road stopped me getting under the flight line. For periods of 20 minutes to half an hour not a bird could be seen- then the sky was full. These large flocks had one thing in common, they avoided the decoys and did not come withing easy range of the double hedge. So from11 am to 3pm 11shots for 5 kills. Not a lot for the time and effort. Yet it was pleasant to be able to sit out in sunshine and relative warmth, listen to a lark sing and mutter bad words at the pigeon which seemed intent on the far corner of the field. Even when a buzzard lifted the flocks the pigeon kept clear of the double hedge where I was set up. Yet I was pleased with the result with five long range pigeon, 45 paces the furthest ,with a modest 28g in a felt wad 65mm shell. Blackpowder Edited February 24, 2016 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Eley Firsts? Yes they were, killed an amazing distance out from the right open barrel. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Best laid plans and all that. My pal mentioned that copse too - pure pigeon porn! Worth keeping an eye on I reckon. Another day with different conditions might favour you. Nice permission for the future all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Well today hunted out the owner of this woodland strip and obtained permission to shoot it as long as the guy who has the modest game shooting on the place agreed. He did and I was read to go at 11: 30 am. Where to go on this 500 yard by 30 wide strip of wood. Plenty of pigeon whitewash on the ground along with preening feathers but no birds sprung from the trees as I entered the wood. Two high ancient beaches 100 yards into the wood seemed a good place to start while I awaited the procession of pigeon overhead heading for the beanfield at the other side of the road. And waited and waited odd birds were passing from all points of the compass and it took me 5 shots before one was downed. There was a barley stubble on one side, a dozen decoys down might draw a few to the trees, one did approach but was well missed. In fact the decoys were being totally ignored but birds could be seen dropping in to the far end of the wood. A trip down to move them at least including crossing a tricky ditch, bang bang as the birdes made an exit but only one fell. Now in fact the pigeon were using the part of the wood I had just left. Back up across the tricky ditch and residence taken up on the oil drum again. Occasional passing birds taking me be surprise found a lot of air space around them today, another down and that was it. A very poor ratio 15 shots for 3 kills, it can only get better. Only one of these birds had crop contents 4 beans to be exact. The pigeon shot seemed to be an entirely different group from those on Tuesday which were all very small birds. Today's were mature plump birds no doubt they will make an excellent pie. Packed in at 3 pm , gear into the car and glasses on to the bean field to see a field long trail of pigeon dropping in just around where I had set up with decoys two days ago. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Obviously not an easy one BP. I think I should mention to the PW massive that this field has been attracting prodigious amounts of pigeons. My pal, who shoots a lot of pigeons has never seen as many birds working a field. I'd like to think that if you get the right conditions you could still fill your boots. Not wishing to teach you to suck eggs but do you think it would be worth trying a rotary? I know I have used one on all the recent bean stubbles I have shot and the movement has made a huge difference. kippylawkid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilts#Dave Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Has the field/area been shot by every man and his dog or something? Really odd that such a 'hotspot' is producing such poor results. Perhaps you need a mate or two to set up in more than one position to make the best of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Yes according to the farmer it has been getting some attention. Also well trodden patches in the double hedge where shooters have been in place. Stopped on the way past to an appointment this morning and no pigeons seen dropping in and but a few in the small wood. Woods on last weeks charity shoot estate next door blue with birds and we are back there tomorrow so fingers crossed for a decent draw and a puff of wind. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 (edited) Sound like well spooked pigeons to me ,you`ll need some favourable conditions to outwit them and a dose of good luck. Hope you get both ! Edited February 26, 2016 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted March 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 This might be better in JDogs ,'Disappearing Act', but I had a visit to the bean field and copse yesterday. Parked up with binos to study flight lines and favoured areas of the field and in 15 mins saw no pigeon. Passed the outskirts of Saturday's club shoot and saw nothing there either. I cant see any crops around which might be more attractive than the uncut beans as there is no sign of very much spring drilling going on around here. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) Over the last few days most pigeons I`ve seen on my travels have been feeding on grazing fields or winter cereals.Lot of fresh weed growth etc due to unseasonal temperatures no doubt ! Hope you get some on those beans after the combine. Edited March 2, 2016 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted March 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Well I was back at the woodland strip next door to the bean field yesterday and looking through bino's it was stacked with pigeon. Much rubbing together of hands and yipees all round. Parked up just after noon and into the wood when the flock departed with a clatter of wings. Never mind they will return as they did in large flocks two gunshots high with the occasional singleton and pair almost within range. Nine shots and missed with everyone of them and three hours was enough. Made an exit but thought a look over the brow of the hill into the bean field might be a good idea. There must have been 1,000 lifted off and departed , I did manage two shots picking up one pigeon for a chilly three hours effort. Well roll on tomorrow know where to set up for results? Today adapted my sack barrow as a gear transporter, excellent it was two with a few bungee cords to keep things stable. Set up with six shells on high canes above the crop, two bouncers and 12 fuds. Perfection ! Hide erected with new stealth net , padded seat on plastic drum absolute perfection! Sat there and waited, and waited and waited. Until 1:30 pm when the flocks started moving. Large groups 2 gunshots high for the most part. Straight over the decoy pattern and not the slightest bit of interest in the pattern which I changed several times during the day. And so it went on for the next 2 hours large flocks for the main part but they wanted to be anywhere in the field other than where the decoys were. You can only take so much by 3pm I was severely peed of and packed up. Gear on to the sack barrow but it was now uphill all the way. A few pigeon in the wood on the other side of the road, about 500 hundred on the plough. As a finale I drove along the two public roads which were opposite to where I had been set up. Not sure about how to count them but there were an estimated 1,000 pigeon fluttering up and dropping back in, in view of the roads. For sale numeropus pigeon decoys, hide netting ,cartridges or might exchange for golf clubs or tennis bats. Disgruntled Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Well you gave it a good go ! Sounds like a tough pitch there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Keep at it BP. I'm sure there's a 100+ day on that flock. A decent blow of wind might help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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