ShropshireSam Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Watched a few rape fields for a couple of weeks and decided I would set up early on the next windy morning. Had a chosen field with lots of pigeons feeding on it, decided to go Tuesday as 40 mph winds due, even though I could only get an hours shooting. Set up by 8 AM under a large oak with the wind behind me and a tiny screen of camo in front (low and tied to the tree) with the magnet 20 yards in front of me. Didn't bother with any other deeks as they would just have blown away. First few pigeons appeared and drifted over to another oak half way up the field. I know this was the flight line and favoured tree, but it was too close to the farmhouse and other properties so opted for the oak at the bottom of the field. Put a shot up to move the birds on, looked around to see more than 500 birds lift out of a wood two fields away. They drifted round and settled in the middle of the rape ... none interested in the magnet. I walked them off and they swirled round, over the other oak and off to other fields. Another small flock came over and landed in the other tree, again put a shot up to move them on. Another 500+ birds lifted out the wood and came over. I walked these off and off they went. Sat watching very little traffic. Had 2 shots at passing pigeons and hit the one woody that came to the magnet, packed up and went to work. If this roost wood had not been so near I could have had a steady stream of birds and a good hours shooting...although I would probably have needed to move to the other oak. Wondered if it would be worth moving the birds out the roost wood on an evening....if they roosted further away hopefully they would still head back to this field in the morning if favouring it at the moment? It would be an ideal roost wood as a small plantation of conifers, but just over the boundary of my permission. But first must decide what to do in the morning. Snow on the ground and high winds due. Have another available rape field but not much traffic today and wind in wrong direction, or can try a flightline along a river as this can be a good flightline when the wind keeps the birds low out the wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herby Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Hushpower!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 A fair attempt at some sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Winter rape shooting can be like this, probably the most frustrating time of the year when you see the most birds and have the least amount of shots; Often (not always) one or two shots and they are all gone. Sounds like a good opportunity for some decent roost shooting which is really good sport in your roosting woods, that's what I'd be trying to do..... Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 The roost wood does sound a good bet and it might be worth considering a hide in the field, if it will help you to intercept the birds heading for their preferred oak, or the middle of the field. Its surprising how pigeons will accept a hide in the open, if they really want to get on a field (or tree). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooder Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 rape today, 4 birds all to lofted decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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