Stoves Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 In the area that i shoot there are four rape fields all within two miles of each other, i have tried decoying them once or twice because there are oceans of pidgeons, but it is fairly un predictable where they are going to feed. i use 12 shell decoys and then later on replace them with real pidgeons. Does any one have any tips and hints of how i can attract the pidgeons in this aera decoying by myself, thanks Stoves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Stoves... A frustrating and all to common problem I am afraid with so much rape about... A couple of shots and they are off somewhere else... What we need is some really cold weather to give the birds some confidence..Did I see snow in Lincolnshire this week? Try sussing out the flightline from the birds overnight roost either early morning or when they pack up at night and position your self in line with it if possible. I notice you are using shell decoys, which are fine but try and give them a bit of life by facing them into the wind and mounting them on Piano wire ( Available from hardware or model shops) or alternatively hacksaw Blades. I would double up on your decoys if there are large flocks about and set up the shot birds as they arrive. The classic horseshoe pattern is best but try and make it look natural as possible the birds dont deliberately land in nice equally spaced patterns so dont put your deeks out that way. I have never had much success trying to up root and follow pigeons around the crops so it might be best to sit it out and just shoot what you can... You might try a pigeon magnet if you have access to one but i would imagine not so try lofting a few birds off the rape particularly if it is higher in growth. When I started serious pigeon shooting I couldnt afford too much kit so I made my own lofting poles using a bent coathanger has a cradle whipped to a fresh thin hazel stave stuck in the ground. I have also repainted a load of my shell deeks recently accentuating the white wing bars and ringlet and lightening the body grey. The shop bought deeks dont stand out too well in gloomy conditions against dark rape and I am lead to believe the birds might be colour blind in any case.. If things get a bit slow a couple of shots fired into the air will often move the birds about. dont get too frustrated... FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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