Davyo Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) Pigeons galore in County Durham,Ive never seen so many before.Driving around the country roads there are croups in excess of 800+.Nobody seems to be shooting them,has decoying died out or something. Edited February 19, 2018 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Is this midweek or weekends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Both im retired so spend most my days out and about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Davyo said: Both im retired so spend most my days out and about. None where I live in Durham but plenty of starlings . Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Davyo said: Pigeons galore in County Durham,Ive never seen so many before.Driving around the country roads there are croups in excess of 800+.Nobody seems to be shooting them,has decoying died out or something. Just because you are seeing good numbers of pigeons, it doesn't mean that no one is shooting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 No body has been shooting the fields i pass every day.Even the wife commented on the sea of blue feeding on rape Saturday gone.Anyone in Durham wants to getting knocking on Farmers doors around (Running Waters Pub) where the roundabout is to Durham,Bowburn,Sherburn Village.Likewise the fields either side of A19 Hartlepool and Station Town turn off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) deleted. Edited February 20, 2018 by matone deleted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24230 Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 There are a lot of VERY large numbers around, i shoot over lots of farms as soon as you shoot a few they go and do not return, i shot last week on a field that is always great for 20-80 birds this time of year I looked at my diary shot over 300 at the start of Feb 2016, this winter has not been good for decoying any numbers shot more in woods on flight lines, we need an artic chill for a week or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 16 hours ago, Davyo said: Pigeons galore in County Durham,Ive never seen so many before.Driving around the country roads there are croups in excess of 800+.Nobody seems to be shooting them,has decoying died out or something. No, it's not died out, but shooting a decent bag over Winter Rape requires a lot of effort and a fair bit of skill, which a lot of people don't have, or can't be bothered to acquire. Wait until the Spring Drillings start, they'll be no shortage of shooters around then. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 7 minutes ago, Catamong said: No, it's not died out, but shooting a decent bag over Winter Rape requires a lot of effort and a fair bit of skill, which a lot of people don't have, or can't be bothered to acquire. Wait until the Spring Drillings start, they'll be no shortage of shooters around then. Cat. Agreed. My take on the matter is that if you are a true pigeon shooter then you shoot all year round not just at the optimum times unless there are other matters to attend to like wildfowling or game shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 18 minutes ago, JDog said: Agreed. My take on the matter is that if you are a true pigeon shooter then you shoot all year round not just at the optimum times unless there are other matters to attend to like wildfowling or game shooting. I agree with you even if i sometimes feel more like a bird scarer than a shooter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Large flocks around here last week must have numbered into 1000s, had a look around same fields on Sunday and only saw stragglers. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Still seeing nothing much in my part of Kent, there have been a few flocks of about 30 birds recently arrived, they distinguish themselves from the "resident" few by flying off in a huge panic if you slam the truck door, half a mile away from them. Its been one of the quietest Winters I can remember. When the big flocks are around I have had some very large Winter bags, but as has been said, there are many days when I am just a mobile bird scarer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moley magoo Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Yes a shoot round Durham area and agree numbers are up, av never had as many good days on rape as this year. The birds don't seem to move on and return to fields next day that have been heavily shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 10 hours ago, 24230 said: There are a lot of VERY large numbers around, i shoot over lots of farms as soon as you shoot a few they go and do not return, i shot last week on a field that is always great for 20-80 birds this time of year I looked at my diary shot over 300 at the start of Feb 2016, this winter has not been good for decoying any numbers shot more in woods on flight lines, we need an artic chill for a week or two. I honestly don’t think it makes a lot of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYA117 Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 If it makes a difference or not, we have a very cold couple of weeks ahead of us ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Went to Harlow today and coming back onto the M11, saw a huge stash of birds in some small trees and on the hedges. Must have been in the hundreds for sure. Pigeons packed tight as sardines on any available branch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 On 2/20/2018 at 17:46, old'un said: I honestly don’t think it makes a lot of difference. Yes, you're dead right, it makes no difference, unless we get prolonged snow cover. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 10 hours ago, getthegat said: Went to Harlow today and coming back onto the M11, saw a huge stash of birds in some small trees and on the hedges. Must have been in the hundreds for sure. Pigeons packed tight as sardines on any available branch. You have my condolences. But on the bright side, at least you got out again. Always a few about either side of the 414 before the two petrol stations. That big wood at the back helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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