Old Boggy Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 I`ve just looked out of my back window and pleased to see that my farmer friend has just this minute started drilling. Maize is going in, but is a relatively new crop around here and being used in anaerobic digesters for bio-fuel. I`ve never shot over it at drilling time, only harvest. I will obviously keep an eye out but have never previously seen much left on the surface.This particular farmer has all very modern equipment so the drill is very efficient, but I will look to the headlands for any spillage. What success have others had on this crop when drilled ? Many thanks, OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 (edited) Only ever attracted corvids at drilling when we grew it on the dairy farm, no pigeons till harvesting. Great chance to hammer the corvids though. Edited April 24, 2018 by aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 I have shot a few pigeons after the maize has been drilled. I suppose it depends on the usual factors on how many pigeons might be attracted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Do they let the crop ripen when its going into a digester plant or cut it earlier ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 8 hours ago, Old Boggy said: I`ve just looked out of my back window and pleased to see that my farmer friend has just this minute started drilling. Maize is going in, but is a relatively new crop around here and being used in anaerobic digesters for bio-fuel. I`ve never shot over it at drilling time, only harvest. I will obviously keep an eye out but have never previously seen much left on the surface.This particular farmer has all very modern equipment so the drill is very efficient, but I will look to the headlands for any spillage. What success have others had on this crop when drilled ? Many thanks, OB Never done a lot of good on freshly drilled maize , the pigeons I had shot could have been eaten what was in the previous crop rather than any spilled maize . Worth keeping your eye on it when its a few inches above ground , I have always done better on a maize game cover strip , rather than a whole field of commercial crop , have you found the same ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted April 26, 2018 Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 you could have some good shooting ,with the crows on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted April 26, 2018 Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 Drillings going on near our workshop, not had chance to find out what is being seen yet, but one unshootable field was littered with pigeons, even whilst the sprayer was in the same field. This time of year I love a good corvus challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted April 27, 2018 Report Share Posted April 27, 2018 i went out yesterday on the wheat, that went in on tuesday had 13 crows and one pigeon.out again saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted April 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2018 On 24 April 2018 at 09:30, Old Boggy said: I`ve just looked out of my back window and pleased to see that my farmer friend has just this minute started drilling. Maize is going in, but is a relatively new crop around here and being used in anaerobic digesters for bio-fuel. I`ve never shot over it at drilling time, only harvest. I will obviously keep an eye out but have never previously seen much left on the surface.This particular farmer has all very modern equipment so the drill is very efficient, but I will look to the headlands for any spillage. What success have others had on this crop when drilled ? Many thanks, OB Have kept an eye on the drilled maize field at all times of the day for the last few days and nowt but a very few crows in evidence. However, part of the field is on a reasonably strong flightline so was wondering if I set up immediately under the flightline (does vary with differing wind conditions and sometimes on a broad front) whether they would decoy, as the decoys would show up well on the drilling. Might be a complete waste of time but at least it would get me out for a couple of hours after what seems a long few of weeks inactivity with the gun. Some will say follow the flightline to where they ARE feeding but this appears to be well off my immediate shooting area. Probably need a brisk wind to get them flying lower. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted April 27, 2018 Report Share Posted April 27, 2018 For the majority of us we are now entering the quietest time of the year when it comes to shooting pigeons , so anything ( within reason ) is worth trying , as already reported , drilled Maize is not the best of drillings for pigeon shooting , although that's not to say you cant shoot pigeons off , if you have got a large tree where a few pigeons like spending a bit of time on the boundary hedge then with the right wind conditions and a good spread of decoys you might get a bit of sport , you can also try the same method on drilled sugar beet , at least your decoys stand out and its not to bad sitting about in the weather conditions , well worth trying and like you say , it get you out for a couple of hours . GOOD LUCK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted April 27, 2018 Report Share Posted April 27, 2018 it does not take long for us all to start climbing the wall's when we cannot get out , what with the weather , and people who only have weekend's to shoot but as said above , grabbing any amount of time in the field is better than nothing at all, just got to keep cruising around to find that little something it's out there some where , I will make a sacrifice to the pigeon god , for the future he's hoping . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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