Cranfield Posted September 26, 2002 Report Share Posted September 26, 2002 What was the best tip you were given ? It doesn,t matter how long ago, or how obvious it was, lets hear it. I was a lad just starting shooting (with a shotgun), I must have been about 11. I use to go with George, who was a farmworker and responsible for pigeon "scaring". He would spend a long time watching the fields and the birds, before deciding where we would set up. He always picked the best field. When I started to go on my own, I was too keen to get shooting and would set up in the most convenient place. It was never the best place and I always had to move eventually. This didn,t have to happen too many times for me to realise the good sense of reconnaisance. If its the only lesson I have ever learnt, its the best one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynemac Posted September 26, 2002 Report Share Posted September 26, 2002 I agree ,take time to study the birds,maybe the day before the shhot. If possible I try and creep up on the birds,(its very difficult) try and feed them the day before,(bread corn,) study how they feed and decoy the same(l shape v shape ) most of all stick at it? keep on shootin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 27, 2002 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Never had any good tips then ? Or just shy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 The best tip I was given,was to always walk the birds off twice! If the birds return,you can almost guarantee success! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 mmm tips i've had a few but the best i think is this:- Manchester United fans. Save money on expensive new kits by simply strapping a large fake ##### to your forehead. Your allegiance is now clear to all. hehe come on the whites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Sorry as they say "resistance is futile???spelin" but the best tip i've had is if in doubt don't pull the trigger and wait an "easyer" "better" bird will always show!!! not only do'es this tip work for vermin but......... all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Best tip...............laugh at any pigeon guide who asks for £100 for a days decoying, he thinks you're a mug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Best tip was from a rough old farm yakker in Yorkshire when I was looking across his 600 acre farm with my binoculars and seeing no pigeons at all. He said, "*** thee sen down t' pub lad, t'oad pigeons al' bi arund when t'weather changes. T' back end o' t' week 'l be y' best bet." He was right, a frost came at the weekend and there was pigeons all over his young rape. He saw me leaving the farm with a good few birds that weekend and commented on how right he had been in saying that woodpigeons change their feeding habits with the weather. I agree with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One shot wonder Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 The best tip i have ever had has to be to watch the pigeons don't just jump in and leave it down to luck. watch the pigeon watch were they are coming from watch were they are feeding and also walk them off and see where they go and how long it takes for them to return that is if they return. This tip has saved me a lot of moving about because if you dont watch the field then you might set up in a spot that they dont like but if you watch them you will know were to set up and when to set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted December 17, 2002 Report Share Posted December 17, 2002 Best tip...............laugh at any pigeon guide who asks for £100 for a days decoying, he thinks you're a mug.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted December 17, 2002 Report Share Posted December 17, 2002 Will, It would appear that I,ve caused you some offence? My point was made to reinforce my opinion that £100 + is too much for a days decoying.We charge far less, advertise 2 or 3 times a year, and still make a few quid.This site is NOT a place for guides for have spats or advertise, personally I've never taken a booking from ANYONE on here and don't need to,I think the same is true of Gary. Feel free to charge silly money if you wish, there are enough mugs out there, but please don't involve me. P.S.......should you think we're a cowboy outfit, check 'ShootingTimes' this Thursday........money is not everything. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted December 18, 2002 Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 Thank You. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdowns hunter Posted December 18, 2002 Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 Well from what I have read in the previous posts it seems to me that this site's days are numbered, If farmers are being paid £35 per day per gun There is not much chance of the ordinary guy getting any land to shoot on for free Once the word spreads they will all be wanting money for getting rid of their vermin :evil: :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 18, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 HH, a days pigeon shooting has been for sale, as long as I can remember. Early adverts in Shooting Times were £10 and £15 per day, placed by "sporting agencies". The same "agencies" that offered land on a, shoot anything/anytime basis, for a £100-150, a year/a gun. Whilst pigeon shooting is hard to find in some areas, the reason is rarely the presence of a professional Guiding business. There is plenty of room for everyone. Professionals and amateurs alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted December 18, 2002 Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 I expect this really depends whereabouts in the country you are. There are plenty of farmers in other areas only too happy to get rid of a few pigeons, and if you are successful, some will bring you some coffee out to the hide, and buy you a pint in the pub afterwards. The pigeon is still a pest and can do considerable damage. Anyway - aren't we losing the plot here a bit on these postings??? My best tip I can think of at the moment - I was told by an old farmer when talking about crows (and pigeons too I think). Two guns walk close together to a cover, then one stops off at the edge, and the other carries on away from the cover. If the two are close together, crows think they only notice a person coming up to the cover and then leaving. I have tried this technique and it seems to work as the crows seem to return when they see the other person leaving. (not tried it on pigeons). Perhaps it's a load of c**p but I'll keep on with it. Anyone use this method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 18, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 Hammergun, I,ve certainly heard that theory, but only for crows. I have never tried it because I don,t know anyone who wants to walk all the way across a field to my hide, with me, then walk all the way back again. My friends are much too lazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxman Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 I have found this forum extremely interesting Having been a member of HM Inspector inland revenue for the past 20 years I cant understand how I have not seen tax returns which state that farmers have been receiving cash for such services Thank you for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 19, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 William, that will make him wonder. :*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 Taxman I cant understand how I have not seen tax returns which state that farmers have been receiving cash for such services The reason is this farmers dont pay tax all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 Highdowns, all that sun must have got to you. Those moderators, they know so much........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdowns hunter Posted December 20, 2002 Report Share Posted December 20, 2002 Who Me as if I would You have to be careful what you post though as the whole world can see 8-) 8-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJ Posted December 20, 2002 Report Share Posted December 20, 2002 I was talking to an allotment holder today who hangs up old C.Ds on fishing line to keep the pigeons off his greens. Apparently they don't like the sunlight reflecting off them. When the time comes I might try this trick to stop them landing in adjoining fields, and hopefully keep them on the move. I reckon you should be able to get about 20 discs in the average pocket, and it's got to be easier than using old fertiliser bags. Happy Xmas everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 20, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2002 My friend did this for his allotment. Got loads of Freeserve CDs from PC World and AOL CDs from Tesco, Sainsbury etc. Not only do they keep the birds away, they look quite good, when the sun shines on them and they spin in the breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted December 20, 2002 Report Share Posted December 20, 2002 One of the farms we shoot at always use car hub caps and wheel trims dangling from poles in the rape fields. As the wind spins them in a sunny day ,the reflection and glare is very noticable and seems to be quite effective at keeping the pigeons away from that area.However they soon get used to them and just pick a part of the field where there are none.This helps us decide where to set up of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flightline Posted December 21, 2002 Report Share Posted December 21, 2002 MAJ Which CDs work best do you find? I`m having some success with Cliff`s Christmas selections at moderate volumes. Not only scares pigeons. Puts walkers off too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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