JohnArmourer75 Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Please excuse my ignorance, can anyone tell me the best way to set up my manual pigeon flapper? It's a Sportplast pigeon decoy with flapping wings (manual cord pull). I got it yesterday from Uttings and hope to use it on Monday. Also can anyone recommend some good but cheap decoys? Cheers everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 you may need to break the wings before you mount the bird on it............put a picture up of it .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 I assume this has plastic wings and heavy nylon line through the body that pulled down flaps them. If so I use to mount mine about 18” off the ground using and adapted piece of copper pipe and rune a non stretch line to the hide. I put a strong tent peg in below the the decoy to get most effect when pulling the line. i used to site mine at the front of the landing zone so birds would follow it in. cant help on cheap decoys as mine are all home made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnArmourer75 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, Dave at kelton said: I assume this has plastic wings and heavy nylon line through the body that pulled down flaps them. If so I use to mount mine about 18” off the ground using and adapted piece of copper pipe and rune a non stretch line to the hide. I put a strong tent peg in below the the decoy to get most effect when pulling the line. i used to site mine at the front of the landing zone so birds would follow it in. cant help on cheap decoys as mine are all home made. Thanks for the reply Dave, yes it's a plastic one with nylon fishing line through it, stupidly I cut the nylon when I opened the box. Like you I plan to use it to bring them into the landing zone when I set it up at the front. 1 hour ago, ditchman said: you may need to break the wings before you mount the bird on it............put a picture up of it .. I will put a pic up, good Idea ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 i just had a look at uttings site they seem to cheap to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 just had another look £38 down to £15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
243deer Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 I found when using something similar that a spiral dog tether is the best thing to run the string through to change its direction as it dont move if you can get it in the ground - I also cobbled together a foot pedal - if you are brave you can heat the wings up and bend them so they pick up on the wind more - with a good wind and setting them at the right angle you can sometimes get enough movement not to bother pulling the string at all. You might need to just ease the slots the wings go in to as it makes the up and down movement easier, you can also attach some wheel balancing leads to balance the wings a bit - it all makes for more movement for less effort. I tried braid but it picks up a lot of crud and tangles easily - in the end I settled on the orange plastic builders twine as having not too much stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 are they plastic decoys with spinning wings the same as chris greens of west country films Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 just tarted up my old sportsplast, bin in the shed since 1066 , might give it a flap on sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 dont forget to put a pic up you know we like pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) I used this guy off ebay some time ago, his decoys are made of a car bumper type material and are very strong. Paint them yourself with tester pots from B&Q. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333652664090 You'll also need some yellow and some black Edited August 1, 2020 by Centrepin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnArmourer75 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 17 hours ago, dodgy dave said: dont forget to put a pic up you know we like pics So my plan is to put strong fishing line through the wing eyelets and then through the body of the decoy and out the hole in the bottom and attach it to the spring on the pole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 yea nice pic thanks hope it works out ok for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Split pin through hole in awful white pole, the spring will give you the action and return each time you pull the string. Decoy will sit in to hole at top of pole, beware, too rigorous a pull and it may well jump out! Takes practice to get it just right. I would paint the pole a better colour. Good luck, get out and practice with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 I believe that the wings in the plastic decoy pictured are supposed to be fixed and are not flexible enough to go on a flapper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Jdog, they are designed to flap about 40 degrees up and down on the pull of the string. All the parts should be in the package as sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 All as mine which is 30 years old. I would add a large sea fishing swivel to the fishing line when you Have put it through the lower body. Per my last post I used a piece of copper pipe half a metre or more long to get well up off the ground. With the tent peg immediately below the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnArmourer75 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 I love the idea of using copper pipe to set up the decoys, so easy and will blend in brilliantly. Every days a school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 put the sportsplast version amongst the enforcers today, used 30lb breaking strain I had spare which pulled ok , put it out at about 25 yds it flapped o k but I must admit it did looked strange standing about a foot above the rest , the first pigeon came without a care in the world so it couldn't have looked to bad, it did feel a bit ancient pulling that nylon , but that is what I used in the early days, but it did make me laugh , talk about tight lines , I thought that was in fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted August 8, 2020 Report Share Posted August 8, 2020 My advice is to bin it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted August 9, 2020 Report Share Posted August 9, 2020 10 hours ago, motty said: My advice is to bin it. Job's comforter springs to mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baikel man Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 Well i just shoved a fibreglass pole through mine and used it as a floater seemed to do the trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 I still have an original WAGBI/Semark dead bird flapper. I use sections of broom handle cut to various lengths to suit the crop. I then screw 'eyes' (as in hook and eye) into the pole to direct the line downwards and then a fishing 'snap' swivel. The line (white builders line) has a ring on the end which attaches to the swivel. 1 dead bird, break wings and place on framework. Spring paper clips attach the wings to the arms. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balotelli Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 The manual flapper is fine for traditionalists or as a labour of love but there are so many better options out there. Treat yourself to a Xmas present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 7 hours ago, Balotelli said: The manual flapper is fine for traditionalists or as a labour of love but there are so many better options out there. Treat yourself to a Xmas present. For once, I totally agree with you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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