Pigeon addict Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 Hi, I’m aware this topic has been discussed many times before but I’m still struggling to secure new ground. My permissions to date have been through farming contacts; however, I’ve been after new farms in the hopes that I might have pigeon shooting accessible throughout the year on a variety of crops. ive done my recon and have no trouble finding fields with pigeons on, I then inform the farmer of a pigeon problem on his field but every answer I get is the same (“we already have someone who shoots the pigeons”). I’ve asked numerous farmers but have had no luck so far. It seems as if every square inch of arable land is fiercely guarded by the pigeon shooter. I’m not sure I’d be wrong in saying it’s “dead man’s shoes”! I just feel as if I’m running out of options in my area; we don’t have a huge amount of arable that needs protecting from pigeons. Perhaps I need to look in other counties..... If anyone can give me some advice on how they have successfully secured pigeon shooting ground, that would be hugely appreciated? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) I know of people who happily pay to shoot pigeons, just like they pay to shoot pheasants, go wildfowling or stalking. The world is changing these are the same people who pay to have their car washed or for somebody to walk their dog Edited April 6, 2021 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 maybe your location would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggy74 Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 offer the farmer a card anyway and say you are available for one off invitations when drilling or the regular guy cant make it or even to be at the other end of the land to keep the pigeons moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon addict Posted April 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 2 hours ago, Vince Green said: I know of people who happily pay to shoot pigeons, just like they pay to shoot pheasants, go wildfowling or stalking. The world is changing these are the same people who pay to have their car washed or for somebody to walk their dog You’re so right. It’s definitely changed the game for the worse. I think the idea of crop protection and respect for the woodie is lost through guided pigeon shooting. 2 hours ago, billytheghillie said: maybe your location would help. Dorset 40 minutes ago, eggy74 said: offer the farmer a card anyway and say you are available for one off invitations when drilling or the regular guy cant make it or even to be at the other end of the land to keep the pigeons moving. Good idea! I will look at getting some cards printed. Only thing is the regular always brings his mate no doubt to sit at the other end of the farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 pigeon shooting is like sex beg steal or borrow for it but never pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 I got a lot of my permissions due to helping farmers with unpaid work ie welding up broken gates and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 12 hours ago, Pigeon addict said: I’m aware this topic has been discussed many times before but I’m still struggling to secure new ground. My permissions to date have been through farming contacts; however, I’ve been after new farms in the hopes that I might have pigeon shooting accessible throughout the year on a variety of crops. ive done my recon and have no trouble finding fields with pigeons on, I then inform the farmer of a pigeon problem on his field but every answer I get is the same (“we already have someone who shoots the pigeons”). I’ve asked numerous farmers but have had no luck so far. It seems as if every square inch of arable land is fiercely guarded by the pigeon shooter. I’m not sure I’d be wrong in saying it’s “dead man’s shoes”! I just feel as if I’m running out of options in my area; we don’t have a huge amount of arable that needs protecting from pigeons. Perhaps I need to look in other counties.....If anyone can give me some advice on how they have successfully secured pigeon shooting ground, that would be hugely appreciated? Thanks in advance. Please remember that the Farmer is being honourable and telling you he already has someone. Hopefully you may find somewhere, but attempting to get an established shooter to step aside for you is not the way. Persistence is the key and you say you have had permissions, how did you lose those, or are you just after more ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 What you dont know is how often the farmer gets asked. You might be the third this year already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 11 minutes ago, Vince Green said: What you dont know is how often the farmer gets asked. You might be the third this year already More likely the third this week! Door knocking folk wanting shooting irritate all my farming friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 20 hours ago, clangerman said: pigeon shooting is like sex beg steal or borrow for it but never pay And sex is like a bank account, once you make a withdrawal you lose interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon addict Posted April 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 11 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Please remember that the Farmer is being honourable and telling you he already has someone. Hopefully you may find somewhere, but attempting to get an established shooter to step aside for you is not the way. Persistence is the key and you say you have had permissions, how did you lose those, or are you just after more ground? I agree. As I said my current permissions are through farming contacts that I have and yes I still have them. I’m after new ground to give me the chance to shoot pigeons year round. At the moment my permissions are mixed farms that grow wholecrop winter cereals and grass. 10 hours ago, London Best said: More likely the third this week! Door knocking folk wanting shooting irritate all my farming friends. You’re probably right! if your farming friends are irritated by door knocking; how do they suggest us shooting folk go about asking for permission? I only ask when I see a pigeon problem so it’s not like I ask for the sake of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 Pigeon Addict, you have possibly just answered your question. All your current permissions are through your farming contacts. So are mine. Make contacts first and shooting becomes a much smaller problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 modern farmers are not like the old boys many think crop loss is no big deal but what they don’t know is if you have a pigeon shooter everyone can see your the smartest farmer in the village but if all you have is fat pigeons they can also see your a fool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon addict Posted April 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 1 hour ago, clangerman said: modern farmers are not like the old boys many think crop loss is no big deal but what they don’t know is if you have a pigeon shooter everyone can see your the smartest farmer in the village but if all you have is fat pigeons they can also see your a fool Damn right. I spoke to a young farmer about hundreds of pigeons on his spring drill. The funny thing was the farm yard was next to this field and he was completely nonchalant about the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 31 minutes ago, Pigeon addict said: Damn right. I spoke to a young farmer about hundreds of pigeons on his spring drill. The funny thing was the farm yard was next to this field and he was completely nonchalant about the issue. i look at it this way when shooting i’m pushing them onto the farms that say no if they wish to pay for the pigeons food bill fine by me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted April 8, 2021 Report Share Posted April 8, 2021 When I used to look for permissions I would bypass the farmer and seek out the farm manager who is normally that much more approachable , you can have a yarn with him and just ask permission to keep pigeons off that one field , if you do a good job then other fields on the farm will come your way . On the larger estates I would find out who the head keeper is , he would be the one you would have to get the go ahead from even if the farm manager think it would be alright , if you live near the estate you can offer your services to the keeper by giving him a hand when and if required , this might be helping to put up a rearing / release pen , or putting your name down if required on a shoot day , even if you went straight to the estate owner he would go down to the estate manager who would then put you in touch with the head keeper who is in charge of most if not all of the vermin control . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 On 07/04/2021 at 22:08, Pigeon addict said: Damn right. I spoke to a young farmer about hundreds of pigeons on his spring drill. The funny thing was the farm yard was next to this field and he was completely nonchalant about the issue. Or perhaps he is well aware that pigeons feeding on seeds on the top are not causing any damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 8 hours ago, old'un said: Or perhaps he is well aware that pigeons feeding on seeds on the top are not causing any damage. my secret bird loving farmer says that one they have now crossed the rd from the drill to his rape as i told him that would happen they are welcome to eat it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 18 minutes ago, clangerman said: my secret bird loving farmer says that one they have now crossed the rd from the drill to his rape as i told him that would happen they are welcome to eat it Well it kept them off his rape for a few days….I had a farmer tell me not to shoot pigeons on the corn stubbles whilst he still had standing corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVPC Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 I'm in the same boat pal. My area seems very well secured and syndicated. I have not given up yet though. I'm looking into joining the nppc if you want to look at that option. I'm also joining my local wildfowling club this coming season. The wildfowlers seem to be alot more willing to share knowledge and secrets from what I gather so far in my dealings with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontastic Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 On 12/04/2021 at 21:13, TVPC said: I'm in the same boat pal. My area seems very well secured and syndicated. I have not given up yet though. I'm looking into joining the nppc if you want to look at that option. I'm also joining my local wildfowling club this coming season. The wildfowlers seem to be alot more willing to share knowledge and secrets from what I gather so far in my dealings with them. Is it newcastle wildfowlers you are joining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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