jamesspencer_2001 Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Whilst shooting over stubble last week we shot only 6 birds. There wernt many birds about but when i looked in the crops of the shot birds i found just beech nuts and there crops were completely full. Has anyone tried sitting under beech trees? Have you found this in your area? Thanx Gentlemen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Yes... Some of the finest Beech woods in Europe are on the escarpments of the Cotswolds. Woodies just love them.. I am infact shooting under a canopy of beech tomorrow and will let you know how I fair with it. Last year I shot 48 woodies in two days under the same canopy plus 3 tree rats and a crow. Fm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEREGRINE Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 I have observed them feeding on beech mast in my area, but havent had a chance to shoot them yet. :< they were in respectable numbers too maybe 300-400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Yep - last time I was out (about a week and a half ago) the crops were full of beech masts. I was shooting over stubble and they were coming into the decoys but I think they were really headed for the trees anyway - I was under beech trees. Piebob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Shuter Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Don't shoot them when they are eating acorns and the like, its not sporting, there are many young ones so just let them fatten up and you will get more sport in late winter and next spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Careful P.Shuter, I think we are protecting crops and guarding against the spread of diseases, not sports shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Quote, P Theobald 'We already have a voluntary closed season for pigeon; nobody is forced to shoot them if they do not want to!' Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdfish Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 If you feel confident that you can deal with the pigeons once they have seasoned and grown then go ahead P.S If we are really only there to control vermin, instead of spending our money on cartridges perhaps we should be ploughing our money into waays to eradicate birds in the nest. It is now not beyond the ken of man to introduce either contraceptives into the woody population or genetically engineer birds that can be released that will make the eggs too thick or thin. I shoot pigeons for sport and vermin control and help to the farmer are all very very nice side effects but not the only reason. If the farmer has potato blight or colorado beetle are you there on the fields every weekend or cold winter morning spraying pesticide on the land? Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled_cky Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 i dont know anyone with stubble.. either undersewn with grass or it has now been ploughed for Winter crops.. Crows/Pigeons never land on the crops anyway. Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 My comment was based on the fact that the Open Licence is granted for shooting wood pigeon, for the reasons I stated. Whilst I don't dispute the fact that they are probably the most sporting and testing bird you can shoot, I would hate any Landowner or DEFRA to get the idea pigeons should be classified as Sporting Birds and not only given a season, but probably end the opportunity for the free shooting most of us enjoy. It would not be beyond this Government to introduce a fee paying licence for people wishing to shoot vermin. Before you think it couldn't happen, there are serious considerations being given to a Sea Fishing licence of £22 per year, I predict this will be adopted within 2 years. The increase in Professional Pigeon Guides in the last ten years and Farmers selling Pigeon shooting for up to £50 per day (unescorted), makes me concerned that this is a growing trend. Most of us can still remember when Farmers gave us cartridges to shoot their pigeons, some shooters also got paid a small sum. Those days are long gone and I think free, unrestricted pigeon shooting may soon follow, if we are not careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flightline Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 I totally agree with you Cranners. There`s also the possibility of restrictions on rearing of game birds if fox hunting goes, which will have an effect. Some former driven shooters may move to pigeonning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 Sugar beet only at the moment, would they be coming on to that? I was going to be doing some shooting the week after next when I come home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdfish Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 Careful P.Shuter, I think we are protecting crops and guarding against the spread of diseases, not sports shooting. In what respet do you agree with Cranfield. This post or the other one? is everyone agreed that pheasants and partridges are a crop. Barleymore plants them and shooter reaps them. If I could get 50 quid a day over rape during the season the shooting would overshadow any monies made from the crop. If you want to control pests, and take them away from farmers fields, plant yoursd up to attract pigeon. You will make a fortune. jim 1500 quid a month during the summer, do the math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 The increase in Professional Pigeon Guides in the last ten years and Farmers selling Pigeon shooting for up to £50 per day (unescorted), makes me concerned that this is a growing trend. Most of us can still remember when Farmers gave us cartridges to shoot their pigeons, some shooters also got paid a small sum. Those days are long gone and I think free, unrestricted pigeon shooting may soon follow, if we are not careful. Never a truer word spoken by a venerable old Sage.... Like it or not the fact is for many pest control of Pigeons has become a Industry and a Sport. Crop Protection is a secondary consideration. Anybody who says that pest control is the primary thing on their mind when they reach for the deeks is quite frankly not telling the truth!! :blink: One of the local Farmers on whose land I shoot for is 91 and as far as he is concerned The WP is less of a pest these days than at any time in the past. He reckons the Birds Picking the heads out of his rape plants in Autumn actually helps thicken em up in the Spring. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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