Scotsman Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Guys, I’ve been reading these forums for several weeks now and already taken in masses of information – so cheers for that already After shooting rifles for the last 10 years or so, I’m just starting pigeon shooting at the request of a local farmer. I’ve had reasonable success just by going for a walk with the dog, shooting 3 or 4 pigeon and then using these as decoys to pull in a few more. Unfortunately this tactic means I waste a couple of hours getting the first few. So, today I got down to the local gunsmiths and bought a dozen “SportPlast” shell decoys. Here comes the stupid question – they come with a plastic stake; the end of which has a hook moulded into it – what is this for? The hooks go straight through the decoys holes and can only serve to make the decoys less realistic. Cheers in advance for any help The Scotsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 If they're close enough to see the "hook" you refer to, they're close enough to kill - you can shoot them flying you know - you don't have top wait until they land..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotsman Posted October 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 eh, good point :*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 I have seen those decoy pegs and often wondered about the hook (hopefully someone will tell us what its for). But, Double H is right though, it won't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesspencer_2001 Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 The hook is there if it is windy so that if the wind gets under the deeks it wont blow them over. The Birds dont see em and they are rather annoying but the thought was there and the hook doesnt matter that much. We were out the other day in a fair wind and the ones with the hooks snapped off didnt fall over. Dont lose any sleep over it but if you want to keep the palm of your hand i suggest the use of a dibber that you would normally use for planting bulbs in the garden. Hope thats of help Spenner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I always thought the hook was to hang the decoy on a branch, as in lofting. the top of the peg fits quite tightly into the decoy so I cant see the hook helping it to stay on, they just got on my nerves so I snapped them all off and I just wear a pair of leather gloves when I'm setting up, (to protect my sensitive skin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Vermin is right. Not many people loft nowadays so its relatively unknown. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotsman Posted October 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Ah, that makes sense. Judging by today’s bag, the little plastic pits don’t seem to worry the birds too much Cheers :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryhawk Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 There is a way that the peg goes through the decoy, in such a way that when used on light windy days the decoy sort of wobbles giving it a bit of movement and life. Experiment with it before chopping the plastic hooks off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Harry hawk, your spot on there mate. The next time you go out which should be a fairly windy day for good pigeon movement, place the decoy onto the hook put dont push it right down untill it locks into place, when the wind blows the decoys starts to peck the ground. I do this with every other decoy,and you will see a difference if you try this, even when birds land in sitty trees this extra movement can pull them out into your pattern even when they have had a chance to sit there and check out your deeks. It wasnt untill I got back into my hide and looked into my pattern to see one of my shell deeks pecking away, and as soon as I had seen this I do it with 50% of the pattern. I dont have any full bodys so I'm not sure if this works on them but it does with shells. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesspencer_2001 Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Some have spri ngs so resting is not the option but on the shell decoys the stick provided is spring less and you have to rest but dont try this in windy weather or theyll be off and that wont do your chances any good. Spenner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I agree that you need the movement, I have trimmed the top of some of the pegs so that they rock, if very windy I just don't use those 6 pegs. The main reason I cut the hooks off is because they kept bending when I pushed them in the ground ( it can be hard round these parts) and a few just snapped anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.