Cosd Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 So now the snow is on the ground, what's out there to shoot, and what are the habits we should expect in this sort of weather? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 If it stays for 2-3 days keep an eye on cabbadge ,sprout & rape feilds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 If it stays for 2-3 days keep an eye on cabbadge ,sprout & rape feilds What about very young rape? 3 - 4 inches high? This is what we have on my friends shoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 The pigeons order of preference for feeding in our area at this time of year is: 1. Fresh drillings 2. Wheat, Barley & Bean stubbles. 3. Acorns & Beechmast 4. Rape Only when they have exhausted the supply of 1 - 3 will they turn their attention to 4, it's that simple. As it looks like there's virtually no acorns or beechmast about this year, I predict they'll soon be on the rape. Other parts of the Country have different crop routines, nobody grows Kale or Brussels in our area any more. The snow won't last long, and it's odds on that we'll get another mild (and probably wet) Winter. I have decoyed Pigeons under snowy conditions but they're not ideal as the snow seems to blind the birds and they can't see the deeks. Keep looking out for flighting birds, then follow the flight line, odds on in our area they're mainly on the stubbles. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thanks catamong Brilliant, so when we started shooting last year and everyone was talking about the big bags they had on rape, we only had barley. This year the farmer drills rape and barley the pigeons change their diet preference Since the rape is a few inches high and the barley is just coming through, it sounds like we have a long wait on our hands before we see any decent shooting there!! ps, the shoot is in Cambridge by the way..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Short rape is fine to shoot over when the birds want it after all other food source's are depleted. barley isnt going to be any good until pre harvest time when the seed head is formed and the seed has a milky texture to it, in preferably laid patches . Went out on wheat drill again today 10am to 2 pm, picked up 66 birds with a little better than 2 for one shot ratio, same farm as saturday where over 200 were taken over 3 guns , again today between 4 guns in excess of 200. Still has some drilling to do so hopefully weather permiting will be out again this weekend , might even try and get my butt in gear to get out nice and early for poll position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Just got the final numbers in for a correction to the above shot figures , 300 plus saturday , 500 plus today , must get up and out ealier ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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