Topgunners Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 I was travelling around the countryside this week and the pesky pigeons have finally eaten ALL of the berries and nuts in england and are now hammering onto the rape. I was in oxfordshire and there were at least 1,500 on ONE field of rape and many smaller pockets elsewhere. Hundreds in gloucestershire and many hundreds in coventry and warwickshire. Can't wait to get on them tomorrow and ALL week-end. Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Shoooooooting ALL !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millo2 Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Could you send some to cumbria? Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topgunners Posted January 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hey Millo I'll send you some dead ones after tomorrow if you like. LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Its just started here too topgunners. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 I'll be on them near Warwick tomorrow with some luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topgunners Posted January 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hey vermin! Where in warwick do you shoot. I shoot warks and west mids and oxon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 (edited) Lucky you, top gunner.......the only thing hitting the rape in my area is the occasional flock of stragglers. Paul in North Lincs. Edited January 21, 2005 by Paul in North Lincs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 Went out today and got 2, not much on the rape around here yet awhile, let us know if you need a hand if you've massive blocks of rape to cover. Can be a right pain on your own sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 T G, I shoot around Hatton mostly, I shoot a couple of farms stretching from the five ways island to the waterman pub ish. was there today, got there at first light and immediately got a call so had to rush off home again, by the time I got back it was about 9.30 and I wanted to set up quickly so I chose a field with a predictable flight line (usually), by 12 noon I had 1 pigeon and was bored stiff so I packed up and went for a drive around. I went to another set of fields and saw a flock of around 200 feeding on the rape, a quick call to the farmer to let him know where I was setting up and I was off, I was set up by 1pm ish and had the first pigeon by 5 past, packed up at 3.30 with a bag of 28 so not a totally wasted day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topgunners Posted January 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Yo vermin dropper. I also shoot round hatton and many other areas. Between my mate and myself we have around 20,000 acres to cover and probably 5,000 are rape fields. Big job. Anyway, was out yesterday and today. Again I saw hundreds of them on friday and set up in the field with a dozen deeks and 3 hours on had shot 7 and beheld an amazing site i've not seen before. I had just shot a pigeon and it was twitching for a few seconds when all of a sudden from behind me in the trees a BIG BUZZARD swooped down and grabbed a PLASTIC half-shell deek and flew off with it ;only to drop it 20 yds past my pattern and flew on. (inconsiderate ***. I had to go and retrieve it as it landed belly up.) The only thing was all the hundreds that were there when i arrived had flew to the other side of the road onto one of my other farms . I packed up and moved onto the other rape fileds and they PROMPTLY flew back. So, today there were 6 of us who split up into 3 x hides and the most of them PROMPTLY flew off elsewhere!!!! DANG!!!!!!!! Try again tomorrow eh? If at first you don't suckseed then you know you ain't a pigeon. ***** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davhope Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 I was out and about yesterday didnt see a thing in my area,Drove to st andrews to visit a friend in the afternoon, saw hundreds,The Fife lads must be loving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 They are starting hit the fields in my are areas now, and are starting to flock up nicely. Had a couple a couple of hours at first light yesturday, as darkness lifted I clocked a flock of about 400 flitting around in a wood literally 150 yard from where I was hidden up.........with the odd one dropping in, and flying back. They woundnt buy the deeks though!!!!..................As soon as I packed up, and started to drive away, they started to come down in the masses...... I think it was maybe too early to go out, as gernerally my woody shooting is done in the afternoon; but it was hard frost, and I thought theyd be feeding early doors to warm up!.................. **** law or what!!..................... However.... I will be the victor next time!!!! Paul in North Lincs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 They are starting hit the fields in my are areas now, and are starting to flock up nicely. Not quite sure why you say "flock up nicely" Paul as the general opinion is that the shooting is more interesting when they don't flock up. A flock of 2 or 300 on a field is very exciting when you see it but 1 shot and 2 or 300 birds are gone, often not to return. Much more productive to a good days shooting is when they are in 2,s and 3,s and keep coming in at various times instead of arriving en masse and leaving the same way. That's my view anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 I like to see a fair sized bunch munching away with odd twos and threes arriving regularly from a good way off when I'm looking around for somewhere to set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 I agree with you ern. When they are flocked I let them go without a shot, even when I'm roost shooting if a flock comes in I will scare them off without a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 I don't like to see "big flocks" either. Most often, on white frost mornings, its worth waiting a while before going out. It seems that pigeons don't like their rape too crunchy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spuddie Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 still no big numbers down south may start to see some now its got colder. i was in perhtshire last week i saw a few big flocks until it snowed very heavy. like to know if any ones seen any large numbers down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millo2 Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 There were some largish flock when I was coming across the A69 from Cumbria on sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Yes gents..... I totally agree you..... 'obviously' we dont like to see the large flocks settling in one go, and getting spooked....and never to be seen again!!!............. However, ........it is 'nice' to see the birds hitting the fields again (from a shooters point of view) at long last........... and lets remeber, that from the formed 'flocks' come the pioneers, the 2's and 3's, and in turn, the distinguished flight lines. Paul in North Lincs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallinson Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Most if not all of the 3000+ pigeons have left from the woods behind my house, haven't a clue where they have gone to?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Pigeons showing up in good numbers everywhere on my patch too. The phone has been red hot for bookings so looks like I'll be back on taking clients out instead of spending all day packing pigeon magnets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallinson Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Pigeons showing up in good numbers everywhere on my patch too. The phone has been red hot for bookings so looks like I'll be back on taking clients out instead of spending all day packing pigeon magnets now where can i find a job like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk.enchance Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Hey Topgunner, I shoot near Kenilworth and I've also had an experience with a Buzzard. This one actually plucked and de-breasted a "dead decoy" 30 yards out from my hide. Lovley sight though, and didn't put the birds off for long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman56 Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 not alot of pigeons in taunton somerset went out in the woods yesterday and only shot 2 they have not gone on rape where are they all up your end i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ears Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 (edited) got lots of rape but no pigeons on it yet. saw 200 yesterday on rape walked em off and sat in the vehicle , they never returned. shot a few on ivy trees but a long drive for 18 pigeons. Edited February 6, 2005 by Ears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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