Warlock Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 I currently have 5 shell decoys on springs and 4 full body uprights with legs, i am decoying on rape with not alot of wind on the field so getting hardly any movement. I know decoying on rape is tricky anyway but i dont think i am getting enough movement for the passing pigeons to take my pattern as they are just ignoring it and landing elsewhere field is approximately 500 metres by 800metres, i have tryed setting decoys then sitting 500 metres away and observing with a spotting scope to see if my hide is the problem but they still ignore my decoys even with no hide. Now the question is should i upgrade my current decoys with sillosock covers or should i get more decoys or should i get a magnet or is there an option D? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 I currently have 5 shell decoys on springs and 4 full body uprights with legs, i am decoying on rape with not alot of wind on the field so getting hardly any movement. I know decoying on rape is tricky anyway but i dont think i am getting enough movement for the passing pigeons to take my pattern as they are just ignoring it and landing elsewhere field is approximately 500 metres by 800metres, i have tryed setting decoys then sitting 500 metres away and observing with a spotting scope to see if my hide is the problem but they still ignore my decoys even with no hide.Now the question is should i upgrade my current decoys with sillosock covers or should i get more decoys or should i get a magnet or is there an option D? Set your deeks up on the new clover and buy one of these ready for the big bag of pigeons >>> click << Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 First of all, are you putting the deeks on the part of the field they are feeding on the most? There's two 50 acre rape fields on my permission and they will only feed on one patch about the size of a tennis court. If my decoys aren't on that srea they won't come to them. Ever. I really hoped that I wouldn't ever buy anything electronic for pigeon shooting as I thought I could get away without it, but after spending hours on calm days with motionless decoys I opted for a flapper with timer (about £50 from ukshootwharehouse) and it definitely helps on still days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK38 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hi Warlock, There are many things that could be wrong, or reasons that they prefer other parts of the field....... Try and observe the birds a bit more, they'll often favour a fairly small area of the field , it might be more sheltered or closer to there sitty tree or nearer the flightline. If you stiudy their habits , you should see a pattern develop.... where they cross the hedge , the direction they mainly approach from etc. Set your decoys under their flight line or near where they like to feed and give them the picture they'd expect to find..... make them feel comfy Make sure you stay still and cover your face and hands ( it's amazing how much they show up ) and stay below the top of the hide, only move when it's time to shoot, and pick a bird out of the group and stay on it. A flapper can work wonders if used carefully, as can bouncers.... just try to make a natural , tempting picture for the birds to come in to. Sillosocks get good reviews and maybe worth a go. I've never used a magnet , but i know some people swear by them.......... and some swear at them .... lot of money and more gear to lug around , i'd try the other alternatives first. Hope that helps a bit.... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 As mentioned, get a flapper. I also use two floaters/bouncers with dead birds attached. I usually place these well out into the field, either side of the decoys. The pigeons can see these from a distance and it brings them into the pattern. A few more decoys would help as well, plus, when you shoot the pigeons, put them out in the pattern as well. Hope this helps. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warlock Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I have them narrowed to 3 spots on the field, all 3 are on the flightline but in steps across the length of the field (if that makes sense). I wear camo gloves and a camo balaclava and the bit of skin around my eyes that is exposed i cover with camo paint. i did think it was me to start with which was why i observed from 500 metres away without setting a hide just the decoys but they just were not interested didn`t even deviate. I think the sillosock upgrade is a definate, but after reading about magnets, flappers & floater/bouncer, i still do not know what to go for, the magnet seems to give more movement but seems it could spook, the bouncer could be a problem as i don`t have much breeze to make them work, the flapper just doesn`t seem to rate as highly as the previous 2. Hmmmm what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I would get a few more shell decoys and a floater/bouncer or two. The floater/bouncer does not need much breeze to move and the spread wings certainly attract the birds attention. I use a rotary with hypa-flaps and believe this does bring the birds in , if only to have a look. If I find the birds spooking from it (1 in 100 trips average) , then I bring it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 In addition to everyones suggestions-have a look at the rape and see whereabouts it looks visibly hammered cos these places are a good place to set your deaks.Look for telltale bid droppings too under any trees or large shrubs as this could show an active flightline. I dont possess any bouncers,but what i do is get my deaks and then insert a 5ft long thin stick through the base then push this into ground at 45 degrees.Provided the stick isnt too thick-it will get just enough movement in light breeze to attract woodies,but make sure its strong enough so it dont snap.I tend to use ash because its strong yet flexible and they're growing everywhere here.It even fooled a Sparrowhawk today cos one swooped in on my pattern! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK38 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 (edited) Well you seem to have it ( and yourself ) pretty well covered ! ..... right then, have a closer look at how you lay out your pattern..... does it look natural ? .....don't make it to regimented and do give them a bit of space inbetween ..... if there is little or no wind, they won't all be facing the same direction .... Is your field surrounded by woods or in a hollow ?..... very rare to find no wind in a field..... If you are reasonably happy with the decoy pattern, then you could try hanging empty fertilizer sacks ,or the like , to stakes and place them in the other parts of the field were you don't want the birds to be..... it might make them uneasy enough to make your chosen area more attractive. Do your decoys have a shine ? if so it could be time for a repaint or sillsocks...... if you think there is not enough wind for a bouncer, then i would say you really need a flapper... the string operated ones used to be good, but now with remote and timer, and are much more usefull.... it would get you the movement you want . Failing that, you may need more guns shooting elsewhere to keep them moving. Even if you can't actually get the birds to commit and land, all you need is to be able to draw them close enough for a shot... Half the enjoyment is cracking the problem, and getting a few birds is a bonus... thats what makes Pigeon shooting so enjoyable. I'm only a little way up the road from you, and would be happy to have a session on the birds with you ..... Dave Edited February 13, 2009 by MK38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Magnet used right is all you will need seen to many people with magnets set wrong telling me birds do not come in right . real birds set at ninety degrees ,yes one wing pointing to the floor and the other pointing to the Sky with a few shell decoys about is all you need . IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warlock Posted February 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thankyou for the advice everyone, I have pretty much decided to go with a magnet, 2 bouncers, 10 sillosock covers to upgrade my existing 10 deeks and buy 2 flying deeks so i can either use the bouncers or the magnet, But if i get a couple of kills then i can use bouncers and magnet together if needed. plus i am going to buy 10 eezzy wobblers to give my existing deeks more movement. If this lot doesn`t cover me nothing will, i am planning to get the magnet last as i want to see how the other upgrades work first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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