Harnser Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Had a look around the rape today and saw that the flower is starting to drop off and the pods are starting to form on the stalks . Was pleasently surprised to see a large flock of pigeons on the grazed areas of the rape at the bottom end of the field ,will have to have a go tomorrow . The pigeons will be on the lookout to get into the rape when the pods form and any laid parts of the fields knocked down by the weather should pay dividends . Although it can be difficult to pick up shot birds in the mass of mature rape . Setting up in the tramlines can be a good way to get to these birds that want to feed the mature rape . I only pick up the birds that i can properly mark down and it takes a bit off dicipline to wait and shoot them were they are close to you . Good hunting , Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Good tips Harnser. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Thanks! I like to accumulate tips. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) Nice easterly huff this week Harnser, should put a few long tall weak stems down. I hope you buck the trend when it's all in flower. May and June can be tough and getting harder with all these short, strong stems. We don't get the laid wheat and barley we used to. Edited May 11, 2009 by Whitebridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 whitebridges , I can clearly remember last years crop of rape on one field being knocked down by a heavy wind and downpour . It was a little later on in the season than we are at the moment ,but before the barley got milky and laid . My shooting buddy and me had some wonderful days on this field right up to harvest time . Bring back swathe cutting the rape . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Harnser, I can't remember the last time I saw someone swathing OSR. Our OSR down here is not as forward as yours, and the fact that we're growing a dwarf variety makes the prospect of any laid crops pretty dim. No barley this year either.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Harnser, I can't remember the last time I saw someone swathing OSR. Our OSR down here is not as forward as yours, and the fact that we're growing a dwarf variety makes the prospect of any laid crops pretty dim. No barley this year either.... I havent seen rape swathe cut for years ,but we live in hope Baldrick . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 The modern trend for spraying herbicide is much better for breeding birds even if its less good for shooting pigeons over. The BTO did some work on this a few years ago and found late nesting game , finches and bunting sometimes lost 100% of their nests in swathed rape fields while losses were very low or non existent when sprayed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigwallet Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 WELL SHOT THREE PIGEONS OVER RAPE LAST NITE COULDNT FIND OF THEM.REALLY ANNOYING BUT HAD BONUS ON WAY BACK TO FARM YARD SHOT TWO SQUIRRELS THATS FIVE I SHOT IN SAME OAK TREE MUST BE A GOOD TREE FAR DRAYS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tungsten Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Give up over the rape in my area as can't find a decent patch and when you can it adds another dimension to the shooting only hit em where you can find em!. Very few opportunities for spring drilling in these here parts as well so hang up the shoty for a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 The modern trend for spraying herbicide is much better for breeding birds even if its less good for shooting pigeons over. The BTO did some work on this a few years ago and found late nesting game , finches and bunting sometimes lost 100% of their nests in swathed rape fields while losses were very low or non existent when sprayed. A mighty strong reason not to swathe cut the rape . Nice to see you back again anser 2 . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseaDavid Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Harnser, I can't remember the last time I saw someone swathing OSR. Our OSR down here is not as forward as yours, and the fact that we're growing a dwarf variety makes the prospect of any laid crops pretty dim. No barley this year either.... The Farm I shoot on always Swathes his OSR and has done for the past 6 -7 years I have been shooting there and the farm next to his also swathes his rape. On the farm I work on we dont swathe our rape we just harvest it direct after spraying it off. There are still a few farmers out there who still use the swathers lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseaDavid Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Harnser, I can't remember the last time I saw someone swathing OSR. Our OSR down here is not as forward as yours, and the fact that we're growing a dwarf variety makes the prospect of any laid crops pretty dim. No barley this year either.... The Farm I shoot on always Swathes his OSR and has done for the past 6 -7 years I have been shooting there and the farm next to his also swathes his rape. On the farm I work on we dont swathe our rape we just harvest it direct after spraying it off. There are still a few farmers out there who still use the swathers lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turk101 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Sorry for my ignorance, when the rape is swathed cut is that when it's cut in rows and left before being collected? regards turk101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) It certainly is, have to say the late nesting birds bit surprises me as it only leaves the crop standing another week or so. What we find is once the sprayer has been through and it starts to die off then the birds start getting into the tramlines, leads to some fun shooting if you sit in them and ambush them Edited May 19, 2009 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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