daz2202 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 Guy's I have had permission to shoot massive orchards and have been for the last couple of years but never to any great success. Always just a few birds with rabbit a plenty. As the other permission i have is all rape, at the moment the orchard seems my best place. However there is always plenty of pigeon but they dont seem to decoy well or if i just walk round they see / hear me well before i am near. The orchard circumference is a shade over 14miles so could be a massive playground for me if only i could get it right. I have exhausted my field craft knowlege now and i am not doing as well as i would have liked. So... Does anyone have large apple and plum orchards to shoot and how do you get on? And does anyone have any new ideas which i could test out? Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1979 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 am no expert..but av you tried a lofted deecoy well above tree level..then they can see it 4 miles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 In my area, the main problem in decoying orchards, is that the pigeons are rarely feeding there, but just resting/digesting. I have had some success in decoying the perimeters, where a larger headland has been left and the birds are on clover, but there are usually far more productive areas to shoot, so I don't persevere with the orchards. You need to persuade your Farmer to crub them out and plant some nice peas, linseed, maize, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 (edited) . Edited September 22, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) . Edited September 22, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Charlies like all sorts of ripe fruits, have you lamped down the rows at night to see if any are around looking for windfalls Edited June 17, 2009 by pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEINVISIBLESCARECROW Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 If it was me I'd try & locate a fav' tree or area they use. It's an orchard to you, just a bit of woodland to others. Why are the birds there ? Food or just hanging about ? Flight line in or out ? One side close to a "food" field ? I'd just go for an idle walk about & take note. Do it often enough & you'll start to read the signs. Pigeon or corvids don't eat apples so what clues are there to the why question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted June 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Well, I have had 3 evenings this week up there, walked miles and enjoyed every minute of it as always (so does the dog). Seen hundreds, shot a few. they seem to just be sitting on the floor in the many isles of trees. I reckon they do use the area as a bit of a safe haven / cover. Still getting plenty of rabbits, but just prefer shooting flying grey things. There has always been fave sitty trees and there are many flight lines into the woods. I will carry on going up there untill the crop fields are ready for me to return. I love the walk and the challenge and the hound thinks 2-3 hour walks sniffing out the rabbits is heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEINVISIBLESCARECROW Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 You have cracked it. No desperation, enjoy your time there & a few for the pot is a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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