how do i set up dead birds?

[keeper sam]

Hi guys ive just strated decoying properly and i was told that adding dead birds to the pattern helps bring more birds in, and was just wondering how i was to do it? ive been told to use cheap wooden kebab sticks which didn't work as well as i hoped. is there any other way which works well?

Thanks,

Sam.

[weejase]

Hi mate, I usually just press their beaks Into the dirt

 

jase.

[keeper sam]

thanks alot im decoying tomorrow and shall give that a try

cheers,

Sam.

[ziplex]

If you're decoying on stubble, prop their heads up on the stubble itself. The kebab sticks should work though, are you pressing them up into the birds head first?

[keeper sam]

what i was told was to have 3 sticks 2 for the wings and one to prop the head up but the pigeon just tended to fall off the sticks in the wind which seemed to put the incomming pigeons off which isn't good.

[keeper sam]

is there another way then?

Edited August 3, 2009 by keeper sam

[Tis1979]

is there another way then?

Hey mate, I wouldn't bother with the wings simply push the sharp end of the kebab stick into the pigeons head just behind the beak from underneath untill it is lodged inside and poke the other end of the stick into the ground proping the head up don't have to many birds with the head up though as this can alarm new birds coming into the pattern, Also take some of the decoys in as you but fresh shot birds out so as not to croud the pattern. If you want to do something with a dead bird with its wings out make or buy a floater.

 

Kind regards Tis

[mossy835]

you can buy some v sticks, or some craddles.

[keeper sam]

Ohhhh ok thanks very much. how many dead birds would you add to the excisting pattern?

i'll give all these suggestions a bash tomorrow over cut barly so thanks.

Sam.

 

Any other suggestions will be much appreciated thanks.

[mikee]

i often lay a few with their wings stretched out showing the white wing bars, set them facing into the wind as normal

 

mikee

[originam hunter]

Ohhhh ok thanks very much. how many dead birds would you add to the excisting pattern?

i'll give all these suggestions a bash tomorrow over cut barly so thanks.

Sam.

 

Any other suggestions will be much appreciated thanks.

 

 

you dont realy need anything to spred the wings just open the wings and lay them on the the ground that will show the wing bars up and the ground will stop the wings coming back as for how many to start off i would use about 15 - 20 dead birds

[samw]

you dont realy need anything to spred the wings just open the wings and lay them on the the ground that will show the wing bars up and the ground will stop the wings coming back as for how many to start off i would use about 15 - 20 dead birds

 

 

i would get your self a floater because movement is always a good thing to have

Edited August 3, 2009 by samw

[mikee]

i would say set as many deeks as you can get, even if you start with just 2 as you kill a few more just set them out, dont run out each time you shoot 1 wait until you have a few, i still tidy round and set dead birds out and turn over belly up birds even when ive got 50 or more, just always make sure there is a big opening in the pattern for them to pitch into

 

mikee

[keeper sam]

ok thanx alot. so the more dead birds and decoys in my pattern will work better i take it thanx alot for all the replys will help me alot.

thanks,

Sam.

[pmiddy]

The best way i find is if you have any woods on your permissions go prepared with a saw or a knife and look around for hazel sticks . When you found some there will be off shot stems they look like y;s and cut off about an inch off the two top branches ( this is where you stick the head ) and below keep about five inches and put a point on this end to stick into the ground . they look like home made catapults but hey apart from the time it takes to get them and do them its only your time so as its not costing you anything . I have twenty in my holdall ready to exchange over with my deeks and they dont fall over in gales

 

hope this helps .................pmiddy

[keeper sam]

ohh ok, would it work with some stiff green metal wire the same shape as you said? it might save me a bitt of time this way or is it best the way you suggested?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Sam.

[keeper sam]

If anyone has any other way of doing it please let me know it will be very useful.

Thanks,

Sam.

Edited August 3, 2009 by keeper sam

[pmiddy]

hi sam it would work with the steel rods ( how thick is it ) why im asking as with the ground is drying out and with the wire it might bend when you put pressure on it as with the hazels i dont seem to have a problem sometimes you might blunten the point but thats when the knife comes in handy

 

cheers..................pmiddy

[keeper sam]

I was just thinking of that just after you said its stong stuff but i don't think it is that strong, i'll give what u said a try tomorrow thank you.

thanx,

Sam.

[Robalex]

Hey mate, I wouldn't bother with the wings simply push the sharp end of the kebab stick into the pigeons head just behind the beak from underneath untill it is lodged inside and poke the other end of the stick into the ground proping the head up don't have to many birds with the head up though as this can alarm new birds coming into the pattern, Also take some of the decoys in as you but fresh shot birds out so as not to croud the pattern. If you want to do something with a dead bird with its wings out make or buy a floater.

 

Kind regards Tis

Kebab sticks are a good option for stubble if set up as described above. The Bar-B-Q summer has not arrived and many of the large stores are selling off the kebab sticks cheaply. I bought a packet last Autumn and still have lots. These were Tala bamboo skewers from Texas Homebase or B&Q. The skewers are 24cm/9" long and are light in weight, taking up little room in your kitbag. In standing crops the skewers are useless, being too short. Wire cradles will raise the dead birds to where incomers can see them but sometimes need to be extended to ensure this. Another option is to use fibreglass rods around 3'0" long which you can insert into the dead bird at the vent pushing it through the body and into the skull cavity. Push the free end into the ground and let the wings hang. Always set the decoys 'head into the wind' but not in a regimented way ie. some at an angle and at different spacings between, to give a more natural look. There is general agreement that some movement in the pattern is beneficial. This can be achieved by using some of the mechanical or electrical devices which are available. A good selection is offered by the site sponser although the pigeon floater offered by Greenhunter on this forum is hard to beat. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Rob.

[rattzzz]

Hi i use push bike spokes

[kezzy]

I use hazel sticks cut about 20inches longpush through vent up into skull cavity sharpen both ends first. use what nature provides all good field craft and free

[soontjen]

try about 5 or 6 dead birds . one at the front with wings spread around tip's almost touching put the other's in a line going away from the angel at the front one or 2 with a simple 2 foot rod straight through the bird and the broken wings hanging .. you'll be suprised ...i found this work's 8 out of 10 time's with only 5 or 6 dead bird's

[KFC]

I just use twigs from the hedgerow. Push the thin end into the gullet and the thick end into the ground. I have the majority of the birds head-down (pecking). They are set out in a 'U' shape and grow it to a 'W' as dead birds are added. I only have 6-10 to start with usually.

I always make sure that the two back ones are heads up so they look like sentries.

 

My shells are getting a bit shiny now so birds I have shot previously get breasted out and the carcass placed in the freezer. These are used to start off on the next trip out.

[chrispti]

I just place them on the ground. If its stubble then I open the beak and push onto a piece of stubble.

 

If the crops are a bit longer then I use cradles

http://www.ukshootwarehouse.com/shop/PIGEO...rd+Cradles.html