miroku man Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Does occasional pigeon shooting over a variety of crops over a large area really disturb the game birds ? or is this a myth propagated by keepers to make thier job easier knowing that there is no one about? I have never met a pigeon man who is ignorant of gamekeeping and would knowingly shoot where a drive was expected the next day or so after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 they could dissturb the birds and that is the last thing you want , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Gamekeepers who lie will use any excuse why they have lost birds (usually through being ignorant or lazy) but pheasants are not disturbed by pigeon shooting in fact many will visit to see what’s going on. Partridges are another matter altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Sorry Highlander bit I have to disagree. Several weeks ago I was approaching one of our release pens in the afternoon when I heard 3 shots quite close. The birds were certainly stirred up. A few more shots soon followed, and some birds burst out of the pen, just what you don't want. Ian and I decided to go and find the shooters. We eventually located them tucked into some standing maize, 2 men were shooting a pigeon and crows. It transpired that the men were one of the tennant farmers and a friend. I explained the close proximity to our pen (40 metres), and the problems that their shots were causing. I requested that they move at least 300 yardsaway, which they did with no further disturbance to the birds. Its a question of common sence. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Webber, OK I'll concede that shooting near a release pen with young poults in shouldn't be done but once those birds start to wander around outside the pens they become curious and don't take any notice of shooting...if they did they'd walk the funny walk right off the shoot every Saturday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 if you have gas guns going off in fields near pens then shooting next to them will not bother the phesants i have done this a few times with birds running about my feet so it does not always cause problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Does occasional pigeon shooting over a variety of crops over a large area really disturb the game birds ? or is this a myth propagated by keepers to make thier job easier knowing that there is no one about? I have never met a pigeon man who is ignorant of gamekeeping and would knowingly shoot where a drive was expected the next day or so after. its a bit of both really yes birds may get disturbed but for me its what else comes with pigeon shooting its the guys picking shot birds or moving around to get to where they wont to be at the end of the day if after a pigeon shooter has been on and the days driven or what ever is done does not go well its the gamekeeper who looks bad . we have a rule on the shoot only pigeon shooting to be done on rape in the season and there must not be any shooting 3 days before and 3 days after a shoot ,so not to disturb before and to give the birds time to settle again . We also no that the guys shooting will keep away where possible from the cover strips and the flight ponds . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 There's a small pheasant set up near me. There were a fair few pheasants wondering around, and didn't mind the shots at all. In fact over the course of the day they came nearer the hide, nibbling away on the stubble Wouldn't do it when the shoots start mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 I've actually had a pair of phesents come and sit metres away, just staring at me when pigeon shooting Though I agree its not a good idea to be shooting right next to a release pen as I'm sure most birds won't react that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I tend to think that it can sometimes disturb them; however in most cases it just helps to get them used to shots. I agree with highlander about partridges though, any disturbance makes them very skittish.... I complain enough about all the tractors and farm work which mills them about. Especially ploughing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Yesterday,i watched 8-9 pheasants comming towards me during a lull in shooting and they didnt appear to be too concerned about me. Not clear i know,but you can just about make out them. And a hen bird was especially curious about my rotary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Do you guys ask or tell the keeper before you go shooting ? Or is it the farmer/landowner you ask ? Once the pheasants are out ,I dont even let my syndicate members shoot anywhere except the extreme boundaries! If anyone does shoot where they shouldnt be, they go home with their boll**ks in a bag !! They may be a bit stupid this time of year but once they have had a spaniel up their rrrs a few times.Its only one shot and they have gone !!! Drive knackered!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I've got to agree, after a few driven days, pheasants learn the sounds of gunshots and become very skitish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 spot on nipper, its the pigeon shooters trying to defend their entertainment. If your job relies on game shooting then you are going to get the hump about people shooting anywhere near woods and covers where you've got birds down. Shooting does disrupt them and if you do enough they will move onto land thats not shot. All it means is be sensible once the birds are down we only shoot if there is a specific problem and then not near woods and cover crops. It isn't in the prime shooting time anyway as you get a go straight after harvest and then we leave them till roosting after the season and then as the crops really pick up in the spring to summer its good to have another go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 At this time of the year I spend most of my time dogging in. The stupid things don't need much of an excuse to walk of the estate as it is without some daft twerp shooting pigeons on the stubble !. Let them bide quietly with as little disturbance as possible. I can tolerate pigeon damage but not lost or jumpy birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 (edited) Totally agree Charlie T, Every day its dogging in for me as well. If I didn't I would have nothing left to shoot ! All it takes is someone walking a dog in the wrong place and they are off! If pigeons are doing damage to a crop,there are other ways to put them off at this time of year (not much crop just now anyway ?) Roost shooting and pigeons on stubble is "SPORT" not vermin control . And what few rabbits are left after MIXI and buzzards, I need for my walk up days. Edited September 28, 2009 by nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Totally agree Charlie T, Every day its dogging in for me as well. If I didn't I would have nothing left to shoot ! All it takes is someone walking a dog in the wrong place and they are off! It would be for me too, If I hadn't been made redundant. You know of any jobs going? - Cheecky to ask but what the hey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 It would be for me too, If I hadn't been made redundant. You know of any jobs going? - Cheecky to ask but what the hey! Dont know of any at the moment ? If I hear anything I will let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Do you guys ask or tell the keeper before you go shooting ?Or is it the farmer/landowner you ask ? Once the pheasants are out ,I dont even let my syndicate members shoot anywhere except the extreme boundaries! If anyone does shoot where they shouldnt be, they go home with their boll**ks in a bag !! They may be a bit stupid this time of year but once they have had a spaniel up their rrrs a few times.Its only one shot and they have gone !!! Drive knackered!!! I always phone the farmer the day before then pop round the gamekeepers on my way cos his house backs onto the land so when he hears gunshot-he knows its me.He's fine with me shooting because he knows i wont touch game and i dont go within 300yds of the pens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 It would be for me too, If I hadn't been made redundant. You know of any jobs going? - Cheecky to ask but what the hey! Nothing around here that I know of but I will keep my ear to the ground and let you know if anything turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 It would be for me too, If I hadn't been made redundant. You know of any jobs going? - Cheecky to ask but what the hey! i no of 2 jobs going 1 under and 1 head depends on what you have to offer in experance and willing to move ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku man Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Gee, Thanks for the great response to my question. It seems that it is pretty much ok, but only a good distance from the pens and drives/stands, but not within 300m or so, and with no dog etc. Not on partridge country, or late pm for roost shooting, as this is bedtime for game too during the game season. and not the day before a shoot either. Common sense. Thing with pigeon shooting is that you do move around every time you go, and often a long way, over completley diferent crops / locations. If I were a keeper, I would try to be accomadating towards pigeon shooters, so long as they have proper permission etc. because they maybe the game shooters of tomorrow, and mostly are very carefull not to interfere with your job of keeping game. Some keepers I know see thier role as countryside wardens and just dont want anyone around. I dont see how it can be healthy to discourage fellow shooters from enjoying thier chosen persuit too. Thanks again and happy shooting-- whatever the quarrie. Miroku man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) QUOTE, "I don't see how it can be healthy to discourage fellow shooters from enjoying their chosen pursuit too." You set up your decoys and get settled in . Then a couple of lads from the farm start a bit of clay shooting 2/3 hundred yards away from you !!! Your going to feel real healthy with them messing up your day enjoying their chosen pursuit ! If your planning to be the future game shooter ,you might try and find out a bit more about how hard it is to maintain a pheasant shoot in some of these areas. I 'm not saying don't go pigeon shooting, but speak to the keeper and he might just want you to go to a particular area to push the birds back with a bit of decoying on a tricky boundry or ditch the birds escape from . Edited October 8, 2009 by nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku man Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Yeah, The keepers i know. Were all good friends, so no problems with the things you mention Nipper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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