pigeon decoying

midlouth

Anybody out recently? What crops would pigeons be hitting in the next couple of weeks?

Can't wait to get back out again with the gun!

bunny shooter

Bit early yet I reckon? When the corn, barley etc is ripening is time enough, which is a few weeks away yet

Trojan911

They're cutting the grass here in West Cork the past few days like nobodys business. Making hay while the sun shines as they say.....

I going to pop out over the weekend to recce a few areas near me...

midlouth

Would you be expecting good bags this year, or what would be an average bag? I've been browsing some of the english forums and they talk of bags of over 70 being average!

I've only got the gun since last Aug so have really still the novice thing going on!

bunny shooter

Haven't shot pigeons for a few years, too busy working to stay ahead of recession , but last time I did a bit the numbers weren't great, seen average 20-30 per session (South Tipp)

deerhunter1

midlouth wrote: »

Anybody out recently? What crops would pigeons be hitting in the next couple of weeks?

Can't wait to get back out again with the gun!

any where you can book a good days shooting when the time comes

Trojan911

midlouth wrote: »

Would you be expecting good bags this year, or what would be an average bag? I've been browsing some of the english forums and they talk of bags of over 70 being average!

I've only got the gun since last Aug so have really still the novice thing going on!

Haven't been out myself either the last season, but bagged about 30 per shoot the season before...

foxshooter243

bunny shooter wrote: »

Bit early yet I reckon? When the corn, barley etc is ripening is time enough, which is a few weeks away yet

yep too early around these parts as we have loads of barley and wont be ready for shooting over till the end of summer when it ripens, you may get some decent flightline shooting in if you can identify flightlines to and fro from roosting sites- time to get out with the binocs;)

Callow Man

midlouth wrote: »

Anybody out recently? What crops would pigeons be hitting in the next couple of weeks?

Can't wait to get back out again with the gun!

They are very quite at the moment but were very busy 6 to 8 weeks ago when the seed had just being sown.

Dusty87

There is a farming looking for me to shoot over winter corn (or whatever ya call it) in the next few weeks. The heads are sprouted but still very green. I think he does cut it around july/august. Nothing around yet though bar the couple of pigeons that do be around all year.

elius

If you no any market gardeners there likely to be have trouble with them around now... I no we are nothing substantial though odd lad her and there. still enough to get a nice walk and bring the gun in this fine weather...

stevoman

I more or less gave up on the decoying. too much hassle looking for permission to shoot a 100 cartridges in the air and it doesnt seem to be the most popular of shooting sports in the country at the moment. I'l go if im asked or invited to a place with permission or if a farmer asks me but thats about it.

The fly rod is keeping me busy for the summers. Looking forward to getting the dog and guin out though for winter!

sniper83

too early yet around hear anyways, average bags last year were 30-40 but we did manage a couple of bags over da 100 mark..:) usually id notice them gathering in larger numbers by da end of june early july and start attacking soon after...

midlouth

What set up were you guys using? Would you just set up a rotator in a field of barley? Or would you use some decoys too? I can't imagine the decoys would be much use as the crops would be too well up.

Also what formations did you find the most use? We've mainly been using a horse shoe with the rotator directly behind it. Kind of hit and miss.

jwshooter

the humble pigeon is the best days sport you can get ,the oil seen rape when cut gives you the best chance .

there is a lot of it grown by me and there is thousands of pigeons in the area come late july.
i dont like to shoot them any earlier than then.

a few years back a grower next to me got a contract to grow peas and planted them next to the rape .
to say the skys were blue was a under statement.

i started one morning at 8.30am and finished at 7.30pm i had 3 flight lines coming to the tree i was under .
i was using a sliver pigeon 28" 30grm 6s .1/2 and 3/4 and a magnet.

i fired 710 shots for 420 picked up ,i had to get the leather sponge for cleaning the windows of the defender to put under my shirt in the afternoon.

another day a well know firearms dealer and i fired well over 800 shots from the one hide there was a lot of long shots that as we were trying to out do each other so the kill raito was not to high we were using full chokes and 30grm GB 6s which are a 5,1/2 there gave good kills at 60yds plus.

we started at 9am and gave up at 2pm .