basics for pigeon shooting

[jdkreps 0]

Will shortly be starting pigeon shooting for the 1st time, just wonderd what you guys see as the basics needed to start and have a good day with, ie number and types of decoys, nets and the likes

 

cheers james

[fozzy41 9]

Hello James.

 

Get yourself some cammo netting from an army stores, some straight pieces of hazel branch and some shell or full bodied decoys, start with about a dozen and if you can go to it money wise, a flapper. This will be the cheapest way to start out and the best thing is, it all works as well as having all the expensive stuff like a pigeon magnet, proper hide poles and those felt deeks.

I`ve used this set up for over 20+ years and it works as good as owt else.

Even better is when your farm has cut his crop, Get some bales together, round or square, put them up against a wall, or the middle of the field and put the cammo netting over the top of the bales to create a screen from incoming birds. Make sure if possible to set up under or as near as possible to a flight line.

Start by creating a funnel or horse shoe shape for the birds to fly into with the deeks facing slightly into the wind, but not regimental style, with the flapper in the middle as if it`s just coming in to land. When you get pigeons flying within sight of the group of deeks, give the flapper 1 pull on the string, (do not overdo the flapping) as this can and will put birds off from coming in. When you get birds coming in, wait for them to commit to landing before getting up and shooting. This is the best time to shoot as they are consentrating on landing and not looking round, but as soon as they land they will look around before feeding. When you start getting some on the floor, put these out with their wings open. Try altering your deeks according to weather changes and you will find out what works best at different times.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Fozzy

Edited August 11, 2010 by fozzy41

[shotgunny 39]

Hi mate some great advice there fozzy

 

another bit I would add is observation.

 

This is so vitaly important to watch for flight lines and feeding patterns etc

 

atb

 

sg

[Terryorr 27]

Hi pal, I have just started shooting pigeons too and I find the more decoys you put out the better results, if you have only a few decoys, add all the shot birds to your pattern. I find it is important if you use a net for a hide it must be tight and not flapping about in the wind. When you see birds coming in to your decoys you must be still and if they are going to land they will spread their wings and hover and then you know they are within range. Good Luck