Think like a pigeon to protect the crops

While food is abundant throughout May, vigilance and adaptability are key when it comes to managing the woodies

- Tom Payne

Pottering around my pigeon shed, I thought to myself what a joy it is managing these birds at this time of year. The months of April and May — and May in particular — can prove tricky when trying to build a bag because there is plenty of food available. This is an issue. It’s not a game changer, however; it just takes a little more skill and thinking ‘like a pigeon’ to get in the right position to drop a decent number.

Trees budding in spring can put the brakes on birds heading to any crops, but thankfully, a bit like last year, the buds came early and were over quickly. Therefore, as I loaded my kit in the back of the Land Rover, I was quietly excited about the afternoon’s shooting.

Not only was I excited because there had been a change in the weather, albeit only briefly according to the long-range weather forecasts, but also because I’ve had so few outings this year. I’ll say it again; these upcoming months are a glorious time to manage woodies, even though it is classically known as the most difficult period in the pigeon shooter’s year.

On the menu

At this time of the year, food is abundant. As everything greens up, recon becomes very difficult. There are so many green crops on the menu and lots of them are on the pigeons’ favourite list. One such preference, and a crop that is often overlooked, is the failed (or backwards) oilseed rape.

The pigeons’ behaviour is starting to change and, on those warmish afternoons, you will get birds heading out for a feed on those patchy bits. They are not easy to spot as they drop in, so you must remain vigilant. You will be surprised at what can get into the crop in quite a short space of time.