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.
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の May 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の May 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside