That'll Be The Day
Sporting Gun|January 2020
Peter Theobald says local field knowledge is essential to make inroads into a troublesome pigeon population
Peter Theobald
That'll Be The Day

Last month’s article examined what it takes to be a successful decoyer, and, apart from the ability to hit pigeons with above-average accuracy, looked at the judgments we have to make to get the most out of any given day. But what I didn’t have room to include was how a good decoyer is constantly on the lookout for unusual situations, one that the average pigeon shooter might miss, but could lead to a big day.

I experienced such a day, just a few weeks ago. A local farmer had drilled a field of spring barley and it quickly became obvious that the crop would not amount to much, as weeds of every description soon smothered the few struggling barley plants. It was touch and go whether the crop was worth spending money on, or whether it would be ripped up and planted with something else.

Investigate

It was left till the autumn and as I drove past it on my regular reconnaissance trips I was thinking, “there’s no way he will be harvesting that crop”. Sure enough, on passing the field one day in September, I noticed it had been roughly diced. It was time to investigate. Despite the apparent blanket of weeds, there was the odd ear of barley; certainly, enough to attract the attention of any inquisitive woodies. The field has been very productive in the past, situated near a small town well-known for its resident population of pigeons.

Bu hikaye Sporting Gun dergisinin January 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Sporting Gun dergisinin January 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SPORTING GUN DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 dak  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 dak  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 dak  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2023