Pigeon Decoy Cover - How to Choose the Right One

Pigeon Decoy Cover - How to Choose the Right One

The right pigeon decoy cover can make the difference between success and failure when it comes to attracting woodpigeons into range.pigeon decoy cover Decoys play a huge part in the sport but the right set up is equally important. Decoys and a good hide are just the start of your setup; you’ll need to watch pigeon flight lines, analyse wind direction and place around a dozen pigeon decoys in a specific pattern so they flight directly into your target zone and range.

The best way to learn about pigeon behaviour is by spending time in the field and watching the birds.pigeon decoy cover This will help you to understand their habits, patterns and movements and what influences them. You’ll also need to consider the conditions you are shooting in, as these can change a lot over time.

As a basic guide for new shooters the idea is to keep about 400 metres clear downwind from your hide all day, although this will become smaller as you get to know your preferred decoy patterns better. If you have an area to work that is smaller than this, it may be possible to block off some of the surrounding field with bags on sticks or hedges to scare off pigeons and encourage them into your shooting area.

It is worth bearing in mind that pigeons are very intelligent and will quickly realise when they are faking it so you should not rely too much on flappers and whirlies for attracting them to your decoy pattern. They should be placed upwind of your hide so that the pigeons do not fly over them in getting to you. They will soon spook and be confused once they get close enough for a good look and realise they are fake.

If you do decide to use a flapper or whirlie for pigeon decoying it is often a good idea to use a remote control unit that can be operated from the hide so that you can control its operation. This will enable you to turn it on and off when required and will also mean that the speed of the wingbeats can be varied according to whether you are trying to attract pigeons or crows. Crows tend to flutter at a faster speed than pigeons so you might find that switching the speed can influence your results.

There is no substitute for good field craft and experience, so spend plenty of time in the fields to learn the nuances of how pigeons behave and where they like to land. This will give you a better understanding of how to approach your hide and decoy setups and will ultimately improve the chances of success.

Once you have the basics sorted, try different things to see what works for you. You’ll probably be surprised at how many little adjustments can make a big difference to your decoying and shooting. Good luck! This article was written by Phil Thring and originally appeared in the September 2017 issue of The Sporting Gun.

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