Can you decoy pigeon on to open ground?

Pigeon shooting
PETER THEOBALD
I am not a fan of trying to decoy pigeons where they do not want to go, but there are occasions – oilseed rape being one of them – where birds will rest on a nearby field to digest their meal.

Only observation can identify that field, if it exists at all, but it is worth trying if that is your only chance of some sport.

For this tactic to work you will need plenty of decoys to create a convincing pattern.

Look closely and you will see that resting birds tend to sit very close together, as protection from predators, and you will need to keep the layout tidy.

Remember that you are trying to replicate a resting flock, as opposed to a feeding one, so everything should look calm and peaceful.