Rooks

[Farmerpalmer]

Any idea on how to tackle a rook problem.
I've just got a shoot with a large rookery.
Went yesterday and had a go, but they scarper as soon as they see the gun.
They left the land I was shooting over and went to an oak tree over in a public area.
They didn't return until they saw me put the gun back in my car.
So I got it out again and they were back, and they went back to the oak.

I tried crow decoys, minced beef, eggs, .... any other ideas ?

.. they are too ****** clever !

[bunnybasher]

I think you have half answered your own question, If they scarper when they see the gun then don't let them see it..... try shooting out of the landy or a hide .

[Alan S]

Any chance of getting them while they roost at night? Otherwise your camo and stealth may need a review.

[custarddog]

they are clever but not that clever

two people walk up with guns, one hides up the other walks back to the car and puts the gun away- and drives off site

stay very quiet and they soon come back -- they are not too good at counting!

[jkata]

I do quite a lot of rook and crow shooting on farms and have found them to be quite an interesting beastie to deal with.

My best success over the last few months has been to literally sit and wait for them.

I enter the wood where they roost 20 to 30 minutes before they do, look at the lie of the land, light etc and then wait for them.

Even with very simply DPM kit, if you keep still and quiet you can take a dozen or so at a time.

Can be cold and boring for a while but when you see them coming in it soon warms up.

[Air Armed]

I find the best time to hit the rookerys hard is the first few weeks of May when all the branchers come out to stretch their wings and the adults are distracted too be ready for a sore neck the next day though!

[Gary C]

Hi Shaun
1. Hide set up before dawn
2. Leave it for a week
3. Go and get in it and wait
4. Make sure when you shoot one it falls out of the tree

Very satisfying when it goes right. Long day when they can see you..

[Backache]

Normally when I'm out roost shooting pigeons I manage to catch quite a few out because they tend to come in when its getting dark and making a din, good for me bad for them. I'd probably get a lot more if I built a hide

Nev

[Farmerpalmer]

4. Make sure when you shoot one it falls out of the tree

Very satisfying when it goes right. Long day when they can see you..

... tell me about it