Rooks attacking emerging Wheat

[DrWazzock]

Wheat just coming through and now rooks pulling shoots off and trying to dig the seed out. Drilled fairly deep and well covered and rolled by the Unidrill but still they attack it.

Is there an effective solution or is it a case of patrolling with a shotgun, set up some bangers and scarecrows etc?

In the past I have found them to be too clever and persistent.

I think I am learning why we never bothered with late drilled wheat in the past. An utter pain so far. Losing interest fast.

 

[Auckland Blue]

I am guessing the shotgun patrol, bangers, and scarecrow option are probably the best approach. String any dead rooks up that you shoot.

 

[davidroberts30]

any local guy/guys out of work that have their own sgc??
give em a few quid cash to patrol every couple of hours

 

[DrWazzock]

Thanks.

 

[BredRedHfd]

Had just the same problem. Was waiting on someone to run a circular along a hedge. Gave up waiting and got drilled up a month or so later than the rest. What a mistaka ta maka! Nice Sandy soil, deep sown and rolled well. . Fine one day. Next time I visited a week or so later, you would think 10,000 rats had dug their way across the field! No sign I had ever rolled it. Suppose that's the pre em fudged too. It has however just this last couple of days emerged fairly well, but trying to shoot a few to string up is proving very difficult. Canny things them Corvids....
Its true what they say, never be the first or last to drill in your area...

 

[yellowbelly]

String any dead rooks up that you shoot.

Make sure you hang them upside down with their wings flapping - they don't like that...

 

[v8willy]

We have that problem most years, only here there is plenty for them as everybody drills in around the same time. Not so bad this year as there is still plenty of growth so plants will grow on yet, have seen ours taking weeks to come through then just sit there.

They say if you rip them apart & scatter the bodies a bit they don't like it. If you go with a gun they will stay away till you clear off, was told they can't count so if 2 men go with guns & 1 comes back they think the coast is clear & come back, never tried that. My father reckoned they could smell the gun.

 

[milkloss]

If you’re really keen you could make up one of those big ladder traps.
Basc has plans I believe.

 

[Weare Cham]

If you’re really keen you could make up one of those big ladder traps.
Basc has plans I believe.

 

[jpd]

if its any consolation
they do the same here with w barley
they will travel down a line and pull up the shoot to get at the seed.
capable of doing severe damage
guns ,bangers,dog walkers around headlands help
but you need to be on yer toes to move bangers etc
in order to minimise damage
only brought in banger today
i think the crop is out of danger now

 

[Wombat]

Here as fast as you go out one gate they are back in behind you, or they hop up into some trees on the headland and back before you are 100m away

 

[bobk]

90% are jackdaws , plenty of folks willing to shoot them . just ask .

 

[M-J-G]

Has the field been in grass lately, if I see crows or rooks leather-jackets spring to mind.

 

[DrWazzock]

It hasn't been grass. They are working their way along the rows of seed as the shoots come through. Not major yet but it could be if I don't do something.

Yes. We are the only ones round here drilling late. Great for blackgrass control etc but something had to get it!

I'd be happy to sit there with the gun if there wasn't so much else to do, like pointless digital tax meetings.

Oh well, at least if you do what you can you feel better.

 

[glasshouse]

It hasn't been grass. They are working their way along the rows of seed as the shoots come through. Not major yet but it could be if I don't do something.

Yes. We are the only ones round here drilling late. Great for blackgrass control etc but something had to get it!

I'd be happy to sit there with the gun if there wasn't so much else to do, like pointless digital tax meetings.

Oh well, at least if you do what you can you feel better.

Get some waste barley from the drier shed and dump it on the headland
Let them fill up on that.

 

[ollie989898]

There are utterly no end of people wanting land to shoot over in the UK. Get on pigeon forums, insist on BASC membership and insurance, give them a farm map and text them if you see birds in a field.

I had an acquaintance of mine going all over Somerset doing prescriptive shooting. It worked well, he would sit there all day if needed. Shoot 60 or 70 of them and they soon find somewhere else to go.

 

[bobk]

There are utterly no end of people wanting land to shoot over in the UK. Get on pigeon forums, insist on BASC membership and insurance, give them a farm map and text them if you see birds in a field.

I had an acquaintance of mine going all over Somerset doing prescriptive shooting. It worked well, he would sit there all day if needed. Shoot 60 or 70 of them and they soon find somewhere else to go.

There's loads of shooters but not many are committed or much cop , had a chap from @Clive who was really nice but came when he felt like it sadly

I've now had Dave for 4 years , thanks to @jack6480 , he's the bizz .

 

[DrWazzock]

There's loads of shooters but not many are committed or much cop , had a chap from @Clive who was really nice but came when he felt like it sadly

I've now had Dave for 4 years , thanks to @jack6480 , he's the bizz .

People like shooting at weekends. The rooks work all week. I'll have a go myself but it takes time to set up etc.

Do people use rifles or is it just shotguns?

 

[bobk]

People like shooting at weekends. The rooks work all week. I'll have a go myself but it takes time to set up etc.

Do people use rifles or is it just shotguns?

Shotguns , wouldn't have rifles , I was lucky finding a proper country man .

 

[ollie989898]

Find older guys who are retired or part retired would be my advice.

Offering them cartridges paid from your own pocket also keeps them keen.