Field Gear, Decoys & Gun Dog Accessories

A basic pigeon decoying setup starts with 12–20 shell or full-bodied pigeon decoys, arranged in a "U" or "J" pattern with the open end facing into the wind. Flocked decoys look more realistic than painted plastic, especially in wet conditions. Adding a few crow decoys on the edge of your pattern can add confidence to incoming pigeons. For more active setups, a rotary magnet or flapper decoy adds movement that attracts birds from a distance. You will also need camouflage netting for your hide and a selection of hide poles to support it.

The basics for starting gun dog training are a good-quality slip lead, a training whistle (Acme 210.5 or 211.5 are popular choices for spaniels and retrievers), and a couple of canvas or rubber training dummies. As your dog progresses, add a dummy launcher for longer retrieves, a set of scented dummies for game introduction, and a long check cord for steadiness training. Practical, hard-wearing equipment is important, gun dog gear needs to survive daily use in mud, water, and rough cover.

Lightweight two-tone or three-tone camo netting in green and brown works well for most pigeon hides across the UK seasons. A net roughly 3–4 metres long by 1.5 metres high is usually enough for a single-person hide. Avoid overly dark or military-pattern netting as it can look unnatural against hedgerows. Pair your netting with a set of telescopic hide poles to create a sturdy, freestanding structure that you can set up and break down quickly.

For lamping, you need a powerful handheld or gun-mounted spotlight with adjustable focus and a red or green filter option. Red and green light are less likely to spook quarry at close range. LED torches offering 500+ lumens are standard for effective lamping at practical distances. A gun-mounted torch with a pressure switch allows hands-free operation when shooting. For general field use, a rechargeable headtorch is invaluable for setting up decoys or navigating fields before dawn.