Pigeons at night advice please.

[GruffaloGriff 1,858]

There are a few derelict buildings in barley stubble fields around my house. During the day there are 100's of pigeons either in the fields picking up barley or sunning themselves on the roofs of the derelict barns.

 

I assumed the barns would be full of roosting pigeons at night so couple of nights ago i took my lads out equipped with a torch and the s410 & 2 full mags (and ever hopeful a handful of pellets in my pocket too) thinking we could fill a bag. First barn only 2 pigeons and they flew as soon as the lamp hit them so didn't even get a shot in.

 

Second barn 2 pigeons, dropped the one but the 2nd took flight and flew straight at the lamp and out the door.

 

First i had expected a lot more pigeons roosting and second i thought they would be a lot more docile at night.

 

I went a couple hrs after dark, should i go later? I used a low beam on my gun lamp and no filter but like i said they seemed to fly straight at that, should i use a different light?

 

Where did i go wrong? Advice Please!

[robwelsh 354]

I don't know where u went wrong..but I would try some sort of filter and go later at night. Everynight will be hit or miss, you can't have everything like, pot luck. The vids on YouTube etc don't help when u see people blasting them left right an centre lol better luck next time

[walshie 2,804]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought lamping pigeons was illegal, unless they are ferals.

[RatSniper 19]

Yeh, only feral pigeons can be shot under the lamp in buildings. And if there eating barley i would imagine there woodies...

[Phantom 631]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought lamping pigeons was illegal, unless they are ferals.

 

You are 100% correct

 

You can only lamp Ferral Pigeons "Inside" buildings

 

I see RatSniper beat me to it

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

i was going to say use a dull beam (but you already done that) and you wont get as many fliers.

maybe wait an extra hour or 2 next time before you go.

 

could be a case of they are there all day then go someplace else to roost/nest at night.. like under a motorway bridge or something..

[RatSniper 19]

Sorry only by 1 minute

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

but yeah if there woodys they will be roosting in woodland and you cant lamp them.

silhouette shooting on the otherhand.. is that illegal??

[Phantom 631]

Roost/Sill shooting is fine As long as your not creating the Sill's by someone shining a lamp behind them

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

even say 3 hours after it gets dark,.. or 4 hours or 5??

 

what about using an illuminated reticle, is that going too far?! lol

[GruffaloGriff 1,858]

Nope definitely not woodie's they are a lot smaller. Either feral pigeons or rock doves don't know how you tell them apart.

 

Not much in the way of woodland and definitely no motorway bridges for them to roost under on an offshore Scottish island.

 

Maybe try again later another night and experiment with a filter, it would be nice to have more than one pigeon in my pie!

 

Thanks for the tips.

[Buster321c 1,010]

Get back on your own side TT

[GruffaloGriff 1,858]

They are feral, hope that put everyone's mind at rest, thanks for the concern.

[The one 8,469]

If they where roosting in a barn the should be ferals anyway mate ,shoot away

[j j m 6,537]

try a filter for the ferrals bud once they see a few of there mates drop they start moving on