Shooting Pigeons With An Air Rifle Not Shotgun

[Kent_keith 46]

Has anyone had success with this kind hunting,

 

Static in a hide over crops as I've acquired a new permission and I haven't a shotgun licence

All of my hunting is on rabbits on grassland day or NV.

 

This is a great little permission and I would like to keep it.

 

All advice appreciated

 

Keith

[Kent_keith 46]

Hi Tim

 

This would be over crops at a local farm but as I said it's an excellent opportunity to fill the freezer up with something other than rabbit

[Kent_keith 46]

Point taken, I'm not sure yet, I know they do PYO and have a farm shop so I'll have to investigate a little further Saturday morning,

 

 

Keith

[RemyBolt 420]

I totally agree with decoying.

 

My favourite system is to be in a field with 2 large trees in the middle. I am a bit lazy and like to sit under a tree and rest my back up, then pop pigeons by decoys and the opposite tree. Having said that, I have had birds right above me before and I've been crapped on by one once...very embarassing! But I shot the bugger for it.

 

If you want to get a good bird count, be close to a wooded area, birds will use the trees above you to sit, but you can also enjoy the cover from the air. Then just sit and wait...and wait...

 

Either a head shot or a heart and lung, I'd recommend going for. You will want the cleanest shots possible. Also, it's worth looking at places near to a population centre. If you can be in fields pretty close to a small village, the birds tend to be less wary of people...and nicely fattened up by kids feeding them.

 

Last note, have a little bread spread by the decoys. It'll mean the birds you scare off by popping their friends, are more likely to come back for some more food. It makes the wait time between shots much smaller.

[Kent_keith 46]

Thank you for the reminder Tim, much appreciated

 

Keith

[darkdd81 36]

Good advice there Timmytree.

 

I've seen some of this guys post with his bags of pigeons on tbe aa owners forum. He knows what hes talking about.

 

Happy shooting.

[RobJ 10]

I'm a rare poster on here, but to be honest Tim, after hunting bunnies for 4 years my entre into pigeon shooting has been greatly influenced by your posts on here and other forums. To the point that taking the occasional pigeon is my staple now while the rabbits build their numbers on my small permission.

 

Operating within the few rules that we airgun hunters are obliged are, in my opinion, a privilidge. There are many countries that do not entertain what we do and while bitching about restrictions is commonplace, I give thanks every time I rock up to my permission for the fact it provides me with quality meat that other normal sources can never provide.

 

Keeping within those rules means I can continue with the knowledge that I'm not giving anything to the vast majority that would crush our sport at the first hint of indiscretion.

 

Fine if you live in the sticks maybe, but I'm self employed in the health industry and have to even keep my clients unaware that I even hunt anything.

 

All the best

Rob

[kenj 131]

I've decoyed with air rifles, always around a known feeding area such as an ivy bush. Often they won't come down to the decoys, but will land in the adjacent trees for a look-see. A windy day is usually good for some reason. It's a waiting game. Sometimes very frustrating. Best I had in two hours was five. These days, when out rabbiting with my Career 707, I'll take a break and sit in cover under a tree picking them off, when they come home to roost. Two's a bonus.

[mark williams 7,550]

Hi mate,

A little trick I have used for donkeys years is that pigeons like to flight into a sitty tree or decoys by flying into the wind to do it.

So whenever possible sit in cover with the breeze in your face, facing the sitty tree and the pigeons come in from behind you.

If you have ever noticed pigeons rarely "check out" where they came from first and by the time you have read to "here" my HW 100 and Mamba Lite are glued between the birds shoulder blades.

 

Atb,

[RemyBolt 420]

Thanks Tim

 

I had a farmer say to just chuck down some food, and didn't really put much thought into it.

 

Thank you for the input! Lesson well learned.

[RemyBolt 420]

After loads of searching online, it turns out it is not illegal to use bait to decoy. Providing you have evidence that the 'quarry' is behaving as a pest, e.g. damaging rape crops, then if you can decoy, you can bait-decoy. Same as with Corvids and using eggs, you can do the same with woodies...apparently.

 

I'll double check this, but this could have quite a profound meaning if it's correct. I'll contact a few organisations and double check.

[Darkie69 76]

I know I'm going slightly off track here and without checking (putting my neck on the block for a change) wouldn't it be the same rules apply to squirrel feeders when trying to get the greys?