Shooting Feral Pigeons

[history 70]

Hi I am sure this has been discussed many times, so bear with me, as I am usually posting on the lurcher section.

Whats the law on shooting feral pigeons in somebody's garden with air rifle.

[David.evans 5,323]

If there in the trees mate I wouldn't , you have to be certain that the pellet does not leave your premises,

 

Your in deep shit if some ones reports you

Apart from plinking with a good back stop , I wouldn't shoot any thing in the garden imo

Atb

[walshie 2,804]

Take a look at the General Licence. You can't shoot them just because you want to or because they are a nuisance.

[jok 3,256]

Walshie. A feral pigeon does not land in trees. (I know I know you didn't say that.) Thing is ferals will only alight in or on buildings or on arable land to feed. So, Presumably in your case it is the latter.If it ain't then they are either collared doves or woodpigeon. My brother in law WOULD take exception to you shooting his racing pigeons. As to a pellet leaving your property, Someones having a laugh.

[Spence75 18]

Walshie. A feral pigeon does not land in trees. (I know I know you didn't say that.) Thing is ferals will only alight in or on buildings or on arable land to feed. So, Presumably in your case it is the latter.If it ain't then they are either collared doves or woodpigeon. My brother in law WOULD take exception to you shooting his racing pigeons. As to a pellet leaving your property, Someones having a laugh.

Ive seen feral pigeons landing in tree's and fielding with woodies, I also race pigeons.

[David.evans 5,323]

Feral pigeons do land in trees , well they do round hear anyway !

And a pellet leaving your garden , is a no no , so who's having a laugh ?

[Spence75 18]

http://basc.org.uk/airgunning/advice/basc-air-rifle-code-of-practice/

 

The link above should help.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Spence75

[j316 119]

You can't shoot ringed birds even if they are ferrel theyvstill belong to someone this information was given to me by pigeon fedoration

[jok 3,256]

j316/ Try telling that to all the inner council pest control people who are tasked with getting rid of pigeons. Naturally flock birds, can you honestly tell me that they, or any other shooter would or could see a ring. In all the years Iv'e been shooting, and a lot has been on pigeon, Iv'e never seen ferals mixing with wood pigeon. Yes in the same field but not intermingled. This by the way not as an argument but as an observation.

[jok 3,256]

Just as an aside. How the hell do you stop a pellet leaving your property?? If you miss your shot , how do you stop the pellet. Doesn't make sense to me.

[walshie 2,804]

I used to have ferals and woodies intermingling at my last place i lived. And you stop the pellet leaving your property by making sure there is a safe backstop.

[jok 3,256]

WELL Walshie. Kind of agree but struggling just a little. I've this mental picture of a feral pigeon in a tree (which I kn ow ain't gonna happen) with a backstop of What?? Your telling me that you are shooting from the ground at a target that is in the air? Come on mate that isn't going to happen. Even on the barracks range, shooting at up to 400 ,mts we have a man made mountain as a backstop. I remember the RO screeching 'Who the fckk is that shooting when a round went way too high. So a pellet at a pigeon just doesn't cut it.

[walshie 2,804]

I wouldn't shoot anything out of a tree in a suburban garden.

[jok 3,256]

Kind of goes back to the original question, What's the law on shooting feral pigeon in someones garden ? Suburbia or elsewhere?

[walshie 2,804]

Kind of goes back to the original question, What's the law on shooting feral pigeon in someones garden ? Suburbia or elsewhere?

 

The answer is in the link spence put up above - i.e the general licence. If you can prove it's for crop protection or to prevent disease, to protect or preserve flora and fauna, or for health and safety, AND you ensure the pellet doesn't leave your boundary, (by using suitable backstops), AND you have permission to shoot there, then yes.