ochre Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 On those occasions when a bird is toppled but not killed outright, how do people dispatch their birds swiftly and humanely? I tend to break the neck with a flick of the wrist, rotating the body about a fixed point but sometimes the inevitable happens and one is left with a head alone. I have heard of people using priests (metal rods) or a solid stick. Would appreciate your advice on less gory methods than 'wringing'. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffs-Shooter Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 Twist/spin but stop on the point that you feel the neck break. Bit of an art but comes with experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupidsalmon Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 yeh a good, reliable way, that i always use is to put your thumb and forefinger under the wings, from the back of the bird. Then squeeze which immediately collapses the lungs and the bird will pretty much straight away die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 Dispatching pliers,just like round nose pliers break the neck and instantly kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB REYNOLDS UK Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 Twist/spin on the pigeons but crows it dont work as they have a fair neck on them it has to be nocked on the head i use my pliers that i use to crush and brake the pigeon and crows wings with for the pigeon flapper or a small metal bar i also have .i also find its best to take your gun out the hide with you when your going to pick up as some birds can and do leg it down the field and all you can hear is your mate laffing at you as you chase it around the field :( its funny how i can never find the bar when its my mates turn to pick up the birds B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High velocity Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 On those occasions when a bird is toppled but not killed outright, how do people dispatch their birds swiftly and humanely? I tend to break the neck with a flick of the wrist, rotating the body about a fixed point but sometimes the inevitable happens and one is left with a head alone. I have heard of people using priests (metal rods) or a solid stick. Would appreciate your advice on less gory methods than 'wringing'. Thanks. I always take my air rifle with me mainly for that job. then you dont have to get out of your hide. Not that im lazy or anything. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn9914 Posted August 14, 2005 Report Share Posted August 14, 2005 i use a 10 inch cold chisel plenty of weight and cost £1.65 from builders merchant, one swift knock on the head and the bird is dead straight away and no mess shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 14, 2005 Report Share Posted August 14, 2005 HV....thats a good idea as you also don`t disturb any flightline and it`s fast,however it`s also more weight to carry to the hide :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossandjet Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 A fishing priest will do the job just as good and is not as heavy, but hey, make your own. Get a 9" piece of broom handle drill out one end and glue in a steel bolt with the head cut off to add weight. done I use mine for all game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted September 4, 2005 Report Share Posted September 4, 2005 (edited) Tried all the twist and pull techniques. The easiest by far is a priest.Grab the bird over the wings with one hand, tilt it down toward your boots so only the head is visible then bring the priest down smartly on it's head with your other hand.Works every time and is humane and a lot less messy to the inexperienced. I use the same horn priest i use for dispatching trout in pretty much the same way, other than the trout are more horizontal. Edited January 29, 2009 by Whitebridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ochre Posted September 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2005 Just ordered a priest. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted September 4, 2005 Report Share Posted September 4, 2005 Dont show my girlfriend this post !!! Caught a nice whopper pike the other day and wanted it for cooking She sugested i Bash it with my Bishop!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invector Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 You`re going to need glasses!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussex lad Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 I always take my .223 just in case a downed pigeon needs dispatching i find it quick ,clean and great fun :yp: Cheers, Brian.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Pigeons, break the neck, have pull the head of too if done to hard. Crows 1, Fro the lively runner, I carry my 410, light and easy to carry when you are running back and fwd to a hide or over drills. It give me a chance to use it or my son. Crows 2, for those in their last legs, I put my hands firmly around the bird approching from the back, so wings and legs are tight to the body. I alway set out a large stone, raise my hand towards my chest and strick it quickly on the rock. Works as well as a preist. Can be messy at times but does finish the bird of quickly. What I have found recently is that where I am shooting if a bird hit in flight land in another field, you can't get to it. (Different farm, hedges, wire etc). If you need the hedge for a back drop this can be a prob without a dog, which I don't have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 hold by the head and give the bird a good old 'whip', its own body weight will brake the neck.......however.... be aware,as it does abit of practice to get it right :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 hit them on the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Put your thumb behind their head and your index finger under their throat and squeeze.Effectively you strangle them. They will flap initially but expire in a few seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Put your thumb behind their head and your index finger under their throat and squeeze.Effectively you strangle them. They will flap initially but expire in a few seconds. thats the way i do it seems to work ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P03 Posted September 14, 2005 Report Share Posted September 14, 2005 Get a 4" piece of 3/4 " copper pipe put the pipe along the back of the birds head clasp your hand round the pipe and head give one quick squeeze and the brain is crushed. It's quick, it's clean, it works for all birds and a woman could do it. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGJON Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 I have posted about this before... So sorry to those who have read it. I use the foregrip of my o/u shotgun as a priest... It's always with you so saves carrying extra kit and the end is metal so you won't damage your gun. You guys using auto's might have a problem doing this though :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maori Haz Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 I always carry around a high power air pistol with me so that any extra vermin in te trees near me saves a cartridge and also its quick and humane. I use the ratbuster air pistol but its ur choice :( Haz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham20g Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 I usualy skin mine as I have problem's with the wing fether's if anyone has a tip on that part it would be welcome. some time's u need to pluck um for presentation on the table for them fussy ******'s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 I usualy skin mine as I have problem's with the wing fether's if anyone has a tip on that part it would be welcome. some time's u need to pluck um for presentation on the table for them fussy ******'s I wouldn't really class that as a humane way of killing wounded birds Graham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 skinned alive :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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