MAJ Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 One of my farmers has asked me to reduce the numbers of Collared doves around his property. The biggest problem is they tend to stick around the farm buildings, and he isn't too keen on me shooting in the farm yard itself. Has anyone tried to decoy them, or does anyone know of a method to lure them away from the buildings?. I often get the odd one or two while I'm on the pigeon, but I'm really looking for bigger bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 Like you ,I have had them flying around, when I have been shooting pigeons. The only time I felt they were seriously coming in to my decoys, was on wheat stubble. The farmyard seems the best bet. Can,t you use an air rifle ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 I've heard of someone having success by painting (matt paint) some smaller pigeon decoys collared dove colour and hoisting them into a tree by the farm buildings to get the doves in. Not tried it myself. Doves are really good to eat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 Had quite a few come into the deacs. when shooting on rape stubble in a field next to the farm buildings once but very few when further away from the farm.Think the airgun is the best bet for them and the ferals. :what: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flightline Posted January 4, 2003 Report Share Posted January 4, 2003 Maj, I have almost exactly this problem with ferals/collared doves and woodies around farm outbuildings. The difference is the landowner and farm manager are very keen for me to shoot at the steading, but I`m not, as it`s too near a road and some houses. I`m still working out what to do! An airgun is a good idea. Another suggestion is to spread grain at some distance from the farm building and set up a few decoys on it. I have been able to decoy a few away from the farm itself as long as they are disturbed and forced to move.You could also go with another shooter to keep the birds in the air and stop them settling on the farm buildings, though that might just send the lot into the next county. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted January 4, 2003 Report Share Posted January 4, 2003 If you could get hold of a garden gun (very light, small calibre shotgun), this could be used in around the buildings with great effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elma Fud Posted January 4, 2003 Report Share Posted January 4, 2003 Hammergun is correct The garden gun (9mm shotgun) is also good on rats. Only problem is the price of the catridges £10 for 50 Good luck :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted January 4, 2003 Report Share Posted January 4, 2003 Never used a 9mm,how does it compare to a .410 ? :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 I had one 30 years ago, when they were referred to as "garden guns". The theoretical attraction, was that they were a "shotgun" that could be used in or near buildings, without causing any structural damage. I am sure the cartridges have improved since then, but I found mine almost useless. It was incapable of killing anything of any size, like a rat or a dove, unless you were within a few feet of it. The .410 is a much more potent weapon. I bought the "garden gun" for shooting flying CLOSE range sparrows and doves in feed sheds and grain stores at a local farm. I found it more effective to wait until they landed and then shoot them with an air rifle. I had a heck of a job getting rid of mine, I think everyone else knew they were not much good, except me. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdowns hunter Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 Am I correct in saying that you did not need a licence for a garden gun in those days and that was the main attraction I remember seeing one in our local gun shop and it was there for years (that was about 1969) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 I don,t recall the licence situation on the "garden gun". I already had my 10 shilling gun licence, that I purchased from the Post Office, so I was covered anyway. The paper case actually disintegrated when the cartridge was fired. I always thought IT was more lethal, than the shot load. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstopper Posted January 5, 2003 Report Share Posted January 5, 2003 We used to have a load of doves that used hang about on the barn roofs. We just used to sit up the barn opposite about 40yards, and just your air gun em. This was very effective must have got about 40+ over a couple of days. Though when decoying once i noticed the doves did come andland in the tree i was decoying from :thumbs: They are'nt too clever, so is'nt too tricky getting in range of them, they seem hang about round grasslands and cattle filled fields, but never seen they round crops much other from when they are shiiting on the grain in the barn. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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