Rups Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Hello all. I'm new to pigeon decoying although I've been shooting game for a while. My problem is, what to do with all the dead pigeons? This isn't a problem when shooting pheasant as they are taken by the keeper, or duck when you may only get a brace but I have been a bit overwhelmed by how many it is possible to kill on a single day. I do not want to just throw them in a hedge for all the right reasons, but my freezer will only take so many! What do other people do? Should I find a local butcher? Any suggestions gratefully received. Rups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Hello all. I'm new to pigeon decoying although I've been shooting game for a while. My problem is, what to do with all the dead pigeons? This isn't a problem when shooting pheasant as they are taken by the keeper, or duck when you may only get a brace but I have been a bit overwhelmed by how many it is possible to kill on a single day. I do not want to just throw them in a hedge for all the right reasons, but my freezer will only take so many! What do other people do? Should I find a local butcher? Any suggestions gratefully received. Rups If you're close, I'll have them off you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Sell them-game dealers pay around 25p a bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchap Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 my nearest one pays 35p for a frozen bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rups Posted February 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Are these just ordinary butchers or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 they are specific game dealers - which side of London do you shoot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tis1979 Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Hello all. I'm new to pigeon decoying although I've been shooting game for a while. My problem is, what to do with all the dead pigeons? This isn't a problem when shooting pheasant as they are taken by the keeper, or duck when you may only get a brace but I have been a bit overwhelmed by how many it is possible to kill on a single day. I do not want to just throw them in a hedge for all the right reasons, but my freezer will only take so many! What do other people do? Should I find a local butcher? Any suggestions gratefully received. Rups if you know the keeper where you shoot during the season ask him he will no doubt be using a game dealer to sell his game and maybe pigeon he shoots over cut cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 You can reduce the room taken up in your freezer by just breasting the birds. I have never known anyone refuse the gift of some pigeon breasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rups Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 they are specific game dealers - which side of London do you shoot? Usually north. Up in Warwickshire mostly. Rugby area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Usually north. Up in Warwickshire mostly. Rugby area. That well known part of London :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willy1 Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 I didn't know Rugby was in London,must have moved it during the night Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) Westminster as reported on another thread. This really brings up the old discussion point of "where are you"? why people do not put it in the profile I do not know, it helps in many differing ways. If people ask for shooting, someone may offer if they knew you were near by. I know it cannot be policed as people can put "the Moon" as a location and without a super sophisticated system it will slip by. bakerboy ps it is only a little moan and not pointed at any one person Edited March 1, 2011 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 try this list... http://www.basc.org.uk/en/games-on/topnav/game-dealers--restaurants/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rups Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 try this list... http://www.basc.org.uk/en/games-on/topnav/game-dealers--restaurants/ That's very helpful, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Westminster as reported on another thread. This really brings up the old discussion point of "where are you"? why people do not put it in the profile I do not know, it helps in many differing ways. If people ask for shooting, someone may offer if they knew you were near by. I know it cannot be policed as people can put "the Moon" as a location and without a super sophisticated system it will slip by. bakerboy ps it is only a little moan and not pointed at any one person Im with you on this one, many a time Ive seen members without a location or with silly remarks, and thought if they cant be bothered to inc it, why should I bother leaving a reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaconBoy Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Usually north. Up in Warwickshire mostly. Rugby area. so thats why i can't shoot any round here....you had them all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifleman01 Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) I've always disposed of my surplus Wood Pigeons through a Game Dealer in a local large town, who pays me 50p per bird. He freezes them and once every couple of weeks a refrigerated lorry collects his entire stock, and that from many other Game Dealers and ships them over to Paris where they sell for a couple of quid each. At 50p a bird to me, it just about covers my ammo bills and transportation to the game dealer, although sometimes I trade them for other meat cuts. When I only have a small number to part with, they go to the Chef of a local pub that specialises in locally sourced food. It's quite surprising how popular Woodies are when they appear on the pub menu, lol. The Chef never has any left to go off, every one I supply is used that day. It helps if you can supply to either end user on a reasonably regular basis. They would like a regular supply rather than a dozen or two every six months. I'd certainly recommend you check with some of your local country 'Pubs' that provide food, maybe you can make a 'deal' as well. All you have to do is negociate a price per bird. You may get more per bird if your willing to dress and pluck them, but I wouldn't bank on that. It does certainly help though if you slit and empty the crop of its contents, especially if they have been feeding on 'Greens' Good luck, Harry Edited March 2, 2011 by Rifleman01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Most game dealers only pay 20-25p, you're getting a good rate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifleman01 Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) Hello Nick, I have been supplying the same company for nigh on forty years on and off. I tend to use a .22 'scoped' Weihrauch HW90k Air Rifle these days and take headshots only, so there is no damage elsewhere on the carcase. There's nothing worse than spitting out an ounce or more of lead when eating any bird, game or otherwise. That's appreciated by the Game Dealer and no doubt the customers who eventually purchase the birds. I decoy using a low level hide and shoot from the prone position using a silenced weapon. If I miss, sometimes I can get in a second shot, whereas, with a 12 bore you scare the **** out of every pigeon within hearing range. I decoy at no more than 25 yards range using Shell decoys on spring loaded sticks, so in a breeze they nod quite convincingly. I also loft two or three full body decoys into the trees under which I shoot. I don't get many birds landing up there, (until evening) but it seems to give confidence to hungry pigeons coming into feed, that it's safe to land. Dead birds are added to the decoys periodically. It works for me. Please feel free to try it yourself. Harry Edited March 2, 2011 by Rifleman01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rups Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Thanks Rifleman, really helpful reply. Rups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratsmasher Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 you can charge more that a butcher if you sell them to the elderly only prob is they have to be oven ready and you will have to grin and bear the odd story about ration book britain ( no disrespect to any older users) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) Garretts at Flore will buy them, they are about 30 mins south of Rugby. Edited March 2, 2011 by ColinF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majordisorder Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Usually north. Up in Warwickshire mostly. Rugby area. Try Antony Garrett, just down the M1 @ J16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairofthedog Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Hey buddy, or any of you on here, try this guy Ray Ward 07508248730 paying .25p a bird for just a few .30p a bird for large quantity, he collects or will meet you, based near Junction 12 on M1. I don't know how far he will travel to collect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Hello Nick, I have been supplying the same company for nigh on forty years on and off. I tend to use a .22 'scoped' Weihrauch HW90k Air Rifle these days and take headshots only, so there is no damage elsewhere on the carcase. There's nothing worse than spitting out an ounce or more of lead when eating any bird, game or otherwise. That's appreciated by the Game Dealer and no doubt the customers who eventually purchase the birds. I decoy using a low level hide and shoot from the prone position using a silenced weapon. If I miss, sometimes I can get in a second shot, whereas, with a 12 bore you scare the **** out of every pigeon within hearing range. I decoy at no more than 25 yards range using Shell decoys on spring loaded sticks, so in a breeze they nod quite convincingly. I also loft two or three full body decoys into the trees under which I shoot. I don't get many birds landing up there, (until evening) but it seems to give confidence to hungry pigeons coming into feed, that it's safe to land. Dead birds are added to the decoys periodically. It works for me. Please feel free to try it yourself. Harry Almost identical methods to me but I find it more comfortable to sit, usualy in a hedge with some camo netting in front and homemade shooting sticks for support. I now use Fuds as they seem to give them more confidence to land, and can be lofted as well. I put my furthest deek out at my zero range of 35 yards and my nearest at 15 and I mainly take chest cavity shots now (just below shoulder joint) as that drops them quicker and you don't get the 5 backward rolls, dropped feathers everywhere and a pigeon on it's back as you do with head shots. I only shoot 100-150 a year so only have enough for my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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