The Duncan Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 With so many reports of no wood pigeon about, did we oughtto give them a couple of months rest every year ? You know itmakea sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Can't see any of my farmers going along with that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 (edited) This old chessnut raises its head every year. The wood pigeon is an agricultural pest; we shoot it under the conditions of a general license by way of crop protection. Whats the sence in having what is in effect a closed season on woodies? In reality the pigeon do get a rest from shooting, but not in such an organised or dictatorial way. Pigeon shooters do take holidays, generally in the spring and summer months when the woodies are breeding the most. Access to some crops and fields is restricted, there is little point in shooting pigeon on the grounds of crop protection if the shooter is doing more damage than the pigeon. Overall its a decision of consiense, no one says that you have to shoot woodies when they are breeding, but if you choose not to, don't be too surprised if another shooter fills your vacant boots. webber Edited March 8, 2011 by webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Theres no shortage of woodies where I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 or here its purely they have so much to eat this year they are well spread out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentKill Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 or here its purely they have so much to eat this year they are well spread out. didnt seem to bother the flock of about 1000 woodies out the back of Ware on sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 we personally don;t shoot that many during the winter months,only bag a few on spring drilling..and very little shot in early summer so the birds have had a rest in that time. but as soon as any laid crops become available about end of june we start shooting them proper up to end of november on the last of the stubbles. so in the space of a year they get a lot of breaks were they are not shot at all;so have there own closed season when not being shot.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Thanks all respondents, what started out as a Tongue-in-cheek thread has produced some good insight. Cheers Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I shall stop chasing them soon and concentrate on the young bunnies with my airgun Still be looking forwards to the harvest though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 As webber said, this old chestnut comes up every year. My main reason for thinking its not necessary, is that there are so many "No-Go" areas for pigeons shooters that act as sanctuaries for the wood pigeon, that shooting all year does not affect their numbers that adversely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I shall stop chasing them soon and concentrate on the young bunnies with my airgun Still be looking forwards to the harvest though I was thinking the same myself today - chase what can be caught! I saw a good number of bunnies frollicking and enjoying the suns rays and warmth as I drove today. A few groups of woodies in the fens (50-100 ish birds) on what looked like Kale and spring cabbage. Slim pickings otherwise. Funnily enough, I'm having a crack at ferreting this weekend with 308dave and I'm looking forward to it immensely. Some with SG, some without but I can't wait! Roll on June from what Yickdaz said! Cranfield : "My main reason for thinking its not necessary, is that there are so many "No-Go" areas for pigeons shooters that act as sanctuaries for the wood pigeon, that shooting all year does not affect their numbers that adversely." That makes a lot of sense Cranfield - Webber also raised a good point about doing more damage to crops at certain times ot year than the Woodies make! Looks like ferreting/ambushing bunnies with air rifles for a bit - it's a hard life lol! Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 didnt seem to bother the flock of about 1000 woodies out the back of Ware on sunday! They were not at Hadham on Saturday though , maybe I was in the wrong place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Getting some good shooting around me at the moment on clover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentKill Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Bakerboy, I walked through the back of Fanhams and there must of been 1000+ on one field! Quite a sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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