Taking Pigeons with Air Rifles

[Ferret Master]

Hi,

 

With regards to some recent posts in this section I thought it would be a good idea to start a post on advice and ideas of taking pigeons with air rifles and a good way to go about it.

 

To start with you should only shoot them if they are being a pest in that area.

For example I get Pigeons in my back garden but don't currently shoot them there for 2 reasons: they are nesting in our conifer hedge and they are not doing any damage. However I will shoot them on land where they are doing damage.

 

You could do the shooting for pest control and also food after they are shot (if they have been pests) not fun. I can think of no other legal reason for shooting pigeons. The pleasure most people get from the sport is not in the kill but more in stalking and tricking an elusive quarry.

 

The best and most sure way of killing a pigeon with an air rifle is in the head or neck, however some people shoot at the back of the bird near the neck with good results. Another equally good way is in front of the wing (side on) as this shot will destroy the heart and lungs.

 

Hopefully this will clear up some questions that newbies to taking pigeons with air rifles have. Please add more advice/facts/knowledge as I'm fairly newish to shooting them as well and this is most of what I know. :*)

 

FM

Edited April 18, 2006 by Ferret Master

[Lord Geordie]

Unfortunatley MOST ferral pigeons pose Health risks when nesting in housing estates etc as their droppings are TOXIC and harbour a LOT of diseases

 

If you get them nesting in your Balcony etc then DESTROY the nest before they complete it and this can stop them nesting but SOME are determined.

 

Put netting over balconies to deny them access.

 

As for Small gardners like myself and market gardners there are only so many ways you can scare them off.

 

Windmills CD's strung on canes physically shooing them off etc.

 

Eventually you exhaust the list of scaring and the persistant ones NEED to be culled as the toxins left deposited on your veg make it inedible

 

All woodies go straight in the pot for a nice meal but ferrals go to my mates Cat or now and then when my Nephew comes over he takes a few home for his Snake.

 

I make sure mine are always Head or neck. I have NEVER taken a body shot.

 

One year we tried to net off the veg in the garden but they just LAND on the net and squash it down to get at the crop underneath and a few got caught in the net also

 

And the net ALSO snagged a few blackbirds which is the MAIN reason i stopped using it.

 

Unfortunatley the Air rifle is the only tool i can use being in such close proximity to other houses.

 

As such Head and Neck only for me

 

LG

[Ferret Master]

Hi,

 

I'm on about woodies. Any ferals would have been disposed of long ago.

 

FM

[Lord Geordie]

Woodies when out would NORMALLY be a Shotgun job

 

But again when out with the air rifle on the 3 acre field if one came into range then a Head or Neck shot

 

LG

[king ratcatcher]

i tottaly agree with both of you, i dont really shoot wood pigeons in my garden till the summer, when they couse a problem, ile shoot ferals even if the land in my garden, same as a rat, for the simple reason, i dont wont them to get used to my garden and land in flocks and spread deseases in my garden, i also have a swimming pool in the summer in my garden, the feral pigeons land on the sides an poo in the pool, witch is NOT nice at all.

[the lizard]

KR - you have PM

 

 

the Lizard

[the lizard]

The best and most sure way of killing a pigeon with an air rifle is in the head or neck, however some people shoot at the back of the bird near the neck with good results. Another equally good way is in front of the wing (side on) as this shot will destroy the heart and lungs.

Hi FM & LG,

 

Personally I prefer to aim for the upper back. I don't like to take the wing, side-on shot as I find this often does NOT result in a clean kill. I then have to go and despatch the bird.

 

But unfortunately, we aren't all skilled enough to guarantee a head or neck shot every time, LG.

And yes - I've seen the pics of your target shooting on another thread. (Bloody Geordie Show-off !! ).

 

Rgds,

the Lizard

[king ratcatcher]

recieved your pm, lmao

[Lord Geordie]

The best and most sure way of killing a pigeon with an air rifle is in the head or neck, however some people shoot at the back of the bird near the neck with good results. Another equally good way is in front of the wing (side on) as this shot will destroy the heart and lungs.

Hi FM & LG,

 

Personally I prefer to aim for the upper back. I don't like to take the wing, side-on shot as I find this often does NOT result in a clean kill. I then have to go and despatch the bird.

 

But unfortunately, we aren't all skilled enough to guarantee a head or neck shot every time, LG.

And yes - I've seen the pics of your target shooting on another thread. (Bloody Geordie Show-off !! ).

 

Rgds,

the Lizard

Lizard Or should i cal you Liz

 

Sorry couldn't resist

 

The main reason my shots hit the intended target is i keep my Target WELL within capable range (30 yards MAXIMUM) and no more.

 

You get conflicting stories about an air rifles capability being 50 yards etc or 40 yards.

 

I made a habit of zeroing in at 25 and with the .177 the trajectory is so flat the difference between 25 and 30 yards at 11.6FPE is negligable.

 

I know my Gun inside and out and i think 30 yards is the best for a Humane kill as at that range i can get a headshot or neckshot guaranteed BUT at further ranges you add a slight side wind and there is a chance of flight deviation of your pellet and a NON humane dispatch.

 

And pay no heed to my Targets in the other posts most if not ALL people can shoot like that with enough practice

 

LG

Edited April 19, 2006 by Lord Geordie