cant hit rabbits 123 Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Evening Ladies and Gents, A couple I know have been suffering with pigeons in their garden. They put out seeds for the black birds, robins etc but the pigeons keep coming in and taking the seeds, and in the process damaging bird tables, a bird bath and the plants in the garden. I'm not convinced they (The pigeons) could be shot under the regulations of the general license, they are reluctant to have them shot anyway and in any case, with lots of breakables in a fairly confined garden I wouldn't be happy air gunning them anyway. My question is, could they buy (or make) a blank firer, and blanks for one, and use it to scare off the pigeons in the garden? They originally asked me but I wasn't sure and promised them I'd find out. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Anything that scare pigeons will scare other birds too...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant hit rabbits 123 Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I have mentioned this to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) if you live in a built up area you could end up with armed response paying you a visit with the sounds of gun shots ,you could go to your local countrywide store and get a pigeon trap and then humanly dispatch them Edited September 18, 2012 by pigeon pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 why not put three inch mesh over the feeder so the other bird can still get to the food just not the pigeons ! Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e2000e2000e Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) +1 to what he said, also those Squirral proof feeders I reckon would keep a pigeon out! Edited September 19, 2012 by e2000e2000e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robl Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) I know that 6mm (.22) blanks can be bought without a licence. I know that you can legally fire them in a gun* without a licence. I know you can do this in a public place so long as you have good reason, and you aren’t causing hassle to anyone else. *assuming it’s a starting pistol, pre 1898* looking gun or something else that doesn’t look like a real gun. I also think it needs to be side venting with a blocked barrel so no chance of making it into a real gun. I think the problem will be with non-firearms laws. Disturbing the peace, annoying the neighbours and so on. You also might find a few armed police knocking on the door asking what’s going on. I’m pretty sure that a quick google will find all sorts of noise based bird scare’s that don’t require blank rounds and just work with an air horn or speakers. It might be a better route to take. Alternatively, the 3” wire sounded like a very sensible plan. Edited September 19, 2012 by Robl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 If they stop using the bird tables and start using suspended feeders all the pigeons will do is eat the odd seed that falls on the ground. Job sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 The only problem with suspended feeder is that quite a few garden birds cant use them either, and if you have to many pigeon then these birds ( blackbirds thrush robin etc ) will not be able to get any food .! Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Try Jakite flying scare-birds . Peregrine Falcon Raptor and flying pole on eBay makes for a good realist deterrent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Once they know there is food there your on a looser with any scare tactics with ferals. I have shot them in the past but its best you speak to the neighbours first and get thier views and save the flashing blue lights and all that in urban areas and stick rigidly to the law Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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