Fisherman Mike Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Have any members noticed a decline in pigeon populations in their area? I started Pigeon shooting in the Cotswolds ( Cirencester Area) back in the 70,s and there was then less rape and far more Birds! I have heard that 4 million plus birds are shot in the UK each year from a population of 6-7 million pairs. Can this continue without some sort of close season? I dont shoot pigeon (or any bird) during its breeding cycle as I feel I am then contributing to their recovery. Any comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Mike, I don't believe Pigeon numbers have declined in my shooting areas, Herts / Beds / Bucks, if anything they've increased, as there is now more winter food about in the form of rape than ever before. I also don't believe that shooting has a major impact on numbers, as the breeding season seems to have extended from March to November as the food supply is more plentiful. The biggest threat to Pigeon numbers is prolonged winter snow cover which deprives the birds of any food at ground level to eat. Can you remember the bad winter of '62? - The birds were literally dying in their thousands from starvation, with any greenstuffs above the snow, i.e. Kale, Sprouts being chewn to bits. I can only recall one other spell of bad winter weather in the early '80's that came anywhere near that winter, and the birds were so hungry that gas guns and shooting were no deterrent in keeping them off the rape that was above the snow. The close season debate has been discussed many times on PW, most people have the attitude that they ought to be shot throughout the year, my personal preference is to ease off during the summer months as a lot of wounded birds can be lost in standing crops, the blowflies get them as soon as they hit the ground, and also I enjoy clay shooting competitions more than Pigeon shooting during the Summer months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 My observations and thoughts, are much the same as Double H. In 1962 I killed more pigeons with a stick, than with a gun. We also have to remember, that whilst we view pigeon shooting as a "sport", it is really, vermin control/crop protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Cranfield from that reply, i take it you shoot pigeon on the ground or sitting in trees then. Because thats what vermin control/crop protection entails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 I have certainly shot pigeons sitting on the ground and also, sitting in trees. As I have crows, magpies, jays, squirrels and other vermin. Amongst the many pigeon shooters I know, I can,t think of one who does differently. I wouldn,t shoot winged game and wildfowl on the ground, but I don,t consider them vermin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsnuts Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Here here cranny :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 So Cranfield you just shoot pigeon for crop protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 I shoot pigeons because I enjoy it. However, I am also aware that the people that give me permission to go onto their land to shoot pigeons, do so because they want their crops protected. I indulge my "sporting" instincts, when game shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 I go along with HH on this one, the Pigeon numbers in Fife are certainly not in decline. I don't think that shooting has much effect on the population, at least not up here, but then i supose there are a lot less pigeon shooters for the area of ground than compaired to down south. The pigeon that nested in the holly bush in front of my dads house last year had 3 broods, the last leaving the nest in October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 Suffolk is showing no decline that I can see. We've had a few more stubble fields left out this year than there were last year (Wife is happy because she can take the horse on them) and the pigeons seem happy to root around in them. Every time I go out with the gun I see large flocks and even our stables has about 40 or so regular birds that feed on the paddocks. Mind you, a lot more people are growing rape now than they were. Which reminds me, I must break out the netting and the decoys soon. The freezer is stocked with rabbit, but low on pigeon Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F150 Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 In my area, I have found no decline but a significant increase in bird population. More recently, a wood (about 15 acres) not far from my home has been the roost to some 3000 birds. This has significantly increased during the past two years to what I can approximate now at about 5000. These birds have been primarily feeding on two fields of rape about 1 mile from the wood. On occasions in a good wind (30mph+) I have been fortunate enough to catch some of these birds crossing my paddock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I am shooting in Kent. Last sunday I saw 3 pigeon, 2 Ducks, 7 crows and a Heron. Consequently, I went home feeling very depressed as the pigeons traffic was busy monday to friday. They must have known I was coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billm Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 I shoot in south west Cornwall and over the last 4 years have seen a steady decline in the pigeon population, this winter I have not seen many at all, the odd flock of about 20, and as soon as you have a go at them their gone. But it wont stop me going out, It can only get better I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryrabo Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 pigeon numbers are steadily declining where i live in Lurgan. too many people shooting,no rape fields and most stubble already ploughed and winter barley sewn. on the subject of birds feeding when the ground is either frozen or covered with snow,here the birds feed alot on ivy berries when it's cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 Don't think the population has gone down in my area(Herts,Beds).Not a huge amount around at the moment but more are start to flight closer to my shooting spots,best time in my area is may/june and/or october/november.Still getting fairly good bags except this weekend lol(4 woodies,my fault). yis andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 hi lads most pigions are in town in my front garden or grass verges ? I find that numbers are still high , next point im glad that they are vermin, if not you and I would have to join a sindicate as thay would become a game bird , the farmer`s land I shoot on told me that crop damage as cost 5000to 10000 k in a year and still large numbers have been shot and for me its been free fo 25 years so I cant complain keep it as it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 shoot in surrey/kent and numbers are staying steady.woods opposite my house are teeming with pigeons.trouble is it is a "bird sanctuary" so no shooting=the only birds in there are woodies,magpies and crows.did see a blackbird once though.local councils,dont you just love em ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 I think that pigeon numbers round here seem to be pretty steady. I have not shot many simply because there has not been any rape where I shoot, but there's plenty flying about. Rabbits, on the other hand, have soared in numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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