Danger-Mouse Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 I`ve only just started pigeon shooting. Had my first racers pointed out to me on Thursday. Then Saturday morning had another group pointed out to me. By Saturday afternoon I was easily able to identify them. I can understand someone not identifying a lone bird but when they are flying in groups it`s very obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 I'm with Stevo on this. Unless it's decoying in leave it be. Taking potshots at stuff whizzing past is a sure fire recipe for a disaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 I'm with Stevo on this. Unless it's decoying in leave it be. Taking potshots at stuff whizzing past is a sure fire recipe for a disaster. just because something's coming into the Coys doesn't make it fair game , people just need to actually look at things before they pull the trigger . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 What we both mean is from 40-50 yards away you get a pretty good idea whether it's a rock dove, feral or wood pigeon. If it's decoying in and looks like a woody, flies like a woody then there is no chance that you are about to shoot something you shouldn't be shooting. I have seen people happily take pot shots at birds whizzing by out of boredom, we get a lot of rock doves around here so that isn't really a great idea. Better to wait to get a decent view of what you're about to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Thank you. That's all i wanted to know. I am not trying to create an argument.I have only shot woodies twice in my life but know how to identify them. Never been into racing pigeons so no idea what they look like. The ruddy great white neck flashes help to tell you they are woodies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I keep thinking this thread is entitled 'Shooting racing pigeons workshop'. Thank God it's not just me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 They should stick to a racing track and not be allowed to fly just anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 As another point for the pigeon racing people, maybe they need to point out to someone that the General Licence allows shooting in specific circumstances : for example for crop protection. Shooting birds that are just in flight may well be viewed as not being in accordance with the terms of the licence. Which is, in itself, a criminal offence. Shooting birds in flight is fine. Pigeons do not have to be doing damage at the time they are shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoxs Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 How can anyone miss the helmets and the racing numbers on their sides!!! This is totally wrong and if 8 shots had gone up then it sounds deliberate and incompitence!. But for others to sit there and say I.D everything you shoot if in doubt dont shoot. Is easy to state but can be difficult to exicute. I have seen mistakes made, by 100% competent shots who were astouded when they realised what had happened. No one is perfect everytime, no different than the half hit bird! next we will hear someone never winging one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 For me its just simply a matter of what you shoot explains and justifies you as a 'shooter'. When we are young we shoot almost anything. It used to be starlings and sparrows, apart from game. Now we have to review that as time moves on. There was a time where swans were fair game. To be responsible and protect our sport you have to think and anticipate, if not actually 'forward plan'. The RSPB has begun to recognise what we do - let us not demesne ourselves but be the people we need to be, pest controllers but the most vociferous of environmentalists. What we do must be necessary and justified, not just killing for its own sake - surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 There is no excuse for this I've yet to see hundreds if not thousands of woodies in one flock I used to keep racing pigeons and if you can't tell them from woodies when in flight it's about time to hang you're guns up this sort of thing gives all of us a bad reputation that we all could do without the anti mob will love this some racing birds are worth thousands so the owners will not be pleased at all that could be one he'll of stink kicked up about this the ramifications could affect us all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clanchief Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I would find it hard to defend shooting them under the GL, as crop protection is not going to be an excuse or reason, the racer is not a wild bird as it has an owner therefore it is some ones property as defined in law by the fact it is wearing a ring registered to the owner( easily traceable) and under race conditions a second rubber ring with registration. The flying characteristics are so different it would be like comparing crows with woodies in flight, nothing like them. Chiefy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 So to recap many of you think its easy to id a racer, in a group of racers id grant you but amongst a flock of ferals? When the only difference is their leg ring? I don't believe you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 So to recap many of you think its easy to id a racer, in a group of racers id grant you but amongst a flock of ferals? When the only difference is their leg ring? I don't believe you. If they're just in a flock of ferals and on someone's crops then they're not much use as racing pigeons. The initial post was concerning a load of racing birds that were sent on their way, and some were shot almost immediately. They almost certainly weren't decoying in onto crops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Ferals I would shoot all day but racers big no no racers will not decoy they won't be feeding in the fields the fly straight from release to the coit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Ferals I would shoot all day but racers big no no racers will not decoy they won't be feeding in the fields the fly straight from release to the coit One's that are any good do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk dumpling Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Generally racing pigeons are easy to identify and yes when in full flight wing beat is different but you do get a few that go feral and I've shot a couple when roost shooting. We had a clear-up of ferals on a farm a while back (15 guns surrounding a several farm buildings) and a couple of casualties had rings suggesting they had got bored with racing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 If i shoot any while clearing ferals from buildings, or any that come into the pattern i always take the rings to a mate who races birds and he informs the owners what has happened... I find most of them appreciate him letting them know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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