pete1dart Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 Got to the farm Saturday morning and set up in the same spot where my mate had 76 on Thursday. We have 4 pea fields this year and all have been hit hard by the pigeons since early June. Set up on one with just 11 fuds and just waited to see what happened. First one came in while I was still sorting the hide out so he got away. But with seeing this I was hoping for a good day. There were quite a few birds flying but not commuting to the decoys. Obviously shooting there Thursday is a bit soon to have another go but it's on the main flight line to the other fields so thought I would change my arm. The day was very slow with not many coming into the pattern but the ones that did came in lovely. I was taking some nice high birds and the pup who is 7 months and coming on well was making some nice retrieves. I ended up with 36 from 0900 - 1730. A very long day and a bit boring at times but it was nice to be out. Now onto the bird preparation. I laid the birds out in the shed over night for them to cool down. Plucking the birds this morning and breasting straight away. I like to take the skin off the as I'm not a great lover of it. When I removed the skin I noticed some small white rice shaped things on the breast. I have been reading that the wildfowlers have seen this on some ducks so just thought this was only on them. Didn't fancy eating the ones with it so they will be fox food. I have never seen rice breast on pigeon before but around 10 of these had it. I also found one with a growth on the breast. It looked like it had taken a bit of shook previously in its life and developed the growth through this? Didn't want to take a chance with this one either as I have young kids and they will be eating the pigeons and I don't want them picking up anything nasty if it can be avoided. So all in all I still have a good number of pigeon breasts in the freezer but a little disappointed that I had to get rid of so many. I have never had such a large batch of unhealthy pigeons in one day. I hope it's not going to go through the local population as the foxes will be eating better than me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 Its not uncommon in pigeon , but nearly a third seems a bit high. It would do you no harm even if eaten as long as its been cooked correctly , but obviously being safe to eat and wanting to eat it are seperate things ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete1dart Posted July 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 I did see that cooked properly it would kill it off but we are planning on flash frying them and to me that wouldn't be a form of cooking throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 Got to the farm Saturday morning and set up in the same spot where my mate had 76 on Thursday. We have 4 pea fields this year and all have been hit hard by the pigeons since early June. Set up on one with just 11 fuds and just waited to see what happened. First one came in while I was still sorting the hide out so he got away. But with seeing this I was hoping for a good day. There were quite a few birds flying but not commuting to the decoys. Obviously shooting there Thursday is a bit soon to have another go but it's on the main flight line to the other fields so thought I would change my arm. The day was very slow with not many coming into the pattern but the ones that did came in lovely. I was taking some nice high birds and the pup who is 7 months and coming on well was making some nice retrieves. I ended up with 36 from 0900 - 1730. A very long day and a bit boring at times but it was nice to be out. Now onto the bird preparation. I laid the birds out in the shed over night for them to cool down. Plucking the birds this morning and breasting straight away. I like to take the skin off the as I'm not a great lover of it. When I removed the skin I noticed some small white rice shaped things on the breast. I have been reading that the wildfowlers have seen this on some ducks so just thought this was only on them. Didn't fancy eating the ones with it so they will be fox food. I have never seen rice breast on pigeon before but around 10 of these had it. I also found one with a growth on the breast. It looked like it had taken a bit of shook previously in its life and developed the growth through this? Didn't want to take a chance with this one either as I have young kids and they will be eating the pigeons and I don't want them picking up anything nasty if it can be avoided. So all in all I still have a good number of pigeon breasts in the freezer but a little disappointed that I had to get rid of so many. I have never had such a large batch of unhealthy pigeons in one day. I hope it's not going to go through the local population as the foxes will be eating better than me! You must be brave taking a 7 month old puppy pigeon shooting. I haven't noticed too many pigeons with the rice breast thing (but then I don't breast too many), although I have shot lots of pigeons with various growths, usually on their beaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 pete1dart set your hide up first then put your decoys out last. that way you can walk back to hide and be ready for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 pete1dart set your hide up first then put your decoys out last. that way you can walk back to hide and be ready for them. I really don't think it makes any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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