First timer / What can I eat?

[_Spud_]

Hey all,

 

I have never gone pigeon bashing before so I am unsure what to expect, I am going with a friend who has done it before but I am wondering if there is anything special I have to do?

 

I have insurance from the CPSA, I have been doing clays for a long time so I am confident that I can kill the bird in a humane way.

 

Do I need it in writing from the land owner that it is ok to shoot on his land, or is a verbal agreement ok?

 

I will be using a shotgun not a rifle.

 

One other thing I am wondering, the farmers field is corn and he is getting hit very very hard by the pigeons atm.

 

Can I eat the pigeons or is their only a certain breed you can eat, I have come to the conclusion that woodies are ok but ferrel are not, but what is the difference and how to tell?

 

Thanks all.

[Ice]

Google Pictures it mate, a woodie tends to be quite a bit fatter than a ferral, but has a distinctive white band around its neck, once you see one for real you will know straight away

[malkiserow]

It is very important to recognise your quarry before you shoot it. Most birds are protected and some of these are attracted to deeks. There are a few species of doves and pigeons which will come to your deeks or you will see in the fields. It is important you take some time to learn to recognise them in flight as well as sitting, most of the time they will be in flight. Size, colour, habits, flights are all different.

 

As above, do some research on the birds so you know what you are shooting is what you want and is not protected.

 

the only pigeon I eat is a woodie. Ferals carry all sorts of nasties and are best avoided.

 

good luck

Malk

[Ice]

It is very important to recognise your quarry before you shoot it. Most birds are protected and some of these are attracted to deeks. There are a few species of doves and pigeons which will come to your deeks or you will see in the fields. It is important you take some time to learn to recognise them in flight as well as sitting, most of the time they will be in flight. Size, colour, habits, flights are all different.

 

As above, do some research on the birds so you know what you are shooting is what you want and is not protected.

 

the only pigeon I eat is a woodie. Ferals carry all sorts of nasties and are best avoided.

 

good luck

Malk

 

That is a good answer, a woodie in flight tends to me to have a lot more belly down that a ferral, also they seem to fly quite a bit faster....

 

Would you say my observation is correct of not malkiserow??

[_Spud_]

I have been reading up on what I can and cannot shoot, I am happy I can now tell the difference between dove etc, however the difference between ferrel and wood pigeon is a lot harder, on the computer anyway.

[_Spud_]

Wood Pigeon

 

Ferel Pigeon

[Ice]

i would agree it is difficult on the computer, but when you see the two for real it will be easy to tell pal.

[_Spud_]

thanks all for your help.

[malkiserow]

It is very important to recognise your quarry before you shoot it. Most birds are protected and some of these are attracted to deeks. There are a few species of doves and pigeons which will come to your deeks or you will see in the fields. It is important you take some time to learn to recognise them in flight as well as sitting, most of the time they will be in flight. Size, colour, habits, flights are all different.

 

As above, do some research on the birds so you know what you are shooting is what you want and is not protected.

 

the only pigeon I eat is a woodie. Ferals carry all sorts of nasties and are best avoided.

 

good luck

Malk

 

That is a good answer, a woodie in flight tends to me to have a lot more belly down that a ferral, also they seem to fly quite a bit faster....

 

Would you say my observation is correct of not malkiserow??

 

It is...... ferals are much more streamlined as are the doves. Full size woodies are larger with much more chest (which is what you want to eat)

 

The white markings are very distinct in adults but can be troublesome in younger ones at first.

 

ferals can often be seen flying in a tight small flock (but not always!!)

[ferretman]

you can shoot ferrals but not raceing pigeons unless the raseing pigeon lands on the farmes field then you have the right to shoot it on the floor.all the best