wobbly bob Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 hi all. as a new commer to pigeon shooting, i would really appreciate any advice you can offer. my dad and i have permission to shoot two farms in suffolk. both of us are newbies and saw nothing on our first two visits. we both are using bsa hornets. thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Shooting pigeons with a .22 rifle (which I assume your Hornets are), is not the usual way to control them, most of the people on here use shotguns and standard decoying methods. If anyone does use a rifle, perhaps they will comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 I recontly read john humphreys book and he said his biggest bag was made with a .22, over 200 i seem to recall, not my idea of fun but if it gets em shot, then i guess its ok, perhaps a hornet is a bit hot though, cant be much left for the pot mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 It's an air rifle is it not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 ah that makes more sense, that american expression "you can eat right up to the hole" wouldnt apply, with a .22 hornet all you would be able to serve up would be the hole hehe mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobbly bob Posted February 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 yes, they are air rifles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 never tried decoying to the air rifle,but have had some very succesfull outings roost shooting at dusk.pete wadeson has writen quite extensively on the subject in his book total airguns.a must have for any airgunner.good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 I didn't realise that the "Hornet" being referred to was an airgun , so I have moved the thread to this section where you should get some good tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 I shoot a lot of pigeons with a .22lr+silencer-when pigeons have been shot constantly in the same area they soon become decoy shy-putting the deeks out 70-80 yards seems to give them more confidence to land-after you shoot one they sometimes circle the field and land again!With an airgun and its limited power/range your best chances of success lay in lofting a couple of deeks in a suitable tree (facing into the wind of course) and waiting underneath-good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 your best bet would be to roost shoot them if you can get to the trees where they nest.either that if they visit the farmyards keep an eye out in the nearest sitty tees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_mjs93 Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 fair play dude welcome to PW since no one else has said it and welcome to one of the most enjoyable sports there is, tbh you arent going to get many on decoys to be fair, roost shooting HELL YEAH but its more available in the summer, im going to take a shot at saying that you are new to shooting in general i dont have pcp but i am going to get one soon how does the hornet handle??? i would recomend rabbit shooting to start with but i have a few questions what scopes are you and your dad using??? what pellets have you been shooting long? are you insured??? do you know kill spots, max distance for a clean kill, we say 30 yards MAX for an air rifle, try rabbit shooting first and start in the spring when farmers crops start growing the rabbits will try and destroy them and farmers are happy for you to get rid of them AND great work on getting a permission you will be dead chuffed when you get your first rabbit and or pigeon in the oven... taste great... Happy Shooting Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 (edited) It's hard enough to get pigeons to come near your pattern, let alone land in it... I would apply for a shotgun licence, if I were you. If you're bothered about the time it will take, ask someone who is local to you to take you shooting on your land and show you how it should be done (there are plenty of people who will be local to you on this forum) Oh and fair play mark_mjs93, well spotted, I will also say welcome to PW! Edited February 2, 2009 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 mark if the hornets handle like my ultra[which is essentialy the hornets older brother]then these rifles are bang on for the money.very accurate and easy to use.i think the hornets have a bigger tank and less complicated cocking procedure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 big booboo sory mark i was confusing the hornet with the new scorpion.the hornet is the older and larger brother of the ultra,same cocking mechanism,more shots per charge.should be good. regards dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03luffmb Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Best way is to either look around and see where all woodies go to roost normally in woods and go sit under a tree with plenty of pigeon dropping below and wait for them to come roost, or take em out the dirty way shooint em off the barns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben1 Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 i use an air gun and mostly shoot pigeons on roost barns etc and rabbits where ever i can when ever i can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooting Tom Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Get a shotgun its easy really lol makes shooting a lot more fun. with a air rifle they have to land anless you are a really gooooo shot, best hope for you is roost shooting or feeding the feed so they land and eat in that part of the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Get a shotgun its easy really lol makes shooting a lot more fun. with a air rifle they have to land anless you are a really gooooo shot, best hope for you is roost shooting or feeding the feed so they land and eat in that part of the field. now that is a typical shotgunners attitude[were not all like that]mines bigger than yours attitude.you stick with the air gun mate master that and the rest is easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Hamburger Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hi, I have tried decoying with my air rifle and found it really difficult. If your decoy pattern is OK the birds will show an interest and come in to your pattern, however once they land they are normally gone again within 4-5 seconds. So you have little or no time to take your shot with an air rifle. Once they are on the ground, just mounting your air rifle can make them fly off, however well your hide is camouflaged. When decoying with a shotgun you shoot the birds as they are coming in to land, so it is totally different. Saying that, I would find it most satisfying to decoy successfully using an air rifle – and I would be pleased to get 2 or 3 birds in a session. I haven't managed yet – but will keep trying. There is good sport to be had if you find a good spot 25-30 yards away from a sitty tree, hide as best as you can, and take the birds when they land in the tree. In summer, when the trees are in leaf, try to find a dead tree or a tree with a few dead branches, so you have a clear view. However, so have they Again, you don't talk huge quantities - you should congratulate yourself if you manage to bag 2 or 3. This is still pretty difficult – woodpigeons on the farm appear to me to be much more alert than those that feed in residential gardens. Just getting within 25-30 yards is not easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Get a shotgun its easy really lol makes shooting a lot more fun. with a air rifle they have to land anless you are a really gooooo shot, best hope for you is roost shooting or feeding the feed so they land and eat in that part of the field. HAVE YOU READ THE TITLE OF THE THREAD? complete amature, in need of advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acsimmo Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 welcome mate, as previously said try and get them in a roost but also just be aware of the angle of the shots taken if you miss your target you have no clear backstop so your pellet could go well off into the distance, however practice makes perfect. enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezbear Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Welcome to the site, it's best to get them in the sitty trees or barns. I regularly roost shoot them with the air rifle, although i sometimes go with my friend with his shotgun and shoot the wounded birds for him (saves the extra cartridge lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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