Al Downie Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Hi all, I had my first try at pigeon shooting at the weekend, and it's a lot tougher than I thought! The weather was pretty bad (drizzling rain) so there weren't many opportunities, but with my hand on my heart I have to say my lack of success wasn't down to the weather! I was in a hide, with decoys laid out in a random-ish U shape, facing into the wind, and I had an air rifle AND my 12g with me. All other folk on the shoot are 12g shooters and I'd heard them describing the problem of birds all dispersing to another field as soon as the first shot had been fired, so being a smartypants I thought I'd steal a march on them by trying my hand with my silenced Air Ranger. I soon learned my mistake though, because the couple of birds that *did* fly in only landed for a split second before they spooked and flew off - certainly not enough time to line up crosshairs on them. ******! I don't know if they were spooked by the decoys, the hide, my ungloved hands (won't make that mistake again either), or just by movement. So. If you had both to choose from, would you use an air rifle or a 12g for pigeons? ps: forgot to say a buzzard came down to check out the decoys - landed right among them, walked around a bit and then flew off again, twice! Maybe I can use THAT as an excuse! Pretty cool thing to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 12G every time for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Fudd Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 12ga, sometimes if were in a hide we take a silenced .22lr but not often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Weapon of choice is a 12 guage from a hide, but there are times you get a few land outside the pattern and rather than risk scaring everything from miles around i carry my .22lr with moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 12 Gauge Shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Shottie ,get em before they land....Easier, if their comming in their comming in....Bang!!!!!!!!!!! Or Bang Bang some times..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 12g shottie is the most common weapon used for a good reason-its the best.However, a decent airgun with a good shooter behind it can be usefull-if used in the right way.I dont think decoying them onto the ground and taking them with the puffgun is the best way-you need a sitty tree.Watch what the birds do when someone nearby fires a shotgun and try find a tree in the flightline that they use to escape-well away from the field being shot over.If you can loft a couple of decent decoys up said tree and hide yourself in a good position you may have a good day-you may find that the sound of the shotgun firing is an advanced warning that you are about to get visitors.I think that 1 pigeon with the airgun is worth 10 with a shotgun-good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkite Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 (edited) ps: forgot to say a buzzard came down to check out the decoys - landed right among them, walked around a bit and then flew off again, twice! Maybe I can use THAT as an excuse! Pretty cool thing to see. I've had a buzzard visit my decoys several times......with a full on 'hit' each time. Decoy went flying....buzzard strutted around looking a little bemused and flew off after a few minutes. As you say...it's great to see stuff like that! Best redkite Edited April 15, 2009 by redkite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.