Tobyb525 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) I went pigeon shooting for the first time yesterday for a hour or two, I was intending to shoot them as crossed the edge of the woods on my permision to feed in a neighbouring field. They were quite high, fast birds so I only ended up with one. (It's so much harder than clay shooting) Most of my pellets hit it in the wing although there were still about 5 or 6 in the brest area. It went down like a brick but I found that it was still alive when I retrieved it. How many pellets will it take to cleanly kill a bird and in what area? Also (although i'm sure it's been asked before), whats the cleanest, quickest way to dispatch it? I tried to snap its neck like a rabbit but ended up pulling its head off! Thanks, Toby. Edit: Btw, i'm now hooked on it and the game keeper I shoot for is planting 60 acres of rape this winter Edited June 7, 2009 by Tobyb525 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 It could only take one pellets mate - in the head. But there's no way of guaranteeing that. When I first started pigeon shootign I used to shoot with skeet chokes in both barrels, but found that I was hitting them but not killing them cleanly. I wasn't happy with that, so I moved up to cylinder and cylinder chokes.... a bit of difference with more birds being killed outright, but it's still not perfect. So now I'm on half and half in both barrels and that's a massive improvement with 9 out of 10 dropping stone dead (I don't risk long shots over 40 yards), and any that are flapping around or even walking away after they've crash landed get another cartridge - that does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigwallet Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 as last reply said if one cartridge doesnt kill the bird then give it another straight away and as far pellets to kill the bird ive now started shooting 5s all the time as one pellet from these usually do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 You rarely miss a pigeon in front and you know when you have a clean head shot, because the head drops and the bird falls like a stone. There have been loads of threads about the humane despatch of a wounded bird, here is one link; http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...atching+pigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Toby, what cartridges were you using? FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Best tip was off Catamong. He told me, 1, 2, 3 and 4 turns of the head and about 3 1/2 turns through, snap and it's dead. Don't twist and pull, as you'll end up with headless pigeons in your bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Ok, I'll try the twisting if I have to during the week. FM - I was using Rio royal high power 12g 32g no.6 with half choke. Thanks, Toby BTW, how do you rate the dispatching tools??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Toby , there is nothing wrong with you shells , or choke. When you hit the bird in the head neck area , its wings will close , and its dead in the air. When you pick it there will be hardly a feather out of place , and usually no blood. When you wing them they might have a little or alot of blood on them. To avoid getting covered , hold the wings closed in your left hand , then with your right , turn the head around until you feel the neck tighten , then it will break, it just takes practice , but never swing the bird around by the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Those cartridges will be doing the job mate. Only tool I use besides my hands is a priest. Hold the bird firmly and a single crack to the back of the head/base of the neck is instantaneous. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 My stepdad is a Keeper, cart wise he sticks to 5s, says its fair to the bird. He has no problem knocking them out of the sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseaDavid Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Your cartridges should do the job nicely mate it is all down to putting the pattern in the right place - it may be you are not giving them enough lead or maybe to much so you are only catching the bird with the edge of the pattern. I know some people who shoot pigeons with 9 shot 24 gram cartridges and can kill birds consitantly out to over 40 yards and they all say it is all down to putting the pattern in the right place. As for dispatching a wounded bird I always use a priest or a branch because it is quick and clean + you dont mess up the neck band etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 but never swing the bird around by the head. I found out the hard way first time i tried i did as have done to pheasant in the past and chicken on the farm. It scared the hell out of me when the body flew away and all that was left in my hand was the head George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 every one gets the odd runner there is a pressure point just between and slightly behind the wings. Push there and the back breaks. I'll post a pic of the point when I get a pigeon to photo tommorow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryantidgwell Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 i must have twisted pigeons neck yesterday about 6 times and it still did not die and it bit me was like "tom come kill this" think next time i will take my priest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Your cartridges should do the job nicely mate it is all down to putting the pattern in the right place - it may be you are not giving them enough lead or maybe to much so you are only catching the bird with the edge of the pattern.I know some people who shoot pigeons with 9 shot 24 gram cartridges and can kill birds consitantly out to over 40 yards and they all say it is all down to putting the pattern in the right place. As for dispatching a wounded bird I always use a priest or a branch because it is quick and clean + you dont mess up the neck band etc. as above a branch or a priest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 i must have twisted pigeons neck yesterday about 6 times and it still did not die and it bit me was like "tom come kill this" think next time i will take my priest pressure point is simple easy and humane you can see it where the feathers change on the back much simpler than whacking them and the second cartridge spoils the meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 i must have twisted pigeons neck yesterday about 6 times and it still did not die and it bit me was like "tom come kill this" think next time i will take my priest pressure point is simple easy and humane you can see it where the feathers change on the back much simpler than whacking them and the second cartridge spoils the meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 pressure point is simple easy and humane you can see it where the feathers change on the back much simpler than whacking them and the second cartridge spoils the meat. Tell me more, where, how? i've twisted necks for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 need a photo I suppose but I thought everybody knew about it? Basicly cradle the bird in your hand and place your thumb a bout 1 and a half inches behind where the wings join the back you will notice the feather pattern changes and by pressing down firmly but gently you will feel the back break and a couple ofvseconds later a dead pigeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 (edited) I have posted the pics of the pressure point on a new post as I can't seem to upload them here probably me though duhhh...... posted links here its the best I can do Edited June 15, 2009 by utectok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 I have posted the pics of the pressure point on a new post as I can't seem to upload them here probably me though duhhh...... .............slightly off topic, but I dont seem to have the upload feature any more....wheres it gone??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 (edited) Here are the pics linked i hope? how to hold pigeon pressure point Edited June 15, 2009 by utectok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 lord knows how you add them to the text? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 updated the links hope they work now? straight shooting, you can try the pressure point on a dead bird first its easy to feel the back break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 For those that are slightly more sensitive, a Crossman Ratbuster does the trick with no extreme stress as to neck wringing etc. Use it a couple of times on tree rats as didnt fancy having my fingers latched on to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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