Woodpigeon Shooting
A Code of Practice
The Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) is both Britain's major agricultural
bird pest and one of the most popular sporting quarry species. It is
legal to shoot the bird all the year round. The Woodpigeon makes good
eating and provides nourishing cheap food.
PIGEON SHOOTING AND THE LAW
Woodpigeon shooting is controlled by the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 in Britain and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 in Northern
Ireland. Woodpigeons may be killed or taken by authorised persons at all
times. It is strictly prohibited to use any sound recording or live bird
as a decoy. Currently woodpigeon shooting continues under an open
general licence issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and
the Regions for England and Wales, the Scottish Office Agriculture,
Environment and Fisheries Department for Scotland and the Environment and
Heritage Service for N. Ireland. No individual application is required for
any licence.
In Britain the shooting of Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) and the
feral pigeon (Columba livia) is also permitted all year round but the
Stock Dove (Columba oenas), Rock Dove (Columba livia) and Turtle Dove
(Streptopelia turtur) are all protected species and may not be shot at any
time. In N. Ireland the Collared Dove is protected and no pigeons can be
shot either at night or on Sundays. The legality of shooting pigeons in
Scotland on Sundays remains unclear.
The Stock Dove is often mistakenly called the 'Blue Rock' and great
care must be taken as these birds often fly with woodpigeons and
come readily to decoys.
The feral pigeon is a direct descendent of the Rock Dove (which is usually
only found on western coasts), and will be mainly seen close to urban
areas.
Note: wild-living, former racing and homing pigeons often fly with
feral pigeons but these birds are strictly protected. Whilst they normally
have leg rings to show their ownership, identification in the field can be
difficult so, if in doubt, do not shoot.
FIELD IDENTIFICATION
Woodpigeon
The largest pigeon, occurring both singly and in flocks, sometimes very
large flocks. Predominantly grey with white patch on each side of
the neck of adults, and characteristic broad white bar on wing of both
adults and immatures. The only pigeon with white wing bars.
Wings often clatter when it takes flight.
Stock Dove - protected
Smaller than Woodpigeon and rather uniformly grey, with faster wing beat.
No white neck patch or white wing bars, but partial black wing
bars instead. Often in small flocks and mixes freely with
Woodpigeon, when smaller size, darker colour, absence of white patches or
bars, and faster wing beat distinguish it.
Rock Dove - protected
Similar to Stock Dove but paler and with pronounced white upper rump and
two black bars on wings. Flight is very fast. Usually occurs
in small flocks.
Feral Pigeon
Similar to Stock Dove but highly variable in colour. Usually in
flocks in and around farm and other buildings.
Collared Dove
Much smaller than Woodpigeon, slender and sandy coloured, with wide
terminal white band on tail and black neck-band bordered with white.
Usually in pairs or small flocks and rather tame. In flight dark
primaries contrast with light plumage. Immatures lack black neck
band.
Turtle Dove - protected
Much less common and much darker than Collared Dove but has white patches
with black stripes on neck (not in immatures). Tail very dark with
white edging.
Decoying
Woodpigeon decoying is the art of building a hide on a field where pigeons
are feeding and using artificial or dead bird decoys to attract pigeons to
within shotgun range (20 to 35 yards). The sport requires
considerable reconnaissance and much patience and fieldcraft to achieve
results.
Hides may be built with camouflage nets, straw bales or natural cover.
When using bales remember to ask the farmer's permission to move them and
always replace them after the shoot. Natural hides are made with
materials found on the farm and should be dismantled at the end of the
shooting day. Do not cut into hedgerows or otherwise damage the
farmer's property. The hide should be large enough (3ft. square) to
accommodate the shooter, his dog and equipment, and have as level a floor
as possible.
Flighting
Shooting pigeons on flightlines is very popular and, after reconnaissance
has determined the line of flight, Guns stand concealed on the edges of
woods or in hedgerows and shoot passing birds without the aid of decoys.
Roost shooting
For roost shooting Guns position themselves before dusk in woods where
pigeons are known to roost during the winter and wait for the birds to
return from their day's feeding. Mixed woods of conifers and
hardwoods are the most popular and pigeon droppings under the trees will
show the places to stand. As it will be almost dark before the shoot ends
fallen birds should be retrieved immediately.
SAFETY
Great care should be exercised when siting a hide to make sure you are
aware of all footpaths, bridleways and rights of way and that the angles
of fire are safe before starting to shoot. Remember that no.6 shot
can travel more than 300 yards.
Remember that the shooter will be concealed from any approaching walker or
vehicle and must not endanger them. Much decoy shooting takes place in the
summer when people are on holiday.
Shooting from a hide often involves taking shots at birds approaching the
decoys at or near ground level. Care must be taken over the
possibilities of pellets ricocheting off the ground. Do not shoot towards
livestock.
Farm and other boundaries must be respected and shooting should not be
undertaken where shot may drop on buildings, houses or neighbouring land.
Always be aware of the noise factor when shooting and do not unnecessarily
disturb the public or live stock.
WARNING!
Shooting near overhead power lines or insulators can result in severe
injury or death.
The main points to remember are:
*Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.
*Familiarise yourself with the location of power lines and equipment on
land where you shoot.
*Avoid the use of lofting poles near overhead powerlines - remember,
electricity can jump across a considerable distance.
*Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as
visible.
*Do not use power line wood poles or towers to support equipment used in
your shooting activity.
*Take notice of warning signs and keep clear of electrical apparatus.
GUNS AND CARTRIDGES
A double-barrelled, ejecting, well-fitting gun will be the most effective
and no. 6 or 7 shot is recommended. 12-bore shotguns are most
commonly used but the smaller gauges such as 20-bores can be equally
effective.
If shooting over the foreshore or certain sites of special scientific
interest it will be necessary to use non-lead shot cartridges.
Hearing protection should be worn in the hide at all times and some
form of eye protection may be appropriate.
For reasons of security the gun should be unloaded and taken with you
whenever you leave the hide.
Remember that a gun must not be taken onto neighbouring land for any
reason without permission.
IN THE FIELD
Permission from the landowner/farmer is needed for the following:
*Before shooting each day
*Before shooting in woods which may hold pheasants
*Before driving across fields
*Before inviting a companion to shoot
*Before taking a dog with you
Check with the gamekeeper/farmer to avoid interfering with game
management
When walking through fields with growing crops take care to do as
little damage as possible. Respect hedges and fences and leave gates as
you find them.
Do not disturb nesting birds when building a hide.
Whenever possible dogs should be used to ensure all shot pigeons are
retrieved, particularly from thick cover, and a priest is recommended for
despatching wounded birds.
Remember to take water for the dog in summer.
Farmers and landowners should always be offered some of the bag and any
surplus should either be eaten, given to friends or sold to a game dealer.
Do not leave dead birds lying on fields or in ditches.
Never leave empty cartridges or other litter and clear up the hide site
after shooting.
If military-style camouflage clothing is used it is best put on just
before starting to shoot to avoid causing concern and alarm to the public. BASC
does not advocate the baiting of fields for woodpigeon shooting.
FINALLY
Remember that good relations with landowners and farmers are essential not
just for future pigeon shooting but also for many other shooting
opportunities.
BASC recommended reading:
The Pigeon Shooter. John Batley, published 1996 by
Swan Hill Press
Pigeon Shooting. Archie Coats, first published 1963 by Andre Deutsch
Shooting Pigeons. John Humphreys, published 1988 by David & Charles
The Book of the Woodpigeon. Colin Willock, published 1995 by Colt
Books
Woodpigeons, Woodpigeon Shooting and Agriculture. John Harradine and
Nicola Reynolds, published 1997 by BASC
