What is Pigeon Shooting?
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Pigeon shooting is a type of hunting or sport shooting in which pigeons. It is a popular activity in many countries, and can be done for sport, recreation, or to control the population of feral pigeons. Pigeon shooting can be done with various firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns in our designated UK pigeon shooting ranges.
Pigeons cause drastic damage to crops, there are an estimated 5.4 million pairs of woodpigeons in the UK. In 2014 the government examined the damage done by pigeons to crops and asked farmers to estimate how much this costs and impacts them. They estimated a figure of around £75 million of damage to oilseed rape crops alone every year.
Therefore managing pigeon numbers through shooting helps to prevent damage to crops. This is carried out in many different ways at different times of the year.
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Types of Pigeon Shooting
Decoying Pigeons
Tom Payne stated that “To decoy pigeons, you first have to find their chosen feeding field and then establish how they are getting there. That is your reconnaissance. The fieldcraft part of decoying is putting your hide in the correct place and placing your decoys correctly over their chosen food source."
Decoys tend to work successfully in the summer months because individual birds or pairs are coming out to feed, rather than flocking. You can also learn more about using decoys to hunt pigeons through Shootingsh.
Flighting Pigeons
In this discipline, you are shooting the pigeons as they are going from their roosting position to feed along their chosen flight line or returning to roost on their way back from feeding. This might be on the edge of a field, in a wooded area, or on a hillside where the pigeons are likely to fly.
Roosting Pigeons
Roosting pigeons are pigeons that are resting or sleeping in a particular location. Pigeons are social birds that often roost together in large groups, typically in trees
In this form of pigeon shooting the gun shoots the pigeons as they are returning to roost. The favoured roosting woods for pigeons contains fir trees, surrounded by hardwood trees. All you will need to carry out this type is permission from the farmer or the landowner, a gun and cartridges.
Pigeon Shooting Syndicate
As one of the largest pigeon shooting syndicates in the UK, you can access some great pigeon shooting locations spread all over the UK. Our shooting memberships start at £350 for a full year and includes rough shooting, driven shooting and shooting pigeon from a peg. In addition to shooting pigeons, you will also get a mixed bag of pheasant, woodcock, cuck, goose and snipe.
Our team will also provide decoys and lures for beginners and show you all the basics if you are a newcomer to the sport.
Contact Us
Looking to experience a unique and challenging hunting experience? Then consider pigeon shooting. This fast-paced form of hunting can be a lot of fun, and it's a great way to put your skills to the test We offer this across numerous areas within the UK. Contact us today and we can arrange your experience.
Benefits of Pigeon Shooting
Here are some of the many benefits that you get from pigeon shooting;
- Experience the thrill of the hunt
- Meet new people and socialise
- Good physical exercise
- Experience attending a sporting event and being part of a group
- Enjoy the outdoors and nature
- Feel the satisfcation of providing food for your table
- De-stress yourself from business or personal life
- Adventure in the outdoors
Pigeon shooting is a popular sport that can be enjoyed all year round. However, the best time to shoot pigeons is often in the spring, after the end of the game bird season. The most important factor to consider when planning your pigeon shooting is knowing when to shoot pigeons, and over which crops. This useful pigeon shooting calendar will guide you through the year, so you can plan your pest control accordingly. Pigeon shooting is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and control pigeon populations. So get out there and start planning your pigeon shooting with us today! For further information on pigeon shooting see here.
Breed
Open Season
Hunt Locations
Pigeon Shooting - January
Go pigeon shooting over rape and any frosted root crops such as potatoes, carrots, sugar beet and turnips if you have them.
January 1st 2023 - January 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - February
Rape, again, is a strong draw as the pigeon’s core diet. Maize and other cover crops if chopped or ploughed in. And in hard weather, frosted crops such as cabbages, cauliflower and sprouts work well. Early spring clover can be a big draw.
February 1st 2023 - February 28th 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - March
Rape will sustain pigeon this month. As the soil warms, watch all spring drillings. Clover should be dragging them in by now for some sustained pigeon shooting.
March 1st 2023 - March 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - April
Late spring drillings and peas can prove fruitful for pigeon shooting. Tree buds, especially ash, can be great this month.
June 30th 2023 - June 30th 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - May
A tricky month in the pigeon shooting calendar, with a lot around to tempt them. Peas and spring-sown rape, which will just be showing. Barring surprises, a sticky month to get under the tap.
May 1st 2023 - May 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - June
Again, this month can be a difficult one in the pigeon shooting calendar, unless they’re belting the peas or seeds. That said, last June produced some amazing bags over fields of failed rape, an opportunity not to be missed.
June 1st 2023 - June 30th 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - July
Once again, peas, either growing or harvested, also laid cereal crops, especially barley or wheat at that milky stage.
July 1st 2023 - July 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - August
Harvest time. Breeding pigeons will be on rape and almost any harvested crop. If hot and dry, remote drinking areas can be good places to find pigeons not busily engaged in attacking the crops.
August 1st 2023 - August 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - September
Like August, so don’t overlook any freshly ploughed and harrowed land.
September 1st 2023 - September 30th 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - October
A difficult month in the pigeon shooting calendar owing to the weather. Be vigilant with autumn drill but also with wild foods such as acorns and beech masts.
October 1st 2023 - October 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - November
A lot depends on how much wild food is on offer, how well any autumn drilling crops have grown and the timing of harvests such as beet. If wild food is bountiful, they seldom leave it.
November 1st 2023 - November 30th 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Pigeon Shooting - December
Rape, mainly towards the month-end, as other offers, will exist. The odd stubble field may still drag a few in.
December 1st 2023 - December 31st 2024
Multiple Locations in England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Deer Stalking Areas
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Walked up Areas
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Rough Shooting Areas
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Wild fowling Areas
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Wood Pigeon Areas
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Northampton, England
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Northampton, England
Pigeon shooting/Duck and geese in season.
Located in different Northampton areas. We have over 4000 acres of great crop land on the banks of the River Teme. You pay a fee per day and claim back 50% from the club.
Leicestershire, England
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Leicestershire, England
Pigeon Shooting Area - Leicestershire Near Kirkby Mallory
30,000 plus acres for wood-pigeon over a vast variety of crops. Guide here for assistance is available at a cost per day which is subsidised. We pay £35 which you match on the day and claim back from HQ.
Prestatyn, North Wales
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Prestatyn, North Wales
Pigeon Shooting / Vermin Only - Prestatyn North Wales
Wood Pigeon and Fox vermin control over 2000 acres. Excellent roost and decoy shooting ground.
Wrexham, North Wales
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Wrexham, North Wales
Pigeon Shooting Only - Wrexham North Wales
Wrexham Pigeon shoot over winter rape and roost shooting only. Pigeon roost shooting and decoying over crops.
Coed Poeth, North Wales
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Coed Poeth, North Wales
Pigeon Block - Coed Poeth Near Wrexham - North Wales - 300 Acres
We will meet you on the initial visit to show you the boundaries and rules.
Devon, England
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Devon, England
Devon - Deer Stalking Area - 2 Bridge Farm Stoke Cannon
Roe is mainly located here and the odd red deer on this ground - pigeon shooting also in spring and autumn
Lincs, England
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Lincs, England
Rough Shooting Area - The Wash East Lincs
Wildfowling on various marshes around the Wash.
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
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Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Red and Roe Deer hunting from various farms, 23 in total over covering 20000 acres in total. The Stalking here is 1st class and a must for any Deer stalking enthusiast.
Some farm areas also allow for pigeon shooting over crops and Geese shooting in season; contact us for more details.