When The Wind Blows

Stormy weather can be a clear sign that there’s some epic sport to be had on the pigeons, so while most people are hiding indoors, Andy Crow has been making the most of the gales

- Andy Crow

Andy Crow likes having wind. But apparently, not everybody does. “A lot of serious pigeon shooters aren’t always very keen to shoot when it is really windy. The key to making a big bag is shooting twos and threes and this is almost impossible in a gale of wind; as soon as you shoot the first bird, the others dip a wing, catch the wind and they are out of range in the blink of an eye. The flip side is you can have some really fun, challenging shooting!”

Pigeons can’t simply stop feeding when the wind blows, but the weather will inevitably have an impact on how they behave. Understanding these changes will give you the best chance to make a decent bag.

“It’s not hard to think like a pigeon. If you have to fly about, high winds are not much fun. As a result, they will try and utilise every advantage they can. They fly lower, using the landscape to shield them from the worst of the weather.

“For this reason, I don’t use my favourite bush hide out in the middle of the field. Instead, I will try to find a site in the lee of a wood where there is a food source. At the moment, the birds are still feasting on the massive acorn crop. The birds use the wood for shelter and beat into the wind nice and low – giving you a decent chance.”