The simple answer to that question is yes; this isn’t a normal year, as we are all very aware. However, the goalposts for pigeon have only been moved temporarily.
A lot of our winter pigeon shooting isn’t really governed by pigeon damage over many farms and estates. Our pigeon shooting is governed by how much we will be disturbing the game that might be at large in hedgerow, spinney, copse, cover or woodland.
Any top keeper knows that respectful pigeon shooting before pheasants have been consistently shot doesn’t affect them if decoys are being employed. Once birds have heard the hustle and bustle of a day’s shooting, combined with eight gun salutes, they tend to become a bit more on edge, so obviously shooting the roosting woods is an absolute no-no from the off. Completely understandable.
Prime month
The only reason February has become that traditional month for roosting pigeon is because of the above. February is a prime month for roosting but it certainly isn’t the only month. Shooting in fir woods starts from early November and mid-November for hard and mixed woods once the leaves are off the trees.
Denne historien er fra December 16, 2020-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
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Denne historien er fra December 16, 2020-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside