Tradition Versus That Extra Shot

Camouflage-wearing stereotype aside, should the pigeon shooter use a semi-automatic for his sport? Tom Payne weighs up the pros and cons

- S. Farnsworth

The gun you choose to shoot pigeons — whether decoyed, flighting or roosting — should always be given maximum thought if you are to shoot to the best of your ability. The gun must suit you and the bore size, weight, length of barrels and, of great importance, the gun fit should all be taken into account. These factors will mainly be determined by your age, size and strength, regardless of whether you are male or female.

For some reason the semi-automatic has become the go-to gun for the pigeon shooter — or the gun people feel that pigeon shooters should have. A full-on camouflage outfit and a semi-auto would be the stereotype. Semi-autos are fantastic for vermin control; they are hardy enough for the harsh environment of the foreshore and the mud and wet that a wildfowler puts his guns through. They can handle a bumpy night’s lamping on the back of the pickup and, as many of them are now synthetic, laugh off any bang or knock they take.