It’s hard to beat for truly testing shots, the pigeons are often high and fast and you will be snap shooting as they flit across gaps in the trees. Your ego may take a battering as you see an ever growing pile of spent cartridges build up and a quizzical look on your Labrador’s face as you discharge both barrels at some air where a pigeon used to be! But this rollercoaster ride has highs and lows – sometimes the planets align and even I can pull down the odd stratospheric pigeon from the heavens – the satisfying thud as they hit the ground is very sweet. Another great thing about this is you are only out of the house for a few hours – so plenty of time to complete the weekend chores and be in position ready to shoot for late afternoon. In March the pigeons will starting coming in to roost at around 4.00pm and it will all be over at 6.00pm. I am lucky enough to have access to some woods in Wiltshire surrounded by fields of rape and there are plenty of pigeons on the right day. Cold weather tends to encourage the pigeons to form large flocks and the keeper is happy for me to visit once he has finished catching the leftover hens up. The wind plays an important role in the day’s outcome. Plenty of wind looses the sound of the shots and makes the pigeons flight lines more predictable. Bear in mind that the pigeons will have to turn into the wind to land. Still days are very frustrating!
As I’m an occasional pigeon shooter I don’t go in for a full camo outfit but use my usual shooting clothes. Starting at the ground and working up I wear my Le Chameau Verzinord wellies – these are the neoprene lined ones. They keep your feet warm no matter how cold it gets and are supremely comfortable. I like trousers rather than breeks and go for a thick lined pair that will be warm and tough enough to resist holly and brambles. I match the garments on my top half to the conditions but as this shooting can be quite athletic and often involve a long walk I try and keep the layers down and so not to restrict freedom of movement. The final outer shell is my trusty Schoffel Ptarmigan Ultralight jacket and I can carry 50 cartridges easily in the pockets. The final two clothing items are very important – a head net to break up the outline of your face and a cap in a muted colour to shield your face from incoming birds. Once a pigeons sees you – especially if they have been shot at a few times they will jink and swerve as they fly – tough targets indeed.
So finally on to guns – I use my twenty year old 12g over and under, but I think the weapon of choice for me would be a semi auto – giving me the opportunity to miss with three cartridges! One day I will get round to acquiring one of these just for these pigeon forays.
So get out there and shoot some pigeons – they are good to eat, you are controlling a serious agricultural pest and great fun to shoot. Enjoy!
2013-03-12 11:58:19
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