Woodpigeons
Woodpigeons cost the country £millions in damage to crops and health and safety issues
becasue of this the Secretary of State has granted a "General Licence" to shoot these birds UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
If you choose to shoot woodpigeons for ANY other reason (than GL05 or GL07) then you are breaking the law and could find yourself defending yourself in court.
Identification
Juvenile birds do not have the white patches on either side of the neck. When they are about 6 months old (about 3 months out of the nest) they gain small white patches on both sides of the neck, which gradually enlarge until they are fully formed when the bird is about 6–8 months old (approx. ages only). Juvenile birds also have a greyer beak and an overall lighter grey appearance than adult birds.
Habitat
Generally Woodpigeons are found in areas well covered with trees, such as woods, thickets etc. They are also seen in cultivated\farm land, meadows, open country, urban parks and gardens.
Food\Bait
It is illeagal to bait birds. Do not do it.
Woodies feed on vegetable matter. Farmers crops are a favourite throughout the year. They can often be found in gardens eating clover in the short grass or going for the bread\seeds left for the song birds.
Habits
Reproduction
- Nesting April to September
- 2 white eggs per brood
- Both parents share incubaton(although the female does most)
Techniques
Stalking pigeons is VERY hard!
Stalking through woodland is possible but open fields will generally see them flying off way beyond any range an airgun can handle.
One of the most productive ways of shooting woodies is with the use of decoys and a hide. Here you sit and ambush them when they come in to see what the fake birds are eating.