Spring is upon us
Spring is upon us the nights are getting longer, and in the UK we are just about starting to get some better weather. Here is Cumbrian Red Squirrel Ranger Jerry Moss with a Huntsman Regal – amongst the flowers!
Shooting Woodpigeons at the Roost
Late winter into early spring is the prime season for airgun shooters to target woodpigeons around their woodland roosts. Harsh weather conditions cause the birds to gather in large flocks so it’s possible to encounter them in good numbers if you manage to locate their favourite places to bed down for the night. But the clock is ticking; the new flush of springtime growth is just around the corner, so get out now before emerging leaves make it tricky to spot birds up in the treetops.
Successful roost shooting hinges on location and timing – it really is about being in the right place at the right time. Most woods have areas where woodpigeons like to roost but some places will be a lot more popular than others. Just like us, woodpigeons like to be warm and comfortable when they settle down for a night’s sleep. Look for the most sheltered areas. Start by investigating the side of the wood that’s most sheltered from prevailing winds. Then look for the tree and plant species that offer the most protection. Firs and pines are popular with roosting pigeons as they offer shelter when other trees are devoid of leaves.
Thick patches of ivy also make for good roosting sites as their dense, waxy foliage offers excellent protection from rain, sleet and cold winds.Ivy also has the added attraction of offering a food source in the shape of its hard berries at a time of year when nourishment can be hard for birds to find.
Don’t just look up into the trees when seeking out an active roosting site. Study the ground, too, because the leaf litter beneath the pigeons’ favourite perches will often be splattered with droppings.
When it comes to timing, woodpigeons usually start flighting in to roost a couple of hours before nightfall. I like to get into position early enough to avoid spooking any early arrivals if possible. It can be difficult to get clear shots at birds once they’re tucked up in the cover of dense conifers. Fortunately, they tend to pitch into taller, more open trees such as oaks and ashes before fluttering down to roost, so I tend to position myself so I can cover these trees in order to improve my chances.
Woodpigeons are extremely sharp-eyed birds, so concealment is very important if you want them to pitch close enough to offer you a shot. Hide-building doesn’t usually offer a solution because you need to be able to move quickly and quietly if the birds refuse to flight to the trees around you.
Camouflage clothing can make a big difference, though. Try not to get too caught up in camouflage patterns – anything that helps to break up your outline and blend in with the natural surroundings should work. The important thing is to cover up your face and hands because patches of light skin can really spook flighty woodpigeons. Remember also to make the most of natural cover because the backdrop created by a tree trunk or dense bush will give your camo clothing something to work against.
When it comes to choosing hardware and optics, precision is the prime consideration. The best way to ensure clean kills on woodpigeons is to take them with head shots or a solid strike to the head/lung area, and that demands a considerable degree of accuracy.
I have coupled my Daystate Red Wolf with an MTC Mamba Lite scope and Daystate Rangemaster Sovereign pellets, and the result is pellet-on-pellet accuracy out to 30m and beyond when taking rested shots in calm conditions. Precise shooting in the field is a different matter altogether so make sure you put in plenty of practice, not just from easy stances but also from standing and kneeling positions.
When I’m in the woods and see pigeons approaching, I get my gun into my shoulder and keep dead still. Having the gun shouldered cuts down on movement once the birds have dropped in. It can make a big difference as woodpigeons have a habit of spooking at the slightest disturbance. It’s at this point that using a tree trunk for cover can bring an added advantage, because you can also use it for support when taking shots. Even if you don’t actually nestle your gun against the tree, leaning your shoulder in for added stability makes it a lot easier to keep the crosshairs steady.
As I mentioned earlier, head shots are my preference but pigeons can also be cleanly felled with a strike to the heart and lung area. Don’t aim straight for the chest, though, as the thick layer of muscle and bone can be almost impenetrable. Aim instead to land your pellet just beneath the fold of the wing at a slight sideways angle. If pigeons come in low, offering shots at a fairly flat angle, and are facing away from you, a shot between the shoulders will give the pellet a very clear route to the heart and lung area.
Keep still and quiet, and choose your shots carefully, and the birds should keep on coming – especially if your airgun is fitted with a decent silencer. Even if you don’t make a huge tally, bags or two or three birds make a useful contribution to crop protection and will also supply you with some excellent meat for the table.
