Shot size and choke for pigeon ? I would use anything from 32 gram of 6 for flighting, to 28 gram of 7.5 for decoying pigeon.
Choke size I'd use 1/2 (Modified) for flighting, and I/C to 1/4 for decoying.
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Why not just buy a dozen shell decoys, they are cheap enough, and often you can pick up used pigeon decoys for £ 1.00 to £ 2.00 each. Try EBAY, GumTree, Pigeon Watch, or on Facebook Fieldsports Ulster
-- Edited by Redditch on Friday 1st of June 2012 07:47:32 AM
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If it moves and is legal but also moral, SHOOT IT !!
Successfully hunting for pigeons without decoys is imho only possible when you shoot at the roosting spot.
Yep, or maybe if you stand under a tree on a flightline, you might get the odd shot. Other than that, your only chance would be to stand in a field well hidden where they are feeding. Then, when you've shot a couple set those out as decoys.
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If it moves and is legal but also moral, SHOOT IT !!
Very true, but not everything that kills a pigeon will always kill a crow. For our crows you need heavier shot, and/or tighter chokes, as they are MUCH tougher than pigeons
-- Edited by Redditch on Friday 1st of June 2012 07:22:48 PM
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If it moves and is legal but also moral, SHOOT IT !!
There was a pig farmer near town years ago that would feed in the same feed lot every morning. The pigeons from town were flocking into the feed lot like crazy. He would let us shoot them on Saturday mornings. We killed 100+ several times. And the pigs got lots of free feed. The farmer really liked that part. I have done the same thing around grain bins or where there are large grain silos along train tracks. They always spill alot and there are always lots of birds. If it is located near a large city, there will be lots of pigeons.
Like everything else, scouting is the key.
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I hunt therefore I am!
If you are not stepping forward, you are stepping backwards. Time stands still no for No Man.
Pigeons are a pretty tough bird too!!! They can take a pretty good punch. I shot them several times in the area that I shoot. It is basically a waiting game. If they are feeding where you are they will eventually show and you can bust em. I took Shanedogs advice and bought a dozen wood pigeon deeks and my kill ratio went up big time. But when I put 2 mojo doves with the pigeon deeks it was an absolute slaughter. If you have a place where pigeons feed, invest in 6 pigeon deeks and a mojo dove, Maybe even an assualt pigeon from ureaduck. It will make for some fine shooting. Best money I ever spent. As far as loads and chokes, Well I would buy the cheapest shells on earth, screw in your full and shoot em in the lips
You just cant beat using decoys on pigeons, deadly!...but if you figure their flight path, like barn to field, or railroad trestle to field you can put yourself in between and nail em as they come and go, they use the same route over and over....or hunt em with a rifle when they land....17 HMR is perfect for that!
. As far as loads and chokes, Well I would buy the cheapest shells on earth, screw in your full and shoot em in the lips
