Crow's Autumn Pigeon-Shooting Tips

Andy Crow wants to protect his maize crop from pigeons - and he is also looking forward to a big day as he has seen birds settling on the fields in recent weeks. But suddenly they are more interested in beechmast. Here is how he copes.
Decoying kit from UK Shoot Warehouse www.ukshootware...
Clothes and camo from Jack Pyke www.jackpyke.co.uk
Clear Pigeon cartridges Gamebore www.gamebore.com
Crow shoots a Beretta www.gmk.co.uk
This film was first shown in Fieldsports Britain episode 362. To watch the whole show go to Fcha.nl/fieldsp...
▶ Join the Fieldsports Nation and fund our fight for fieldsports in the media Fcha.nl/fieldsp... - for full details / @fieldsportstv for KZbin membership
/ fieldsportschannel for the same via Patreon
To become a more structural shareholder, visit fieldsports.env...
Or simply support us, please, by donating: www.paypal.me/...
▶ Sign up for our weekly email newsletter Fcha.nl/register
▶ Fieldsports Shop fieldsports.shop
We’re proud to promote enjoyment of fieldsports and the countryside. There are three guiding principles to everything we do on Fieldsports Channel:
▶ Hunt, shoot and fish responsibly
▶ Respect the quarry
▶ Ensure a humane, clean and quick kill
Take part in nature. Join the Fieldsports Nation Fcha.nl
Risk warning: investments of this nature carry risks to your capital as well as potential rewards. Approved as a financial promotion by Envestors Limited. Which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 07236828.)
Why shoot pigeons?
The woodpigeon is recognised as the UK’s number one agricultural pest and causes millions of pounds of damage (AHDB consultation 10-40% loss in yield. Equivalent loss of £125/ha for Oil Seed Rape, £250/ha for peas, £350-£1250/ha for brassicas) to agricultural crops every year including cereals, brassicas, oilseed rape, peas and salad crops. Pigeon damage reduces the yield, quality, appearance and ultimately the saleability of the crop. Pigeons can also cause damage in gardens and allotments - pecking at the leaves and ripping off portions, often leaving just the stalks and larger leaf veins. They may also attack and strip buds, leaves and fruits off trees and bushes.
The UK woodpigeon population was last estimated at 5.4 million pairs in 2009. Densities of wood pigeon are the highest in Eastern England, coinciding with the highest concentration of horticultural production.
Wild pigeon (game) is natural and free range, and it is one of the healthiest meats available today. It’s low in cholesterol and high in protein… and, quite simply, delicious.

[@matthewnewman5991]

Fair play Andy loving your babysitting the way a childhood should be

[@stephenhall5430]

Hi Andy I enjoy your shooting .Here in the US we have doves. Look forward to September .I am curious do you eat all those pigeons. The ones I have seen plucked look plump .yummy. shoot straight

[@seusnefl1697]

Nice A400! Beautiful gun

[@drewsmith6066]

good shooting Andrew

[@motomeadyhuntingndmotocros6147]

BBrilliant

[@JuanGarcia-zj3ub]

Hola,que tipo de swing utilizas? Saludos

[@davepayne9162]

my self i cant stand the man,

[@paulm8691]

As always; great footage and excellent tips/knowledge, perfect for us lesser mortals.

[@xavaloy]

What distance were you shooting at on average and what shot number and load did you have mate? I am trying to learn as much about this as I can, I am leading my shot correctly and with clays I get good scores, but with pigeons I just don't seem to get any...

[@lewisclayton271]

what shot size are you using mate

[@xavaloy]

lewis clayton for pigeon I have been using number 5-7 with loads ranging from 32-36g. I suspect the ranges are too long and maybe I am choked too open, the times I tried I had modified/3*, I should prob try with improved modified/2* or full I suspect. Maybe I am looking at 60-80m, in my area of Spain, they never come to ground, they see you coming a long way off from the oak trees and scarper so I guess I need to work a tighter choke?

[@Cakemonster147]

It shows in the video he is using 32g no.6 shot, which is pretty common. I use 28g and 30g no.6 generally and shoot within the 20 - 40 yard range. I have shot pigeons further out with those loads, but only if the shot allows it. With regards to clays and pigeons, I had the same issue. Broke clays for fun, couldn't hit a pigeon at all. I'll share what I found in case it can help you. Basically, a clay has a pre-defined line - you find it, track it and then pull in front and shoot. A pigeon however will sometimes turn, duck and fly randomly (particularly in wind). I found that the difference was judging when the pigeon will stay on a straight path. If you can do this, it becomes the same as shooting a clay - follow it with the gun, pull and front and fire. At first, it seemed as if I took ages to get a shot off, but after a couple of days, it felt much easier and I was hitting the pigeons quite easily. For me, learning about judging when to take a shot has been far more beneficial for me than thinking about lead and cartridges. I would always emphasise staying still until the last moment and good head cover with dark clothing (if a pigeon doesn't see you, it will generally stay on a fairly straight path). A well seasoned shooter can help you a lot. I've been fortunate enough to have a friend who is an outstandingly good shooter. We have one hide, do 6 shots each and then switch. This makes for good fun (banter about how many misses, etc.), and not only lets him watch me and give feedback, but so I can watch him as well and learn from observation. Get yourself in a hide with a good shot. These can usually be found at a local clay pigeon range. Socialise with them a bit, and after a while ask the question. In addition, if you get a couple of lessons on 'game shooting', the instructor may be more than willing to take you out in the field for a small charge as well. Hope that helps.

[@hxperretro8820]

@@xavaloy mate ur not shooting no pigeons with a wide chocke at that distance