Secrets of pigeon hunting

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Almost everyone can afford to hunt birds for a long time. It is enough to buy the necessary tool and uniforms, choose a place and go for the prey. Pigeons are hunted mainly in the central part of Russia, where they live in park and garden areas. Flocks of wild pigeons fly for about 10 days. Pigeon hunting has become quite common in the last decade, the reason is the nomadic way of life and their large number.

Hunting for wild pigeons

The peculiarity of hunting pigeons is that they are considered the most cautious, because the process itself sometimes reminds the hunter of a game. However, their caution is considered the main disadvantage of pigeon hunting, because the number of ways to catch birds is reduced. Mostly the period of action begins in the fall, and they can be found not only in forests and gardens, but also in places where any agricultural crop, for example, sunflower, grows. In addition, pigeons gather near tall birches and firs. A distinctive feature of pigeons is considered their cleanliness and love of resting in the trees, where you can clean the feathers.

What pigeons can be seen in Russia

Hunting pigeons is made more difficult by the fact that these are individuals with a wide variety of species. So there are more than 250 species of wild pigeons, if you do not take into account decorative and postal species. The poultry is not only a great game, but also an excellent delicacy. The more widely the pigeons spread, the more accessible they become to those wishing to shoot them. Hunting for wild pigeons in the Russian Federation is carried out for various species.

1. Vyakhir is a pigeon, which is considered the most beautiful and largest representative, reaching more than 50 cm in length and weighing more than 500 g. Vyakhir is found in almost all parts of the country, from the coniferous forest to the city. In winter, birds divide in pairs and begin to build nests. Pigeon hunting for wood pigeon is complicated by the vigilance and alertness of birds and is considered a rather difficult process. Often they lead it near the places where grain is harvested, near oak trees, vineyards, berry bushes. Such prey is considered the most desirable for everyone due to the size of the trophy.
2. The rock dove is a species that can be found in every city. Differs in gray plumage and sedentary lifestyle. Birds build their nests at a height, choosing forest, rocky and mountainous terrain or roofs. They feed on seeds and plants. Hunting for blue doves is not as widespread as in the previously described case.
3. Turtle Dove is a beautiful and most graceful species with brownish plumage and black stripes on the neck. The bird weighs less than 200 g, and its length barely reaches 30 cm. The pigeons are settled in forests and agricultural areas. Birds feed on plant foods.
4. Klintukh belongs to forest pigeons, and its distinctive feature is rich blue plumage with a beautiful greenish tint.Nests can be found in hollows, and the pigeons themselves can be found in linden forests or beech groves. Hunting is complicated by the incredible caution of the birds.

All those who hunt pigeons need to be prepared for the fact that it is not possible to get prey right away. Cautious and neat birds feel danger a mile away, therefore they fly away immediately.

On the intricacies of observing wild pigeons

It is better to start hunting pigeons in late summer or early autumn. Only true and selfless hunters give preference to catching a pigeon because of a fairly large amount of money and effort spent. However, many experts note that hunting for a wild pigeon is interesting, exciting and very reckless. Game is found almost everywhere due to constant flights. The main techniques for hunting pigeons are:

• hunting in places of feeding and watering;
• pigeon hunting from the approach;
• surge;
• use of semolina;
• hunting for pigeons with stuffed animals.

Any of the techniques requires careful preparation from the person. The preparatory phase decides how successful the hunt for wild pigeons will be. Preparation should begin with determining where the pigeons live, what they eat and what features they have. Mostly they can be found near cereal fields, mowing, farms, etc. It is important to correctly calculate how and when the birds feed, what place they choose for rest, lodging. It should be remembered that such calculations should not be stretched over time due to the frequent change of feeding and sleeping places by pigeons.

Anyone who seriously decided to devote time to catching a pigeon should get binoculars and a monocular for observation. It is important to choose an observation site that matches the flight path of the pigeons. It is best if there are a large number of shrubs and trees nearby, and the sun hits your back. In flat terrain, it is important to hide in a hole. It is equally important to disguise as much as possible, so as not to frighten the pigeon once again. Only those who hunt in complete disguise will be able to succeed. That is why the hunt for a pigeon is often accompanied by stuffed animals, which you have to do with your own hands, and their manufacture is a very laborious process.

The most important detail remains the choice of weapons. If a person hunts wood pigeon, then it is better to use small ammunition, larger ones are suitable for a turtledove. Hunting guns should be docile and light, because birds can easily change direction of flight. When using pneumatics, preference should be given to the 22 gauge. In addition, pigeon hunting with a slingshot is quite common.

About species

It is already clear how a person hunts pigeons, but what can be said about the features of the existing species of this difficult process?

1. The watering place is held from the beginning of sunrise to 8 am, when the pigeons leave the shelter and head to the reservoir. Their gaze can even stop at an ordinary puddle. If you succeed in finding the right place, you need to prepare it by making a shelter. Due to the caution of the pigeons and the maintenance of an open area, it is better to use stuffed animals or conduct it using a profile. An evening watering hole would be a good option, but you should not devote more than 2 days to this. Pigeons will distinguish the hunter and quickly change one body of water to another.
2. Pigeon hunting in feeding places takes place in cereal fields and granaries, because birds love to eat sunflowers, peas and wheat. Sometimes they occupy meadows and old gardens. Hunters should be at the edge of the field, but not inside, as other people or animals may also be present. Better to use the stuffed animals placed along the border. Then the birds will fly up to them, and not stop in the middle. When a person hunts in this manner, shots should be made from cover at nearby birds.The most important hunting accessory in this case is binoculars, which will tell you where the prey will fall.
3. "Approach" is best used with a companion or trained dog. Hunters rarely use the approach method because of the fearfulness and caution of birds, because you need not only to walk as quietly and accurately as possible, but also not to make unexpected movements. Finding the killed game will be easy with the help of a dog or a landmark hung from a tall plant.
4. The surge method is suitable for the period when the birds have decided to rest in the trees and clean the feathers. In this case, hunters in the amount of up to 6 people should be divided into pairs and march through the resting places. The remaining hunters remain at the finish line, in the place where the birds will be later driven. Seeing people, the pigeons will hide in anticipation of when the first will pass on. After takeoff, they are fired upon by their partners.
5. Using a decoy is suitable for beginners, because experienced specialists do not need to use special hunting tricks - they just need to make a mouthpiece with their palms. You need to start luring in the early morning or after 3 hours. An ideal place would be a site with lonely trees. Shots should start when the birds are approaching. If they manage to land on a tree, it will be difficult to shoot them.

Experts advise not to look at the birds directly if they are found in the places of watering and feeding. It is enough to glance at them, periodically casting glances, closing the distance. At the time of sneaking up, you may need to sit down, because pigeons can easily become alarmed. After waiting for the dangerous moment, you should resume movement, and if you crawl on all fours, success is guaranteed. Together with the decoy, you can try using a slingshot, which is quiet and compact.

Use of stuffed animals

Using stuffed animals is practically no different from using them on other animals. Due to the fact that stuffed pigeons are not as common as we would like, you will have to start making your own profile or stuffed animal from the skin of a live pigeon. When making attributes, it is important to ensure that the artificial birds look natural and depict a sitting individual. It is enough to force the chosen place with stuffed animals, in an amount of up to three pieces (most often this is a place to sleep or feed).

The use of a profile in this case is not so common, but it is also possible, because pigeons are sociable, therefore, when they see a relative, they instantly fly to him. The hunting tricks do not end there. You can try to paint the stuffed animals in bright colors so that the pigeons notice the "relative". The best location is 20 m from the hut. You can use straw to make a hut. If done correctly, the birds will not pay attention to it.

Hunting with pneumatic weapons

Hunting with air is not approved by all hunters, because the use of a real gun cannot be replaced by any pneumatics. For hunting, you need to choose an early time in places where birds feed. Wide fields become predominantly places for hunting. The time for using such weapons falls on the end of summer and early autumn, but hunting is possible only for gray pigeons. An important step is to purchase lightweight and durable gear of the appropriate color.

A bird hunter (pigeons) can even go out in sports shoes, covering his head with an appropriate headgear with a visor. If you behave as carefully as possible, even a novice hunter will be able to shoot 10-12 individuals by 12 noon.

Thus, hunting pigeons is a truly exciting process with many different subtleties and tricks. Everyone can choose the option that seems the safest and most interesting. Subject to the basic rules, the extraction will amaze with its quantity, and the process will bring a lot of gambling pleasure.