BIRD CONTROL
Strategy
Before culling, investigate reduction of food, scaring and proofing, or a combination of these. Successful city population reduction programmes have involved public awareness campaigns, informing people of the health and safety dangers of pigeons.
Birds not regarded as pests by many people –hostility. Ensure discreetness.
Birds are very mobile and some, like the feral pigeon, can breed very quickly. Removing part of the population by culling, may simply create a vacuum that is soon filled.
Shooting
0.22 calibre, silenced air rifle recommended. Recoilless multi-shot pneumatic rifles preferable for large shoots, for smaller numbers of birds break-barrel spring-piston rifles satisfactory.
Shooting roosting pigeons at night with an air-rifle is often the most effective way of reducing numbers quickly and discreetly. When used by skilled shooters, air rifles can be very humane, killing quickly with minimal stress.
Organising a shoot:
Plan the shoots carefully;
Apply strict safety procedures;
Use appropriate equipment;
Keep good records.
For pigeon shooting, lightweight (14 to 14.5 grains) hollow-point pellets are ideal. These ensure maximum power from the pellet is transmitted to the bird, whilst reducing chance for pellet to pass right through.
RWS Super-H-Point
Air Rifle Safety
Shooting safety considerations include:
- carry out Risk Assessment
- use competent and trained personnel
- excluded others from the shooting area
- make sure equipment is correctly serviced and maintained
- wash hands after handling pellets (lead and antimony)
- wear shooting safety glasses
- use compressed air correctly
- when breaking the barrel hold end of barrel to prevent it springing closed
- never point a rifle at anyone
- always treat a rifle as if it were loaded
- ensure pellet will be safe if it misses target
- never leave your rifle unattended unless locked away
- store rifle and pellets separately and securely
Air Rifle Kinetic Energy
Test power regularly with Chronograph. Legal limit 12ft/pounds. Exceeding this without firearms licence - mandatory 5 year prison. Reduced power could just lead to injuring birds. Of the numerous rifles tested on Network training courses, 33% found to be illegal firearms and 12% insufficient power.
Alpha Chrony
Trapping
Trapping can be useful for the removal of small local populations of pigeons.
Find a suitable site within the flock territory that is not overlooked by the public. Estimate number of birds present and (1 for every 50 birds in flock); pre-bait around and in open trap; replenish bait daily, gradually reducing bait on outside; when consistent takes set trap to catch with food and water inside the trap. Visit at least once per day. When catches are high visit twice a day. Remove trapped birds through top door and kill humanely using neck dislocation, using e.g. Semark Despatcher.
Pre-baited trap with bob-wires open
