Air-rifle Hunting

[Joemuz]

Does anyone know what the best way to decoy for Pigeons, Magpies or Crows?
Im getting an Air-Rifle and would like to know the best way to start.
Thanks Joemuz

 

[Rugby]

just go hang out by an old barn, there all over the place. idk where you are, but in kansas and colorado, they are everywhere, like prairie dogs.
at sportsmans warehouse, there are a few decoys, i think ive seen them there.
ps: it will be EXTREMLY hard to hit amoving pidgeon with a pellet gun. also, in the U.S, it is illegal to shoot a bird that is on the ground, with the exeption being turkey, and an already wounded animal. therefore, u have to be an amazing shot. my suggestion is to go out and buy a shotgun, 20 gauge will be a good place to start. it is versital, and the loads are heavy enough for turkey and geese.
hope i helped
Rugby

 

[Joemuz]

just go hang out by an old barn, there all over the place. idk where you are, but in kansas and colorado, they are everywhere, like prairie dogs.
at sportsmans warehouse, there are a few decoys, i think ive seen them there.
ps: it will be EXTREMLY hard to hit amoving pidgeon with a pellet gun. also, in the U.S, it is illegal to shoot a bird that is on the ground, with the exeption being turkey, and an already wounded animal. therefore, u have to be an amazing shot. my suggestion is to go out and buy a shotgun, 20 gauge will be a good place to start. it is versital, and the loads are heavy enough for turkey and geese.
hope i helped
Rugby

Im in England and im 14 so i wont be buying any shotgun yet. But i necer knew that you wernt aloud to shout grounded birds in the usa? Thats nuts! I see why you use shotguns then. I still havnt hit anything with it yet and iv had it a month nearly! (LOL) im poo. Still, you have to start somewhere.

 

[scorphonic]

The best thing to do is go out a few days in a row without your gun (to remove any temptation)..I know its a bit boring but its for the best.

Try to see where the pigeons fly to and from on a daily basis. They will have a set flight path that you should be able to see if you watch them long enough. The reason why I say this is simply because if you try to decoy them and the decoys are not on their flight path you will probably only get a few landing and once you shoot one, you will not get a second one landing that day since they will all scoot off to other fields via their flight path.

You must remember that pigeons (as I like to believe) have a bullet proof vest!! The feathers on their front are very thick. I have shot at pigeons before and they have gone unharmed until I was told about their thick feathery cover...so now I shoot either in the head or from the side (when they are in flight). Just try to keep this in mind coz the last thing you want to do is shoot and not kill, with an airgun its difficult to hit a moving target. If you have yet to buy your airgun get a compressed air model. Compressed air guns tend to be lighter and pack a harder punch too.

There is a book called "The Pigeon Shooter" by John Batley. ISBN: 1 84037 125 0. Its published by a UK company called Swan Hill Press. I'd highly recommend it since it goes into finding, decoying, hiding and shooting the pigeons!! Great book.

 

[sianeds]

Please don't try shooting anything alive until you have refined your shooting skills.

Have you heard of Marksmanship Princials? Basically they are "rules" which if followed correctly can vastly improve your shooting, things like controlling your breathing to help your aim. They are used in the forces and it shouldn't be too difficult to find some articles.

Where in the UK are you? Maybe you can join a shooting club if you haven't already. Some coaching from someone with experience will help you no end, if there's nowhere close then go to the army cadets. I learned to shoot there, some of the instructors are brilliant and you get to use some wicked ranges. I learned to shoot well enough to represent the UK

If you need any help PM me. I am a qualified shooting instrucor and am more than happy to help

 

[scorphonic]

Please don't try shooting anything alive until you have refined your shooting skills.

Have you heard of Marksmanship Princials? Basically they are "rules" which if followed correctly can vastly improve your shooting, things like controlling your breathing to help your aim. They are used in the forces and it shouldn't be too difficult to find some articles.

Where in the UK are you? Maybe you can join a shooting club if you haven't already. Some coaching from someone with experience will help you no end, if there's nowhere close then go to the army cadets. I learned to shoot there, some of the instructors are brilliant and you get to use some wicked ranges. I learned to shoot well enough to represent the UK

If you need any help PM me. I am a qualified shooting instrucor and am more than happy to help

Never thought to suggest that myself!! Rifles are alot harder to use than a shotgun and while they dont pack as much of a punch, they can shoot further and straighter. I too have received training through my local gun club, and college shooting team, where I trained others to shoot. Rifles require alot more thought than shotguns!! Air rifles require alot more due to their reduced power and all...

 

[for_my_fish]

you need to get good shooting skills on non living targets first. Shooting live animals badly increases thier suffering. Be kind (you keep fish so I asume give a damn for living things). Hone your skills first, then at least if you still want to shoot the live stuff you will reduce thier suffering, by killing more cleanly.

 

[sianeds]

Yes it's important to not even attempt to shoot anything that's alive until you're 100% confident in your ability to kill it with one shot, obviously everybody misses sometimes and this is unfortunate but having to find and kill an animal you've shot badly is not pleasant.

Practise on some targets first. 25 meters is a good learning distance as you will be able to go for some good groupings without the need for fancy sights etc. It's also a good distance to zero your sights before you start. If you have a decent sized back garden you can set yourself a mini range up with a length of string and some paper clips to hang the targets on. Put some protection behind where you're shooting or have a fence panel a few feet behind to "catch" any wayward pellets.

You really should start off shooting from the prone position. This is easier as your movements are restricted so it gives you a good steady base to work on your aim. Once you are getting a grouping of 1" or less with 5 pellets at 25 meters you could try shooting from a sitting/kneeling position until you are achieving the same groupings, then try from standing. By then you will have built up enough strength in your arms to support the rifle.

Once you have mastered this you will be ready to try moving targets (still not animals) using a pulley system or something similar.

Be aware that unless you are a natural shot, which most people are not, this will take you many months of practise. It's well worth it though and it is very satisfying to see how much your skills improve.

Good luck