Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Revwrangler on December 30, 2013, 12:51:38 PM

Title: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Revwrangler on December 30, 2013, 12:51:38 PM: I've been talking to some guys who have hunted Rock pigeon on the west side and say its good eating and you can hunt them year round. Anyone know more detail?

Anytime I can look into something I can kill and eat all year I'm interested!
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: bobcat on December 30, 2013, 12:58:42 PM: Actually they're called rock doves, or more commonly around here, barn pigeons. They are not native here and are not protected, just like starlings.
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: bobcat on December 30, 2013, 01:01:04 PM: More info:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/pigeons.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/pigeons.html)
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: madcow41 on December 30, 2013, 01:08:34 PM: I use them to practice with goose and duck loads before the season. I dont eat them though... if you google and youtube soar no more you can see you can decoy them like ducks. Or with a spotlight you can snipe them from the rafters with a bbgun or .22 birdshot
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Bullkllr on December 30, 2013, 01:09:10 PM: Basically what "Rock Pigeon" are is referring to your common European domesticated/feral "pigeon" found all over the place. They're a non-native even considered nuisance species in some cases. Hence year round season and no limit IIRC.
NOT bandtail pigeon (native to western USA) which have tightly controlled seasons in Washington.

There is actually a growing sport in pigeon shooting in western/midwestern states. provide a lot of shooting/esp. off-season. And they're good eating. Guys stake out feedlots/farms where birds are present in large numbers. They use decoys/etc. Can get a lot of shooting and end up with a plie of birds (like 100s).

Problem in Western Wash. would be finding a place that has a concentration of birds that is open and legal for shooting. Most of them I see are in cities/dumps/port/industrial areas. Used to shoot a few incidental. I can vouch they are quite edible (no didn't hunt the dump). Scouting dairy farms where they come in to pick up waste feed might be best bet. Look around- you could find a good area.
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Revwrangler on December 30, 2013, 01:21:10 PM: Thanks guys
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Mfowl on December 30, 2013, 01:23:05 PM: They are fun birds to hunt! They make a challenging target and are readily available with some scouting. I mostly shoot them while dove hunting and they always end up in the mix for fajitas so I can't speak to their tablefare. If you can find some decent #'s it will make for a fun day of shooting. Good luck!
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Revwrangler on December 30, 2013, 01:39:12 PM: If anyone has contacts I should check into let me know. I'm tracking a few possibly leads right now.
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: fethrduster on January 01, 2014, 08:48:25 AM: I used to shoot them when walking the railroad tracks along the Columbia when I was a kid. Good eating and good sport.
Title: Re: Questions about pigeon hunting.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 01, 2014, 08:56:19 AM: Quote from: bobcat on December 30, 2013, 12:58:42 PM
Actually they're called rock doves, or more commonly around here, barn pigeons. They are not native here and are not protected, just like starlings.

:yeah: And those Eurasian Collared Doves fall into that same "Invasive Species" category and are nearly as big as pigeons! :tup: