Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: tallwoodsman on August 16, 2014, 11:15:40 PM

Title: shooting launched pigeons?
Post by: tallwoodsman on August 16, 2014, 11:15:40 PM: Hi All,

I've been using my pigeon launchers (with pigeons i've trapped) to train my 2 year old vizsla and have been plucking the wingtips of each pigeon I use so that they eventually come back to the ground after being launched and the dog can get them after the shot goes off (I've been using 12 GA blanks). My question is this - is it legal to use steel shot on the pigeons (pre pheasant and quail season) and just shoot them when they fly out of the launcher as if it were a real flush? It seems pretty unclear in the regs and I want to be sure before I attempt.

My goal is to make it seem more real to the the pup and maybe even get some good target practice with actual live birds instead of sporting clays.

Thanks in advance,

-The Tall Woodsman
Title: Re: shooting launched pigeons?
Post by: JODakota on August 16, 2014, 11:26:34 PM: Yes, shoot your birds!
Title: Re: shooting launched pigeons?
Post by: Birdguy on August 17, 2014, 11:49:00 AM: Absolutely! Fire at will providing you are in an area legal to shoot all is good.. No season for feral or domestic pigeons train away :tup:.
Title: Re: shooting launched pigeons?
Post by: tallwoodsman on August 17, 2014, 01:53:47 PM: Awesome news! Thanks guys. Hopefully both the pup and myself will be a little sharper once the season opens up! :chuckle:
Title: Re: shooting launched pigeons?
Post by: JJD on August 24, 2014, 01:31:02 PM: Barn pigeons, go for it!