Band tailed pidgeons

[Platensek-po]

Does anyone target them?? I have been seeing a ton of them this year and they look like a good sized bird. Does anyone hunt them or eat them?

[lewy]

They eat better than grouse IMO

[brew]

30 + years ago we used to target them up Copper Creek out of Ashford.  We would set up on the highest ridges and shoot them.  Problem was after you shot them would have to wade through berry bushes to get them.  Once my buddy went down the ridge to get one and ran into a black bear eating the berries.   Lafffed our asses off as he encountered the bear and it took off down the ridge as he tried to haul ass back up the ridge. JBLM (Fort Lewis) was open back then and we would swing by there after hunting pigeons and would shoot a limit of grouse out of his Toyota corolla....oh the good ole days. 

[ASHQUACK]

Yes, very very good table fare.

[Magnum_Willys]

Ate em growing up - not close to or as good as grouse- way different .  We had teriakied pidgeon was ok.
Was in France a few months ago and they served “Laquered Pidgeon.”  Barn pidgeons were on the rooftop outside as we dined.  None of us couls stomach it. 

[Humptulips]

All dry dark meat if that is what you like. I love grouse. I will not shoot a band-tailed pidgeon.

[Platensek-po]

Thanks for the input guys! Guess I’ll have to shoot 1 or 2 and try them!! I’ve definitely seen a bunch around while scouting

[full choke]

Remember- the season this year is the September 17-25th and you need a band-tailed pigeon harvest record card.

[Platensek-po]

Remember- the season this year is the September 17-25th and you need a band-tailed pigeon harvest record card.

Yep I’ve got one as well as the authorization and permit. It just opens this Saturday and I’ve seen them close to some grousey areas

[metlhead]

Some springs will bring the birds down to focused areas. The Cowlitz in Toledo, and Black river both had some great spots where I could sit with my dad and wait.

[Skyvalhunter]

The numbers used to be pretty good

[Backstrap]

Growing up we ate a lot of them. It was my favorite meal. Baked in brown gravy. Good luck.