Bird shooting programme

The shooting of roosting feral pigeons at night with a 0.22 air rifle is often the most effective way of reducing pigeon numbers quickly and discreetly.

The safe and effective use of air rifles in feral pigeon shooting programmes when used by a skilled marksman can be a very humane way of killing feral pigeons humanely with a quick kill and minimal stress to the pest bird.

All shoots must be very carefully planned and be carried out by competent and trained person with strict safety procedures followed. All apparatus must be appropriate and well maintained equipment needs to be used.

In the UK the use of air rifles is strictly regulated by the Firearms Acts and subsequent amendments 1968-97 and the Highways Act 1980. It is important to ensure that you are familiar with all the relevant legislation prior to carrying out any shoots.

• You must not shoot within 50 feet of the centre of a highway if by so doing you cause anybody using that highway to be injured, interrupted or endangered.
• It is illegal to trespass in any building or on any land whilst in possession of an airgun. The gun does not have to be loaded, nor do you have to be in possession of any pellets.
• You need permission from landowners before shooting a pellet across their land even if you are not shooting from their land and the target is not on their land.
• In the UK, an air rifle does not require a Firearms Certificate as long as it is not “specially dangerous”.
• has, on discharge from the muzzle, kinetic energy exceeding 12 foot pounds.
• Check all guns regularly with a chronograph to ensure they are still legal. We recommends that your rifle is set to between 11.0 and 11.5 foot pounds to ensure you are well within the legal limit and still have appropriate power for pigeon shooting.

For further information on air rifle legislation refer to the BASC leaflet “Air Rifles - A Code of Practice”.

Related Links

• Bird Proofing
• Bird Netting
• Pigeon Spikes