Introduction to Pigeon Hunting

INTRODUCTION TO PIGEON HUNTING  

   I always get asked the same question over and over from people that have never pigeon hunted before "You really go out and hunt for pigeons" and my answer is always "yes, and not only do we go out for pigeons strictly, but we hunt them over decoys" 

   Someone that has never hunted pigeons over decoys simply just dont understand.  The best way we tell people is imagine the best duck or goose hunt that you've ever gone and then times that by ten. The reasoning is that theres no season, which means we are hunting them when its nice and warm outside. Theres no limit, which means we are shooting 100+ birds everytime we go out and we go home when we want. Then last but not least, No rules, which means you can chum for them, use live decoys,  throw away the birds when your done (because their considered pests) or whatever you may want that is still ethical.

    Pigeons are hunted just like any waterfowl is.  90% of your hunt is completed when you scout and find a spot where the pigeon are hitting. Be there the next morning or evening, depending on when you saw the birds there, and get your decoys up and ready for the first flock of birds.

    The typical decoy spread we use is 3-5 dozen Soar No More sillos. mixed in with our full body decoys. Always use at least one mojo decoy, if its the dove decoy or anything that makes motion. The pigeons are very attracted to motion. We always leave the dead ones out as decoys to give it more realism and a bigger spread. There's no really certain way to set up your decoy spread. Study live pigeons as they feed in an area. Watch how close they feed or how far apart they are. We've notice that their always bunched up with 3-4 scattered out a bit. Pigeons will always land into the wind, so keep that in mind when you setting up and where you'll be sitting.  Put you Mojo decoys there you want the birds to finish.

    Pigeon hunting is the best and healthiest thing you can do for yourself and for your dog in the off season. Hunters sit at home all day in the off season waiting for the upcoming season to arrive. Their shooting skills are getting rusty and so is their dog.  Theirs nothing better for a young dog to get in several pigeon hunts before the next bird season rolls around. Their nothing thats more frustrating that to hunt with a unexperienced dog.

    Other than that, be safe and have fun! Theres nothing like decoys birds right in your face for two hours straight and the feeling of going home early because you ran out of shells!