“Roost shoots are ruined by Guns blasting at birds out of range — there’s no excuse”
cramming their crops till the very last minute before descending on the woods en masse.
I used to have permission to shoot a very good roosting wood, in February, after the end of the game shooting season. I had the luxury of going when I pleased and only ever shot it when the wind blew. What made it exceptional was the fact that pigeons in the surrounding area loved to feed on frosted potatoes rather than the usual oilseed rape. This meant that farmers were quite happy to leave them alone, resulting in birds filling up at their leisure, often returning home at least two hours before dusk. On windy nights, they would approach the wood like driven grouse, in small parties of five or six birds. Carrying a food cargo of up to one-fifth of their bodyweight, they would return again and again, desperate to get in.
It is unfortunate that the only time most pigeon shooters get access to the woods is when the days are shortest and the birds are feeding on rape, the least nutritious of all the various crops they eat. This means they spend the last hour of daylight filling their crops to bursting point before heading home as late as possible. By this time of year, their flocking instinct will be at its keenest, usually meaning that every bird coming to your wood will have spent the day on the same field, often exiting it in one go. In my own little wood, I tend to do better in October or November, when the birds are often spread
Evidence
So let’s assume that by luck or hard work you have secured permission to shoot a wood. How will you know if pigeons are using it as a roost? Easy. Park up with a set of binoculars one hour before dusk and watch. Choose the downwind side if possible, as pigeons will nearly always make their final approach upwind. If there are a worthwhile number turning up, it should not be difficult to find the general area where they intend to spend the night. Mixed fir woods are an obvious draw, the telltale splash of droppings under their favourite trees. Pigeons, if arriving early, will often head for taller trees before dropping down to the lower, warmer stuff. Again, droppings will indicate if this is the case. Pick an evening when the wind howls and get there early, 2.30pm at the latest. You don’t want to see pigeons streaming in while you are struggling to get your boots on. I seldom make a hide when I am roost shooting, preferring to remain mobile, moving as the situation dictates. It is amazing the difference that moving 10 yards can make to the amount of shooting you get. Station yourself 20 yards downwind of the trees you know the birds will head for, and be patient. If you have chosen your evening well, pigeons should be in range as they clear the trees. If not, let them go round again until they are lower. More roost shoots are ruined by Guns blasting at birds out of range than any other single factor. There is no excuse for this. The habit is infectious too, as some people think that if they don’t join in they will get no shooting at all but, as a result, end up with little hope of killing any. Some people wear face masks, as pigeons are quick to spot that flash of white peering up at them, but I prefer to keep my face lowered under a cap until the moment of truth. Shoot your wood sparingly, once a month maximum, and then only when it blows. This way you will keep them using it and you will enjoy some of the most testing shooting that pigeons can offer.