Pigeon Control Via BB Gun Shooting

11.20.2003 - Most of the time, pigeon control is done via the installation of deterrent devices. So for example, if pigeons are roosting in an undesirable area, I can install a deterrent such as bird spikes to prevent them from nesting in that area. In addition, at times I can set special pigeon traps to trap and remove the birds.

However, in certain situations, lethal control is the only answer. This type of pigeon work is fairly common in the industry. If pigeons are scattered about in a facility, and it's unfeasible to install deterrents, and the conditions don't allow for trapping (the trapped birds have to be euthanized anyway, since pigeon relocation is not an option), then pigeon control via BB gun may be the way to go.

In this particular case, pigeons were roosting in a huge parking garage, in a few selected places. They were pooping on cars. There weren't too many birds or nesting areas, and they were scattered about on different floors of the parking garage. The garage was huge, with several floors. The installation of bird spikes would have been overkill - it would have taken tens of thousands of feet of spike, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, just for a few birds. And the pigeons couldn't see or congregate in any efficient trapping station area. Thus, the easiest way to control these few birds was to go in and shoot them.

Pigeon shoots are usually conducted at night, when the birds are asleep. I use a 1000' per second air rifle - that's pretty powerful - which is accurate and which fells the birds in a single shot. They are easy to approach at night, and can be picked off with precision. It's rare that I ever use lethal means for wildlife control. In fact, I only use it for rats and flying rats - pigeons. I fully believe in being as humane as possible, and I'm not a hunter, and I don't like killing for sport. But this happens to be an effective option in the urban pigeon control toolkit, so I use it from time to time. It's important to be a good shot, so that the birds are killed instantly and do not suffer. It's true that with time new birds will come back, so every year or so I go to this location and pick off a few birds, and the parking garage is kept clean and bird-free, and the cars don't get pooped on.

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Pigeon control is a very tricky job since they are very destructive and have made their home among humans. Pigeons are everywhere, in houses, parks, at the beach, and even commercial structures. They create a mess wherever they are and deface all structures, walkways, and parks with their feces.

Most times, you can control the pigeon population by setting up deterrent devices around your house or other structures. So, for example, if pigeons have set up camp in an area that is unfavorable, you can set up a deterrent such as fowl spikes to stop them from making their home there. Moreover, certain conditions allow you to use pigeon traps to trap the pigeons and remove them from your location.

However, in some situations, the only way for you to get rid of pigeons is by using lethal methods. This variety of pigeon work is becoming common in the industry. If pigeons are not all in a particular region of the building or structure that you want to work in, and you can't set up the traps in one central location, your best option is to use a BB gun.

The BB gun shoots BBs, which are airsoft bullets that are non-spherical and a bit different from pellet guns, which fire projectiles. The guns commonly make use of BBs of steel, zinc, or copper, to avoid corrosion. The most common use of this gun is for gun training and killing of small game, hence its use in the elimination of pigeons.

The advantage of using BB guns is that you can use them to get rid of pigeons in the field or park around your house, as well as those in your roof. However, you must be well aware of the laws of your state or country concerning the hunting of game and killing of pigeons so that you can avoid legal battles. You can also hire a professional to save yourself the stress of trying to eliminate the pigeons yourself.

HOW TO USE A BB GUN

For you to get the most out of your pigeon shooting, you must understand their behavioral patterns and make the best use of it.

First, you will need purely plastic decoy bullets. When you shoot these in the sky, the pigeons will scurry to one central place, and it will be easy for you to shoot them that way. You will also need a net or camouflage screen that will serve as your hideout and shooting point. You should use materials that will easily blend with the environment and not startle the pigeons such as grass and wood.

It would be best if you shot at pigeons when they are feeding or perching because, like that, the pigeons are more static targets. Since the BB guns make less noises than rifles, you can get away with shooting at the pigeons a few feet away from them.

Target their chests when shooting. That is more likely to hit their lungs or heart and cause an easy and fast death with minimal pain.

You can use other methods together with this to achieve better pigeon elimination. Involving an expert for advice and professionalism is also a great way to go.