Tackling the problem
On many farms and estates, pigeon shooting has to take a back seat during the shooting season because of disturbance to game birds.
Farmers have had to watch as pigeon numbers build, while enthusiastic pigeon shooters have had to sit at home and wait patiently for the end of the season.
Winter is the hardest time to make a real dent in the numbers. Birds tend to flock and, whether because of nonlethal controls or the volume of game shooting, pigeons can be jumpy.
There are many winter crops that can be on the menu but the crop that has become the classic go-to food source is winter oilseed rape. But many people think that there is a change afoot.
The costs of farming constantly fluctuate. Oilseed rape has become an expensive crop to produce and, because
