PIGEONS AT THE ROOST
Roost shooting is a wonderful way to target woodpigeons during the colder months. It doesn’t require any of the cumbersome gear necessitated by decoying, yet can still yield impressive bags.
Most people associate roost shooting with shotguns, and I often reach for the 12-bore when the wind is whipping through the woods and it’s simply too blustery to shoot accurately with an airgun. But in windless conditions the loud bang of a shotgun can spook incoming birds – this is the time when an airgun can really shine.
Fitted with a decent moderator, modern airguns are almost silent so it’s possible to pick off pigeons with minimal disturbance. The lack of noise means that approaching birds are not discouraged as they home in on their favourite roosting spots and it can also be a real asset if you’re shooting relatively close to houses.
The woods where I’m targeting the pigeons this evening are right next to a field of rape that is being hammered by the ravenous birds. I have already had a couple of productive sessions decoying them over the crop, but there
