Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Does anyone here shoot "pest" birds, either on private land or on farmland? I am looking for some opportunities to do some pest bird shooting....doves, pigeons, crows, or whatever else the land owner wants to get rid of. I would also be interested in farmers or private preserves allowing "high volume" dove shooting once Sept. rolls around. I can drive maybe within a 3 hour radius from northern VA.

wolfhfac wrote:Does anyone here shoot "pest" birds, either on private land or on farmland? I am looking for some opportunities to do some pest bird shooting....doves, pigeons, crows, or whatever else the land owner wants to get rid of. I would also be interested in farmers or private preserves allowing "high volume" dove shooting once Sept. rolls around. I can drive maybe within a 3 hour radius from northern VA.

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I think you better read up on the game laws. Last I heard, doves were migratory fowl, and so, believe it or not, were crows. Subject to seasons and strict limits. Many if not most municipalities in VA are bird sactuaries, too. Pigeons I don't know about. But they're rats with wings, and there ought to be a cotton-pickin' bounty on 'em.

The European starling, english sparrow, and pigeon are all considered a nuisance species. Here is a link defining what you can do to them. It also lists species other than birds that are a nuisance in VA.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/nuisance/

Note:you have to have a hunting lisense to partake in killing them.

I sit on my back porch and shoot starlings often. I use a gamo big cat .177 1250fps air rifle. It gets the job done.

dorminWS wrote:

wolfhfac wrote:Does anyone here shoot "pest" birds, either on private land or on farmland? I am looking for some opportunities to do some pest bird shooting....doves, pigeons, crows, or whatever else the land owner wants to get rid of. I would also be interested in farmers or private preserves allowing "high volume" dove shooting once Sept. rolls around. I can drive maybe within a 3 hour radius from northern VA.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think you better read up on the game laws. Last I heard, doves were migratory fowl, and so, believe it or not, were crows. Subject to seasons and strict limits. Many if not most municipalities in VA are bird sactuaries, too. Pigeons I don't know about. But they're rats with wings, and there ought to be a cotton-pickin' bounty on 'em.

Game laws allow the shooting of crows and doves during a specific season. Why are you asking about the game laws?

wolfhfac wrote:

dorminWS wrote:

wolfhfac wrote:Does anyone here shoot "pest" birds, either on private land or on farmland? I am looking for some opportunities to do some pest bird shooting....doves, pigeons, crows, or whatever else the land owner wants to get rid of. I would also be interested in farmers or private preserves allowing "high volume" dove shooting once Sept. rolls around. I can drive maybe within a 3 hour radius from northern VA.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think you better read up on the game laws. Last I heard, doves were migratory fowl, and so, believe it or not, were crows. Subject to seasons and strict limits. Many if not most municipalities in VA are bird sactuaries, too. Pigeons I don't know about. But they're rats with wings, and there ought to be a cotton-pickin' bounty on 'em.

Game laws allow the shooting of crows and doves during a specific season. Why are you asking about the game laws?

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That was my point. I was just pointing out that doves and crows were not a nuisance species - you can only shoot them during season and up to the limit. And beyond that, anytime you go out and shoot at any kind of animal, it's a good idea to read up on the game laws. I had a buddy that was coyote hunting and got busted for deer hunting over bait because there was a baited field on an adjoining farm he wasn't hunting and didn't even know about. He didn't get convicted, but if he'd checked out the area better he's have avoided a court appearance and having the game wared take his gun and then jumping through the hoops to get it back.

wolfhfac wrote:Does anyone here shoot "pest" birds, either on private land or on farmland?

Haven't ever heard of it in recent years. Too many farmers around me have had bad experiences with city folk wanting to come shoot/hunt, and most don't want to deal with the problems it brings.