Hunting Pigeons: An Underrated Game Bird

Hunting Pigeons: An Underrated Game Bird Worth Your Attention

Pigeon hunting is one of the most overlooked and action-packed wingshooting opportunities available across North America. Rock pigeons (often called feral pigeons) thrive around farmland, grain operations, dairies, and feedlots—providing fast shooting, long seasons, and excellent practice for upland and waterfowl hunters.

Whether you’re new to bird hunting or looking for high-volume shooting that sharpens your accuracy, pigeon hunts deliver. If you're comparing outfitters or exploring guided wingshooting options, browse vetted choices through Find A Hunt to plan confidently.

Why Pigeons Make Excellent Game Birds

Many hunters overlook pigeons, but they offer several advantages:

• No seasons or bag limits in many areas (always confirm local rules).

• High-volume shooting—ideal for honing fundamentals.

• Challenging flight patterns: fast, erratic, and responsive to pressure.

• Abundant near agriculture: predictable food and water sources.

• Great table fare: breasted pigeons rival dove and small upland birds when cooked well.

Their intelligence and adaptability make them surprisingly exciting quarry.

Understanding Pigeon Habitat & Behavior

Pigeons thrive wherever food and structure meet.

Primary Pigeon Locations

• Grain silos and loading areas

• Dairy farms

• Feedlots

• Hay stacks and alfalfa fields

• Abandoned barns and sheds

• Irrigation pivots

• Rural bridges and structures

Daily Activity Patterns

• Morning: Leave roosts and hit grain or feed.

• Midday: Loaf in structures or high perches.

• Afternoon: Return to feed again before roosting.

Pigeons often follow the same flight lines daily—ideal for ambush-style hunts.

Essential Gear for Pigeon Hunting

Shotguns

Quick handling and reliable cycling matter most.

• Gauge: 12 or 20

• Choke: Improved Cylinder or Modified

• Action: Semi-auto for high-volume shooting

Ammunition

• #7½ or #8 target loads are perfect

• Heavier field loads when hunting around windy, open fields

Clothing

• Earth-tone or light camo clothing

• Gloves and face covering in high-pressure areas

• Durable boots for farm, field, or feedlot terrain

Accessories

• Shooting stool or bucket

• Shell bag or vest

• Eye and ear protection

• Decoys (when targeting field shoots)

• Calls (rarely necessary but available)

How to Scout Pigeons

What to Look For

• Active grain spills

• Roost sites under barns, eaves, or bridges

• Feeding flocks on stubble fields

• Heavy flight lines between food and resting areas

• Droppings beneath common perches

Best Scouting Times

• Early morning flights to feeding areas

• Late afternoon return flights

• Midday loafing behavior around structures

Once you know where birds travel—and when—you can set up for consistent action.

Proven Pigeon Hunting Tactics

1. Pass Shooting Along Flight Lines

One of the most effective methods:

• Set up under high-traffic routes between silos and fields

• Use natural cover or simple blinds

• Expect rapid shooting and birds circling back frequently

2. Decoying in Fields

Pigeons respond very well to decoy spreads.

• Use 12–24 pigeon decoys or dove decoys

• Place in small clusters with open landing pockets

• Face decoys into the wind to mimic feeding birds

• Add motion with spinners or flapping decoys (optional)

3. Hunting Feedlots and Dairies (When Permitted)

Always request landowner permission.

• Focus on grain piles, feed bunks, and spill zones

• Birds cycle constantly—expect heavy shooting

• Choose safe backdrops and mind livestock at all times

4. Jump Shooting Around Structures

For barns, sheds, and bridges:

• Move quietly

• Be ready for explosive, close-range flushes

• Maintain safe angles and avoid shooting toward buildings or livestock

5. Spot-and-Stalk in Stubble Fields

When flocks feed out of range:

• Use terrain features or hay bales to close distance

• Approach from downwind

• Set decoys ahead of the flock’s movement path

Shot Placement & Shooting Tips

Pigeons are tough birds and require solid form.

Tips

• Mount the gun smoothly without rushing

• Pick a single bird—avoid flock shooting

• Lead more than you think; pigeons fly fast

• Follow through completely

Expect birds to flare and change speed in pressured locations.

Field Care & Cooking Pigeons

Field Care

• Breast out quickly to keep meat clean

• Keep in breathable game bags

• Avoid letting birds sit in the sun

Cooking Ideas

• Grilled or pan-seared pigeon breasts

• Stuffed bacon-wrapped bites

• Stir-fry, fajitas, or skewers

• Slow-cooked legs for stews

Pigeon meat is rich, mild, and excellent when cooked medium rare.

Safety & Ethical Considerations

• Always secure permission when hunting near farms.

• Be mindful of livestock, equipment, and property.

• Choose safe shot angles—never shoot toward buildings or power lines.

• Follow all local regulations (some areas have restrictions near urban zones).

Ethical pigeon hunting helps maintain strong landowner relationships.

FAQs: Pigeon Hunting

Is pigeon hunting legal everywhere?

Regulations vary—many areas classify them as unprotected species, but local rules still apply.

Do decoys work on pigeons?

Yes—extremely well, especially in fields and feedlots.

Are pigeons good to eat?

Absolutely—pigeon breasts rival dove and other upland birds.

What’s the best time to hunt pigeons?

Early morning and late afternoon when birds feed most heavily.

Do pigeons migrate?

Most feral pigeons do not migrate, making hunting consistent year-round.

Plan Your Next Wingshooting Adventure

Pigeon hunting is fast-paced, fun, and highly accessible—perfect for honing your skills or enjoying a high-volume day afield. With smart scouting, simple decoy setups, and a safe approach, you’ll enjoy steady action on these underrated game birds.

If you're ready to explore wingshooting outfitters or book your next hunt, compare trusted options today through our hunt marketplace.