Pigeons * PICS *


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Our buddy who owns a farm around the corner from our land in Sullivan County knows about my addiction to airgun hunting. He asked me to kill the pigeons that he has in his barn. Of course I said yes and I went to go fufill the task. Two weekends ago, I shot 4 and recovered 2. I am shooting a .177 airgun at around 640fps and I need a really good shot on these pigeons to drop them without hitting them and having them fly off. I recovered two, but the farmer found 2 more dead a few days after. So I killed four actually. So this past weekend, I went back to the barn with the pellet gun and found two more pigeons that didn't fly off. They were tucked away in the dark, and you could just make out their sillouhettes. I confirmed they were pigeons because Bill would flip if I shot a dove. The first one I shot laid right down with one shot. The other pigeon that was maybe 18 inches away from it just sat there and took a pellet as well. The second one took like 3 shots, not as quick as I wanted it to be, but stuff happens. I have to bring the faster pellet gun next time though. Anyway, of course it was a photo oppurtunity and my dad took some pics of me with the kills. Also, as we were standing there, me, my dad and Bill, a pigeon lands on top of the barn and Bill took aim with the pellet gun and shot it. There was just a puff of feathers and it flew away. But of course it was hit, it just died a while off. No recovery on that one though. Free meal for a fox or coyote. Sorry to rant, but I have been on a varmint tear lately. LOL

6-25-06pigeonsatmillersbarn1.jpg

6-26-06pigeonsatmillersbarn2.jpg

6-26-06pigeonsatmillersbarn3.jpg

Here is the reason that first pigeon laid down with one shot:

6-26-06pigeonchestshot.jpg

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Re: Pigeons * PICS *

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Joe, did you eat them ? I have before when I went on a killing spree also LOL. I think they call it squibb, or something like that.

too_

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Close Mike, it's called squab.

I found this:

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squab

[sKWAHB]

A young (about 4 weeks old) domesticated pigeon that has never flown and is therefore extremely tender. It was a popular special-occasion dish in Victorian England. Squabs usually weigh 1 pound or less and have delicately flavored dark meat. Fresh squab is available throughout the summer months (year-round in some regions) in gourmet markets. Frozen squab is marketed year-round. Choose fresh birds by their plump, firm appearance. Store as for CHICKEN. Likewise, squab can be prepared in any manner suitable for chicken. A classic method is to stuff and roast it.

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I imagine they taste like dove. confused.gif

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Re: Pigeons * PICS *

[ QUOTE ]

Naa Mike. I didn't eat them. Never thought about eating pigeons before. I have always just thought of pigeons as rats with wings that carry nasty diseases. I lived in NYC for 6 years, although I was young, those pigeons were nasty suckers. I just left them out for the foxes and yotes.

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Joe, you are missing one heck of a meal man. Pigeon/squab is absolutely delicious.

I wouldn't want to eat a city pigeon either, but a farm fed pigeon would be on my plate, for sure, no question about it. wink.gif

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Re: Pigeons * PICS *

Good shooting. Like you, I'm addicted to air guns and air gun hunting. I shoot at a local commercial duck farm all the time and bag plenty of wild pidgeons. They really are good eating if prepared properly. If you use an air rifle with a little more power you'll recover alot more of the birds you kill. Try a gun shooting 1000 fps and you'll drop them instantly. Nice pics, really enjoyed them. smile.gif

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