Woodpigeon Control with An Air Rifle - Paperback

by Ian Barnett (Author)

The woodpigeon is a magnificent bird. There can be no denying that. It's flying aptitude, speed, agility and stamina are awesome. Nor can we deny the adaptability and evolution which has seen the species become the predominant avian pest species in Great Britain. To most people, the 'woodie' is an innocuous park and garden visitor that errs on the greedy side. Particularly for those with bird tables and vegetable gardens. It's soporific murmur, hidden amongst the leaves in summer trees, has become an iconic 'aestival' sound. For the crop grower, however, the woodie is an almost apocalyptic nuisance. It's proclivity for gathering in huge flocks and descending on new seed drillings, sprouting crops and pre-harvest grain makes it the farmers number one avian enemy. For the country sportsman or woman owning either a shotgun or an air rifle, woodies are manna from heaven. They are on the General Licenses, they are prolific and do you know what the best bit is? They are edible! More than that. Pigeon breast meat is delicious, versatile and (unlike game) available all year round. This book will explain how to harvest that bounty ... but it is much more than that. It is a natural history study and a tribute to an iconic sporting quarry.

Author Biography

Ian Barnett is a freelance country sports writer, blogger and photographer based in Norfolk, UK. Ian has hunted with air guns and lurchers for over forty years. More recently he has added rimfire rifles and shotguns to his repertoire. Ian writes regularly for The Countryman's Weekly about hunting and field-craft. In the past, Ian has written regularly for Airgunner, Shooting Times and Airgun Shooter magazines. He is also a keen wildlife photographer. Many of Ian's images can be seen on his Wildscribbler website (see below). As well as many hundreds of magazine articles, Ian has several published books to his credit including: The Airgun Hunter's Year Airgun Fieldcraft The Hunter's Way The Hunter's Hound Jaguar! (a novel about a big cat in the UK) Through The Wild Eye Grey Squirrel Control With An Air Rifle Eden - The Natural History Of A Norfolk Estate Ian displays his wildlife photography, writes a regular countryside blog and also details how to purchase his books on his website: www.wildscribbler.com