Pigeon Shooting with Decoy Pigeons

Pigeon shooting is one of the UK's most popular and enjoyable forms of hunting. But in order to be successful at it, you need to understand the strategies for maximizing your success rate.

Decoy pigeons are a great way to do that – they can be used to lure other birds into range and give you more shots each time you head out hunting. By using decoys, shooters can simulate the presence of a flock of birds, which will tempt the real pigeons closer. Here we explain how decoys work, the different types available on the market today and tips for setting them up effectively so that you can make the most of your day out Pigeon shooting.

Getting Ready For A Shoot

How do Pigeon Decoys Work?

When it comes to pigeon decoys we can use either shot birds or artificial birds as decoys. Artificial decoys are a very popular option and can be picked up relatively cheaply or passed on second-hand.

The most common type is a stationary pigeon decoy, which is basically a fake pigeon mounted on a stake that is placed in the ground. This type is generally used when hunting in open areas, as it will help to lure the birds as they fly past. The birds will spot the decoy pigeons and think other pigeons are feeding in the area. This of course will be a good spot to land, and one where we will be waiting.

There are also flying decoys available, which are made to look like real birds in flight. These can be used to attract pigeons that are hiding in trees or other covered areas.

Different Types of Decoy Pigeon Decoys

There are a few different types of pigeon decoys on the market today. The most common type is the traditional wooden decoy. These decoys have been used for decades to lure pigeons in for hunting. They are typically painted in a way that makes them look like real pigeons, and they often have a realistic-looking head attached.

Another type of pigeon decoy is the plastic decoy. These decoys are made from cheap, lightweight materials and can be easily transported. They are also very easy to set up and use, making them a popular choice for hunters. They can often look ultra-realistic and when starting out a really inexpensive option to add to your pigeon hunting kit.

Pigeon magents also work very well. Pigeons can be mounted with shot birds or artificial birds and create movement. As pigeons fly past they can identify this movement as it can catch their eye more easily then in regards to a static decoy. Once they have taken this bait the static decoys will also play a role in influencing the landing area of the pigeon in flight.

Setting up your Pigeon Decoys Effectively

When setting up your pigeon decoys, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First and foremost, you'll need to make sure that the decoys are within shooting range and placed above any crops.

You should space out the decoys evenly so that the birds don't become confused. A good idea is to place a group of decoys at 10 o'clock and another group at 2 o'clock about 20 to 30 yards from your hide. This will create a nice empty landing place straight in front of you where we shall target landing pigeons in a kill zone.

It is important that our decoys are realistic-looking. This will help to ensure that the birds aren't scared off. This is especially the case if we are using dead birds, we want to position them in a way that looks natural.

As you progress in pigeon shooting you will try out a variety of different tactics and gain a feel for what works well and in what situation.

Pigeon Shooting with Shootingsh

You can enquire about a day out pigeon shooting with one of our guides or join our syndicate and receive access to over 100'000 acres of land through the UK.

When you go out with a guide we will cover all the basics of pigeon shooting and give you 1st hand experience of how best to lure wood pigeons in using decoys. You will also be doing the land owners a huge favour as pigeons can be very disruptive to crops in agricultural fields.

We provide starter courses and also shotgun courses for people who wish to learn pigeon shooting. For the more experienced pigeon shooter, you can join out network and receive access to land all over the UK to hunt alone.