IS PIGEON SHOOTING EFFECTIVE IN VANCOUVER?
9 questions about shooting pigeons and other pest birds.
In most cases airgun shooting of pest birds is the last bird control option. At Deturd Bird Control we believe non-lethal bird control methods should tried first.
Deturd BC also insists airgun shooting of pigeons and pest birds is conducted with safety a priority. Risk assessment and 100% safety is required with every job. If there is any risk to health or property damage airguns will not be used.
1. Is pigeon shooting effective?
Yes, airgun bird control can immediately remove pigeons living on your property (by air rifle). It can be used when other methods such as trapping, netting, and bird spikes don’t work. Our airgun marksman is licensed, highly trained, and target shoots weekly. We can legally, quickly, and humanely remove pest birds from your property. See limitations below.
2. Where does Deturd Bird Control work?
We work in the Greater Vancouver area including Vancouver City, Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond, Coquitlam.
3. How much does it cost?
A pigeon shooting session is approximately $175- $250.
4. Is killing of pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows legal?
Yes. These birds are a non-native pest birds and can be legally destroyed or removed from your facility or building.
5. Is killing of pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows humane and fast?
Yes. Modern airguns are an excellent tool for removing small pest animals. Airguns are relatively quiet and low power. A licensed pest management technician can kill pigeons with an airgun instantly, effectively, and humanely. Every situation will be assessed by the pest management technician to determine if shooting is a viable option.
6. Where can airgun bird control shooting be used?
- Aircraft hangers and warehouses and other difficult to reach areas. Often an aircraft hanger will have a small flock of pigeons, starlings, or sparrows living in the high roof areas of the hanger. In these cases, it is not practical to install bird exclusion netting or stainless-steel bird spikes. Trapping does not work because the pest pigeons or birds remain in high areas and will not come down to lower areas where a trap is placed. Even when the trap is placed in upper roof areas often the birds are shy and will not approach the trap. Traps located in high areas are also difficult and dangerous to service. Shooting is very effective in removing resident these pest birds.
- Pigeons living or trapped in shopping centres, malls, convention centres, sports arenas. Often pest birds such as pigeons, starlings, or sparrows will accidentally enter a building and living quite happily in high, out of reach areas. Again, trapping does not work because the pest birds remain in high areas and will not come down to lower areas.
- Resident pigeons living under roof eaves or building awnings. These resident pigeons or pest birds are especially a problem with a breading pair of pigeons. If left alone a breading pair of pigeons will raise three clutches of eggs a year! Within a year there will be 6-8 birds living on your property. Again, in these cases, spikes, netting and trapping is not effective because of large area and difficult access.
- Pigeon flock population control in industrial sites such as grain terminals, container ports, dairy farms, etc. In the above situations there is always food present and pigeon trapping is not effective. Pest birds will be a constant problem that can only be reduced. With regular bird control visits populations can be greatly reduced and controlled. Often a weekly or biweekly contract is best to keep the pigeon flock in manageable numbers.
- Small populations of house sparrows living in underground parking areas. House sparrows are hard to trap and are very small and easily enter a building through the smallest of holes. House sparrows also love to nest in parking area insulation. If you see parking area insulation has fallen on the floor it is likely house sparrows are living in your parkade.
7. Where can airgun bird control shooting NOT be used?
Airgun bird control cannot be used outside in residential areas. If shooting inside large buildings, it is always advisable to have the facility manager and a safety spotter present to ensure 100percent safety. ALWAYS check what is behind the target to prevent property damage.
8. Why is airgun bird control now so effective?
In the last 10 to 15 years there has been quantum leaps in airgun, scope, and pellet technology. Greatly improved airgun, scope optics, and pellet design and manufacturing now enable airguns to consistently hit one-inch targets at 100 yards! This airgun technology is truly amazing but expensive – at least US$2000.
Most bird control shooting is at distances of 30 to 60 yards. This high airgun accuracy results in consistent and instant humane killing of pigeons, starlings, and sparrows. Target accuracy is most important in humane killing of pigeons and pest birds. High power and/or pellet speed is secondary. Shooting accuracy is key!
https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/fx-impact-x-mkii-22-cal-600mm.html
https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/air-arms-s510-ultimate-sporter-xs-carbine-22-cal-b.html
9. What should you ask if hiring a bird or pest control company for bird shooting? Does the bird control technician:
- Have a Canadian PAL license and training?
- Have competition marksman level airgun equipment (airgun, scope, rangefinder, and pellets)? FYI most competition grade airguns are made in Sweden or England.
- Have and use a rangefinder to know exact distance to target? Without a rangefinder the shooter is guessing and likely to miss the target.
- Do weekly or biweekly target practice to maintain high level marksmanship? If the pigeon control person does not regularly practice, there will not be accuracy and humane bird control. Did they range their airgun before the kill shot? This is important! If they do not know accurate distance to target they are guessing and dangerous!
- Use quick kill pellets? https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/jsb-hades-22-cal-1589gr.html
Note: Airgun bird control can not be used outside in residential areas (illegal). When shooting inside buildings, it is always advisable to have facility manager and safety spotter present to ensure 100% safety. ALWAYS check what is behind the target so there is not property damage. A robust backstop material is vital.
