Rock Dove

[Big Jim]

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2016...m_31_domestic_pigeons_and_non_native_deer.pdf

looks like the committee is proposing a change to Rock Dove take. as i understand the current law it i illegal to take pigeon (rock Dove). thoughts?

 

[ilovesprig]

Jim,

The way it reads now (to me) is that's illegal to shoot feral pigeons.........And DFG is attempting to rewrite the regs to say it's permitted (officially)......I just know guys have been shooting them since I can remember.

It also begs the question, since they're going to be classified as a non game bird, will steel be required?

Phase 2 – Effective July 1, 2016, nonlead shot will be required when taking upland game birds with a shotgun, except for dove, quail, snipe, and any game birds taken on licensed game bird clubs. In addition, nonlead shot will be required when using a shotgun to take resident small game mammals, furbearing mammals, nongame mammals, nongame birds, and any wildlife for depredation purposes.

 

[Sigalert2012]

I never shoot them because the regs are so unclear

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

They sure are fun to shoot though lol. No mistaking that pigeon thud when they hit a hay bale. But yea I don't like being at the mercy of a warden.. hopefully they'll clarify those regs finally. Weren't rock doves legal in the regs only a few years back?

 

[ilovesprig]

They've actually been ILLEGAL in the Imperial Co. regs.....The wardens out there said it was a misprint.....This will hopefully clear up any confusion.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

Ah, I remember that now. I think there was a similar discussion on here about the rock dove dilemma awhile back. Hopefully it'll clear it up soon.

 

[Big Jim]

i agree Steve, in the past it was a fun shoot when the owners of a feed lot opened the gates and said have fun. i was talking to a warden at good ol motel 6 on 4th ave last week during my scouting trip. he said last season they gave over 1000 tickets for possession of the flying rats. he mentioned he hated doing it but its the law and people should know the law. i agreed with him, i also asked him if an owner gave us permission to enter his feed lot and shoot the peskie birds was that legal....... Nope, he said because of the grain in the feed lot they consider it baited. hmmmm. he also said you would be in possession when you left the property and if you didnt leave with what you killed it would be wanton waste. so from now on they will keep on flying. thanks for the reminder on steel.

 

[MJB]

Warden specific rules......again.

If you find a warden who's says it's okay get his card so at least you have a chance at beating it......hopefully it gets solved this time

 

[ilovesprig]

The regs in the IV........

 

[SluiceCoot]

I've been shooting them on my dad's ranch for years. Never had a problem. They taste just like a large dove