Pigeon
Fast-flying targets for serious wingshooters
Pigeon hunting offers exciting wingshooting opportunities across North America, from regulated band-tailed pigeons in western mountain forests to year-round rock dove hunting on agricultural lands. Swift and agile, pigeons test your shooting skills.
Best Time to Hunt
Early morning and late evening when pigeons fly between roosts and feeding areas. Band-tailed seasons typically September. Rock doves can be hunted year-round in most areas with landowner permission.
Two Distinct Opportunities
Band-tailed Pigeons: Native western species, regulated seasons, permit required. Rock Doves: Feral pigeons on farms and agricultural areas, typically unregulated pest species year-round.
Challenging Targets
Pigeons are swift flyers that can turn on a dime—far more agile than mourning doves. Band-tails are tough birds requiring solid hits. Excellent practice for serious wingshooters seeking off-season action.
About Pigeon Hunting
Band-tailed Pigeons
The band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) is North America's only native pigeon. Larger than rock doves, they're dark gray with yellow feet, red eyes, and a distinctive white band on the back of their neck. Named for the dark band across their tail feathers.
Found in mountainous regions of the Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountains, band-tails are known to perch on the very tips of fir trees as lookouts. When flushed, they make a distinct slapping noise. Their call is a two-note coo or hoarse croaking sound.
Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons)
Rock doves (Columba livia) are the familiar feral pigeons found around farms, grain elevators, and urban areas. Descendants of domesticated pigeons, they display wide variation in plumage from gray to white to multi-colored.
Considered agricultural pests in many areas, rock doves provide excellent off-season wingshooting. They're fast, unpredictable flyers that will test your shooting skills. Many states allow year-round hunting with no limits.
Band-tailed Range
Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California, plus the Rocky Mountains through Arizona and New Mexico. Typically found at higher elevations in coniferous forests. Six states currently allow hunting including Oregon, California, and Colorado.
Rock Dove Habitat
Found throughout North America wherever grain is stored or processed—farms, silos, abandoned barns, bridges, and urban areas. Feed in grain fields, harvested cornfields, and anywhere agricultural waste accumulates.
Flight Characteristics
Both species are swift flyers at 50-60+ mph. Band-tails sweep over hunters and turn on a dime—far more agile than mourning doves. They're tough birds requiring solid hits to bring down. Expect to use extra shells.
Ready to Hunt Pigeon?
Find hunting guides, outfitters, and locations that offer pigeon hunting opportunities— from western band-tailed pigeons to agricultural rock dove shoots.
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