It’s pigeon time – pewpewpow!!

If you want fresh woodpigeon (Columba palumbus), now is the time to get them on your menu.

As many of you will know unlike most gamebirds it is legal to shoot woodpigeon all year round.

What many might not know is that at certain times

of the year much larger quantities of woodpigeon

are shot than at other times, increasing the

likelihood of the pigeon being fresh rather than

frozen.

During the winter months it is more difficult to shoot

woodpigeon in large numbers as they group together

in big winter flocks. These flocks start to split up as

spring approaches, prior to the breeding season.

From early March until mid may some of the largest

quantities are shot. THEREFORE NOW IS THE TIME TO GET WOODPIGEON ON YOUR MENU if you

want the best chance of fresh pigeon.

As well as spring and early summer, late August, September and October are also extremely

productive with the last remaining stubble fields proving to be particularly productive for

flighting/decoying.

Description

Woodpigeon is a wild game bird (not reared), typically they are

seen as a pest by farmers as they feed on their young crops

causing great damage. For shooters it is seen as one of the most

testing quarry available. It takes great skill to decoy the birds into

your handmade hide, unlike some reared gamebirds (e.g.

pheasants and red-leg partridge), the slightest movement can

spook the flighting pigeon and your chance of a shot is gone.

Taste and texture

Ochil Foods “your knowledge bank”

Woodpigeon have a dark red texture similar in colour to a fillet steak. They are extremely tender and

have a beautiful rich gamey flavour.

Price

As well as their delicious flavour they are extremely

good value, these fantastic succulent wild birds can

be yours for less than the cost of a barn reared

chicken.

How to serve

Pigeon can be served in any number of ways, from a

delicious warm salad, or a single breast starter to cooking the whole bird oven ready as a main

course.

Menu ideas

1. Pigeon Salad

2. Pigeon Starter

3. Oven Ready Pigeon

For the 80’s children!!!

For all of you 1980’s kids I could not help but share this link to Pigeon Street!! For any of the older

generation who thought they had seen the back of this – sorry!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XdgHiF4uiI

Pew Pew Pow…

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