Dan Thor decoys pigeons with a Hushpower .410

Dan Thor is on summer crop protection, keeping the pigeons off growing crops on the farm. He starts on a patch of laid barley, but there’s a problem: his gun keeps jamming. Today is Sunday, so to avoid upsetting the neighbours he is using a Hushpower .410 – but the little pump-action isn’t ejecting properly, so Dan has to make his first shot count every time. Follow Dan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dan_thor_shooting For the Jack Pyke clothing Dan wears see https://jackpyke.co.uk ▶ To watch all of #FieldsportsBritain, episode 762, visit https://FieldsportsChannel.tv/fieldsportsbritain762 ▶ Become a Fieldsports Channel member, help fund our fight for fieldsports in the media, and take advantage of our insurance package, including legal expenses cover https://FieldsportsChannel.tv/membership ▶ Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter https://FieldsportsChannel.tv/register We’re proud to promote enjoyment of fieldsports and the countryside. There are three guiding principles to everything we do on Fieldsports Channel: ▶ Shoot responsibly ▶ Respect the quarry ▶ Ensure a humane, clean and quick kill Why shoot pigeons? The woodpigeon is recognised as the UK’s number one agricultural pest and causes millions of pounds of damage (AHDB consultation 10-40% loss in yield. Equivalent loss of £125/ha for Oil Seed Rape, £250/ha for peas, £350-£1250/ha for brassicas) to agricultural crops every year including cereals, brassicas, oilseed rape, peas and salad crops. Pigeon damage reduces the yield, quality, appearance and ultimately the saleability of the crop. Pigeons can also cause damage in gardens and allotments - pecking at the leaves and ripping off portions, often leaving just the stalks and larger leaf veins. They may also attack and strip buds, leaves and fruits off trees and bushes. The UK woodpigeon population was last estimated at 5.4 million pairs in 2009. Densities of wood pigeon are the highest in Eastern England, coinciding with the highest concentration of horticultural production. Wild pigeon (game) is natural and free range, and it is one of the healthiest meats available today. It’s low in cholesterol and high in protein… and, quite simply, delicious.