Quick Answers
In most areas, it is legal to shoot pigeons on your own property as long as it is done safely and humanely. However, there are often local laws and regulations regarding discharging firearms and hunting within city or county limits that need to be checked. It’s best to contact local law enforcement to understand any applicable ordinances. Safety issues like pellet spread and noise should also be considered when shooting near other homes or populated areas.
Pigeons are a common nuisance bird that can cause damage with their droppings and nesting behaviors. Many property owners deal with unwanted flocks of pigeons roosting on their buildings, eaves, and ledges. This often leads to the question of whether you can legally shoot pigeons on your own property to control the population. The answer depends on local laws and safely managing factors like firearm discharge and pellet spread in populated areas. Here is an in-depth look at the legalities and considerations around shooting pigeons on your property.
Local Firearm Discharge Laws
The first thing to check is your local city, county, and state laws regarding discharging firearms. Many urban and suburban areas prohibit the discharge of firearms within city or county limits for safety reasons. This may restrict shooting pigeons even on your own property. Check with your local law enforcement agency to find out if discharging an air rifle, pellet gun, or other firearms is legal within your jurisdiction.
In rural areas and unincorporated county lands, there are usually fewer restrictions on shooting on your own property. However, safety factors like pellet spread and noise issues need consideration based on proximity to neighbors and populated areas.
Hunting and Wildlife Regulations
Even if your area allows firearm discharge, you need to check state hunting regulations regarding taking wild birds. Pigeons are considered wildlife in most states and not classified as a pest bird species that is exempt from hunting laws. This means you may need a small game hunting permit or license to legally shoot pigeons even on your own property.
There are often daily bag limits, possession limits, and seasonal restrictions that apply for taking wild doves and pigeons under state hunting regulations. Shooting too many pigeons or hunting out of season could potentially result in citations for poaching or wildlife violations. Always check your state hunting guides for the most up-to-date regulations.
Local Ordinances on Pigeon Control
Some cities and counties have specific ordinances around pigeon management and control methods. There may be laws prohibiting lethal control such as shooting or restrictions on trapping methods. Some areas require trying non-lethal deterrents first like repellents or netting before taking lethal action.
Even if shooting is allowed, local ordinances may limit the acceptable methods such as prohibiting pellet guns or air rifles and only allowing certain firearms or BB caliber sizes. Always check for any municipal codes specific to your area before utilizing shooting to control pigeons on your property.
Homeowners Association Rules
For those living in condos, townhomes, or properties with a homeowners association, you must also check their specific rules regarding discharging firearms or weapons. Many associations prohibit shooting pellet guns, BB guns, air rifles, or traditional firearms within the community due to safety and noise issues.
You could face warnings or fines for violating the HOA rules even if shooting pigeons is legal according to city and state laws. Get written HOA approval before utilizing shooting to control pigeons on your property.
Safety and Nuisance Concerns
Even if shooting pigeons is legal, you need to consider relevant safety issues and potential nuisance concerns for your neighbors. Use extreme care and caution when discharging any firearms in populated areas.
– Never shoot across property lines or in the direction of other homes or buildings due to the risk of stray pellets traveling outside your property.
– Check if noise ordinances restrict the allowable hours for discharging firearms if they generate significant noise like BB, pellet, or traditional guns.
– Make sure you have a safe backstop such as a hillside or shooting range to prevent ricochets or penetration risk beyond your property.
– Post signage during shooting if it’s occurring close to property lines to alert neighbors in case they are outside.
– Consider alternative control methods if your property configuration makes shooting unsafe due to proximity to other homes, public areas, or structures.
Pigeon Shooting Laws by State
Hunting laws and regulations pertaining to pigeons, doves, and other birds vary considerably across different states. Here is an overview of pigeon shooting legality by state:
Alabama
Pigeons are not classified as migratory birds in Alabama, so normal hunting laws and seasons do not apply. However, a hunting license is still required to shoot pigeons anywhere other than your own private property. On private land, the landowner can shoot pigeons year-round without a permit. Local ordinances may still restrict shooting firearms within city limits.
Alaska
Shooting pigeons is permitted under general small game regulations with a valid hunting license. There is no closed season, but air rifles and pellet guns may be prohibited in some cities and boroughs. Always check local firearm ordinances before shooting.
Arizona
A valid hunting license and migratory bird stamp are required to shoot pigeons in Arizona. There is a daily bag limit of 15 doves/pigeons in aggregate per hunter. Shooting is only permitted during established dove seasons that run from September to January.
Arkansas
Pigeons are considered an unprotected bird species in Arkansas and can be shot year-round without any bag limits on private property. A small game hunting permit is still needed on public lands or private lands not owned by the shooter.
California
A hunting license and upland game bird validations are required. The daily bag limit for doves/pigeons is 10 in aggregate. The season runs from September 1 to January 15. Local county and city ordinances may further restrict shooting firearms and pellet guns.
Colorado
Shooting pigeons is permitted under small game regulations and requires a valid hunting license. The daily bag limit is 15 doves/pigeons. Hunting is permitted from September 1 to November 29.
Connecticut
A hunting license and migratory bird permit are required. The season runs from September 1 to October 30 or November 9 depending on hunting zone. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves. Discharging firearms must follow local ordinances.
Delaware
A hunting license and migratory bird permit are required to hunt pigeons in Delaware. The season lasts from September 1 to October 24 and December 26 to January 14. The daily limit is 15 birds.
Florida
Pigeons are included under general dove regulations. A migratory bird permit is required along with a hunting license. The daily limit is 15 doves/pigeons, and the season runs from September 1 to October 17 and November 12 to January 15.
Georgia
A hunting license and migratory bird stamp are required. The season is from September 3 to October 9 and November 19 to January 15 with a 15 pigeon/dove daily limit. Discharge of pellet guns is usually prohibited in cities.
Hawaii
There is no open season for shooting pigeons in Hawaii. Qualified farmers may get a depredation permit for taking pigeons causing agricultural damage. Use of air rifles and pellet guns is restricted.
Idaho
Pigeons are included under the mourning dove regulations. A hunting permit and upland game bird license are required. The season runs from September 1 to October 30 with a daily bag limit of 10 pigeons/doves.
Illinois
A migratory waterfowl stamp is required in addition to a hunting license. The season is September 1 to November 5 with a daily limit of 15 pigeons/doves. Shooting firearms is usually prohibited within city limits.
Indiana
You must have a hunting license and migratory bird permit. The seasons are from September 1 to October 27 and December 13 to January 5 with a 15 pigeon/dove daily limit.
Iowa
A hunting license and habitat fee are required. The season is September 1 to October 30 and December 1 to December 30 with a daily limit of 15 pigeons/doves. Discharge laws must be followed within city limits.
Kansas
A hunting license is required. There is a year-round open season for pigeons with no bag limits. However, municipal laws may prohibit shooting in city limits. Pellet guns are restricted in some cities.
Kentucky
Pigeons are exempt from hunting regulations in Kentucky and can be shot year-round with no bag limits on private property. Still, municipal firearms discharge laws apply.
Louisiana
A hunting license is required. The season runs from September 1 to October 1 and November 19 to January 31 with a daily limit of 15 pigeons/doves. Local firearms laws still apply.
Maine
There is no open season for hunting pigeons in Maine. Some non-lethal control such as trapping is allowed with a permit for nuisance pigeons. Use of pellet guns inside city limits is prohibited.
Maryland
A hunting license and state migratory game bird stamp are required. The seasons are September 1 to October 15 and November 18 to January 15. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
Massachusetts
Resident and migratory game bird licenses are required. The season runs September 1 to October 30 with a daily limit of 10 pigeons/doves in the aggregate. Air rifles and BB guns are prohibited in many cities.
Michigan
Small game hunting and migratory waterfowl licenses are required. The seasons are September 1 to October 7 and from October 20 to November 5. The daily limit is 15 doves/pigeons combined.
Minnesota
A small game hunting license is required. The season is from September 1 through October 15 with a daily limit of 10 doves/pigeons in aggregate.
Mississippi
Small game and migratory bird hunting licenses are required. The seasons are September 1 to October 15 and December 1 to January 15 with a 15 pigeon/dove daily limit.
Missouri
A small game hunting permit and migratory bird hunting permit are required. The season runs from September 1 through November 9 with a daily limit of 15 pigeons/doves.
Montana
Hunting license and state migratory bird license are required. The season is from September 1 through October 30. There is no stated daily bag limit for pigeons.
Nebraska
A hunting permit and habitat stamp are required. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset from September 1 through October 30 and December 1 through December 29 with a daily limit of 15 pigeons/doves.
Nevada
A hunting license and upland game bird stamp are required. The seasons are from September 1 through September 30 and again November 1 through December 1. The aggregate daily limit is 10 pigeons/doves.
New Hampshire
A hunting license and state migratory waterfowl permit are required. The season runs from September 15 through October 1 and again from October 20 to November 5. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves.
New Jersey
A hunting license and migratory bird permit are required. The seasons are September 1 through September 30 and November 9 through January 8. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
New Mexico
A hunting license is required. The season runs from September 1 through November 30 and again from December 26 through January 1. The daily bag limit is 10 pigeons/doves.
New York
A hunting license and migratory game bird stamp are required. The seasons are September 1 through October 4 and November 19 through December 23 in most zones. The daily limit is 10 pigeons/doves in aggregate.
North Carolina
A hunting license and migratory hunting permit are required. The season runs from September 1 through October 8 and November 22 through January 31. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
North Dakota
A general game hunting license is required. The season is from September 1 through October 7 and again October 21 through November 29. The combined daily limit is 15 doves/pigeons.
Ohio
A hunting license and wetlands habitat stamp are required. The season is September 1 through October 30 and December 23 through January 5. The daily bag limit is 15 doves/pigeons.
Oklahoma
A hunting license and migratory game bird stamp are required. The season is September 1 through October 5 and again November 9 through December 25. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
Oregon
A hunting license and upland game bird validation are required. The seasons are from September 1 through September 15 and again October 1 through October 30. The daily limit is 10 doves/pigeons in aggregate.
Pennsylvania
A hunting license and migratory game bird license are required. The seasons are September 1 through November 25 and December 16 through January 7 in most zones. Daily limits range from 12-15 for doves/pigeons based on hunting zone.
Rhode Island
A hunting license and permit are required. Seasons are September 1 through October 14 and November 1 through November 30. The daily limit is 10 pigeons/doves. Discharge laws must still be followed.
South Carolina
A hunting license and migratory bird permit are required. Seasons are September 3 through October 8 and November 23 through January 15. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves in aggregate.
South Dakota
A hunting license is required. Season is year-round with no bag restrictions for pigeons. Local firearms discharge laws still apply.
Tennessee
A hunting license and migratory bird permit are required. Seasons are September 1 through October 28 and December 8 through January 15. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
Texas
A hunting license is required. The statewide season is September 1 through October 30 and the South Zone season is September 14 through October 30. The daily bag limit is 15 pigeons/doves in aggregate.
Utah
A hunting license and upland game permit are required. Seasons are September 1 through October 30 and December 1 through December 29. The daily limit is 10 pigeons/doves combined.
Vermont
A hunting license and migratory bird stamp are required. Seasons are September 1 through October 31 and December 16 through January 1. Daily limit is 10 pigeons/doves in aggregate.
Virginia
A hunting license and migratory bird stamp are required. Seasons are September 1 through September 30 and November 15 through January 31. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
Washington
A small game hunting license is required. The statewide season is September 1 through December 31. Daily limits range from 10-15 for doves/pigeons based on management units.
West Virginia
A hunting license and migratory bird stamp are required. Seasons are September 1 through October 20 and November 7 through November 15. The daily limit is 15 pigeons/doves combined.
Wisconsin
A small game hunting license and migratory game bird stamp are required. The season is September 1 through November 9. The daily bag limit is 10 pigeons/doves in aggregate.
Wyoming
A hunting license is required. Pigeons are classified as unprotected non-game species in Wyoming and can be taken year-round with no limits on private lands. Local discharge laws still apply.
Conclusion
In summary, the legality of shooting pigeons on your property depends greatly on your location. Always check municipal and county firearms discharge ordinances first. If local laws allow, you then must verify that state hunting regulations permit taking pigeons and follow all required permits, seasons, and bag limits. Safety issues like pellet spread in populated areas is paramount. Consider alternative control methods if discharging firearms safely on your property is not possible. With proper diligence and precautions, shooting can legally be utilized in many areas for pigeon control.
