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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Revenge on the pigeons

By Joseph Parish

The next time you spend any time in a large city take note of the number of pigeons which flood the skyline. You can see them at just about anywhere where a bird can possibly fly or roost. During our last trip to the Philadelphia area I was afforded the opportunity to witness these birds in action. As I watched the large number walking around trying to beg for food I thought to myself what if the food situation was to get really bad how would the pigeon population hold up? I justified the thought with the idea that they are often considered somewhat of a delicacy usually known as squab.
Yes folks it’s those same birds that you sit next to at the park of any large metropolitan city and toss old pieces of bread or an occasional handful of popcorn to. It’s those same creatures that make a mess on the rooftops of the buildings or place droppings on your car as it sits below them. 

These pigeons are completely eatable and have a taste which is somewhat akin to dove. You have to remember that ornithological both doves and pigeons are similar so in the end just think of the bird as a dove and it will make it easier to swallow. When you plan a meal using pigeon as the main course you will likely want to utilize only the breast meat. Take your fillet of pigeon and bake it with a bit of butter added for addition flavoring. Spices can be incorporated for a tastier bird if you so desire.

To harvest your brood of pigeons you could use a pellet rifle. A shotgun would likely net you vast numbers with but one shot however as a survivalist it would be to your advantage to employ pigeon traps. A quick check of your favorite internet search engine is apt to bring up several that you could make yourself very inexpensively. 

If you plan to use your traps during the heat of the summer months you could use cool water as successful bait. In the event that you have any grain silos located nearby, you could setup your traps in that vicinity or if in the city place them on the roof tops of buildings. Other popular locations for these birds are under overpasses, within barns or as an occasional attic visitor. It’s far more prudent to trap the birds than to waste your ammo or to make unnecessary noises to catch your food? You could even raise them if you care to by cooping them up in a cage and as they breed eat only the tender young ones. 

Corn remains one of their more popular foods so it really would not be difficult to catch a number of pigeons in your trap in no time at all. During snow storms you could very easily trap huge quantities since the availability of food would be difficult for them to obtain at that time.
So dinner in hard times is much closer than you might expect. Bon appetite!

Copyright @2011 Joseph Parish





2 comments:

  1. Just on a health note...I am an Infectious Disease RN with more than two decades under my belt. I call pigeons "rats with wings"! While certainly edible, much more dangerous than chickens. Always eat only fully cooked (internal temp at least 190F) and keep in mind that they harbor way more pathogens and parasites, safe handling during prep also very important!

    That being said Bon a petit!

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