Sparrow getter
- Thread starter kens
- Start date
Sparrows around barns/farms=definitely not uncommon here in S. Ontario, guess it's obviously the same situation in AB. If it's anything like it is here, I don't think you'll "get ahead" of the situation trying to snipe birds off the feeder, more will just show-up. Not sure of the legality of it either, I'd suggest the OP confirm.
On the farms I hunt around here, bird houses/bird feeders are always around...as are sparrows. Perhaps the most common birds to see. If you the OP doesn't want them around, perhaps a change to the feed/style of feeder, etc.
Barn pigeons (=rock doves) are on my hit list every time, but they're sneaky...and I've come to believe they recognize my vehicle when I pull in the drive. I've long believed that, the farmers are starting to comment on it now too.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Pigeons, starlings, magpies even crows are often confirmed pests that could attack/maim vulnerable livestock or degrade stored grain in the bins. Keep in mind many of these smaller birds are like bats in that they keep flying insects in check.
Can't say I have found many people that say they target this bird species.
Chairman Mao once targetted a smaller bird species in China 1958 or 59. Because it ate seeds !?!
Next year they had a locust infestation virtually destroyed the grain harvest. Guess what bird ate locusts ??
Can't say I have found many people that say they target this bird species.
Chairman Mao once targetted a smaller bird species in China 1958 or 59. Because it ate seeds !?!
Next year they had a locust infestation virtually destroyed the grain harvest. Guess what bird ate locusts ??
Pigeons, Starlings, Grackles and English Sparrows are fair game in southern ont. l had a terrible infestation of Grackles and it took several years to get them under control. You have to be ruthless and het them early when they are nesting to stop the local population. Or I guess I should say the return nesters
English sparrows tend to monopolize a feeder, and drive away the native species. If all you are getting is English Sparrows, you are part of the problem, not the solution. As long as you have a pretty solid ID, they are fair game.
Same for Starlings, and several other sorta 'songbird' species, like brown headed cowbirds, pigeons, and magpies.
Varies by Province, but there is a Schedule in the BC Wildlife Act, Schedule "C", that lists all the species that are either non-native or considered pests, that may be shot without any fear of official retribution, provided that it is done where discharge of a firearm is allowed.
And you would be putting yourself at a larger risk, from the consequences of getting caught shooting a songbird that is not listed as either a pest or invasive species.
See the reactions above, that are referring to a legal activity as "murdering" birds? Picture yourself in a courtroom full of folks that feel that way.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's minus 39 today in Alberta. In my trees out front is a small flock of tough little Sparrows. I welcome the viewing of any wildlife. Especially these little fellows.
Now where are those Chick a dees hiding?
Edit: I just put out some feed on a front deck post. Hoping they discover it.
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I agree with this statement.
we have a large "summer and winter" bird feeder set up in the back yard. Food & heated water.
We get ALL kinds of birds...BUT the ROBINS RULE ! all the other birds wait their turn.
Its funny to watch, ..robins come..other birds split LOL
OH I do have an air rifle...thats for the Ravens & crows that kill the other little birds
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if you want to deal with some nuisance birds a Weihrauch HW35 in 177 is a good option. Accurate and dependable; adequate velocity. A little heavy but a once in a lifetime purchase. I see flocks around my farm this time of year that darken the sky and fill trees over several acres. If the car sits outside for a few hours it is covered with purple poop from the grapes these birds are feeding on. I dont bother them though ... the ones I go after are the grackles that nest around the house in the spring/summer and crap copiously on every car that gets within 100 yards of their nest!
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
At work nearby there's a wild cherry tree and a crab apple tree. We witness a pecking order as well. The wax wings could show up in a flock but two or three robins will show up the wax wings skoot.
However if even one magpie decides he doesn't want them there then the robins will be dethroned.
And if a raven is nearby, flying overhead, they all freeze until it passes.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
Brits introduced the English sparrow and also the starling to North America, deliberately brought and deliberately released.
On topic:
A powerful air rifle would be ideal, but also excellent would be the 17 HR or HMR as some have already mentioned.
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From my experience many air rifles are more accurate than you probably realize. All they need is a half decent scope with a parallax adjustment.
I went through this exercise twice recently with two different friends. Neither were happy with the accuracy of their Diana rifles.
All we did was put on a Hawke scope like this: https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/hawke-airmax-3-9x40-ao-amx.html
One rifle was a Diana model 34 and the other a model 54. Both are one holers at 10 meters with the new scope.
Just set the parallax correctly and you will be surprised how well they can shoot.
I went through this exercise twice recently with two different friends. Neither were happy with the accuracy of their Diana rifles.
All we did was put on a Hawke scope like this: https://www.airgunsource.ca/us/hawke-airmax-3-9x40-ao-amx.html
One rifle was a Diana model 34 and the other a model 54. Both are one holers at 10 meters with the new scope.
Just set the parallax correctly and you will be surprised how well they can shoot.
Not every sparrow is the english variety.
Identifying and knowing what you are shooting, is among the expectations you face, normally.
Some of the Sparrow species are hard to differentiate, others, not so much.
Shooter takes responsibility for knowing what they shoot, and that it is legal!
Or, they get away with it for a while, then the wrong person overhears the wrong things, and they pay!
On that note, one of the Frenchmen at work in Moose Jaw was bragging up this HUGE snow goose he shot.
We 'almost' got him convinced to take his Swan it in to the annual measure-up to see if it broke any records!
For a cheap basic springer, it's hard to beat the Slavia 631.
The Grackles and Starlings have left my 'hood - for now it's just Sparrows (2-3 kinds) Red and Gold finches, Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers and Pigeons (saving them for when grocery shelves are bare) in my feeders and I have a M & F Pheasant coming to my backyard where I put sunflower seeds for them ! I live in residential but near a large wooded parkland.
I shot a pigeon last Summer, about 25 yds with a 495-177 Blackhawk w-o scope. I just meant to scare him away but must have been a head shot
That Ruger never was very accurate
I shot a pigeon last Summer, about 25 yds with a 495-177 Blackhawk w-o scope. I just meant to scare him away but must have been a head shot
That Ruger never was very accurate 
