Band Tailed Pigeons

[Big Browns]

I would love to get a band tailed pigeon.  If anyone knows a spot that has a good chance at getting one please let me know.  I know they are hard to find, but hoping someone has seen some recently.  I scouted a spot a friend had seen some in yesterday, but no luck.

[GreyGhost85]

I always see them at higher elevation. 6-8k. They seem spotty at best. Killed a couple a few years ago. I saw a ton od them south of stoneman lake 3-4 years ago. 

[Big Browns]

I've been told they are all over the rim above Payson, but still very spotty.  I know getting one will be VERY challenging, but would be a cool challenge!

[GreyGhost85]

It seems like when i see them they are pretty thick but it’s not very often. More of a target of opportunity than something people actually target successfully. Good luck out there! 

[Big Browns]

It seems like everyone is saying the same thing.  I'm helping on a bunch of Elk tags along the rim this fall.  I'm going to keep a shotgun in the truck in case we see some birds in a tree.  Might get lucky and see some. 

[wildwoody]

I'm gonna start checking this week getting ready for friends 22 early hunt.. 

[Big Browns]

Thanks buddy!

[win71]

If this helps you they love acorns look where pines start to take over oaks at a nice pond in AM and PM. I'll get back to you if I find some where I can share. But look around Young by way of Rossevelt Lake. 

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

[biglakejake]

the only place i've seen a wingshooting opportunity was on the ridges around pancho springs in unit 1.  facing north at mid-morning they were flying upslope thru the ponderosas' like f-16s on afterburner.

i have a dozen or so most days in my front yard and hawks take a few-are they any good to eat?   

you can find many foraging on the ground along the rim road east and west of hiway 60 just south of show low.

lee

[buckshotaz]

Christopher Mountain in 23

[AZAV8ER]

they do love acorns, if you can find any. Tough birds, tough to bring down, #5 shot. Over the years seen them around Aztec PK Sierra Anchas, Pinal peak around the old fire tower and as far away as 35B in the oak draws. Been decades since I have seen any, quit seeing them mid 90's about the time I quit seeing an acorn crop.

 

[IHunt2live]

I was lucky enough to find a killer spot years right before they changed the bag limit, I limited out in about an hour. In southern Az, I usually see them in higher elevation in steep deep canyons with large pine trees, kind of like ones you would think turkeys would roost in. This particular year was after a large fire in the higher elevations of this mountain range and I found a pocket full of acorns and so the birds were thick. Haven't seen birds since in such a concentration since and haven't shot another one since. 

[oz31p]

Honey hole??

[Phil Carr]

[Big Browns]

Cool picture