South African Rock Pigeons - everything you need to know

The Republic of South Africa is one of the largest countries in Africa, covering nearly a million square miles. Bordered by the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the country is famed for its wide range of habitats and its enormous biodiversity, and is home to some of Africa’s most iconic mega-fauna, including big cats, elephant, rhino and Cape Buffalo. The country is famed for its eco-tourism and safari opportunities, the wine region of Stellenbosch and the cosmopolitan Cape region. 

South Africa's hunting heritage

Southern Africa has long been a destination popular with European and American hunters. The great big game hunters of the 19th and early 20th century were drawn to the country by the enormous herds of plains game and the presence of the ‘Big Five’.

Among the famous names who travelled to South Africa to hunt are Prince Albert, and US President Teddy Roosevelt. Big game hunting in South Africa relies heavily upon the tracking and hunting abilities of indigenous people like the Khoisan, whose skills are legendary. 

As well as big game, South Africa is home to a vast array of winged quarry, including waterfowl, guineafowl, francolin, spurfowl, quail and sandgrouse. In recent years visiting guns have been attracted by the challenges presented by the African rock pigeon (Columba guinea).

Species profile: The speckled pigeon or African rock pigeon

A resident and breeding population of much of sub-Saharan Africa, this relative to the wood pigeon, and, indeed, the pigeons to be found on high streets up and down the UK are descendants of rock pigeons. 

The rock pigeon’s natural behaviour is to nest on rocky cliffs and outcrops, but like its London cousins, it is at home in urban areas as well. They feed mostly on grains, seeds and nuts and are often found in vast numbers in agricultural regions, doing untold damage to the crops.

In South Africa they are considered a pest species, where they pose a threat to the sunflower, maize and other cereal crops of the Free State Province, where agriculture is a significant industry. Fast and agile, these birds make two daily commutes from their roosts in the cities to the fields, where they feast on the farmers’ valuable crops, especially the sunflower seeds.

They are agile fliers, and are known by some as ‘African grouse’, such is their deceptive speed and ability to react to the slightest movement with the flick of a wingtip. There are no bag limits and there is no closed season.

How to hunt African Rock Pigeons

The tactics employed to tackle these exciting birds are to intercept them between their roosts and their feeding grounds in the ag land. 

Guns are placed in strategically placed blinds or hides, positioned according to extensive recon carried out by the guides. The birds are funnelled towards the waiting guns by teams of ‘bird boys’, whose excited hollas also alert guns to the approach of flocks of ‘rockies’ which can number between 5 and 30 individuals.

These wary birds are hyper-alert to movement, so stealth is of the essence - guns must wait until the very last moment to take their first shot, especially during the morning flight when the birds are travelling to their feeding grounds. 

The first shot at a group causes the pack of birds to ‘starburst’, potentially providing further shooting for guns further down the line. However, move too soon and the birds will break back, too late and the pack will be through the line and gone before you can say ‘bother’. ‘Mastering the timing of this shot is a real art,’ says Ollie Severn of William Powell Sporting, who regularly run rock pigeon shooting trips in South Africa for their UK and international clients.

The afternoon flight, which typically takes place in the early afternoon, sees birds crossing the line at a greater height as they make a beeline for their urban roosts.

It is this variety of shooting that makes rockies such an exciting quarry. “Rockies are as agile as late season grouse, but you can often find yourself taking on birds of a height to match the birds found at some of the top UK driven shoots,” comments Severn. “Couple that with good volumes of birds and you’ve got something on a whole new level!”

A typical day shooting rock pigeons in South Africa

“Shooting rockies can be as relaxed or intensive as you wish,” explains Ollie. “A typical day will see the guns placed in their hide by about 10:30, having enjoyed a good breakfast in the hotel or lodge.” 

“The shooting tends to hot up around mid-morning, as the number of birds coming in builds and the teams find the right rhythm and strategy,” adds Ollie. “Our teams typically shoot through until about 4:30pm. Each blind is equipped with a comfortable seat, and, importantly, a cooler filled with chilled refreshments.”

“While it is possible to stop for lunch, many teams opt to have freshly prepared food delivered to them in their blinds so that they don’t miss a moment’s shooting. Once the afternoon flight is over, we’ll finish the day with a well-earned sundowner in the field before returning to the lodge.”

Other activities

“At WPS we offer our guests the chance to enjoy a morning’s goose flight, as an add on to our rock pigeon trips. For non-shooting guests, although the Free State is not really on the typical tourist’s itinerary, there is still plenty to see and do, from exploring the Anglo-Boer war museum to evening game drives, hiking, riding, bird watching and stargazing. One of our lodges has an excellent spa and wine cellar and both have impressive restaurants.”

Getting there

South Africa is well served by UK airports. “We typically advise our clients to fly direct from Heathrow to Johannesburg. When it comes to the transport of guns, travelling on from Jo’burg to Bloem by road makes life easier and cuts out the possibility of lengthy delays waiting for internal flights. For those who prefer not to travel with their guns, these can be provided on site by our partners, as can cartridges for an additional charge.”

Best time to visit

Although there is no close season, the biggest numbers of birds are around from mid-April to June, when the sunflower seeds are ripening and harvest is starting. The weather this time of year is generally warm, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s, resulting in wonderful conditions for shooting, as well as providing sport during the closed season in the UK.To find out more about shooting rockies in South African visit William Powell Sporting or contact Ollie