best tool for shooting birds in buildings

nomo613 · Dec 25, 2018

i am a certified nuisance wildlife specialist and recently i completed an inspection for a bird issue in a grocery store. while we will go ahead and take care of the exclusion, they want to know how to get rid of the few birds that simply wont leave the store. the have tried traps, glue boards etc, and nothing has worked. the straight up told me they wouldnt mind if i came after hours and shot them.
my 2 questions are
a. legality of discharging a firearm/air rifle indoors with permission of course (baltimore county)
b. what to use? air rifle? 22 rat shot? 9mm rat shot? were looking at 15-30 yards indoors...
thanks!

geda · Dec 25, 2018

I have zero experience with this, but trying I would want to minimize damage and lead in a food store. If archery is an option for you I would go with small game archery tips. They are great for stunning small animals up to rabbits. They also make PCP air guns that can shoot arrows.

https://www.3riversarchery.com/snaro-screw-in-small-game-amp-bird-point.html

george g. · Dec 25, 2018

Just use a cheap pump air rifle.No over penetration with the lower power and still plenty to kill a bird.

6Den · Dec 25, 2018

Assuming birds are small, and ranges are short...blowguns! Need help?

ETA: Reread OP and saw the ranges. I believe there are no-lead pellets available. A low-powered and accurate airgun is the ticket.

Gorba · Dec 25, 2018

Zero indoor bird experience here as well but I think I would stay with an air rifle. Definitely no lead, as has already been mentioned. I shot a lot of birds (tsk tsk) as a kid with a Red Ryder BB gun.

Pale Ryder · Dec 25, 2018

Depending on the species, but isn't there a federal law against shooting songbirds? Don't think it was ever dealt with when I was involved with the Army's commissary program. They always had birds in and around the warehouse, especially this time of year.
Seldom did they ever make it into the grocery area, reason they have air curtains.

smokey · Dec 25, 2018

I'd think trapping with a net would be an overall much better option for all involved.

ohen cepel · Dec 25, 2018

A quality .177 air rifle with a nice scope on it that you are very good with, to include knowing the impact of shooting angles, assuming the birds will be up.

I would use lead wadcutters, the lead free pellets have not performed well in my limited experiments with them so I have sworn them off. Also, we're talking a few shots here, not turning it into a rifle range. They sell batteries and pesticides in most stores so the microns of lead a few pellets will leave behind is just about nothing.

I would put the shooter in the best location for the pellets to travel and try to drive the critters to him in that position.

And to think, this should be a business expense for you

Do it right and you'll have a solid tool for many years, don't skimp or you'll have a liability that will perform poorly at best.

Dingo3 · Dec 25, 2018

Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range

Mr.Blue · Dec 25, 2018

Get 2 cats i there. Those birds will leave.

Doco Overboard · Dec 25, 2018

I have seen bird seed that was designed to create severe thirst. Seeds were placed in elevated portions of buildings with a small cup made to swivel attached to a stick. It was spread around the upper confines of the building near where the birds would perch and worked like a charm.

Engine4 · Dec 25, 2018

Net. Like a banding net.

Melnic · Dec 25, 2018

Dingo3 said:
Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range

Just what you see pal!

Threeband · Dec 25, 2018

20mm Oerlikon.

Inigoes · Dec 25, 2018

Another vote for net

Turn out all of the lights, leaving 1 lighted hallway with you catch net already dangling.

Works for birds in the house, and a window opening.

rseymorejr · Dec 25, 2018

Hire a falconer

traveller · Dec 25, 2018

Many pigeons found their untimely end grace of my dad's .22 air rifle. Shoot them in the neck and make sure your backstop is a steel girder and not drywall. Oh, wear ballistic rated eye protection.

lowoncash · Dec 25, 2018

Shotgun with rubber rounds

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/ammunition/shotgun/less-lethal-and-specialty.do

BTW grandfather was pissed about shooting birds in the barn with BB guns.
It put holes in the barn roof.

Biggfoot44 · Dec 25, 2018

Not really any good way, sorry .
Air rifle will take out the birds, but a missed shot would put a hole, unless you were very selective in your backstop . "Ratshot" effective range is measured in single digit feet, not double digit yards .

zoostation · Dec 25, 2018

Pale Ryder said:
Depending on the species, but isn't there a federal law against shooting songbirds? Don't think it was ever dealt with when I was involved with the Army's commissary program. They always had birds in and around the warehouse, especially this time of year.
Seldom did they ever make it into the grocery area, reason they have air curtains.

As I understand it, pretty much all wild birds are covered by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, even if they are not migratory. The only exceptions being introduced species, like European Starlings. There are of course exceptions built in for licensed hunting, rehabilitating, licensed removal, etc. which the OP is probably more familiar with than anybody.

As far as BalCo local laws go, if it's in the Metropolitan District, you can't discharge anything, even an air rifle or crossbow.

best tool for shooting birds in buildings

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