Overview
Management Options
Legal Considerations
The pigeon is designated a nuisance species in Virginia 4VAC15-20-160. Virginia law allows the taking of all nuisance species at any time. While pigeons are classified as a nuisance in Virginia a landowner should use lethal alternatives only after all non-lethal controls have been exhausted.
In Virginia it is illegal to
- Transport or release a pigeon anywhere other than the property it was caught on. 4VAC15-30-50
- Poison any animal (including pigeons) other than rats and mice on your property. 4VAC15-40-50
- Set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock or fowl.§29.1-521.
- Not visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught.§29.1-521.