Thread: Pukeko and "Sensitive bird caring frustrated gardener" problem.

Hi All... I have a problem to solve... that will require something somewhat down the scale from a WSM300.

My wife... an avid gardener and bird lover... sensitive soul she is... is in a catch 22 situation.... Pukekos are digging up the garden but a terminal type solution is ruled out...

This is a problem for which there is a simple solution ... however that answer is ruled out because...
A) Suburbia and
B) My good lady likes the birds by the creek and does not want them fatally injured so to plan "B" ...a deterrent.

I am thinking a bb gun or something that will sting or give them more of a fright....and if in time they get used to a mad women brandishing a pistol wearing dressing gown and slippers at 7 am on a frosty morning ... then she may could direct a couple of plastic pellets in their direction...Hopefully in time they will learn where in the garden not to venture.

The question... head or leg shot except... what sort of pellet and FPS will cause a sting without lasting injury to a bird the size of a pukeko or weka?... something with a range of 25m and would cause them to let out a good squawk of surprise...

Looking forward to all the smart replies... hopefully there will be an answer in amongst them.

What you lady doesn't know, it won't hurt her.

Just sayin...

I've heard silver tinsel on a post so it blows in the wind works, but I have my doubts.
Slingshot might be the ticket.
Spring powered airsoft pistol could be a good option.
Trap and realease.
You could kill one and hang it up, or spread it's feathers(and guts) around.


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Same problem here in Nelson, my wife accused me of pulling out her bulbs and nice plants, now would I do that? of course not, the problem PUKEKO in plural. Fruit trees, Veg plants flower plants are fair game to them and to be honest they were here first before the Treaty so may be they have a right. The only way is to eliminate them or as we do, cover the fruit trees and veg garden with nets. The correct answer is the 12gague. K

(spread guts etc around)
then they'll definitely stay away....

There is that but Pukekos are smart... they seem to wait until I am away at work for a couple of weeks ... so I need to give her something she would be happy to use...

She would soon wizen up if pukekos kept vanishing in a puff of pink when she pulled the trigger

Will try the tin foil

air rifle. 1/2 a cotton bud but down it. hurts like hell but no penetration

I lent a slug pistol to a mate who shot a rooster up the ass it ran off and didn't come back. I reckoned it didn't die. or the 6mm plastic bb will kill a small bird close, but not that size.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

air rifle. 1/2 a cotton bud but down it. hurts like hell but no penetration

That sounds like it has potential...

Cage trap ... Bait with apple... Garden hose for a while on the contents of the trap... Great deterrent... Worked really well on neighborhood cats...

Spud gun with a rolled up tea towel in it.

Get a dead one off the road, hang it in the fence. End of story

Originally Posted by Biggun708

Cage trap ... Bait with apple... Garden hose for a while on the contents of the trap... Great deterrent... Worked really well on neighborhood cats...

I like this one.... I wonder if they will learn from it....

I cannot see my wife using a spud gun.

Dead one .... yes well not really an adornment my wife will like in the garden.

Once you catch it in the cage trap, don't just turn the hose on it. Prove your dominance over it by unzipping and pissing on it.

Originally Posted by MassiveAttack

Once you catch it in the cage trap, don't just turn the hose on it. Prove your dominance over it by unzipping and pissing on it.

Right yes well... if that carry on is what it takes for you to prove your dominance.... (Mental note to self... turn down any invite to a game food meal at Massive Attacks house)