HARRISBURG—Over Labor Day weekend, participants in a live pigeon shoot contest at the Erdman Sportsmen’s Association gathered to blast away at live pigeons. Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, captured heartbreaking, disturbing footage of the grisly competition in which pigeons—often illegally captured and brought into Pennsylvania from neighboring states for shoots—are released into the air, disoriented and confused, and shot by participants for points.
After each shooting round, the birds are grabbed and thrown into nets. Some birds are dead, but others who are just wounded but still alive and suffering are collected and killed in horrific ways including slamming, snapping or snipping their heads off, or by breaking their necks. They are then tossed into a barrel or pile of other birds who are dead and dying and discarded as garbage.
Observers at these events have noted that some birds, wounded but not immediately killed, may be left to suffer for hours or days before death.
Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania state director for Humane World for Animals, said, “It is unconscionable that this cruelty is still allowed in the Keystone State. Several generations of Pennsylvania lawmakers have been told about this cruel, shameful and embarrassing practice, and have done nothing to end it. No animal deserves to suffer for the sake of fun and games, and pigeons have suffered long enough without action from the legislature.”
A June 2026 poll by the bipartisan Remington Research Group, commissioned by Humane World for Animals, showed that 78% of Pennsylvania voters oppose live pigeon shoots while only 10% support them. An overwhelming 82% said they would support replacing live birds with clay targets, preserving the test of shooting skill while ending the needless suffering of live animals.
Pennsylvania is the only state where live pigeon shoots still regularly occur, making the Commonwealth a destination for people from other states who are seeking to participate in this cruelty. Yet the poll showed that 74% of Pennsylvania voters did not even know these events still take place in their state.
Heidi Prescott, vice president at Humane World for Animals, said, “For far too long, live pigeon shoots have tarnished Pennsylvania’s reputation. We have been documenting these depraved spectacles and advocating for an end to this indefensible practice for more than 30 years, and there is simply no justification for it. Much like dogfighting, cockfighting and wildlife killing contests, pigeon shoots are often conducted out of public view and under the radar, with gambling frequently part of the spectacle. This is not responsible hunting, and it is certainly not sport—it is cruelty for entertainment. After decades of delay, lawmakers must finally put an end to this reprehensible practice.”
Although Pennsylvania has an animal cruelty statute, state law enforcement officials have continued to press for a clear, free-standing law that will eliminate any doubts concerning the legality of live pigeon shoot events. Fortunately, Senators Lisa Boscola (D-18) and Jay Costa (D-43) and Representative Perry Warren (D-31) have introduced SB1159 and HB1907 to ban this practice by doing just that.
Responsible hunters oppose live pigeon shoots, recognizing that such events violate the ethic of fair chase. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has confirmed that a narrowly tailored pigeon shoot ban, as provided for in this legislation, will not affect lawful hunting, and all hunting activities authorized or permitted by the Pennsylvania Game Code (Title 34), and all special permits relating to game under Title 58 of the PA Code such as hunting on pheasant preserves, are specifically exempt from the provisions of this bill.
