Clay Pidgeons

[Perferator]

I've heard somewhere that these clay targets are toxic to farm animals? I'm thinking about having a little skeet shoot out on the alfalfa field in my backyard. Does anyone know if by chance some of the fragments are picked up in harvest if there is potential toxic danger to farm critters?

[Arnie Oakley]

I've heard somewhere that these clay targets are toxic to farm animals? I'm thinking about having a little skeet shoot out on the alfalfa field in my backyard. Does anyone know if by chance some of the fragments are picked up in harvest if there is potential toxic danger to farm critters?
My son and I were just talking about this recently. I remember several years ago, there was a warning on the box of clay birds "do not use in areas where hogs feed". Unfortunately, I haven't bought birds in years, and I don't know if the warning still exists. If it's still on the box, you can't miss it.

Gary

[HAIKU_RODNEY]

I too have seen the warning labels referencing hogs. The trap range that I used to shoot at was getting biodegadeable clays. I do not know the composition or the manufacturer.

[scape111]

I'd check out/call up WHITE FLYER- our local trap range uses them, and i know that they carry various bio-degradable targets. To what extent, or if it's safe for livestock- i do not know. Just a brand that i do know has made a push to become eco-friendly.

[citori]

The tar/pitch used to hold the old style clay pigeons together is petroleum based and is toxic to swine but I have never seen nor heard of any problem with other livestock. We've been throwing clays out into the pasture for decades and have not had any adverse reactions to any horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, or goats. The newer bio-degradable targets are not supposed to be a problem with any livestock as they do not use the pitch of the old style targets but they can change the Ph of the soil and cause some very local die-off of the vegetation.

[Perferator]

The tar/pitch used to hold the old style clay pigeons together is petroleum based and is toxic to swine but I have never seen nor heard of any problem with other livestock. We've been throwing clays out into the pasture for decades and have not had any adverse reactions to any horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, or goats. The newer bio-degradable targets are not supposed to be a problem with any livestock as they do not use the pitch of the old style targets but they can change the Ph of the soil and cause some very local die-off of the vegetation.
I appreciate the input from you guys. We let a neighboring farmer use our property....hey, it's nice food plot ya know.

The combine's cutter cuts the alfalfa down to about 3" so it's probably ok but it's good to know there is an option.

I saw the warning about the hogs on the clays boxes some years ago.....actually made me post this thread.

Thanx guys!

[cpttango30]

The use of clay pigeons for use in trap or skeet shooting is known. Past clay pigeons have utilized a combination of clay and a standard petroleum distillate/element such as tar pitch, asphalt or the like. However, the use of such petroleum distillates/elements is not environmentally acceptable either during the manufacture, transport and handling of the clay pigeon. The petroleum distillates may cause dermatitis upon skin contact with the target during manufacture and handling. Moreover, the shattered fragments, containing petroleum products, are not environmentally acceptable. These elements not only provide harmful effects to the surrounding flora, but are also harmful to the surrounding fauna, such as livestock, as they are not intended for consumption and/or readily digestible.


Found this on a patent site.

http://www.whiteflyer.com/targetbio.html

[HAIKU_RODNEY]

cpttango30- Theory versus reality poses some interesting things. The trap range that I used to shoot at has been open for I think about 30 years. They throw about a container load of clays a year. The guy who runs the club wishes it had an effect on the plants, it would really cut down on his maintence. The trees and shrubs are just as tall and thick as further down the gulch. In addition, there is a rancher that runs cattle in the gulch. They look pretty healthy and the rancher has never complained or requested that the area with the clay debris be fenced off.

[Perferator]

cpttango30- Theory versus reality poses some interesting things. The trap range that I used to shoot at has been open for I think about 30 years. They throw about a container load of clays a year. The guy who runs the club wishes it had an effect on the plants, it would really cut down on his maintence. The trees and shrubs are just as tall and thick as further down the gulch. In addition, there is a rancher that runs cattle in the gulch. They look pretty healthy and the rancher has never complained or requested that the area with the clay debris be fenced off.
Interesting observation. In regard to the box warnings about pigs.....well, lets just say that is understandable since pigs eat anything and everything.

[citori]

As eating machines, pigs can't hold a candle to a goat. I'm positive the goats we've had have eaten plenty of clay pigeons and have suffered no ill effects. This may not mean much as I have seen a car battery that goats somehow got a hold of; about half of it was gone (including the plates) and the goats still lived a (too) long and happy life.
The White Flyer Bios contain some amount of sulfur which causes the potential change in soil pH. It does take quite a few in a fairly concentrated area to have much of a lasting effect, at least in the soil conditons around here. The pitch based targets suppress plant growth in a couple of areas due in part to the sheer number of targets thrown act like a mulch but the soil conditions are also a factor as plants do not grow very well in the area to begin with, even in areas that have never seen a target.

[Perferator]

As eating machines, pigs can't hold a candle to a goat. I'm positive the goats we've had have eaten plenty of clay pigeons and have suffered no ill effects. This may not mean much as I have seen a car battery that goats somehow got a hold of; about half of it was gone (including the plates) and the goats still lived a (too) long and happy life.
The White Flyer Bios contain some amount of sulfur which causes the potential change in soil pH. It does take quite a few in a fairly concentrated area to have much of a lasting effect, at least in the soil conditons around here. The pitch based targets suppress plant growth in a couple of areas due in part to the sheer number of targets thrown act like a mulch but the soil conditions are also a factor as plants do not grow very well in the area to begin with, even in areas that have never seen a target.
Goats eating a car battery?! Did they crap AA's?? :)

[citori]

If they would have, I would have kept them. I hate goats, almost as much as telephone marketers. They (goats, not telemarketers but then maybe they do) will eat everything except what you want them to and are almost as good at escaping an enclosure as a pig. If you want to get even with someone with kids, give the kids a goat as a present. The goat should have the house denuded of siding, trim, and the weatherstripping off the car in about and hour. Give it two hours and I would expect the tire stems to be missing, hoof prints will be found gouged in the paint across the hood and roof of the car, and any prized shrubs or trees will be gone or hav the bark peeled off. Did I mention I don't like goats much?