Went out this morning and hunted with a friend and his son. The friend is a regular "Crow Week" attendee but this was the first time his (grown) son has hunted crows. With 3 people including one with young kids and Christmas, it was a scheduling nightmare that started weeks ago. They have a field where peanuts had been harvested and the crows were still in the area.
Because this property is a couple hours away from my home, I was unable to schedule time to set up the blind beforehand, so the scouting was done mostly via Google Earth. We got there early and had time to pick a spot and set up the blind. Did you know that things look different in the dark? The biggest problem was the lack of evergreen trees to use as a backdrop. We made do, but we were somewhat exposed with no leaves around us.
The weather was clear and cold with a 10 mph wind. The wind and/or some other factor(s) kept the birds high so most of our shots were long ones. With the cold (that's my excuse), our shooting was somewhat off, but we did manage to bring down 62 crows by 11:00.
One observation: My friend had a Mojo Crow that he wanted to try out. Started without it for an hour, then put it out for an hour before pulling it. We decided that at best it made no difference, but my guess is that several flared because of it. I'm going to save my money for something else!
It was a fun time and our newbie had a thousand questions about crow hunting, so I suspect he will jump at a chance to hunt again in the future. Here is a picture of the blind location and I will add the one with the crows when I get it sent to me.
Enjoy the report and I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas this year!
Update to post pictures. As mentioned, we did not have a backdrop of good trees, so the sun was a problem...both for the hunt and for the pictures. Here are a couple of pictures of the birds we picked up. One of me and my friend and the other of me with his son.
Demi
-- Edited by Island Shooter on Tuesday 27th of December 2016 03:43:36 PM
You got it made. I always enjoy these photographs like this....and I hope you have even better ones. And on that note while all one has to have is crows how well does one know their particular shooting area? I know folks who don't know the entire story of their crow shooting area and I was surprised.....for example my best shooting is the afternoon. They will not come into the area of my shared blind. If I can call them over they generally will do it however. But if their mind is made up they will ignore me. That is the problem with a shared area. I never know if my "competition" has been there or not. Evidently they were there this year however. There were lots of crows all right...flying to the east of me! So that is what I will do next year. But you folks with regular areas you can count on have it made. I like this blind, numbers of dead crows...I recognize that decoy although I don't remember the manufacturer. You gents had to have had quite the shoot. So what do you use for shotguns and shot size and how many decoys set out and what calls or calling techniques?
And Merry Christmas!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
The decoys were a mix of flocked GHG decoys and the old standard Flambeau decoys. Both are available at Midway USA. We used about 15-20, but that is only because the owner wanted to use some of his own. I usually put out 10-15, which seems like plenty.
For armament, I use a Beretta A400 with 1 1/8 oz. #6 shot. Don't mean to start a debate, but that is just what I am comfortable with. The most important factor is not gun & shot choice, but barrel placement!
On calling, what works best for me is to use a hand call and supplement it with a judicious amount from the FoxPro. Your mileage may vary, however.
Good Hunting.
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
Thanks. I like your set up and plan. Now can you always count on that many crows? With me I can count on seeing :"that many crows" but shooting is another world altogether/...I learned a lot of highly critical information this year which I suppose is as good as shooting "that many crows"...I am still amazed at what I saw. What I shot? Well that will make your monitor die of laughing but so it goes...yes I can blame myself indeed. If you have the ability to keep an eye on the situation you are way ahead of the game: the crows where I go do not come around on the week ends....not in any shootable numbers. So I learned what is wrong with this picture. Given a week day though? What a difference! By "shootable numbers I mean not close enough. They will look over the scenario from half a mile away though....one might come over but most will not.
So the A400-how did you hear about that? If I had one I wouldn't use anything else but for around here that is too much money for a 12ga. or what ever given the relatively lack of crows...pushing it with my 11-87 as that was the most expensive gun I ever bought second hand...that required a load changing device to make it work. I forget what it is called....regards to the lighter pressured loads...some thing that goes on the gas tube? Like anyone else I want to use the lighter loads as they are cheaper-those who use the lighter loads that is.
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
Yes, he was one happy camper and doing it with his father made it even better. That's a hunt that is hard to beat and is what it is all about for me!
T.C.,
The big secret to crow hunting is to find where they are! For this region, that means FOOD! Put your efforts towards finding where the birds are... Go to the farmers' seed stores, fertilizer suppliers, tractor/equipment dealerships, etc. Stop and talk to farmers in their fields, shops or knock on their doors! Ask around and network. It won't happen via email or leaving a message on a phone. Handshakes and face time will get you to the crows! I've done all of the above and, after several years, it is now paying off.
My gun choice came in large part from shooting competitive sporting clays. The Beretta 391 is about he only auto that can stand up to the heavy abuse. After hunting with a 391 for years I moved up to the A400 (still use the 391 often).
There is nothing wrong with the 11-87...a proven workhorse! If you do your part, it will kill just as many birds as the A400!
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
Thanks again. However due to declining farms and "progressive" thinking here; there are no longer that many places to go in this steadily over crowded state of "progressives"....anyways I am getting a new blind as this "under the trees" blind idea is not working out for me, not in the least...never really has...my best blind was uprooted years ago and when the farmer did that the shooting was never that good anymore...but none the less I found a new area. In any case I think I can score the numbers . I have a habit of awaiting that perfect shot which slips away...so I only shoot a third of what could be...I have to learn that the "perfect" shot is the one that hits period! Well I did find a new area or two...if it means shooting up though the trees then so be it!
Thanks again for all the info...
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
