Crow Busters Forum

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

Who hunts them from the woods?

Skip · Guru

R-I-C... we almost always set up IN the woods. Exceptions are when we hunt feeding set-ups around peanut farms...and then we are about 10-15 feet into the edge of those fields wherever the most cover is. In those situations we do build at least a make-shift blind using camouflage material and cut branches. Proper hiding is probably THE most important aspect of successful crow hunting. But IN the woods, normally nothing is need to properly hide especially when there is still foliage on the trees... and in winter we typically find Pine thickets, etc.. but personally, I love shooting in and amongst the trees--no decoys needed.

skip

boba · Guru

R&C,

Here are some photos to study if you want to setup in the woods.

Top Cat · Senior Member

I try not to unless you have to. I think Skip is an expert on this. When I was a young man the only way was to call them over and one would land in a tree(but I was using a .22 rifle) and (((KKKAAAA-BBOOMMM!!))))!!

Frankly you had to do it that way as the "window" was impossible to do other wise. But these days and cornfields well-I do it that way. My thinking is to do what you must.

I want to explain I know the tree shooters like Skip and the TCP are not shooting them out of trees but as they appear over trees!Here you take what you can get as that might be just the only crow(I used a 12 gauge) you'd get all day here in the Granite state that is.

boba · Guru

R&C,

Here are two more for you to look at.

Troy Seal · Senior Member

I do better away from the woods unless it's short cedar tree thicket or new growth woods. Mature woods here are very tall and too much over head cover to shoot through. I like to find places that are wooded but have a elevated place with short trees or no trees at all and set up where they get in range better. Most of the time we have to use a modified-full choke because higher birds. If we find areas with no or short trees I IC or mod will get it done.

boba · Guru

R&C,

Here are two photos from being setup in the timber.

Chrisnick · Member

I have tried in the woods but just can't get them to come down, even to the tree tops within shooting range. Maybe now that I have some decoys I will put them out as well as a furry motion decoy topper I use for coyote.

Maybe they will think the decoys found something dead.

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

Skip wrote:
R-I-C... we almost always set up IN the woods. Exceptions are when we hunt feeding set-ups around peanut farms...and then we are about 10-15 feet into the edge of those fields wherever the most cover is. In those situations we do build at least a make-shift blind using camouflage material and cut branches. Proper hiding is probably THE most important aspect of successful crow hunting. But IN the woods, normally nothing is need to properly hide especially when there is still foliage on the trees... and in winter we typically find Pine thickets, etc.. but personally, I love shooting in and amongst the trees--no decoys needed.
skip

Thank you Skip! I would really like to try this when the population comes back next year. It reminds me of hunting ducks in flooded timber! I would to reall do that one day!

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

boba wrote:
R&C,

Here are some photos to study if you want to setup in the woods.

Great pics Bob! Nice looking hides as well! I really like to see other hunters hides. You can get a lot of ideas that way!

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

boba wrote:
R&C,

Here are two more for you to look at.

Really like the hides!

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

boba wrote:
R&C,

Here are two photos from being setup in the timber.

Great shots!

boba · Guru

Here are some more to study.

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

Chrisnick wrote:
I have tried in the woods but just can't get them to come down, even to the tree tops within shooting range. Maybe now that I have some decoys I will put them out as well as a furry motion decoy topper I use for coyote.

Maybe they will think the decoys found something dead.

I'm gonna give the tree set up for sure!

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

boba wrote:
Here are some more to study.

Those are great! That one out in the wide open is unreal! It amazes me that it was successful being in the wide open like that!

Old Artilleryman · Guru

RAIN-N-CROWS wrote:
boba wrote:
Here are some more to study.
Those are great! That one out in the wide open is unreal! It amazes me that it was successful being in the wide open like that!

I used to exclusively set up in treelines, to find that the bandits would remain in orbit, out of sight, cussing us out once they figured their buddies are being blasted. When I first saw Bob's photos, I couldn't believe his set ups in vast, wide-open spaces either. Now, moving into the open whenever possible, has been my primary practice for the past couple of years. You can see them coming from a distance through the camo and then pop up when they've committed, when it's too late for them.

Now Bob, it seems, has flyways/regular commuter routes under which to set up. We don't have the numbers around here--only small groups, but my experience has been that setting up in the open with excellent camouflage (thanks to Big Honkers's mentorship) the proper decoy spread, sentinel, etc. has been more effective for me in terms of TBC, than in the woodline or woods. If I must set up by trees when the AUG-SEP crops force me to, I do it, but it isn't my preferred method. Bottom line, you do what you must under the conditions of the property you're given permission on which to hunt and try your best to make it work. To show the evolution on my part:

1st photo is from five years ago when I used a doghouse blind with the top cut off, between a treeline and soybeans. Not all that great, as I was only starting out. Photo #2: same year, better location, but still "not so hot camo." #3 Winter in a treeline is better, because you can see them better, but they still hid behind me in the trees on that day, though I got 7 (photo4). Incidently, "postholing" through the snow while hauling gear is a real pain. Photo #5 is three years ago when I switched to camo nets over a PVC frame. Terrible location, but that's all I had that day. TBC 5, but you can see how it still stood out and had limited fields of fire. Improvement needed in both position and camo. Photo #6, I was beginning to use my brain a bit better by brushing up the camo under the mentorship and wisdom of a legendary Crow Buster who lives in the county just to my north. So, I learned to ditch the top cover to the netting/PVC blind and began to brush it up. Incidentally, The gentleman in the Batman mask is the mysterious "Big Honkers" who, due to his notoriety, must always remain camouflaged (Warrants for arrest??). Photo #7 starting to get the hang of this camo business but still needed work. Photo #8 is the aerial of the same location in the middle of the field. And finally, a hunt from a couple of weeks ago where the camo was the best ever, in sort of semi-wide open. #9. So, I've gone from standing under a tree hoping the bandits don't see me (Ha!) to having a pretty decent setup--shows even Army guys are train-able. Hope this helps.

Skip · Guru

What gauge, shot size, barrel length, can you call the same crow twice, type of caller or calls, cloudy or clear, etc., etc. have all been and will be again topics of interests to us crow guys. But, this subject-- where to hide or how to hide is, in my view, at least as important as any of the above and might be the most important and is not often discussed.

I cringe when I see blinds out in the wide open no matter how camouflaged. Once you stand up to shoot or otherwise expose yourself, you kill what you can but be assured the other birds SEE you and vanish. I love BobA's "timber" pictures as I see no timber just some thicker stands of stunted growth bushes. Notice all of his picture show a entirely clear view of the skies... idea shooting conditions. Bob pops up out of his blind too, scares some birds.. but he has soooo many birds coming in on the flyways he hunts.. scaring a few is unimportant. To us run and gunners or anyone without an almost endless stream of crows, hiding out in the open reduces TBC--been there done that tons of times.

The pictures I see in posts of trees/timber and references to "not being able to get them to come down" in trees tells me one thing: you ain't in the right trees! Hard to explain, but finding the right thickness, the right height and where to position yourself IN the trees is the key! Yes, there is a canopy of tree tops but you can always find an opening to use as your main kill zone but shooting THROUGH the leaves, needles, branches IS required but you always can SEE the target. Yes, I this requires a higher skill level by the shooter but it is most rewarding and you do not scare crows when you move to shoot as most do not see you. I know the type of trees you have in your area will dictate what you can or cannot do. Here in N.C. we have endless stands of fine "hide" quality trees/bushes that are, for example, hard to find in Texas.

Birds tend to come in at the height of the highest trees near you and if the foliage is so thick you cannot see or shoot well you are in the wrong place. Finding that right "combo" of height and thickness will let you kill the most birds... as you are well hidden, no restrictions on shooting movements, crows arrive not only IN range but often quite close. Once you figure it out, finding that place where you are hidden well enough not to be see, but open enough to shoot comes naturally.

skip

boba · Guru

In my field types of setups Skip would be right if the birds were coming in waves like on a flyway type of shoot. However in most field types of shooting you are shooting stragglers that come in just one or two at a time. Once they are within 20 yards of the blind once you come up you shoot the furthest bird first and even if they flare when you come up they are still dead meat.

Dick & I developed the "sun sticks" so the birds would not see you when you come up to shoot on a sunny day out in the open.

boba · Guru

Here is an example of how the sun sticks keep you in the shadows.

boba · Guru

Here is a hunt from about 5 years ago where it was overcast and you didn't need a sun stick. The birds just never picked you out when you came up to shoot because it was very overcast that morning.

Here is a snow scene from my early days before the sun sticks came on the scene. This photo was shot in the early 1980's.

boba · Guru

Skip makes a very good point about knowing how to position your blind in the right spot so as not to handicap your shooting! If the birds have to clear the trees to get to you then you had better not get to close to those trees or you will handicap yourself and you will be out of position. Here is an example of being the right distance away from the trees.

boba · Guru

Skip,

The reason many of the trees are stunted in this part of the country is because they do not get enough rain water. This keeps them low and in some areas they have been at the same low height for 40 years. The last photo where Dick is in the grove of mature trees was in Illinois and you can see the difference in the height of the trees in that area of the country.

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

Old Artilleryman wrote:
RAIN-N-CROWS wrote:
boba wrote:
Here are some more to study.
Those are great! That one out in the wide open is unreal! It amazes me that it was successful being in the wide open like that!
I used to exclusively set up in treelines, to find that the bandits would remain in orbit, out of sight, cussing us out once they figured their buddies are being blasted. When I first saw Bob's photos, I couldn't believe his set ups in vast, wide-open spaces either. Now, moving into the open whenever possible, has been my primary practice for the past couple of years. You can see them coming from a distance through the camo and then pop up when they've committed, when it's too late for them.
Now Bob, it seems, has flyways/regular commuter routes under which to set up. We don't have the numbers around here--only small groups, but my experience has been that setting up in the open with excellent camouflage (thanks to Big Honkers's mentorship) the proper decoy spread, sentinel, etc. has been more effective for me in terms of TBC, than in the woodline or woods. If I must set up by trees when the AUG-SEP crops force me to, I do it, but it isn't my preferred method. Bottom line, you do what you must under the conditions of the property you're given permission on which to hunt and try your best to make it work. To show the evolution on my part:
1st photo is from five years ago when I used a doghouse blind with the top cut off, between a treeline and soybeans. Not all that great, as I was only starting out. Photo #2: same year, better location, but still "not so hot camo." #3 Winter in a treeline is better, because you can see them better, but they still hid behind me in the trees on that day, though I got 7 (photo4). Incidently, "postholing" through the snow while hauling gear is a real pain. Photo #5 is three years ago when I switched to camo nets over a PVC frame. Terrible location, but that's all I had that day. TBC 5, but you can see how it still stood out and had limited fields of fire. Improvement needed in both position and camo. Photo #6, I was beginning to use my brain a bit better by brushing up the camo under the mentorship and wisdom of a legendary Crow Buster who lives in the county just to my north. So, I learned to ditch the top cover to the netting/PVC blind and began to brush it up. Incidentally, The gentleman in the Batman mask is the mysterious "Big Honkers" who, due to his notoriety, must always remain camouflaged (Warrants for arrest??). Photo #7 starting to get the hang of this camo business but still needed work. Photo #8 is the aerial of the same location in the middle of the field. And finally, a hunt from a couple of weeks ago where the camo was the best ever, in sort of semi-wide open. #9. So, I've gone from standing under a tree hoping the bandits don't see me (Ha!) to having a pretty decent setup--shows even Army guys are train-able. Hope this helps.

Yes sir, very helpful! That last hide is really nice! It looks to be very solid as well. I didn't realize the sentinel bird was so important. I need to start using some.

RAIN-N-CROWS · Member

Interesting stuff fellows! I enjoyed your input and pictures!

Big Honkers · Guru

I really enjoy hunting & hiding in plain sight. It is way "outside the box" for most hunters but I love it. It is a lot more work than hunting a tree row.

I really enjoy the 360 degree shooting. I generally stay seated while I shoot to prevent flaring. I really enjoy watching the birds approach the set up from a long distance. Not being able to see the birds until they are on top of you is no fun in my humble opinion...that is why I have minimal love for run-n-gun hunting.

Many may disagree.

Good hunting.

BH

boba · Guru

Hi Jason,

Dick likes to sit like you do when we are out in the open so the birds don't notice you when you come up. Many times I come up slow and easy and they rarely pick me out until it's to late. I like shooting in a standing position much better because I can maneuver better.

Hey, here is one for the record books, in 43 crow seasons my conservative count is 161,749 crows, just my share of them! During the past 10 years I don't even write down the dreadful beatings and that is why I said it is a very conservative count over the years.

In regard to run & gun I just like to shoot and I enjoy it in any type of shooting situation. The main reason I do not do it since I left the east coast is because I get much more shooting the way you like to hunt them.

On my last adventure last week I was scouting out a potential new area that turned out to be a dud! I was in this little bar out in the sticks having a drink and playing a little pool with the locals before the crows started to make there move in the late afternoon. It's a small world, I was 200 miles from home and I run in to a guy at the bar who knows another guy I play pool with in Hutchinson! You can drop me anywhere and within a couple of hours I will know everybody!

Big Honkers · Guru

Hi Bob,

As you know, you gotta have some duds to earn the good ones. But duds still stink! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It took me a little while to feel comfortable shooting from the seated position. Most times I will have my gun butt rested on top of my knee pointing out of the blind on an angle so the only movement to shoot is pulling the butt of the gun from my knee to my shoulder. Shooting at non-flaring birds makes doubles sooooo much easier.

BH

boba · Guru

Hi Jason,

I know ahead of time with all the wild goose chases I've been on that the odds are against you finding a really good area. But that "once in a great while you hit it" is what keeps a die hard going.

There are plenty of areas that I don't even mess with that have crows, just not enough crows to get decent shooting!

boba · Guru

At this time of year this site is almost on life support so here are a couple of photos of hunting in the timber that you guys might like.

nhcrowshooter · Guru

boba wrote:

There are plenty of areas that I don't even mess with that have crows, just not enough crows to get decent shooting!

That would include a majority of the lower 48 states. smile

Old Artilleryman · Guru

nhcrowshooter wrote:
boba wrote:

There are plenty of areas that I don't even mess with that have crows, just not enough crows to get decent shooting!
That would include a majority of the lower 48 states.

Around here in SW MI, we have to mess with what we can get--which as you point out, isn't a bunch, compared to some other places which have vast fields of sunflowers and no closed season.

boba · Guru

I have been on many a wild goose chase in search for really good hunting territory.

If any of you guys are interested I just posted up a video of some of the duck and goose hunting in South America. Right at the start you will see a quintuplet made on Magellan Geese with a 1 1/4 ounce load of lead # 4's. It is on Hardcore Waterfowler.com