Crow Busters Forum

Bob O · Senior Member

New member from the U.P. of Michigan

Dixierunner · Veteran Member

Welcome from 1 new guy to another! This IS the place to be!! Good luck knocking those nasty boogers down!

Bob O · Senior Member

Thanks Dr!!

Bob O · Senior Member

Got the gun all clean and lubed up this evening. It's a Stevens 320 Field, bought it yesterday from the LGS. I couldn't spend much on a shotgun being I already broke the budget with my AR this year. Picked up a box of clays and 200 rounds of Winchester from Walmart. I hope to get out tomorrow after work or Sunday for some practice.

Big Honkers · Guru

Greetings Bob!

I'm a troll from down state, Allegan county.

Good luck! Keep us posted, everyone here loves hunt reports...and pictures if ya got 'em.

BH

Bob O · Senior Member

Sounds good. I saw 5 crows here today when last Saturday there were just ravens.

Butch · Guru

Welcome Bob O, hope you have a great season and look forward to your reports. By the way "watch out for troll's up there" wink

Butch

Bob O · Senior Member

Got a chance to shoot clays today. I hit about 7/10, but they were "easy" shots.... I'm sure the real thing will be tougher for a new hunter like me.

-- Edited by Bob O on Saturday 26th of August 2017 10:45:56 AM

M12Shooter · Guru

Welcome aboard Bob O. Small but friendly following here. Wondering how much an HMR messes up a crow myself. Purchased on a few weeks ago for my boy with 4X12 scope. Just a matter of finding rings and off to the range...

Ted

Bob O · Senior Member

Based on what they do to a red squirrel, I expected some devastation in a crow, but it they were pretty much intact. I saw five crows in town this morning compared to none last week....so it seems they are arriving in the area! Rain is in the forecast for my days off but I'm keeping fingers crossed it won't be a steady, all day rain.

Island Shooter · Guru

Bob O.,

Welcome to the forum. Always great to see new blood going after the black bandits. You should be able to glean some good information from this site. Keep us posted on your progress. Things will surely heat up in a few weeks as the seasons open and/or the migratory birds start to travel.

Ted,

The .17 HMR that I use on occasion is a stock Savage with a bull barrel. It is highly effective out to 125 yds., and probably more, but that is about what I overlook when I step outside of my kitchen door. You will love it!

Demi

Bob O · Senior Member

I'm going to try and get out after work today to bag my first crow from the sky!!

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Bob O:

Another Crow Buster from down here in SW MI welcomes a Yooper to the Crow Buster's network!

Like Big Honkers (He resides in an adjacent county) says, we appreciate hunt reports, especially with photos. Though BH usually Photoshops his to get more TBC and really isn't as ugly as his photo would indicate (actually much worse), we still hold him in very high esteem on the Net as a real "Crow Whisperer." He tends to dress funny on some hunts, but is generally harmless, except to the bandits.

I'm getting a late start on the season, as we are recovering from a >4000 mile road trip to the western states. So, I hope to get my blind camo and gear in order within the next few days and get a hunt in.

Good Luck!

Bob O · Senior Member

Thanks!!! Late day at work but still hoping to get out there!

Bob O · Senior Member

Well, I went out yesterday but the crows wouldn't come in. I went to the spot and could hear crows close by but they didn't respond to the mouth call. I put the call in my pocket as I walked out but it fell out of my pocket somewhere along the way. I searched for it but couldn't find it being it's camoflauge colored. I'll make sure to put the replacement on a string. Until then I'll use my Fox pro. So I'm heading to a different area this morning to set up a ground blind and see if I have any success. I'll report back.

Bob O · Senior Member

So I went out last Wednesday with the FoxPro and only saw two crows. They both came in together, diving in over the trees at a powerline I was on. I shot at both and missed both. All I saw after that were ravens.

I went out this morning to a different more open area, and I saw crows flying around on my drive. I set up a ground blind and then hid the car under some trees a short distance away. I set up five decoys and some McDonald's trash. The whole time I was setting up I could hear crows nearby, well within range of the FoxPro. Once I got settled in the blind and loaded up, it was less than two minutes before a group of five crows came in. I sighted in on the lead one and pulled the trigger. I was a little shocked when it folded up and fell to the ground, considering how many clays I missed last week. It was about 25 yards away and coming from my right at about 15 mph. I fired at one of the remaining four but missed.

By the time 15 minutes went by, I got six more for a total of seven! I had shot at a total of twelve by this time. I went to gather up the dead birds but could only find two due to thick cover on the ground. I went back to the car for another box of ammo, which I didn't need because I brought a second box already, I just forgot about it. The crows were still flying around so I set back up and got two more, missed two also. It seemed that the crows had departed the area by this time, which was about 11:30. I searched for the dead crows again and found a total of six. Total take was nine.....I'm very excited about that!!!!

I'm working on a video that I hope to get posted for you all in a couple of hours.

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 6th of August 2017 08:11:58 PM

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 6th of August 2017 08:13:41 PM

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 6th of August 2017 08:14:09 PM

Top Cat · Senior Member

Nice going! Now if the crows are that close then you needn't leads them by much at all...you can practically aim right at the bill! I know some one who leads the crows way too much and he gets about a fourth of what he is capable of! So to simplify; he got 20? He definately shot at a hundred as they came in small groups...too much lead! I do close crow shoting too. Sure I get them but I pass up the shots I could have and should have hit them taking only gravy shots-not good! So keep up the good work!

Bob O · Senior Member

Definitely. The close ones weren't led by much, maybe a foot? The ones I got at a distance of like 40 yards, I led them by a few feet. The ones I missed I don't know if it was too much or not enough lead.
I'm going to try and get out again tomorrow morning. I'll have a video up in a bit.

Video is uploading now. I have to run to town but I'll check back in a while. I hope you guys like it.

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 6th of August 2017 10:56:22 PM

boba · Guru

Bob,

That was a nice little film clip. You have good oratory skills and sound good on tape. You shoot even better as I saw mostly one shot kills in your film clip.

Welcome to Crow Busters.

Bob O · Senior Member

Thank you Bob. I'm going to try to get out earlier tomorrow morning.

Top Cat · Senior Member

Nice shooting once you get used to it and evidence bears this out....

Dixierunner · Veteran Member

Nice!!! Season opens here next week, hope I can do as well as you! Keep those nasty boogers falling!

jordancraig321 · Member

I am a new member to the site as well. I hunt the thumb, mostly the tip of the thumb by the lake and the middle near my home town. Went out this weekend and found a fresh cut wheat field and it was a riot. There were a lot of difficult shots, but between me and my younger brother we shot 16. Crows were moving all morning, and were landing in hundreds up further in the field. One of my best hunts yet, we are still learning what these birds like more and more, love seeing them cupped up and pissed off.

jordancraig321 · Member

Here is a picture from the hunt.

Bob O · Senior Member

Nice Jordan.....I should try to find some farm fields to hunt from.

Got three this morning, missed three.

Short video with some slo-mo

-- Edited by Bob O on Monday 7th of August 2017 05:55:49 PM

-- Edited by Bob O on Monday 7th of August 2017 05:56:17 PM

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Outstanding!

Congrats on a fine hunt and video!

Island Shooter · Guru

Bob O,

Nice avatar picture... now if we can only get Big Honkers to wear a veil for his photo, this site would be greatly improved. biggrin

Demi

Old Artilleryman · Guru

jordancraig321 wrote:

Here is a picture from the hunt.

To you also--Outstanding!!!

Big Honkers · Guru

biggrin biggrin biggrin Well played Demi. If I wasnt so tired I'd whip up some quality photoshop material in a reply.

Gentleman, we have a couple fine new additions to the forums. Bob O & JC321 are off to a great start!...hunt reports, pictures, AND videos! Outstanding work fells! Please dont hold it against them that they are Michiganders, they cant help it. smile

Hey OA, I have been wondering where you have been. You have been oddly quiet considering the time of year...but now I understand that you had 4000 miles of excuses. Cheers to a good hunt hopefully headed your way soon.

Good hunting,

BH

-- Edited by Big Honkers on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 06:32:25 AM

Bob O · Senior Member

Only got one today...... interesting that his feet were red, must've been walking in some clay or iron ore water. Five came over initially a bit high, so I waited for them to circle around. They only came halfway around and then flew off. This one I got came in all by itself from a distance, straight in from in front of me. Seems I had all day to sight in on him....shot from about 35 yards out and 40 feet high. This bird had a lot of brown feathers.

-- Edited by Bob O on Tuesday 8th of August 2017 06:23:49 PM

Bob O · Senior Member

Thanks for the welcome everyone, sure seems like a great bunch of guys here!!

Bob O · Senior Member

Geez Jordan, looks like I need to hunt with you!!

jordancraig321 · Member

Got three last night, took the girlfriend out and let her get some shots in at a few solos. She had never shot a gun at a live bird before, so I'm going to let her off the hook on this one. Should have had at least 5 crows last night. But wasn't a bad hunt, and hopefully her shot will improve! It was a good experience and fun time!

-- Edited by jordancraig321 on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 01:13:01 PM

jordancraig321 · Member

All of the birds shot last night were easily over 35 yards. Gave the girlfriend all of the closer shots.

Bob O · Senior Member

It's always nice to get the family or relatives out.

My kids used to love shooting. I have to work the next three days but I hope to get out tomorrow evening and see how the crows are at that time of day.

Bob O · Senior Member

A buddy of mine and I headed out at 5:00 a.m. this morning so we could get set up before sunrise. We had a great time.....he got his first crow and we got 6 total.

Here's a vid I just uploaded.

Here's my buddy with his first crow!

-- Edited by Bob O on Monday 14th of August 2017 11:38:19 PM

-- Edited by Bob O on Saturday 26th of August 2017 12:44:29 AM

Bob O · Senior Member

A short vid from earlier in the week and a pic from this morning.

-- Edited by Bob O on Saturday 26th of August 2017 12:43:13 AM

Dixierunner · Veteran Member

Nice video Bob! Keep those nasty boogers falling!!!

Big Honkers · Guru

Thanks Bob! I'm digging your reports & videos.

BH

Bob O · Senior Member

Big Honkers wrote:
Thanks Bob! I'm digging your reports & videos.

BH

Thanks BH! I went out mid morning today chancing it with the rain forecast. Five crows (in a bunch) came out of nowhere within one minute of calling. I got the first one and missed the rest. I couldn't get anything else to come in except ravens.....seems to be no shortage of them around here. When it started raining I packed up and went home.

I ordered some Sillosock decoys (one 12-pack of the stationary kind and one motion decoy), they should be here by the weekend, which will be my next chance to hunt. I plan on doing a video on that day. Here's a pic from today. I sure wish I could find a flyway around here or find some open areas were more crows are. Sure is a lot of fun!!

2069624?AWSAccessKeyId=1XXJBWHKN0QBQS6TG

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 27th of August 2017 10:01:57 PM

-- Edited by Bob O on Sunday 27th of August 2017 10:02:22 PM

Bob O · Senior Member

I went out mid-day today (only time I could) for the third time and won't do that time of day again. All three times I saw nothing but Ravens, Robins and Red Squirrels (at least I can shoot those). Only signs of crows are their sounds at far distances. I tried the mouth call all three times out but they won't respond. Now if Ravens weren't protected, I'd have more than 50 of those in the last month. Next time out will be Sunday pre-dawn.

I ordered some Sillosock decoys but just got a call from them saying they were out of stock until a week or two. By then, the summer season will be nearly over. Oh well. I'll use them in the winter and next year. Here's a screenshot of a lucky Raven....well, from today anyway.

2069940?AWSAccessKeyId=1XXJBWHKN0QBQS6TG

-- Edited by Bob O on Monday 28th of August 2017 11:54:50 PM

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Good pics and videos. Enjoying them. Keep em' coming.

Hardly ever seen a raven down here in the SW corner.

-- Edited by Old Artilleryman on Tuesday 29th of August 2017 01:05:50 AM

Island Shooter · Guru

Bob O,

Great reports...keep the coming! Looks to me that this is going to be your next crow hunting investment:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ENJF7I4/ref=mp_s_a_1_13

Demi

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Island Shooter wrote:
Bob O,

Great reports...keep the coming! Looks to me that this is going to be your next crow hunting investment:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ENJF7I4/ref=mp_s_a_1_13

Demi

biggrin Ha! Around here, most of the time you only need maybe 10 fingers and two boots to tally TBC. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Bob O · Senior Member

Dang I wish. I need to find an area where I can call more than 10 crows into shooting range.

-- Edited by Bob O on Wednesday 30th of August 2017 05:13:47 PM

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Bob O wrote:
Dang I wish. I need to find an area where I can call more than 10 crows into shooting range.
-- Edited by Bob O on Wednesday 30th of August 2017 05:13:47 PM

Hey, down in this corner of the LP, 10 is a grand day! One or more is a "successful" hunt. Hang in there, and continue to send the pics. smile

(I've been engaged in required family activities--Estate matters--so I have been out of action all season except for some equipment prep, as there is likely time for a couple of hunts.....I'll post then)

Dixierunner · Veteran Member

Bob, here on the Eastern Shore of MD, calling in multiple groups is common. Just need landowner permission and somebody that can hit the nasty boogers. wink Keep those videos coming, I'm glad your season is starting so good.

Bob O · Senior Member

I just ordered a JLM Custom Bocote Crow Call from Crowmart. I'm anxious to try it out. The HS Strut Loco Crow I'm using seems good to me, but I'd like to try out a well known custom and improve my calling with it and practice.

-- Edited by Bob O on Thursday 31st of August 2017 05:35:59 PM

Dixierunner · Veteran Member

Let me know how that works out for you. So far, my Primos Crow Call has been doing good for me. Practice everywhere I go using the Advanced Calling Technique section as the sounds to imitate. It's driving the Hoodoo Lady CRAZY!!!! But they sure can bring those nasty boogers!! Still trying for LO permission but am also looking at other State land too. I might have to invest in another call to change things up on them. For right now, all I can do is practice calling. Here's a picture of Hootie and the Fish Crows.

Island Shooter · Guru

Good one, only it might have a better ring to it if you use military nomenclature for the black ones: Hootie and the Crow,Fish.

Demi