Last weekend I went archery hunting in the morning and evening and crow hunting during the day. Over a two day period, I managed to only get 1 crow. I'm shooting 2 3/4" Remington Gun Club 7 1/2 and Federal bulk shells that are also 7 1/2 shot.
I had a dozen decoys set up and I'm using my Foxpro Scorpion. The calls I'm using are Crow duet, crow gathering, fighting crows & crows. Crows and crow fights were bringing in about 20 or so circling above but they just wouldn't come in close enough for the shells I'm using. I could just barely touch them but not enough damage to take them down. I'm using a modified choke in 12 gauge.
My mistakes are I'm not completly hidden in the blind. No face net or gloves but I was underneath an overhang of trees.
Am I using the correct ammo or should I bump it up to 3". If someone could provide a link to buy shells in bulk at a decent price, I would appreciate it.
Those shells are enough to kill crows up to 40 yards.Face mask or paint and gloves are a must. A couple overhanging branches are ok but if your buried under limbs, some birds may have been closer and you couldn't see them. Any trap load in 7.5 or 8 shot will extend range to 50 yards and mod choke is a good choice. Crows are fragile, think of them as quail for what is needed to bring them down. If they see anything they don't like they don't hang around long,full camo is a must!! 3inch shells will only give you a thinner wallet and a h**l of a sore shoulder.
-- Edited by watch em fall on Monday 25th of October 2010 06:44:45 PM
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whatever i'm doing i'm thinking about crow hunting
Both him and I kill a bunch of crows with 7.5/8 shot, low brass shells. You gotta hide...that's almost #1 in crow hunting (but not good enough that you can't shoot at them). Full camo (both face and hands) and be slow with all movements.
Overhanging branches can be a big pain in the butt. You gotta be able to shoot above your head.
Try lowering your volume. Also, once you drop one or if they are just getting out of town , switch to a dying sound. Like they all said, be hidden, be the woods.
I think your hunting "educated" crows there. They get smart real fast to electronic callers and the continuous sound loop but still can't resist checking it out...from a safe elevation that is! Try switching to hand calling and you may fool some of the dumber ones into a low level recon.
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
I have a hand caller but I'm not very good with it. I have had the volume at max and I'll turn it down when they come in. I'm ordering a camo face cover tonight and some other thing but I'll need to check with Foxpro on the dying crow sound. I don't have that one.
Lots of great guys willing to help on this forum. Go to advanced techniques and it will help with learning hand calls and other helpful hints. I agree with Bob this forum is bar-none the best group of people you'll find any where
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whatever i'm doing i'm thinking about crow hunting
