Got a few questions for ya. In that second pic, it looks like some of those are real birds, is that so?
Do you use some sort of frame work to hold up your blind material or do you just use stacked and positioned branches?
We generally try to build blinds under branches and brush so we have some protection from above, all your blinds seem to be in the open. In your opinion, does the ability to see and shoot 360 deg and overhead out way the advantage that cover overhead would offer?
Thanks,
Greg
BTW, I got my copy of Hand Calling Crows and my new Gibson Short Mag in and have been practicing. Thanks for sharing your talents.
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"If money can fix it, it ain't broke" The great theologian and my crow hunting partner AW.
Most of the shooting I do is within 180 degrees from left to right in front of the blind I'm in. I still can take birds within 360 degrees if need be, but 95% of the shooting is within 180 degrees if you are setup right. A lot of the crows I kill are overhead shots, as long as you hold still until it's time to take the shot they can't pick you out until it's to late! So in answer to your question, yes it does out weigh having overhead cover in my opinion. A lot of the time I don't even use camo, I just have earth tone colors or muted colors that do not stand out. At the most I wear a camo hat and jacket inside the blind, no need for having a face mask or camo gloves "if you hold still" they pick out movement more than anything else. If you are not in a good blind then it is a lot more necessary to be in full camo.
Bob A.
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To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
Looking at your photos, I am intrigued by your use of the bush/tree mounted decoys. You seem to use many more that what I am used to. A couple of questions:
- Do you split your decoys up (ground vs. tree mounted)?
- Where, relative to your blind, do you find is the best location for the tree mounted decoys? It looks like some are directly behind...does that not blow your cover?
- What method do you use for hanging a dead crow on a limb?
Thanks in advance. You are the Master and I'd love to learn what I can from you.
I.S.
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
It depends on the wind direction as to where I place my blind and decoys that day. In photo 1 the deks were in back of the blind and the wind was in the NW and the birds were coming from the south. There attention was fixed beyond my blind position, many of them didn't even see me once I raised up to shoot!
In photo 2 the deks were in front of the blind. The main reason was because I didn't have a good place for the blind down wind from the decoys. Once I had 75 to 100 down they were more fixated on the dead ones on the ground than to pay any attention to me! Here the wind was also in the north north west that day and things worked out just fine.
Those trees are salt cedars and they bend real easily! I just bend them over and stick a dead crow in the V portion of the branch and then ease it back up very slowly, otherwise you're dead crow will take off like it was shot out of a damn catapult!
Bob A.
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To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
If it's a feeding area then I use decoys (10 to 20) on the ground and a few in the trees. If it's a flyway shoot I just use a tree set.
I have a friend who lives on John's Island in SC. I remember the two of us went into this nite spot and they had about 8 chairs reserved for the firefighters who were killed in that furniture store fire a couple of years ago. My friend works in the Sheriff's Department down there.
Bob A
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To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
Yes, that was a horrible fire...3 years ago last August. This week's fatal fire in Chicago brought back memories, too.
I'm not familiar with the nite spot, but Johns Island is just a couple of islands north of us here on Edisto Island. Next time you head this way, let me know as I'd love to meet you.
Thanks for the clarification on the decoys.
I.S.
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
