In a feeding set up, should you use motion decoys sparingly or throw them all out there? If you only have 5 or 6 static decoys, bunch them up or spread them out to 10-15 yards apart? Facing the same direction - seems to be what real crows do?
I'm trying to get more decoys in trees and up higher, but is three or four about right?
How do you set up in broad day light if you move after the first morning hunt? Quickly, of course, but do you go with fewer decoys? E.g. one in the tree and three on the ground -- do you still try to use motion?
Is it a good idea to go with a fighting set up late morning or early afternoon in broad day light? Or is early morning or late afternoon better? Seems like Buster II is always a good idea beneath the owl... and all other dekes in trees above height of owl on post (made a portable post our of PVC spray painted), right? I have not tried a fighting set up yet with the owl.
I've got much smaller groups of crows than last year - I'm sure I've overhunted some spots. Should I just run and gun after the first morning hunt, rather than trying to to another full blown feeding set up?
In R&G, do you just throw out a few quick decoys -- ground or trees or both? Or do you just call and hide and forget the decoys? Do you fire up the e-caller, or just try to hand call in a few?
Let me say 1st that I am NOT an expert at this, but until somebody better than me responds, I'll give you my opinion.
We use 8 full-body crow dekes that are all flocked. 6 on the ground in a feeding set-up, all facing different directions. 2 in the trees as high as we can get them.
We just started using my new Triple-play motion, it works great. In the past we have used the Halloween bat-flappers with some success.
While running and gunning, we use 1 decoy and the e-caller.
Thanks for the reply Kev... Mike... feel free to pick anything you might have experience with. I have read pretty much everything on this site and the internet and have just posed 15 questions (good counting) in a couple of setup categories that shouldn't be too tough to throw out some quick replies. I'm looking for some of the finer points from the many experts on here. Seems we're too busy responding to "he stole my honey hole" than to provide some deeper tips and substance. So, whatever you've got.
Every state is different. I have very small numbers in my area.
The multi answer:
Crack of dawn, hang em high, fully concealed, wind at your back, owl sparingly, let your spots rest, try lowering the volume, have fun and don't miss the first bird.
Rook, I use 6 flocked dekes, e-caller & haven't had much luck with the owl deke. I usually put 1 or 2 dekes up in a tree or bush, as high as I can get them. I hunt over a river with a landfill to my back. Far far from an expert, but thats what works for me. (most of the time) This winters been tough, I'm also from NY, just outside of Albany. How's it been in the lakes region ? Jerry
