Crow Busters Forum

PredatorHunter25 · Member

Worth Trying?

Mainehunt · Guru

Absolutely! Get out whenever you can and have a blast.

WELCOME TO CROWBUSTERS!

Kev

Stunner696 · Veteran Member

Agree with Maine! Anytime is a good time except at dusk or after sundown after they have returned to their roost. We usually hunt the three C's too..(Crow,Coyote and Coon)

nhcrowshooter · Guru

PredatorHunter25 wrote:
Hey guys, been reading on this forum for awhile and I really enjoy it so I finally decided to join. I'm fairly new to crow hunting. I mainly hunt coyotes, turkey, pheasant, and ducks but I want to begin crow hunting regularly. One question I have: is it even worth it to go out and hunt crows starting around noon? I'm unable to hunt mornings during the week due to classes.

Mornings are definitely better but afternoons can be productive, especially when the migration is on. I had my personal best one day total for hunting solo last November. This shoot started about 1:45PM

Bob · Guru

NH,

It depends on what part of the country you live in. Out here the afternoons see the most action when the birds are on the move towards the roost. That being said you can have great hunts in the morning as well in a good feeding area. It's a lot more drawn out on the morning hunts (7:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.) whereas during the afternoon it's usually a 2 1/2 to 3 hour affair, but you can kill a boat load of crows in 2 1/2 hours! My old pals Boyd Robeson and Jim Lundquist and I (only hunted with one of them at a time) had a fair number of shoots where we killed over 500 crows within 2 1/2 to 3 hours on a good flyway during the afternoon.

Bob A.

Mainehunt · Guru

That's a wicked pretty picture with that side-by-side laying in the middle. smile

Kev

<><

PredatorHunter25 · Member

Thanks for the help guys! I really appreciate it and will definitely give it a whirl.

Mike27 · Senior Member

PH25,

Afternoons are OK, you had said noon. Dead noon is one of the worst parts of the day. But your area may be different.

PredatorHunter25 · Member

Well guys, got my 1st crow ever today. I know it's nowhere near as successful of a hunt as you guys have everytime, but it was my first legit crow hunt so I was pretty happy with it. I can easily see myself getting addicted to this. Called it in with my cheap Primo's "Old Crow" call and took it with some 6 shot out of my Remington 870. Here's a pic:

https://picasaweb.google.com/110016522078946645332/Share#5709858876627252642

8fishermen · Guru

Great job! It doesn't take big numbers to have a successful hunt. Sometimes all it takes is one. Congrats on the first.

PredatorHunter25 · Member

Thank you! It was only 1 crow, but I'm already hooked. I can't wait to go out again.

Mainehunt · Guru

PredatorHunter25 wrote:
Well guys, got my 1st crow ever today. I know it's nowhere near as successful of a hunt as you guys have everytime, but it was my first legit crow hunt so I was pretty happy with it. I can easily see myself getting addicted to this. Called it in with my cheap Primo's "Old Crow" call and took it with some 6 shot out of my Remington 870. Here's a pic:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110016522078946645332/Share#5709858876627252642

EXCELLENT JOB!! Congratulations!

Here's your photo man;

crow kill.png

NGillespie10 · Senior Member

Congrats! Gotta love those 870s

Bob · Guru

The model 870 Remington is with out doubt one of the toughest and most reliable shotguns ever made.

Here is "Big Brutis" my 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster with french walnut on the butt stock & forend.

8fishermen · Guru

M12Shooter wrote:
nhcrowshooter wrote:
NGillespie10 wrote:
Bob, that is a gorgeous looking stock
Ya and with the muzzle of the gun resting on part of his anatomy
Trapshooters resting stance

Ted

Looks like "parade rest" to me Ted. biggrin

-- Edited by 8fishermen on Saturday 18th of February 2012 02:16:41 AM

PredatorHunter25 · Member

Thanks again guys. Had it not been for all of you telling me to go out and hunt afternoons as well, I wouldn't have had this great experience. Much appreciated.

NGillespie10 · Senior Member

Bob, that is a gorgeous looking stock

Bob · Guru

Hello NG,

Let me tell you a short story about that shotgun. Back in 1995 I was on a bird safari in Africa and there was this banker in the group who could not understand why I had such nice wood put on that old corn sheller. He had a $ 12,000.00 Parker double that he was using, well before the safari was over he broke a firing pin (which could happen to anyone) and boy did I ever rub it in after that! I didn't want to push it to hard since he would give me one of his Cuban cigars every night after dinner! All I said (while working the slide on the 870 back & forth) was "how is that single shot Parker doing today"

Bob A.

nhcrowshooter · Guru

NGillespie10 wrote:
Bob, that is a gorgeous looking stock

Ya and with the muzzle of the gun resting on part of his anatomy

8fishermen · Guru

nhcrowshooter wrote:
NGillespie10 wrote:
Bob, that is a gorgeous looking stock
Ya and with the muzzle of the gun resting on part of his anatomy

Obviously a clay shooter as well. Breach is open. We see it all the time at the ranges we shoot. Some even wear a toe button that holds the muzzle, but I suspect you knew that.

Bob · Guru

10-4 Greg!

Bob A.

M12Shooter · Guru

nhcrowshooter wrote:
NGillespie10 wrote:
Bob, that is a gorgeous looking stock
Ya and with the muzzle of the gun resting on part of his anatomy

Trapshooters resting stance wink

Ted

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Hello NG,

. He had a $ 12,000.00 Parker double that he was using, well before the safari was over he broke a firing pin (which could happen to anyone) and boy did I ever rub it in after that! Bob A.

Sure trapshooters are notorious for resting muzzles on their toes, don't make it right though. First rule of firearm safety is muzzle in a safe direction at all times, loaded or unloaded.

A broken firing pin on a Parker? That's impossible.

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 04:36:13 PM

nhcrowshooter · Guru

$12k won't buy much in the way of good double rifle suitable for use on an African big game safari not even a cheap bolt action of any quality. These are used guns, newer ones would set back a bit.

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Double_Rifle_African_Hunter_Se_p/22683.htm

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Royal_Double_Rifle_470_Nitro_p/22640.htm

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Royal_Bolt_Action_Rifle_375_H_p/22556.htm

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 08:50:40 PM

8fishermen · Guru

nhcrowshooter wrote:
$12k won't buy much in the way of good double rifle suitable for use on an African big game safari not even a cheap bolt action of any quality. These are used guns, newer ones would set back a bit.

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Double_Rifle_African_Hunter_Se_p/22683.htm

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Royal_Double_Rifle_470_Nitro_p/22640.htm

http://www.csmcspecials.com/HOLLAND_HOLLAND_Royal_Bolt_Action_Rifle_375_H_p/22556.htm

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 08:50:40 PM

Still laughing at that one!!! Your idea of suitable and mine are quite different. If if goes bang with enough noise to make the game I am in pursuit of crumple, then I deem it suitable. My old guns are not that old and are certainly nothing to look at! However, they will pile critters up like cord wood. biggrin Wanna see some piles of critters? I have lots of pics. biggrin biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by 8fishermen on Saturday 18th of February 2012 09:16:42 PM

-- Edited by 8fishermen on Saturday 18th of February 2012 09:17:23 PM

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Hello 10 gauge,

I've owned Parkers and model 21's as well, I favored the Parkers.

Anyway back to the African story. The reason the banker (before his firing pin broke in the right barrel) was busting my chops was because I think it rubed him wrong that I had much nicer wood on (a $ 400.00 shotgun at that time) my 870 than he had on his Parker.

Bob A.

Like I said he didn't break a firing pin on a Parker, it can't be done. Model 21's don't have firing pins either. A guy with graded Parker rubbed wrong by an 870 with aftermarket wood? Sorry but comparng the two is kind of silly.

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 11:28:24 PM

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Perhaps, but I still had five shots when the upland game flushed whereas he only had a single shot!

I've had model 21's (once in a great while) give me trouble similar to what the banker experienced. The "striking piece on the hammer" or "the hammer spring" failed on both the model 21 and the Parker in this situation. In any event the Parker could only fire one shot at a time. But my $ 400.00 shotgun with $ 2000.00 worth of wood at that time worked without a hitch. I'm sure that didn't sit to well with him either.

Bob A.

Any gun can break, at any time.

But a a $2000 piece of wood on an 870 brings one image to mind

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Sunday 19th of February 2012 12:33:33 AM

10gacrowshooter · Senior Member

nhcrowshooter wrote:
Bob wrote:
Hello NG,

. He had a $ 12,000.00 Parker double that he was using, well before the safari was over he broke a firing pin (which could happen to anyone) and boy did I ever rub it in after that! Bob A.
Sure trapshooters are notorious for resting muzzles on their toes, don't make it right though. First rule of firearm safety is muzzle in a safe direction at all times, loaded or unloaded.
A broken firing pin on a Parker? That's impossible.
ya, parkers don't have firing pins, and he could still shoot the gun and the gun is still worth 12,000.00 + i will take the parker any day , mine are still shooting after 123 years we will see how the 870's are doing in a 123 years PS i do have an 870 for a back up gun .-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 04:36:13 PM

8fishermen · Guru

nhcrowshooter wrote:
Bob wrote:
Hello NG,

. He had a $ 12,000.00 Parker double that he was using, well before the safari was over he broke a firing pin (which could happen to anyone) and boy did I ever rub it in after that! Bob A.
Sure trapshooters are notorious for resting muzzles on their toes, don't make it right though. First rule of firearm safety is muzzle in a safe direction at all times, loaded or unloaded.
A broken firing pin on a Parker? That's impossible.

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 18th of February 2012 04:36:13 PM

Anyone crazy enough to travel overseas with a $12000 gun probably could not have gotten much use out of the other barrel anyway. biggrin

Bob · Guru

Hello 10 gauge,

I've owned Parkers and model 21's as well, I favored the Parkers.

Anyway back to the African story. The reason the banker (before his firing pin broke in the right barrel) was busting my chops was because I think it rubed him wrong that I had much nicer wood on (a $ 400.00 shotgun at that time) my 870 than he had on his Parker.

Bob A.

Bob · Guru

Perhaps, but I still had five shots when the upland game flushed whereas he only had a single shot!

I've had model 21's (once in a great while) give me trouble similar to what the banker experienced. The "striking piece on the hammer" or "the hammer spring" failed on both the model 21 and the Parker in this situation. In any event the Parker could only fire one shot at a time. But my $ 400.00 shotgun with $ 2000.00 worth of wood at that time worked without a hitch. I'm sure that didn't sit to well with him either.

Bob A.

Bob · Guru

NH,

Corect! Thats for the wood, checkering, silver grip cap, sporting clays recoil pad and custom fit.

Bob A.

8fishermen · Guru

Bob,

Do you still shoot your 870?

Bob · Guru

NH,

I don't see any lipstick on my 870, I've used that shotgun on three different continents and it has served me very well. The way I look at it is that you only go around once. I wanted a good reliable shotgun that I could depend on, so I dressed it up a wee bit.

I get a kick out of guys like the banker and you who sometimes get a little judgmental about what other people like in regard to shotguns.

Bob A.

Bob · Guru

Hi Greg,

Yes, I still use it, but I use the Beretta's for the high volume shooting since they are gas operated.

Bob A.

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Hi Greg,

Yes, I still use it, but I use the Beretta's for the high volume shooting since they are gas operated.

Bob A.

Bob you decided to bring up a story of a mechanical failure of a "$12,000" Parker, which really does tell anybody much, i.e. grade, gauge any factory special features and then how it rubbed some guy wrong that you had nicer wood on a Remmy 870 making it sound like you da man. Then you wanted to be sure all of us know it was $2000 worth of wood (on a mass produced pump gun of which 6 or 7 million of have been built.... can you say pimped your ride biggrin ) . Comparing it to and feeling it is better in any regard than what was probably a very nice high grade American double gun, one that took months to build and is completely hand fitted and bores and chokes factory tuned for perfect POI and pattern is just plain silly, so ya I am judgemental.

Bob · Guru

Pete,

I don't think most folks really care what model Parker the banker was using. Pete, I don't think "I am the man" but I do think I was the man that made his Parker look like an El Cheapo in regard to just the wood in both guns. There are several American (Parker being one of them) and European double guns (shotguns) that are works of art. But I am not a gun collector, I want something that looks good and is reliable in the field. Any high grade double or over & under does not kill the birds any better than some of your lower grade shotguns. If your on em your on em whether your shooting a Purdy or a JC Higgins from Sears & Robuck.

Bob A.

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Perhaps, but I still had five shots when the upland game flushed whereas he only had a single shot!

I've had model 21's (once in a great while) give me trouble similar to what the banker experienced. The "striking piece on the hammer" or "the hammer spring" failed on both the model 21 and the Parker in this situation. In any event the Parker could only fire one shot at a time. But my $ 400.00 shotgun with $ 2000.00 worth of wood at that time worked without a hitch. I'm sure that didn't sit to well with him either.

Bob A.

Some folks would be interested in knowing what grade, gauge Parker your friend was using. I would have been. The strange part to me is he went on an African bird safari and he didn't have the fore thought to bring a backup gun (or two)?

You may have had your five shots that day but fast forward 17 years later. Your better looking wood aside, a $12k Parker in 1995 I am confident would easily be worth double and perhaps triple that today. The 870 with a custom stock is still going to go for less than you have into it.

870's are also not infallible. They have two weak areas and I have broken both. The trigger mechanism is prone to breakage, I have broken two of them and the ejector which is pinned to the side of the receiver, broke that once. This was after about 75,000 shells through a trap model that I bought used. I am still using the orginal action bars. The 870 is probably the best pump going, it is reliable and well built. It is not however a "fine" or "best" gun and is not an investment, the Parker is.

-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Sunday 19th of February 2012 05:57:34 PM

Bob · Guru

Greg,

Here is a great photo taken in eastern Argentina on a goose hunt. Thats "Big Brutis" my trusty 870. We shot a wonderful movie that morning of the action.

Talking about 870's, in all the years the only thing I ever had break on them were the action bars and once in a while a cartridge stop would get out of whack. Those 870's would still work even with one broken action bar. I had to put 4 sets of new action bars on my 20 gauge 870 within a 20 year period, the bulk of the shooting was on crows but also doves in Argentina as well. On average I would shoot 1,000 rounds a day on doves in Argentina, I could have shot much more but my pockets were not deep enough to pay for more ammo than that per day.

Bob A.

Bob · Guru

Pete,

What you are saying is quite true, I agree with you 100% about the Parker being much more of an investment and being worth more money both now and down the road.

As to which gun is more reliable is another matter. While the finer grade doubles are all works of art, if one goes down you are screwed while on a hunt. With an 870 all I have to do is replace a part and I'm good to go in about 15 minutes or less. I also agree with you that the banker should have had a back up gun, poor judgement on his part. This gent was not a shooter so thats why he never brought another firearm with him to Africa.

I have an appreciation for the finer guns, I just don't have any use for them with the type of shooting I do. Now if I was to go to Scotland on a driven grouse hunt or a hunt in Denmark you bet I would head that way with a pair of Parkers. The reason? I like Parkers a lot, when the time is right to use them. Now this is just my opinion.

Bob A.