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Duce


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Should I decoy? Opener story too
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Well first off I haven't been back in a long time, and its good to be back. I've been reading latley and its helped me kill some crows last hunt out. 

Me and my buddy have been baiting some crows on this field, there aren't many crows in the area, and havent seen any until opening morning. 

Me and my buddy bought some out of date bread that is on its last leg from a local bakery and have been supplying the neighboring crows on this field for a few weeks and finally March has rolled around. We had a heavy snow storm a few days before the opener and wasn't sure if the crows would come back to the pile but sure enough they dug through over 8 inches of snow to dig into the bread. I also noticed alot of bird waste in the snow surrounding area. We used some store bought camo netting and brushed it inbetween two trees and were ready for saturday morning. 

We got in extra early, just to make sure. (This is our first real spring hunt and we didn't want to mess anything up.) After sitting in the dark for about 20 minutes the first caws are coming from behind us, which is where the wind was coming from (30 mph easy!) and to my shock these three crows land in the branches literally 10 feet above my head. I stand up and dump the first crow and the others fly off into the trees. Some time passes and more come in and more get dumped. We had a large murder (large to us) come in around 30 minutes in, atleast 30 circling above us. But they stayed around 60-70 yards away. Shot at a bad time when I thought they were closer than they were and never got any of them. 

We had a few stragglers that didn't want to die, and we figured this would happen so I brought the ol' Ruger 10/22 out to finish em off.

This is where it gets interesting. We had a break in the action and noticed only 5 birds on the field. We had shot 6. We walked to where it was and low and behold it hopped into the forest (miscommunication, I thought I finished it off but we both shot the OTHER downed bird). I hunt deer and have had to track my fair share, but never a crow, haha. This bird made it 50 yards into the woods and still wasn't dead. 

Getting back to the blind we have 6 birds out on the field now. Just as we make it back to the blind two bandits are comming over the tree line but just out of range. And as I'm watching these birds I see something move on the field. First just a twitch of black. I look and there the first bird I shot today is sitting up looking around. He was laying stiff as a board DEAD for 45 MINUTES. Well I grab the .22 because it was a good 60 yards out and just then the bandits are back, now the decision, do I kill the one I already killed or do I shoot at these. The bird on the ground hops three times and I kid you not flys away. This bird who got laced by 5 shot at 10 yards, and was dead for 45 minutes flew away. I was flabergasted to say the least. The two circling bandits never did come within range. As the morning drew on we still were in shock, never have I seen this. We did end up finding it in the woods, still alive, I shot it in the head which I regret because it was a beaut of a crow. Infact it was so nice we mounted it. My father is a taxidermist so every batch we kill we take out the nicest one and mount it as a sweet decoy.

Granted I have not hunted much crow but is this a regular thing? 

Ended with 6, which was good for us, first hunt learned alot. 

One thing we learned is that birds seem alot closer than they are. When they're flying in the air its hard to get a good range, atleast for us. We were shooting at birds we thought were inside 30 but it turned out they were around 50 yards away. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE, and don't move when they come in.

Tried 5 shot, not a big fan, gonna try 7 1/2 shot see how that works. Cabelas has a sale right now 250 shells for just over 50 bucks.

 

On to the question at hand. Check that, questions. We were planning on going back to the same field we shot the six out of this weekend, thats 8 days after shooting, do you think the crows are still feeding regularly on the bait or did they wise up? We did have 3 come in after we left though.

The second question is this: we set up a second bait pile next to a dairy farm, and man is there alot of crows in that area, they had spotted the bread in 15 minutes and were chowin down in less than a half hour.

So if they're eating the bread on a daily basis in the morning, should we set out deke's by the bread? They know its there, could it possibly intimidate the other crows from joining if they see 5 birds already eating? I just don't see how deke's could help right away, maybe late morning but right away doesn't seem right to me. 

 

Anyway thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed. Forgive my spelling mistakes its 5AM here, and I cant sleep. I appreciate all feedback and thanks in advance.



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Rook-ie


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Yeah throw some decoys out there... I want to see what happens!

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nhcrowshooter


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Nice story, sounds like you are having fun. I would check in with your state wildlife agency on the legality of baiting crows. Crows are considered migratory by the USFWS and they get caught up in the rules to protect waterfowl. Exception for crows include use of lead shot and electronic calling but I can't easily find an exception on the prohibition of baiting. It is not something you would want to be caught doing if it is illegal as baiting for crows is generally not necessary for a successful hunt.

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Rook-ie


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The NY regs on crows treats them the same as migratory game birds when it comes to baiting -- not allowed.

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Magoo


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Two reasons I'm really starting to like this place. In this one post I learned something (we're not allowed to bait crows) and got to read a really cool crow hunting story. Good write up.

In my extremely limited experience placing decoys will do anything but scare crows away. They are very curious and really let their guards down when they see other crows around. Especially if you can put a couple up in trees. Even if they're only 5 or 6 feet off of the ground it's made a huge difference for me.

I'm not trying to restart the 5 shot vs 7.5 shot debate, but if that tough old bastard crow got up and flew away after you blasted him with 5 shot, what makes you think he would've been more dead with 7.5? Maybe you missed him altogether but gave him a stroke causing him to pass out, lol? I don't know, but that is a wild story. Thanks for sharing!

Magoo

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Mainehunt


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DEFINITELY use some decoys. It will help you, I promise.

5 shot will kill a crow if the pellets hit his body. Your gun may not pattern well with that cartridge/shot/choke combination. In other words, with that combo, you may have large empty holes in your pattern, maybe not. But pattern that combo and others by shooting it on paper, cardboard, etc.

For that crow you thought was dead, I have had them play 'possum on many occasions.

Ranging them can be difficult, but if you place a marker at a known range, it can help a lot. A tree branch for instance at 30 yards is a good way.

Good story, keep them coming. :)

Kev

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Duce


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I've checked with a local guy who baits over a dozen farms, and according to him baiting is perfectly legal. I've also looked on the internet and found nothing that says it's illegal in MN. Defiantly gonna try the 7 1/2 shot, and decide after which I like better.

As for the decoys in the tree.. I have two mounted crows I use for decoys but they are attached to white platforms I bury in the snow so I cant really hang those and for my others I have 3 silhouette decoys that you slide a second piece of wood perpendicular into the body to make it look like wings and really give it a 3D look. Its really nice for the ground but I don't think it'll work in the trees. I have checked every sporting good store in the area and the only crow decoys they sell are these flocked foam decoys with a close pin on the back. With hunting just 4 days away should I buy these flocked foam ones or just make do without?

I got a gift card for Cabelas that would allow me to buy 3 flocked GreenHead Gear decoys, they look really nice but does anyone have first hand experience with them? If I do end up getting these decoys would putting some wire on the top and making it into a hook shape to place on the branch work?



-- Edited by Duce on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 10:08:55 PM

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NGillespie10


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They are tough old bastards...

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8fishermen


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They are often still alive when they hit the ground and are killed or knocked unconscious at impact. It is not uncommon for them to stand up after a while. On occasion they will fly off. If we have a walker, we try to clean them up quickly or wait till the next time someone shoots. This way we don't spook inbound birds with gunfire not directed at them.



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NGillespie10 wrote:

They are tough old bastards...

 Actually IMO crows are not all that tough when compared to other game birds of the same general size. They are tough targets though. Birds that are in tight are often nipped by fringe hits and thus may have a lot of life in them once on the ground.smile

Ted



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Minnesota John


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Duce wrote:This bird who got laced by 5 shot at 10 yards, and was dead for 45 minutes flew away. I was flabergasted to say the least.

 7 1/2 shot and he would never have flown away :)

 

John



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Big Honkers


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I would not trust a "local" over a local CO.

They might have a difference of opinion.

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Lone Star Phil


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Duce:

It happens more than you'd think.  Two weeks ago, I was policing up the carnage on a crow shoot and bent down to pick up one laying face down with its wings spread out in some grass.  I pulled one of his outstretched wings into his body, being mindful of his eyes (closed), wrapping my fingers under his body and pulling him up and, and he leapt out of my hand and flew away, seemingly unscathed! 

I gawked at him for a second, looking for evidence of airframe damage, then fumbled with my long gun and the safety before getting a shot off at him that could kindly be called 'desultory'.

I chuckled to myself and determined that He didn't want that one to die and you gotta be OK with that.



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Duce


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Well I've checked the rule books and internet and it doesn't say anywhere baiting is prohibited in MN so the local was just another reference.

Phil that was a nuts story. I do believe God had a hand in that one, haha. I am starting to realize with all these stories this birds are a lot tougher than people give them credit for. Do you think they wait for a good time to escape or they just get away when they muster the energy?

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Lone Star Phil


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Duce:

I don't know.  I suppose the impact with the ground causes the unconsciousness but that doesn't explain how they recover so quickly and completely from the shot damage that put them on the ground in the first place.



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nhcrowshooter


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Lone Star Phil wrote:

Duce:

I don't know.  I suppose the impact with the ground causes the unconsciousness but that doesn't explain how they recover so quickly and completely from the shot damage that put them on the ground in the first place.

Hey Phil, it's easy to explain, long range hits with shot smaller than 6 resulting in shock without penetrating wounds.  They get up when the shock wears off.

 


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BUZZ


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Migratory Bird Baiting Laws

 

Federal rules prohibit the taking of migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.

It is legal to take migratory game birds including waterfowl, coots and cranes, on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:

  • Standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics);
  • Standing, flooded or manipulated natural vegetation; flooded harvested croplands; or lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or normal soil stabilization practice;
  • From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with natural vegetation;
  • From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, as long as such camouflaging does not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of grain or other feed; or
  • Standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is inadvertently scattered solely as a result of a hunter entering or exiting a hunting area, placing decoys, or retrieving downed birds.

...........................................................................................................

Crows, although not technically "migratory game birds" (like ducks) can be hunted in similar fashion in some states. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, 50 CFR Chapter 1 20.1 extends regulations to the hunting of "migratory game birds, and crows." The Act allows states the rights to establish hunting seasons on crows, with the exception of Hawaii where the only species present is the severely endangered Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis). 50 CFR 20.133 allows states to set their own seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking crows subject to certain limitations, namely that "1) Crows shall not be hunted from aircraft; 2) The hunting season or seasons on crows shall not exceed a total of 124 days during a calendar year; 3) Hunting shall not be permitted during the peak crow nesting period within a State; and 4) Crows may only be taken by firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry" (so no dynamite, poison, or traps).

 



-- Edited by BUZZ on Thursday 8th of March 2012 09:03:31 PM

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shaddart


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Duce; Flocked decoys will work well for you. I'd check the federal laws on baiting migratory birds, if it's illegal in 1 state I'm pretty sure it's illegal in all.

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BUZZ


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As I posted above, it appears to be a little unique with Crows ?

1. Federal rules prohibit the taking of migratory game birds by the aid of baiting

2. allows states to set their own seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking crows subject to certain limitations

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BUZZ


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Now ,on to the funner stuff....crows that die...then don't.

How many times have ya all pulled the trigger.....watch a crow fold up and start tumbling out of the sky.....only to flip over and take off flying ....while you stand there dumb founded...........man I hate when that happens........lol !!

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nhcrowshooter


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BUZZ wrote:

Now ,on to the funner stuff....crows that die...then don't.

How many times have ya all pulled the trigger.....watch a crow fold up and start tumbling out of the sky.....only to flip over and take off flying ....while you stand there dumb founded...........man I hate when that happens........lol !!

 Switch to 6 shot and you won't have to watch that any more.biggrin



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BUZZ


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I use 6 shot.........think I just need to be a better shot when that happens..biggrin



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crazy 4 crows


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thats part of thr fun watching my nephew chase down the wounded birds while i set in the blind and roll over with laughter

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Duce


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Well I'm sending an email to the DNR people right now asking if its illegal or not to clear this whole mess up. I really hope its legal, but if its not I'll be out there tomorrow picking up stale bread looking like an idiot.

On a more annoying note, I looked on Cabela's website and saw they carried GreenHead Gear decoys, so I drove down there which is about an hour away.... only to find they only carried the cheap foam ones with the clothespin. I was pretty annoyed because I need those decoys by Sunday and no store within 50 miles, at least, carries decent decoys.

Any thoughts? I need some decoys I can hang from the trees.



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Duce


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I don't really want to start a new topic so I was wondering how many decoys do you like to put in the trees? I really like the look of the GHG's, but what do you guys like?

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8fishermen


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Duce wrote:

I don't really want to start a new topic so I was wondering how many decoys do you like to put in the trees? I really like the look of the GHG's, but what do you guys like?

 The running trend is ONE well placed sentry is better than several misplaced ones. We use up to 5 if the setup will allow.



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BUZZ


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We have put as many as 15, and a s few as 4 decoys in the tree's.

I was in a tournament 2 weeks ago, was running and gunning alone, I stopped by a spot in the woods, walked a couple hundered yards from my truck. I set my caller up...no decoys....stood 40 yards from caller , hidden in the brush....no decoys.
Turn caller on and called a few birds in, got one. Shut caller off for about a minute, turned back on and got a second pass by crows, got another one. Picked up and left. Wasn't at that spot for 10 minutes.
I was using a crow fight call.

I think if your running/gunning, and are in a area that has a lot of birds, it is worth the time to put more decoys up.

I defer to the other guys for set up's in flyways and areas that have big crow numbers.

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BUZZ


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2) The hunting season or seasons on crows shall not exceed a total of 124 days during a calendar year;

It's in the portion of the reg's I posted above. I read in another section (that I didnt post)that a lot of states only allow hunting crows 3 or 4 days a week, so season will last longer (more weeks). I have no clue as to why it's 124 days, could be the reason you posted.


(so no dynamite, poison, or traps)....just wanted to point out the last sentance in case anyone was planning to use dynamite...............biggrin



-- Edited by BUZZ on Saturday 10th of March 2012 01:53:27 AM

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Duce


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Greg: how high do you put the sentry or sentries in the trees? I don't have a hanger yet but I climb pretty good, lol.

Buzz: what type of e-caller do you use? Because I'll be doing more run and gunning in the summer right now were stationary in a couple spots.

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BUZZ


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I have a Foxpro FX3. I have over 20 crow calls in it, but only use around half of them. I have no complaints about this caller, works great.

However....as I am addicted to this crazy sport..............

I have been reading about that Primos Alpha Dogg. It looks interesting, but they seem to have a few bug's as far as downloading sounds from what I've read. I may give them a year to work things out and give one a try ?

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shaddart


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Thanks for posting those regs Buzz.

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shaddart


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Just looked at those regs again. Don't see anything about the number of days each state can set as the season, I think it's 160, I think that has something to do with a treaty with Mexico. Wonder if theres any more restrictions in the treaty ?

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shaddart


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Buzz; sorry I missed the number of days in your post. In NY we can hunt Sept 1 til March 31, Fri thru Mon.

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