I have shooting access to a field where I see crows (100 or so) feeding in the evening (an hour or two before dark). I'm limited to setting up in this same field (about 250 acres) or another about 1/2 mile away. I'm not sure where they are roosting.
My question is: What's the best way to hunt these guys?
Do I call them before they come in to feed, or after? Set up in the same field, or the distant one? What's the best simple decoy set-up?
I have a cassette-type caller with a Johnny Stewart "distress" tape and a dozen decoys (and an owl).
I appreciate any advice. My son and I would like to hunt 'em but need some help to improve our chances.
I would suggest setting up in the field they are using and starting calling with your JS caller before the crows start to arrive. I think the JS "Come Here Crow Sound" might be superior to the distress call.
I would put one crow decoy up as high as you can and others on the ground within 35 yards for your position. A "flapping" crow decoy, if legal in your area, will certainly improve your spread and lately we have been very pleased with our UREDUCK "Assault Crow Decoys, too. The owl is probably not necessary.
Only one advice: if you have that little space. Be 1000% sure to have superior camo! Do not smart em up. Don't let them see you - ever. If they gather there in the evening they will be hard to call cause they'll gather to fly back to the roost. They are not very likely to be hungry.... It will be tough - do not get frustrated. And good luck!
Wareagle, I would get out there in the late afternoon well before the crows arrive. Locate/construct an adequate blind along or in the field if possible as good cover is everything. Be sure your blind is in the shade. Further, anticipate where the sun will be when the crows arrive so that you don't end up in the sun. Your only talking 200 or so crows so don't go too crazy with blind construction. Stick a couple deeks up high in a promenent position, put your caller no more than 10 to 15 yards upwind. I place my caller upwind near or under the decoy(s). With crows, like ducks, always hunt with the wind at your back as that is the direction crows will come to your setup. Soft calling or crows gathering will have crows saunter in in a casual manner. After killing a few, go right to injured crow sounds and many times crows will come back in to re-investigate should they not have spotted you.
Hopefully the crows will filter in over a period and in smaller groups, making for an extended shoot with good shot to kill ratio. Two's and three's are a crow shooters dream but this almost never happens to me. If your birds have not been hunted and are call dumb as well, then your in for a treat. Shots will be in close as tight chokes will be your worst enemy here. Open choked shotguns with regular trap loads will kill them dead. Further, I would suggest alternating shooters. That way the shooter has all targets to himself and is in no rush. Two shooters yelling "take em" and jumping up to beat eachother to the plum shots will result in lots of ammo wasted and fewer crows bagged overall. You will likely only get one good shoot from the location in question so go when the conditions are optimum and make it count.
Ted
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Guys, I really appreciate your advice and taking the time to help me out. I think we're going to give them a go this weekend. We'll see what happens.
BTW: I love the 16ga Model 12. That was my first shotgun, given to me by my Dad. It was old, but pristine, when I got it. Still shoot it from time to time.
One thing the guy's didn't mention!!! It will pay off if you take one evening to watch them leave the field and follow the birds to the roost I have learned the hard way by getting in a hurry. I did not take the time to look what part of the country you are from and that would make a difference. A few years ago I saw birds in a roost flight pattern. I followed them to where they were staging. when I popped over the hill there was a 250 acre bottom that I swear had a crow every square foot with birds piling in every few seconds. I thought I died and went to crow heaven. I was there the next day at noon and had everything built and ready by the time the first bird showed up! I slammed em, I killed 100 plus. I found out thru common sense that the birds were roosting in a 80 acre woods that I had my back against. Next day I killed 22 birds and have never seen a crow in the field again. They never have used it again. Crows like to stage before they roost. There are several theories why they do this. I think it is to regroup murders that have been split up or have parted ways during the day. Around here the birds will stage up to a mile away from the roost. You can't hunt them too close to the roost, it will destroy the roost and educate generations of them. My limit now is at least 3/4 mile. The farther the better!!!! Find the main flight path to the roost and you can feed of of it all season!!!! It doesn't take long at all and it works!!!!!
I wondered about the roost proximity. I think they may be roosting across the road in a pine thicket 1/4 to 1/2 mile away. I am limited as to where I can set up so I'll probably have to violate the 3/4 mile rule. It's probably a one-shoot deal anyway so I'll just have to get 'em all on the first time out :)
1/2 to 1/4 is normaly ok. Once you get started and you get hooked on this sport you will learn a lot thru attrician. I stress learning crow behavior,,,, Most birds you don't have to worry about things like that. But it helps a ton with crows. They are absolutely the most intelligant bird I have ever had anything to do with. Most people don't have time to sit and watch crows feed or nest or just be crows. I have spent a lot of time in the off season watching them and it has payed huge dividends for me............................ You will know by the second day if you got too close trust me...
I have learned the hard way by getting in a hurry. I did not take the time to look what part of the country you are from and that would make a difference. A few years ago I saw birds in a roost flight pattern. I followed them to where they were staging. when I popped over the hill there was a 250 acre bottom that I swear had a crow every square foot with birds piling in every few seconds. I thought I died and went to crow heaven. I was there the next day at noon and had everything built and ready by the time the first bird showed up! I slammed em, I killed 100 plus. I found out thru common sense that the birds were roosting in a 80 acre woods that I had my back against. Next day I killed 22 birds and have never seen a crow in the field again. They never have used it again. Crows like to stage before they roost. There are several theories why they do this. I think it is to regroup murders that have been split up or have parted ways during the day. Around here the birds will stage up to a mile away from the roost. You can't hunt them too close to the roost, it will destroy the roost and educate generations of them. My limit now is at least 3/4 mile. The farther the better!!!! Find the main flight path to the roost and you can feed of of it all season!!!! It doesn't take long at all and it works!!!!!