Crow Busters Forum

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Franconian crows...

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Crows were to be expected from behind the little wood to the right and from the front. The crows roost on that hill. Some fly straight down (flypath from the front) some fly along the ridge of the hill and then down (flypath from behind).

Now here's a bonus picture for you guys. This is a view that I have when driving to my hunting area... coincidentally I also got married there exactly six years ago.
The castle is called Burg Colmberg and if anybody ever comes to bavaria and is on the lookout for a hotel in a proper castle for a reasonable price - that's the place to go. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is 15 mins away - and that place is beautiful and full of history. A MUST for every visitor to Bavaria!

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Lived in Bamberg for a couple of Army years (73-74). Franconia is beautiful and that Castle is a treat! With that great sentinel decoy, you have me itching to try my new one out during Feb. - Mar.
Thanks!

Bob · Guru

Ulli,

Your "high" crow decoy looks very good. How many feet up in the air is your decoy?

One of these days I'd love to visit Bavaria, hey if you have a copy of the DVD "Crow Shooting" you will see me in a hunter green felt Alpine Hat!

Bob A.

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Hi OA, Bamberg is not too shabby either. I've hear roumors about local breweries...??? :)

@ Bob: it's about 43ft high. I used up all my poles this time.

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Yes! Bamberger Rauchbier mit Blutwurst! Keep the photos coming.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

WOW, that bird is up there!

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Thanks Phil, yeah, love that castle. One has to make a point to appreciate what one has got once in a while.

@ OA: I am a Leberwurstman myself ;)

@ Bob: If you ever make it over, let me know well in advance. I'll try to point you in the right directions. Bavaria does have some amazing sights! We might even find you some Lederhosen to go with that hat ;) My next purchase will be a pole that'll bring me up to 48 ft without bending. A friend has extended it to get up to 78 ft!! :)

-- Edited by Zeddicus on Monday 15th of October 2012 06:37:51 AM

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

Zeddicus:

Nice pics!

A sentry decoy at 43 feet is a fine decoy display!!

Really enjoyed your field report, too. I've become a big proponent of siting your kill zone a few hundred yards off the flyway, roost, congregation or feeding spot and pulling the bold few in as single and pairs. More reports and pictures, please!

What a wonderful place you get to travel through and hunt!

Redditch · Guru

One of those cheap lofting pole sets like I have go up to 16 metres (17.33 yards) which is 54 foot hight, and you can hang two decoys on the T bar at the top of it

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Redditch wrote:
One of those cheap lofting pole sets like I have go up to 16 metres (17.33 yards) which is 54 foot hight, and you can hang two decoys on the T bar at the top of it

Not certain what you mean. Is it like the hotsticks previously discussed? If not, could you send a link to a manufacturer or photo of this in operation? Thanks.

Mark · Guru

Try and Google: HV-230 for fiberglass extension pole.. Poles are Mfg by Hastings in Michigan.. Or try this link: http://www.specialfleettools.com/product.php?ID=675.. You can look at Western Safety.. I found a used one and ordered it and it should arrive in a day or two..

trenchcrow · Member

Beautiful field and set up. Am getting very envious. You mentioned Rothenburg. Stayed there at the Hotel Eisenhut while on a summer tour in 1962. I could never forget how great the hotel was. The walled city was quite unusual to say the least. I guess the walls were succesfull in keeping the unwanted out. Europe was very nice and the people were very friendly. Hope you do well in your crow hunting venture

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Hi TC,
I am not sure how successful the walls were in keeping enemies out. I know of one case when the town was sacked! The beauty of the town however saved it from being destroyed in WW2. Same as Heidelberg apparently. Hotel Eisenhut is still going strong and is as beautiful as always I guess. I think, 50 years later you should have a look again and check the christmas market... ;)
All the best ,
Ulli

Redditch · Guru

Old Artilleryman wrote:
Redditch wrote:
One of those cheap lofting pole sets like I have go up to 16 metres (17.33 yards) which is 54 foot hight, and you can hang two decoys on the T bar at the top of it
Not certain what you mean. Is it like the hotsticks previously discussed? If not, could you send a link to a manufacturer or photo of this in operation? Thanks.

Here's some in operation http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=w5C47bdaczo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dw5C47bdaczo&gl=GB And these are the ones I use http://www.decoyingdirect.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=68&category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80&vmcchk=1&Itemid=80

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Reddich:

Understand what you are speaking of now. Thanks for the links. I have Silosocks bookmarked as they have many interesting items. The lofting poles are close to what I am attempting to build (Re-invent the wheel...?). Good hunting!

Redditch · Guru

Old Artilleryman wrote:
Reddich:
Understand what you are speaking of now. Thanks for the links. I have Silosocks bookmarked as they have many interesting items. The lofting poles are close to what I am attempting to build (Re-invent the wheel...?). Good hunting!

Cheers. No problem. If you're stuck on anything just holler and there's always someone here to help

M12Shooter · Guru

Zeddicus wrote:

Crows were to be expected from behind the little wood to the right and from the front. The crows roost on that hill. Some fly straight down (flypath from the front) some fly along the ridge of the hill and then down (flypath from behind).

Now here's a bonus picture for you guys. This is a view that I have when driving to my hunting area... coincidentally I also got married there exactly six years ago.
The castle is called Burg Colmberg and if anybody ever comes to bavaria and is on the lookout for a hotel in a proper castle for a reasonable price - that's the place to go. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is 15 mins away - and that place is beautiful and full of history. A MUST for every visitor to Bavaria!

One of King Ludwigs project Zedd?

Ted

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Hi Ted, noooo, this is a proper castle that had proper knights and dungeons and torture chambers and all. King Ludwig was muuuuuuch later. And allthough he had beautiful buildings and castles built they do lack that "manly" flair! ;)

M12Shooter · Guru

Zeddicus wrote:
Hi Ted, noooo, this is a proper castle that had proper knights and dungeons and torture chambers and all. King Ludwig was muuuuuuch later. And allthough he had beautiful buildings and castles built they do lack that "manly" flair! ;)

...and Ludwigs castles did have a rather "fairy tale" look to them as well biggrin Thanks for sharing Zedd, and do keep your wonderful post coming from across the pond.

Ted

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Come on now. Just because Ludwig II liked theater (a lot) and wore tights on occasion, and kept unusual hours entertaining others who wore tights occasionally, doesn't mean his obsession with architecture was bad. His expenditures for the three castles perhaps cost him his life.

However, if the Bavarian politicians back then knew how much tourist Geld ($$$) his hobby would rake in in the future, they might have put up with his "eccentricities." We visited all three, and there was a constant stream of Touristen (tourists) spending big $$ at the souvenier shoppes as well, even in the winter.

M12Shooter · Guru

Old Artilleryman wrote:
All in good (non-PC) fun. Enjoy the weekend; shooting, one hopes.....

Crows for the most part have all gone south cry . Starting to get a bit of green though smile !

Ted

-- Edited by M12Shooter on Saturday 20th of October 2012 08:10:55 PM

M12Shooter · Guru

Old Artilleryman wrote:
Come on now. Just because Ludwig II liked theater (a lot) and wore tights on occasion, and kept unusual hours entertaining others who wore tights occasionally, doesn't mean his obsession with architecture was bad. His expenditures for the three castles perhaps cost him his life.
However, if the Bavarian politicians back then knew how much tourist Geld ($$$) his hobby would rake in in the future, they might have put up with his "eccentricities." We visited all three, and there was a constant stream of Touristen (tourists) spending big $$ at the souvenier shoppes as well, even in the winter.

Artilleryman, I too am somewhat aware of Ludwigs castles and their regional economic value today. Sadly I have not been as lucky as you to have visited the region but it is on my wish list as I have several good friends that hail from Germany and Austria, which they visit occationally. My initial "poke" was directed in jest to Zeddicus smile . With this said I must add that there must certainly be some hope for Michael Jacksons "Never Never Land" in the centuries to come biggrin

Ted

Old Artilleryman · Guru

All in good (non-PC) fun wink . Enjoy the weekend; shooting, one hopes.....