Crow Busters Forum

james · Veteran Member

How far from your blind do u set up your deks

Zeddicus · Senior Member

5 the closest 25-30 the furthest. Killing hole in front, 15 yds out. Let them come to me :)

Elkhunter · Senior Member

I try to keep my ground decoys within 20 yards. Sentry birds no more than 30.

KenCrow · Senior Member

James...I set my decoys about 10-35 yards away from my blind, when shooting in a feeding situation. I also set two decoys about 50 yards from my blind, just to give that "realistic" look to the decoy spread. I also make sure that I set the decoys left, or right, of the predicted sun's path, if it is clear that day, so I don't look into the sun as crows fly over. I usually move most of my decoy spread to the left, or right of the sun's path , sometime around mid-day, to again prevent me from looking into the sun, as it travels across the sky. This is only necessary if I stay in the blind until 1-3 o'clock. Another trick I use is to locate 2-3 decoys about one to two feet apart, again to give that natural appearance. Also remember to move your crow call, if its electronic, along with the approx. center of your spread, as crows will fly over the approx. center of the decoy setup. In effect, you are moving the bulk of the flying crows out of the path of the sun.

KenCrow

M12Shooter · Guru

I place my deels no more than 10 yards out from my hide, infront of or in behind, depending on how the crows are reacting which is usually dependant on wind direction and intensity. It is my belief that a lot of guys set up for crows much as one would for waterfowl, with decoys at that magical 30-40 yard range. Crows unlike ducks and geese are very capable of changing flight direction on a dime. Deeks placed too far out will result in one good chance with survivors flaring back wildly making for a second "Hail Mary" shot blankstare .

I feel the best way to achieve sizable kills and good shot to kill ratios with crows is to get them in as tight as possible. Further, getting your decoys up high at or near the tops of surrounding shrubbery as crows do naurally is very inportant as well. Several well palced decoys are far more effective than a legion of decoys placed low or on the ground. Just watch real live crows in action and try to duplicate this behaviour with your spread. Local conditions and relitive crow "smartness" may dictate other as there are always exceptions smile

Ted

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Always use sentinels. If you hunt an area regularly vary the spread and numbers too... Variation is the spice of - well - crow shooting :)

Bob · Guru

I like my deks within 20 yards of my blind.

Bob A.

Stunner696 · Veteran Member

Normally about 15-20 yards from where I am hiding. And I spread them out in about a 8-10 ft circle with my motion decoy in the center works really well! One setup we had a Crow cam in and was about to land in the center of all the Dekes!!

Big Honkers · Guru

Generally 15 yards or less.

I also think if you keep your decoys really close it makes having a good blind all the more important.

BH

crazy 4 crows · Veteran Member

usually 25 to 30 yds, but after reading these post i am gonna definatly move them closer

8fishermen · Guru

Twenty yards and closer.

Low and Slow · Senior Member

10- 20 yds here, I like them right in the "wheelhouse"

Redditch · Guru

Nearest I set up about 10 yards away, furthest about 25 yards away. Leave a free bit in the middle, and either make a horseshoe shape, an elongated L shape, or two islands left and right.whirly in the middle about 20-25 yards away, and floaters about 30-35 yards away heading in

-- Edited by Redditch on Friday 2nd of November 2012 01:29:25 PM

jonthepain · Guru

what are dekes?

rofl

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

Two part answer. Part one, I'd say keep your decoys around your electronic caller with sentry(ies) overhead. Birds will be focused on calls more than decoys. Put them both in proximity to one another and the crow's attention will be focused more acutely.

Part two. Site your blind/battery as close to your caller and decoy display as possible. In the foilage, shade, etc. but close.

ChristianWCVH · Member

It depends on the terrain. Here in Oklahoma where I hunt, there are thick forests with lots of undergrowth, and open fields. In the forests, i put the sentries about 20-25 yards away, and the ground birds or owl (depends on what time of season it is) about 10-15 yards away, and I always have good camouflage on and a good blind since crows are very smart.

Mike27 · Senior Member

Ground deeks, 15 to 20 yds out and wide, caller in the middle and tree deeks 20 yds wide.

Mike

Highlander · Senior Member

Lone Star Phil I checked out your website www.TexasCrowPatrol.com It looks like you are useing the Metro-System barrels on your shotguns. I've hunted for over four decades for deer,turkey, rabbits & squirrels back in New York and am new to crow hunting. I'm looking forward to getting started. I moved to Washington State 12 years ago, I only have a month left here in Washington State for the regular crow season, it ends December 31st. But you gave me a way to hunt them year round for predator control. I have to check into the legal aspects and get a nice website like yours put together. I just joined Crow Busters and have read many useful articals and post. I'll post on here as I see where I need help in this sport. The only stupid question is the one that wasn't asked!. Pat www.HighlandLoftsWhiteDoveRelease.com

Glen · Senior Member

I mostly work til dark this time of year so scouting is purdy much out of the question. So I'm always setting up blind. A couple weeks ago on my 1st hunt the birds were too high. The dekes were about 25yds out. In order to get them to drop down I ended up with them about 45yds out. Crazy I know but this isn't the 1st time I've done this with success. HTH

Zeddicus · Senior Member

If the crows don't come closer I usuall find the flaw lies in my blind camouflage.

Bob · Guru

Here are some deks about 12 yards in back of the blind.

Bob A.

M12Shooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Here are some deks about 12 yards in back of the blind.

Bob A.

Last photo in that series is a classic point low and behind situation smile

Ted

Bob · Guru

Hi Ted,

I'm having that last photo blown up larger than an 8x10 size print; I think it's 9x11, anyway it will be done sometime today. It's going into the crow museum. It took some will power to get those photos! The birds were working real well and that is why the photos turned out so well.

Bob A.

M12Shooter · Guru

Bob wrote:
Hi Ted,

I'm having that last photo blown up larger than an 8x10 size print; I think it's 9x11, anyway it will be done sometime today. It's going into the crow museum. It took some will power to get those photos! The birds were working real well and that is why the photos turned out so well.

Bob A.

"will power"!, much like carrying a camera when storming Omaha Beach!

Ted

Redditch · Guru

jonthepain wrote:
what are dekes?

rofl

Decoys lol