Crow Busters Forum

Crowtec · Veteran Member

Final Roll Call

Skip · Guru

Using the stealth technology I learned as a crew member on a Klingon Battle Cruiser, I was able to go to "stealth mode" Friday morning at 0645 and caught these birds still holding 'roll call" unaware of the danger lurking near them -- me. I put my blaster on "stun" and froze these guys in place. I was then able to release each one with Mr. Maxus at the ready. I was 38 for 38..all accounted for sir!!! Story not true of course, but I could not resist.

Fact is, I did drop 38 birds Friday starting at first light on a beautiful morning, no wind, clear blue skies in sharp contrast to my black targets: color contrast at its best. You can see the field in the background where the birds were feeding on cut soybeans. Using both my Gibson and FoxPro sounds, the majority of the birds came in at my 1 o'clock high almost directly over my position at the far end of the log. My "hide" at the end of the log consisted of a 4x10 foot piece of camo clothe poorly strung over available twigs, etc. BUT.. it is was very effective. I say that because I cannot remember having so many birds fly so close to me responding to the calls. I used one decoy but I believe it to be a very special decoy. It is a paper crow body covered with actual crow feathers. The thing looks real and I think given the remarkable eyesight of a crow, they were fooled -- completely fooled to a degree they come tearing in with full confidence. Of the 38 at least 10-12 of them were close as in under 10 yards. Twisting, high speed crows at close range is a very challenging target as most of you know. I cannot say they all were killed but enough were. The old log offered a fine final resting place for those who didn't make it.

This was not a record TBC hunt but it was remarkable due to the number of very close "fly-bys" I experienced. Should I mention I LOVE THAT!!

This whole event took about 40 minutes and was my only stand of the morning. I had a tee time at 11 am..and made that easily. Us CrowBuster guys and gals, are members of a very unique band of shot gunners. We have an amazing target, a very smart and elusive prey that escapes and fools us continiously regardless of our level of expertize. We are a lucky bunch.

Skip

8fishermen · Guru

Skip,

Love the pic and great story!

M12Shooter · Guru

Very well orchestrated Skip smile ! Only a solid proffessional gets his crows into a line like that biggrin . Nice to see some green foliage as well. Thanks for posting!

Ted

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

Great report Skip!

I'm intrigued by your decoy. (Must . . . make . . . decoy . . . with . . . crow . . . feathers!)

Phil

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Nice report! Can you post up a pic of your decoy?
We only garnish owl decoys with feathers to make it more realistic, but I just might do one of my sentinels...

Redditch · Guru

Excellent, and a true busting day. Love the improvised hide. Main thing is it worked well. Over here, with a so,Italy decoy your chances would be extremely slim. Due to the fact that here they are hunted all year round, they tend when food is about, only to come to large amounts of birds (decoys), as they figure that can't be decoys. Hence I just ordered yet another 24 deeks, and hope that will give me some better chances.
Haven't been out for weeks now as it never stops raining and blowing. Year, there are crows about, a lot of crows, but its nt worth setting up and getting all the kit soaked, as one shot and they are then off to anther feeding p,ace, and don't come back for days. With this wet weather there is just too much food available for them at the moment, so they have the choice of battle, and choose to run at a single shot

Nice day at 38 though, well done

crazy 4 crows · Veteran Member

cool pic love the story, also would like to see a pic of that deke

Island Shooter · Guru

Skip,

Is your decoy mounted in a particular pose? What about a dead crow from yesterday's hunt? Would that not be an equally good decoy? With modern freezers (and a compliant wife), one could last all season.

I.S.

Speaking of taxidermy mounts, it reminds me of the older lady who walked in to the taxidermist and placed her two expired pet monkeys on the counter. The taxidermist asked: "Do you want these to be mounted?" She replied: "No, just holding hands."

Skip · Guru

My decoy.. and I will try and take and post pictures...has normal crow feet and legs, but also has a 4" wire sticking out of each foot. Straighten the wire out and stick it in the ground or bend the wires around whatever twig or limb of your choice.. and either way he stays put! Pics when I have the time..

skip

8fishermen · Guru

Island Shooter wrote:

Speaking of taxidermy mounts, it reminds me of the older lady who walked in to the taxidermist and placed her two expired pet monkeys on the counter. The taxidermist asked: "Do you want these to be mounted?" She replied: "No, just holding hands."

biggrin

chip · Guru

HMMMMM! Nice gun biggrin biggrin biggrin

Pat B · Senior Member

Excellent !!

A friend of mine got a crow decoy somewhat like you describe from a "dollar store". Problem was it got caught in the rain and all the feathers fell off..... disbelief

jonthepain · Guru

well put, Skip.

and since when did you start using a foxpro???

Skip · Guru

FoxPro.. about 4 years ago.. but I use it in conjunction with my mouth calls. I think that combo is better than either by itself. Plus, on stands where lots of birds are responding ( peanut field or pecan grove ) I cannot call for several hours.. of and on..with my mouth calls. Again, the two devices together are better than either alone. My findings anyway.

Skip

jonthepain · Guru

absolutely.

don't forget to post some photos of your awards banquet next month!

NGillespie10 · Senior Member

Looked like a fun hunt Skip. Congrats!