I live near Utica, New York. Every year we seem to get a pretty good sized winter roost that causes a stir with the city. My job this weekend is to scout along the Mohawk River outside the city limits.
How far from a roost will crows travel to feed? How long does a winter roost last?
Most roosts will start in October of every year. By the first or second week in March the birds break up and head to there breeding grounds.
Several weeks ago I shot a banded crow in Oklahoma and that bird was banded in Kyle Saskatchewan Canada last June. If the bird made it through the season it would have been headed back to Saskatchewan with in the next four weeks.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
I've shot three from Canada, two from Herbert Saskatchewan and one from Kyle Saskatchewan. One was banded in Kansas and shot in Kansas back in the 1980's. The two from Herbert were shot in Kansas back in the 1970's.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
I am in the Central NY / Southern Tier area, so our roosts are similar. What I have seen over the years with the large winter roosts is that the birds venture out anywhere from 3-10 miles to feed during the day. I try to find the direction they go and a location somewhere along the route to get permission, but it is a challenge since there are more crow hunters than I thought.
Bob...Very nice! They are rare indeed. Who usually bands the crows? Fish and game departments? University studies?
Jerry...Thanks for the tip! I never seen anyone actively hunting crows in my area(s). But, that could be due to the fact that I just started to hunt them myself.
They tell you what date the bird was banded (month & year) the location where it was banded, the sex of the bird if they bothered to check. Also how old they think the bird was when they banded it. Sometimes they will give the name of the bird bander as well.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
I wonder what the return rate of reports is compared to the number they tag. Cornell University had a study on this in 2010. Interesting. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/crowfaq.htm Steve
-- Edited by STP22 on Monday 16th of February 2015 12:31:14 AM
I used to hunt waterfowl years ago but just hunt crows now.
If you go to meet the staff look up Bob Aronsohn and click onto where it says Bob's Wing Shooting Oddossy. You will see waterfowl from South America and Africa.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
Update..... You have to go to the top of the home page and look for "Meet Our Staff" then go to Bob Aronsohn and you will see blue letters click onto that.
Africa was very nice with all the big game plus the bird hunting. That being said I like South America better because the bird hunting is out of this world. I've been to Argentina & Uruguay seven times on bird hunts both upland birds and waterfowl.
I can't name just one hunt that would be the best, they were all wonderful.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
I always heard South America is unreal for bird hunting. How are the outfitters? Any future plans?
I have always dreamed about an Alaskan moose hunt. But, the prices...WOW! I guess the game is less important as much as the experience if being in a beautiful place. A guided duck hunt in flooded timbers of Louisiana or Arkansas always intrigued me. We just don't get the ducks like the south....or, at least my area.
Steve
-- Edited by STP22 on Tuesday 17th of February 2015 03:03:54 AM
-- Edited by STP22 on Tuesday 17th of February 2015 03:04:16 AM
If you are interested I can give you the phone numbers to two very good travel agents who only book bird safaris around the world. The outfitters these agents line you up with are the same outfitters they have used for many years, they will put you on the birds!
They have some decent duck hunts in Central America as well for a lot less money.
__________________
To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
The second photo was shot in Colombia, South America in 1990, those are eared doves.
Third photo was in Mexico.
Forth photo was taken in 1991 in Argentina, that is Boyd Robeson with me, he took me out of the dark ages in regard to hunting crows. Boyd & I shot just shy of (both of us) 100,000 crows together from 1974 to 1994 when his health went south.
Fifth photo is of White Winged Doves in Mexico.
Sixth photo was shot in Zambia, Africa hunting Frankolin.
