Crow Busters Forum

Bob · Guru

High percentage shoots.

Redditch · Guru

Now that's some nice days, reminds me of the 60's and 70's in the UK shooting pigeons :)
Nowadays pigeon flocks are nowhere near as large, and here in the north, it's crows, but again, rarely in large numbers (last "big" day I had here was four years ago when two of us shot over 800, but that was for a whole day

Bob · Guru

I was flipping through the pages of one of my old journals and found this shoot from November 3rd 1984. I was east of Medora Kansas 1 mile and shot from 4:15 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Wind SW - 10 - 20 mph 75 degrees out. I rolled 308 crows with 411 20 gauge hulls (# 9 shot) = 75% avge. I used a pair of 20 gauge Remington Wing Masters. 8 to 10 triples were made on this hunt.

December 6th 1984 11 miles north of Hutchinson, Kansas. I shot 179 crows with 214 20 gauge hulls (# 9 shot) = 83% avge. I used a pair of model 12 20 gauges (Winchesters) one full choke, the other modified choke. I shot the first 100 with the modified choke then uncased the full choke gun and shot the rest with it. 9 degrees out this morning, 7:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Butch · Guru

Bob,

Great shooting, good you kept a journal. Don't know about you but I have a hard time remembering what went on yesterday!
Hope you have many more to write about.

Butch

Bob · Guru

Hi Butch,

I will be starting on the 8th volume (crow shooting notes) this fall. I use them for refrence all the time when I am un sure about certain dates over the past 41 seasons.

Bob · Guru

Red,

Very few (I only know of 5 people) crow hunters have ever experienced an 800 plus bird day.

1. Boyd Robeson & I 859 crows in one day in 1982

2. I had a shoot of 834 in one day in 2010

3. Dick Kilbane had a day long shoot, two different setups, where he shot 1,222 crows in one day. He had one other where he and Paul Getty killed 1,050 crows on an afternoon flyway shoot back in the mid 1990's.

Clarence Drexler out of Oklahoma killed just over 1,100 crows all day long on a crow hunt back in the mid to late 1980's.

motiondecoy · Guru

1,100 crows is about a really good roost in this state!
Generally speaking as most roosts are around 150-200 birds here and there...and of that temporary fall roosts unless and exceptionally mild winter...? In further explanation however, that is to say- a little north of Concord but not by much meaning, if you drew a big circle around the city .....

motiondecoy · Guru

Here too I learned someone sees a bunch of birds seemingly roosting however, the next day no sign of them...they are simply passing through. I have looked at areas where people saw a bunch of crows the day before and nothing for the rest of the season...! They weren't lying, just that is how it is!
I found out where they were roosting in one location but it is strictly a fall roost...and very temporary at that! Not even a month if that. What i don't think people realize is that you can have a roost that isn't shot at along the flyways but you can have some one target practicing, or late afternoon pheasant or duck hunters or hikers and that roost will soon move on.

motiondecoy · Guru

Oh yes, a nocturnal visit by a Barred owl or Great Horned owl and that roost will likely never go there again...witnessed this first hand!

Bob · Guru

There was one other fellow from Tennessee that I met at the National Crow Shoot back in Crossville Tennessee in the mid 1980's; it was there 58th National shoot at that time. He said he shot a little over 1,050 crows in a day and a half but I do not know if he killed 800 or more in one single day or not, I never asked him. Either way he did an outstanding job. He was a fella in his early 60's when I met him and he did say he had that hunt in the early 1960's in Tennessee.

So I know of five possibly six with the fella from Tennessee who killed 800 plus in one day. Now I said possibly 6 we will never know for sure.

motiondecoy · Guru

Wow...well there conditions I am sure in the day that could be done and was apparently....I don't think I have done any thousand crow milestones yet but such is the nature of the game here...let me think....I need to ask someone about that....and I read where people have done that in the first week of their season..wow..what i have been missing!

motiondecoy · Guru

I said ME not anyone else now...so i am wwaayy behind on thousands shot over the years or hundreds of thousands score...just saying I don't think I have shot..wait a minute..maybe 5,000 tops....not sure but I think even so that is a but high for me now...don't even know how many i ever shot but it was a grain of sand on the atlantic coast when compared to you others with the high scores...

motiondecoy · Guru

In fact i think my partner and i never got much over 250 each season in the better years long ago...

Bob · Guru

Tom,

Once I got a taste of large concentrations of crows I just needed to figure out how to get closer to those numbers. It just depends on what lengths a fella will go to in order to fulfill his dream. My first taste was in South Dakota in 1965 when I met Boyd Robeson for the very first time. The next time is when I came to Kansas with my father for the first time in 1968. The folks out here hated the crows and you never heard the word "no" when asking permission to hunt crows.

It has been an exciting journey so far with no regrets.

Dick called today and is already looking forward to this coming season. Dick is a dynamo, he will be 81 this October and he is still going strong, there is not one guy like him in a million!

motiondecoy · Guru

Well I like being satirical regarding myself sometimes but thanks...oh yes I am going to take a look again at areas I already scouted and then newer areas I've been told about...I watched the videos on youtube with those boys from western tennessee..incredible and that other fellow..an older gent..I forget his name but he does all right though...I need to buy a couple more out of state licenses btw which I will...weird but the people defending the crow don't suffer any predation and apparently don't care if song birds suffer too much btw...incredible!

Bob · Guru

Here is a shoot from October 31st 1993 in Kansas.

I was hunting near a small roost that was 65 miles from home. I shot from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. that afternoon. I rolled 370 crows with 463 20 gauge hulls in # 8 shot for an 80% average. 45 degrees outside with a 10 to 15 mph SW breeze.

Here is one from December 18th 1993.

Morning hunt from 7:20 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. had to go to work that afternoon so I had to quit early! I shot 304 crows with 378 20 gauge hulls in # 9 shot. I used the Remington Wing Master with the trap stock. 80% average that morning. 38 degrees out with a NW breeze of 5 to 15 mph.

Here is a good one from January 9th 1994.

I was setup by 7:30 a.m. but the bulk of the crows did not get to the feeding area until around 9:00 a.m. I shot 523 crows with 721 12 gauge hulls in # 8 shot. I shot up until 1:40 p.m. it was partly cloudy out and 45 degrees with a south breeze of 5 to 15 mph. 73% average today.

January 11th 1994

8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. wind-north at 5 to 10 mph and 24 degrees out, it was clear out.
Shot 298 crows with 411 20 gauge hulls in # 9 shot, 73% average.

Used the Rem with the trap stock.

February 21st 1994

I shot 123 in the morning 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. then picked up and moved to another location that afternoon. Shot 154 that afternoon on a flyway shoot from 2:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. wind SE 5-10 mph 39 degrees out & cloudy. I shot 277 crows for the day with 390 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2 shot. 71 % average for the day.

March 9th 1994

I shot 128 crows with 158 12 gauge hulls in # 7 1/2 shot; 81 % average. Used the 12 gauge 870 Remington. Wind-N-5 to 15 mph 40 degrees out. 6:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Bob,

There is no doubt you are the man when it comes to accuracy. I don't have that much discipline. I like to shoot the high birds to much! LOL

Bob · Guru

Hi Elk,

There were some high birds as well, I just don't wait for all gravy shots; I take them as they come.

I had a tornado pass just a half mile west of my home last week, it was an F-3 tornado. Got some good photos, if it shifted to the east I was headed for the basement!

So, you doing ok?

Bob · Guru

Here are some hunts from January 1996.

January 6th

Ted Kimmel & I - Tedd-101 Bob-101 Tedd & I shot 202 crows from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wind-N-NE 15 mph and 7 degrees out. I used 126 20 gauge hulls (# 9 shot) = 80% average.

January 7th

I shot 186 crows with 255 20 gauge hulls ( # 9 shot) = 73% average. 8 degrees out Wind N-5 mph. Made 3 triples today. 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

January 11th

I shot 213 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. I used 286 20 gauge hulls (8 1/2 shot) = 74% average. Wind NW- 5 to 10 mph. 45 degrees out.

January 12th

I shot 305 crows with 402 20 gauge hulls (8 1/2 shot) = 76% average. 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 30 degrees out & clear. Wind NW-5 mph.

January 13th

I shot 502 crows with 669 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2 & 8 1/2 shot) = 75% average. I made well over 50 doubles, three triples and one quadruple on this hunt. 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wind SW-5 to 15 mph 54 degrees out.

Bob · Guru

Here are some hunts from November of 1997.

Jim Lundquist & I shot 559 crows from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. November 10th. Wind NE-10 - 20 mph 36 degrees out. Jim-273 Bob - 286 I used 422 20 gauge hulls (# 9 shot) = 68% average. I made a notation that day that I shot my 80,000th crow that day in 24 seasons!

November 15th

Jim-244 Bob-231 Jim & I shot 475 crows from 1:45 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. Wind NW-5 to 10 mph 22 degrees out. I used 377 20 gauge hulls (# 8 shot) 61% average.

November 17th

I shot 308 crows with 352 20 gauge hulls (# 8 shot) 88% average. Made four triples and one quadruple on this shoot. Wind SSE-10-20 mph 45 degrees out. 2:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

November 20th

Bob Cooke-150 Bob A - 158 Bob & I shot 308 crows from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. I used 238 20 gauge hulls (# 8 shot) = 66% average. Wind SW-10 mph 60 degrees out.

November 22nd

Bob Cooke - 150 Bob A - 134 Bob & I shot 284 crows from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. I used 198 20 gauge hulls (# 8 shot) 68% average. Wind calm 60 degrees out.

November 27th

I shot 108 crows with 148 20 gauge hulls (# 8shot) = 73% average. 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bob · Guru

Here are some crow hunts from January of 1997.

January 16th

I shot 307 crows with 404 20 gauge hulls with 8 1/2 shot = 76% average. This was an afternoon flyway shoot from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 23 degrees out and partly cloudy. Wind NE-5 to 15 mph

January 19th

I shot 451 crows with 624 20 gauge hulls in 8's and 8 1/2's = 72% average. Afternoon flyway shoot from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind SE 5 to 10 mph 49 degrees out. Had to finish with the backup 870 Remington 20 gauge because I broke a firing pin in the # 1 gun with the trap stock.

January 20th

I shot 391 crows with 546 20 gauge hulls in 8 1/2 shot = 72% average. Wind W-SW 10 mph 56 degrees out. 2:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. This was a flyway shoot.

Bob · Guru

Here are some shoots with my old pal Jim Lundquist from Minnesota in November of 1998.

November 11th

Jim & I shot 644 crows from 7:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This was an all day field hunt. Jim - 295 Bob - 349 I used 506 20 gauge hulls in 8's and 8 1/2's = 69% average. Wind SW-10-20 mph 52 degrees out.

November 13th

Jim & I shot 457 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a flyway shoot. Wind - calm 52 degrees out. I used 373 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 67% average. # 8 & 8 1/2 shot. Jim - 208 Bob - 249

November 14th

Jim & I shot 321 crows from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a field hunt. I used 267 20 gauge hulls in # 8 1/2's = 64% average. 55 degrees out and clear. Jim - 150 Bob - 171

November 15th

Jim & I shot 411 crows on an afternoon flyway shoot from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I used 369 20 gauge hulls in 8 1/2 shot = 62% average. Wind SW - 5 to 15 mph 72 degrees out & clear. Jim - 183 Bob - 228

November 16th

Jim & I shot 132 crows from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Slow flyway shoot. Jim - 63 Bob - 69 I used 94 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 73% average. Wind N-NW - 10 to 20 mph 65 degrees out.

November 21st

Bob Cooke & I shot 204 crows from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on a morning field hunt. Wind S - SW - 10 to 20 mph. 59 degrees out. I used 143 20 gauge hulls in # 8 1/2's = 73% average.

November 22nd

Bob Cooke & I shot 212 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I used 155 12 gauge hulls out of the 12 gauge 870 (# 8 shot) 70% average. Wind - S-SW- 20 to 30 mph 72 degrees out.

November 24th

Bob Cooke & I shot 460 crows on an afternoon flyway shoot from 12:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. Wind SW - 10 to 20 mph 72 degrees out. I used 364 12 & 20 gauge hulls ( 8's & 8 1/2's) 66% average. Bob Cooke - 221 with his 28 gauge Bob A - 239

November 26th

I shot 363 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The bulk of them were shot from 4:00 p.m. on! I used 525 20 gauge hulls in #8 shot = 69% average. Wind SW-10 to 15 mph 68 degrees out. I made so many doubles on this shoot I lost track! Made 3 triples that I remember, got mobbed like the old days!

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Doing fine. Leaning how to live without sleep! LOL Working two full time jobs will get you after a while. We have killed 509 hogs so far this year and are still running strong. Trying for 1,000 this year.

Looking forward to shooting some crows soon.

Bob · Guru

509 hogs! You must be burning the midnight oil getting that many so far!

So how many hours do you work a day?

Bob · Guru

Here are some shoots from November of 2000.

November 1st.

I shot 403 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. (flyway shoot) Wind SW-20 mph 68 degrees out. I used 549 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 73% average.

November 2nd.

I shot 164 crows from 4:00 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Flyway shoot, wind-SW-10 mph 70 degrees out. I used 229 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 72% average.

November 10th.

Jim Lundquist & I shot 648 crows from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All day field hunt. Wind-E-NE-5 to 10 mph 25 degrees out. I used 571 20 gauge hulls (# 8 shot) = 63% average. Jim - 290 Bob - 358

November 12th.

Jim & I shot 310 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bob - 162 Jim - 148 Wind calm 45 degrees out. I used 222 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 73% average.

November 13th.

Jim & I shot 106 crows on a field hunt 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. very slow shoot. Bob - 61 Jim - 45 Wind- calm 55 degrees out. I used 84 12 gauge hulls (7 1/2's) = 73% average.

November 14th.

Jim & I shot 435 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind S-10 to 20 mph 55 degrees out. Jim - 186 Bob - 249 I used 343 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 73% average.

November 15th.

Jim & I shot 169 crows from 1:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (flyway shoot) Jim - 66 Bob - 103 Wind W-SW- 10 to 15 mph 60 degrees out. I used 146 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 71% average.

November 16th.

Jim & I shot 393 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:45 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. Wind-NE 10 mph 45 degrees out. Bob - 212 Jim - 181 I used 316 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 67% average.

November 17th.

Jim & I shot 290 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind S-10 to 15 mph 45 degrees out. Bob - 160 Jim - 130 I used 218 12 gauge hulls (7 1/2's) = 73% average. Quite a few high birds on this shoot.

Bob · Guru

Here are some shoots from January of 2001.

January 1st.

Flyway shoot from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I shot 257 crows with 304 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 84% average. Wind SE-5 to 10 mph 29 degrees out & overcast.

January 3rd.

I got 257 crows again, what are the odds on that! Field hunt from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I used 336 20 gauge hulls (# 8's) = 76% average. 870 with the trap stock. Wind-SW-5 to 10 mph 45 degrees out & clear. I made a notation that day that I needed 1,573 crows to hit the 100,000 mark since 1974.

January 4th.

I shot 308 crows with 396 20 gauge hulls (#8's) = 78% average. Field hunt from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wind- variable-5 to 10 mph 50 degrees out.

January 18th.

I shot 145 crows from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a field hunt. Wind-N-NW- 5 to 15 mph 39 degrees out & partly cloudy. I used 179 20 gauge hulls (#8's) = 81% average. Made one triple.

January 22nd.

I shot 134 crows on a flyway shoot from 12:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. I used 188 12 & 20 gauge hulls= 71% average. "I shot my 99,000th crow on this shoot since 1974" Used the 20 gauge trap 870. 60 degrees out & clear. Wind-S-SW- 10 to 15 mph.

Mark · Guru

100 %... 200 yds.. 223 with 40 gr Vmax.. Crop damage no more...

Bob · Guru

Hello Mark,

That bird never knew what hit him!

My father loved to shoot crows with a varmint rifle (.220 Swift) when an opportunity presented itself.

Mark · Guru

I was checking out a dove field waiting on my cousins to show up.. Across the road a farmer grows cantelope and tomatoes etc.. deer destroyed the cantelope crop last year and crows are causing a lot of damage.. the farmer installed a propane cannon.. This fellow had just left the field and lit in a tree with his buddy.. I just happened to have my 223 with me.. I knew if I missed I would hit pine trees.. I was able to see the hit thru the scope... True he did not know what him him..

Bob · Guru

The farmers out here where there are lots of crows have all but given up trying to raise watermelon or cantelope because of the crows.

Bob · Guru

Here is a good shoot from November of 2002 and beyond!

November 29th.

I shot 506 crows with 607 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 83% average. I killed the first hundred in 25 minutes on this shoot, as fast as I could keep the gun loaded! 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Field hunt, wind - N - 5 to 10 mph. 60 degrees out & partly cloudy.

December 16th.

Skip Woody & I shot 294 crows on an afternoon flyway shoot from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Skip - 148 Bob A - 146 I used 172 12 gauge hulls (7 1/2 shot) = 85% average. Wind SW - 10 - 15 mph 68 degrees out.

December 17th.

Skip & I shot 252 crows on a flyway shoot from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Skip - 145 Bob A - 107 I used 133 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2's = 80% average. Wind SW - 20 to 30 mph 68 degrees out.

December 18th.

Skip & I shot 314 crows on a flyway shoot from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Skip - 185 Bob A - 129 I used 172 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2's = 75% average. Wind W-SW-10 to 15 mph 60 degrees out.

December 19th.

Skip & I shot 252 crows on a flyway shoot from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind NW - 15 to 20 mph 50 degrees out. Skip - 136 Bob A - 116 I used 169 12 gauge hulls (7 1/2 shot) = 69% average.

December 20th.

Skip & I shot 305 crows from 11:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Wind SW - 10- 15 mph 60 degrees out. Skip - 153 Bob A - 152 I used 198 12 gauge hulls (7 1/2's) = 77% average. I killed two with one shot on this flyway shoot, this was my 8th scotch double in my lifetime up to this point. Skip & I would have shot over 400 on this shoot if it were not for two farm kids spooking the crows, they thought it was funny, Skip wanted to shoot the both of them!

January of 2003

I shot 140 crows from 12:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. I used 172 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 81% average. Wind - SW 10 mph 50 degrees out . This was on January 7th. 2003.

January 8th.

I shot 148 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on a flyway shoot. Wind W-SW - 15 to 25 mph 50 degrees out. I used 175 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 85% average.

January 9th.

I shot 137 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I made a note "really had some soft shots on this shoot" a lot were at point blank range! Wind N- 20 to 30 mph 45 degrees out. I used 151 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 91% average.

January 10th.

I shot 434 crows from 8:40 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on a field hunt. Wind SW - 10 to 20 mph 45 degrees out. I used 611 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 71% average.

January 24th.

I shot 204 crows on a flyway shoot from 2:45 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. Wind S - 10 to 15 mph. I used 281 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 73% average.

Bob · Guru

It's been in the mid to high 90's so I have been the great indoors men lately.

I can remember it like yesterday that I dreamed of getting a 300 bird shoot and thought that if I could get just one I would be satisfied for the rest of my life. Before I met Boyd Robeson I got shoots in the 75 to 100 range but could not seem to do any better until Boyd showed me the ropes. Boyd took me out of the dark ages!

I remember our first hunt together, we were north of Hutchinson in 1973 (before I moved out here) and as we drove into Boyd's spot he made the comment "if we can't kill a few hundred here, something is wrong" I about fell over dead! I had never experienced shooting like that before. I had a pair of doubles with me, one was a Winchester model 21 12 gauge bored improved cylinder and modified. The other was a Jap shotgun, a Nikko over & under bored modified & full. It did not take me long to figure out that I simply could not keep up with a pump gun man shooting a pair of doubles! When the shooting was hot my friend would be shooting while I was reloading after every two shots!

Bert Popowski had it figured out, he said "during a man's crow hunting lifetime the amount of crows he gets is only limited to the amount of time and energy he is willing to devote to the sport" I never met Bert in person but spoke to him many times over the phone before his death in the late 1970's.

Bob · Guru

December of 2003

Took Drew Moore on a week long crow hunt. He used to post on here all the time 10 years ago. Drew drove his pickup out here from Kentucky. He wrote the article "Crow Hunting in the 21st. Century"

Drew asked me if I thought it was possible to still get 500 crows on a crow hunt? I said "sure, if you get the right breaks" and when we shot 516 crows between us the next day he just about went crazy!

December 5th

Drew Moore - 251 Bob A - 265 Drew & I shot 516 crows from 11:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. I used 336 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 79% average. Wind - NE - 10 - 20 mph 45 degrees out. This was on a known flyway but the greater bulk of the shooting was from 3:30 p.m. on!

December 6th.

Drew & I shot 249 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a flyway shoot. Wind SW - 10-20 mph 50 degrees out. Bob A - 134 Drew - 115 I used 179 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 75% average.

December 8th.

Drew & I shot 194 crows from 4:00 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. on a flyway shoot, quite a few high birds! Drew got a very nice piebald crow on this shoot! Bob - 105 Drew - 89 I used 142 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2 shot out of my 12 gauge 870 with the French walnut stock. = 74% average. I killed two with one shot on high birds on this hunt.

December 10th.

Drew & I shot 359 crows on a field hunt from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Wind NW - 10 to 15 mph 30 degrees out. Bob - 187 Drew - 172 I used 265 20 gauge hulls (# 8's) = 70% average.

December 11th.

Drew & I shot 505 crows from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on a field hunt. Wind - SE 5 to 10 mph. 30 degrees out. Drew - 226 Bob - 279 I used 350 12 & 20 gauge hulls (7 1/2's & 8's) = 80% average.

Bob · Guru

December of 2004

December 1st.

I shot 500 crows with 692 20 gauge hulls (# 8's) = 72% average. I shot the first 200 crows in one hour and twelve minutes on this shoot. Wind SW-10-20 mph 37 degrees out & clear. I made 12 triples on this hunt. 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

December 2nd.

I shot 251 crows with 363 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 69% average. 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind NW-5-10 mph 40 degrees out.

December 4th.

Drew Moore & I shot 271 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Flyway shoot. I used 181 12 gauge hulls in # 8's = 72% average. Bob - 131 Drew - 140 Wind SW-5-15 mph 50 degrees out & cloudy.

December 7th.

Drew & I shot 309 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind W-SW- 10-15 mph 55 degrees out. Bob - 153 Drew - 156 I used 226 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 68% average.

December 26th.

My first shoot with Dick Kilbane!!

Dick & I shot 225 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a flyway shoot. Bob - 101 Dick - 124 I used 146 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2 shot = 69% average. I was trying out a Beretta model 390 to see how I liked it on this shoot. Wind - SW-10-15 mph 49 degrees out.

December 27th.

Dick & I shot 136 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Flyway shoot - Wind - SW-10-15 mph 50 degrees out. Bob - 64 Dick - 70 I used 77 12 gauge hulls in # 7 1/2 shot = 84% average.

December 28th.

Dick & I shot 134 crows from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wind SW-5-10 mph. 55 degrees out. I used 85 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2's = 75% average.

December 29th.

Dick & I shot 220 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot - Wind S-SW- 10-15 mph 55 degrees out. Bob - 103 Dick - 117 I used 126 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2's = 82% average. I'm getting used to the Beretta model 390 semi auto.

December 30th.

Dick & I shot 292 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind W-SW- 10-20 mph 67 degrees out. Bob - 138 Dick - 154 I used 172 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2's = 80% average.

December 31st.

Dick & I shot 203 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - SW-10 mph 65 degrees out. Bob - 101 Dick - 102 I used 138 12 gauge hulls in 7 1/2 shot = 73% average.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

I work my regular job for 40 hours a week and typically work hogs 12 hours every Friday night, 12 hours every Saturday night, and about 6-10 hours each week during the week in the afternoon/evenings.

Bob · Guru

This is from January of 2005.

January 4th.

I shot 120 crows from 8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wind S - 5 mph. 50 degrees out. I used 141 12 gauge hulls (# 7 1/2 shot) = 85% average. I just broke in my brand new Beretta Urika model 391 this morning. This is a gas semi auto.

January 15th.

I shot 166 crows from 7:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wind NE-5 to 10 mph. I used 216 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 77% average.

January 17th.

I shot 144 crows from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wind S-SE-5 mph. I used 176 12 & 20 gauge hulls = 82% average.

January 25th.

I shot 95 crows from 7:40 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Wind calm 27 degrees out. I used 120 12 gauge hulls (# 7 1/2 shot) = 79% average.

Bob · Guru

Hello Elk,

You are sure putting in some long hours!

What are you now? In your early 50's yet?

Posting some of these hunts is giving me something to do since it's in the high 90's to low one hundreds. I feel like that guy Riddock in the movie "The Chronicles of Riddock" because Kansas in the summer is like being on another planet! This heat takes away my will to live! "Only kidding"

Boy, I bet it's a mother down in Alabama right now.

Bob · Guru

December 2005

December 8th.

I shot 256 crows from 2:25 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind - SW-10-15 mph 24 degrees out. The crows decoyed very well today, used 289 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2's) = 89% average. Made many doubles and some triples on this shoot.

December 11th.

I shot 153 crows from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind - W-SW-10 mph 60 degrees out. I used 187 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2's) = 82% average.

December 28th.

Jerry Byroad & I shot 116 crows from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Maryland. Wind S-SE- 5 to 10 mph 51 degrees out & partly cloudy. Flyway shoot. Bob - 53 Jerry - 63 I used 78 20 gauge hulls (8's) = 68% average.

January 9th. 2006

Jerry & I shot 118 crows in New York State from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We were close to Geneva New York. Wind-SW-10-20 mph 45 degrees out. Bob - 67 Jerry - 51 I used 81 12 gauge trap loads (in 7 1/2 shot) 83% average. Field hunt.

January 18th.

Dick & I shot 433 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Flyway shoot. Bob - 211 Dick - 222 I used 315 12 gauge trap loads = 67% average.

January 20th.

Dick & I shot 130 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind - NW-15-25 mph. 57 degrees out. Bob - 62 Dick - 68 I used 71 12 gauge trap loads = 87% average.

February 13th.

Dick & I shot 168 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - NW-10-20-mph. 50 degrees out. I used 105 12 gauge trap loads = 76% average. Bob - 80 Dick - 88

February 16th.

Dick & I shot 162 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - NW - 25 to 30 mph. 36 degrees out & overcast. Bob - 86 Dick - 76 I used 122 12 gauge trap loads = 70% average.

Bob · Guru

December 2006

December 1st.

I shot 462 crows from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Field hunt. Wind W-SW- 10-20 mph 32 degrees out. I used 698 20 gauge hulls (# 8's) = 66% average.

December 9th.

Dick & I shot 149 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind SW - 10-15 mph 49 degrees out. Bob - 73 Dick - 76 I used 129 20 gauge hulls = 57% average.

December 14th.

Dick & I shot 558 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind - calm 68 degrees out. Bob - 257 Dick - 301 I used 348 20 gauge hulls in # 8 shot = 74% average.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Bob,

It is hot and humid. We are doing most of our hunts at night now. And it is still hot and sticky at night. I am 53 now.

Bob · Guru

Barry,

What cal. rifle do you use on the hogs? .243, .308 ?

Bob · Guru

Here are some very good percentage shoots from December of 2007.

December 10th.

Dick & I shot 205 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind SE-10-15 mph 34 degrees out. Bob - 97 Dick - 108 I used 121 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2 shot) = 80% average.

December 11th.

Dick & I shot 136 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind N-15 mph 45 degrees out & cloudy. Bob - 69 Dick - 67 I used 76 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2 shot) = 91% average. Dick & I killed the first 61 crows straight on this shoot! We each scored a triple on the same flock that came in; six birds came in at once and we killed all six!

December 15th.

Dick & I shot 234 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind NW-15-20 mph 20 degrees out & overcast. Bob - 114 Dick - 120 I used 141 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2 shot) = 81% average.

December 17th.

Dick & I shot 458 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind SW-10-20 mph 50 degrees out & clear. Bob - 221 Dick - 237 I used 302 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2 shot) = 73% average.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Bob wrote:
Barry,

What cal. rifle do you use on the hogs? .243, .308 ?

I day hunt with a Browning A-Bolt in 243. We use several different calibers for the night hunts. We have several 308's and 300 blackouts, and 1 223 incase we have a lady or teenager that needs a smaller rifle.

Bob · Guru

Barry,

On a day hunt how many hogs do you get on an average day? You said the night hunting was better so what do you get on an average night hunt? What weight grain bullets do you use in the .308 for hogs? 170 to 175 grain?

Bob · Guru

Here are some high percentage shoots from January of 2008.

January 6th.

Dick & I shot 145 crows from 12:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Wind - SW-15-25 mph 57 degrees out. I used 89 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 83% average. This was a flyway shoot. Bob- 74 Dick- 71

January 7th.

Dick & I shot 100 crows from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wind - SW-15 mph 68 degrees out. Flyway shoot. Bob - 50 Dick - 50 I used 65 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 77% average.

January 10th.

Dick & I shot 279 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - N - 10-15 mph 36 degrees out. High birds on this shoot! Bob - 125 Dick - 154 I used 225 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 56% average.

January 12th.

Dick & I shot 318 crows from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind NW - 5-15 mph 41 degrees out. Bob - 153 Dick - 165 We shot a different flyway today. I used 179 12 gauge trap loads (#8 shot) = 85% average.

January 11th.

Dick & I shot 289 crows from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot, we got mobbed the last hour, as fast as you could keep the guns loaded! Bob - 135 Dick - 154 I used 225 12 gauge trap loads ( #8 shot) = 60% average.

January 13th.

Dick & I shot 366 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - SW-5-10 mph 50 degrees out. Bob - 173 Dick - 193 I used 281 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 62% average.

January 14th.

Dick & I shot 87 crows from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind - N-5 mph Flyway shoot Bob - 47 Dick - 40 I used 57 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 82% average.

January 15th.

Dick & I shot 214 crows from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - SW-20-30 mph 50 degrees out. Bob - 104 Dick - 110 I used 129 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 81% average.

February 7th. 2008

Dick & I shot 144 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Flyway shoot Wind - SW - 15-20 mph 41 degrees out. Bob - 61 Dick - 83 I used 101 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 60% average.

February 8th.

Dick & I shot 194 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wind - NW-5-10- mph 60 degrees out. Bob - 90 Dick - 104 I used 121 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 74% average.

February 9th.

Dick & I shot 200 crows from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wind - NW 5 mph 70 degrees out. Bob - 95 Dick - 105 I used 131 12 gauge trap loads (#8 shot) = 73% average.

February 20th.

Dick & I shot 256 crows from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wind - NW 10 mph 20 degrees out & cloudy. Bob - 122 Dick - 134 I used 201 12 gauge trap loads (7 1/2 shot) = 61% average. I shot my 125,000th crow on this shoot in my lifetime!

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Bob wrote:
Barry,

On a day hunt how many hogs do you get on an average day? You said the night hunting was better so what do you get on an average night hunt? What weight grain bullets do you use in the .308 for hogs? 170 to 175 grain?

We shoot 180 BTSP Hornady bullets for the 308. As for average kills it really depends on the time of the year you want to go. This year during May we averaged near 10 a night. During March we averaged about 3 per day. We have only had a couple complete blanks over the past few years. Have had some miss several with no kills. We can't control accuracy. LOL

Bob · Guru

Barry,

That sounds like fun.

How many 40 to 60 pounders do you shoot as they are the best weight to cook or BBQ? What are the largest boars and sows you have shot weight wise?

Bob · Guru

October, 2008

October 26th.

Jerry Byroad & I shot 425 crows from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on a morning flyway shoot. Wind - NE-25-30 mph Bob - 209 Jerry - 216 I used 251 12 gauge trap loads (# 8 shot) = 83% average.

October 27th.

Jerry & I shot 404 crows from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on an all day field hunt. Wind - W-SW-10 mph 64 degrees out. Bob - 211 Jerry - 193 I used 274 12 gauge trap loads (# 8's) = 77% average.

November 10th.

Jerry & I shot 240 crows from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on an all day field hunt. Wind NE-5-10 mph 39 degrees out. Bob - 128 Jerry - 112 I used 173 12 gauge trap loads (8's) = 73% average.

November 12th.

Jerry & I shot 135 crows from 6:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on a morning flyway shoot. Wind - SW-10-15 mph 60 degrees out. Bob - 68 Jerry - 67 I used 82 12 gauge trap loads (8's) = 83% average.

November 13th.

Jerry & I shot 158 crows from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on a morning flyway shoot. Wind - SW-10-15 mph 60 degrees out. Bob - 86 Jerry - 72 I used 103 12 gauge trap loads (# 8's) = 83% average.

November 15th.

Jerry & I shot 194 crows from 3:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wind NW-10-15 mph Flyway shoot. Bob - 115 Jerry - 79 I used 148 12 gauge trap loads ( # 8's) = 78% average.

November 17th.

Jerry & I shot 327 crows from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On a flyway shoot, it got intense from 5:00 p.m. on! Wind - calm 74 degrees out. Bob - 173 Jerry - 154 I used 224 12 gauge trap loads ( # 8's) = 77% average.

November 19th.

Jerry & I shot 157 crows from 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Wind SW-5-10 mph 72 degrees out. Flyway shoot. Bob - 85 Jerry - 72 I used 125 12 gauge trap loads ( # 8's) = 68% average.

November 20th.

Jerry & I shot 254 crows from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyway shoot. Wind - NE-25-30 mph 42 degrees out. Bob - 134 Jerry 120 I used 159 12 gauge trap loads (# 8's) = 84% average.

November 21st.

Jerry & I shot 324 crows from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on an all day field hunt. Wind - SW-10-20 mph 40 degrees out. Bob - 166 Jerry - 158 I used 205 12 gauge trap loads (8's) = 81% average.

Elkhunter · Senior Member

Bob wrote:
Barry,

That sounds like fun.

How many 40 to 60 pounders do you shoot as they are the best weight to cook or BBQ? What are the largest boars and sows you have shot weight wise?

Bob,

The 40 and unders are by far my favorite to cook on the grill. Sows are best to smoke. I don't eat boars over 75 lbs.

Our biggest boar to date was 375 and the biggest sow was 225.

Attached are a couple of pics. Big sow first and then boar. Neither of these were our biggest.

motiondecoy · Guru

I cannot imagine the size of these things! We have an animal problem(hogs) of this nature here too...driving the farmers nuts!