All my old hunting areas close to home are no longer available. I did some searching and got permission to hunt a 400 acre Pecan orchard. It is also surrounded
by peanut fields. However it is 225 miles from my home. I did go hunt it once and it was crazy. Picked a good opening on the edge of the field before dawn.
Set up my motion deks in the open area and from my scouting the day before faced the tree line where I thought they would come in. Wow, birds came in from every direction but the one I thought! Very exciting shooting because its not like hunting open fields where you can see them coming. You sitting there looking all around and
listening and then all of a sudden they are over your head going full speed. Talk about snap shooting. Killed 27 many of the birds ended up in the trees around the open
area. I could not find anyone to go with me so the next time I go I am having the farmers adult kids join me if they can. The more guns the more kills. So I know many of you
have hunted in Pecan Orchards is there any secrets you can pass one. Are decoys on the ground still useful. What about Sentry birds?My years of crow hunting which
If it looks natural and the birds haven't been pressured much or at all you should do okay.....[spoiler]have your decoys imitate what you have ever seen anywhere....it should work....
No secrets to share, but all orchards usually hunt different and have a sweet spot in each one. It's been hard for us in any type crow hunting to have more than 2 hunters and have good shooting. But that's what I like most about crows they are a challenge and you have to do your homework to get them. What works in your area will depend on what things are effecting the crows (pressure,food and so on) Good luck and pay close attention to details because these bandits sure do.
A couple of considerations for hunting in pecan orchards.
- Make sure you are in a spot the crows like. In 400 acres, you may want to quietly visit and listen to where they are active. Also look under the trees for crow-damaged nuts, which are a good sign of active areas. If you are not in the right spot, be prepared to move if it is slow where you are.
- Look for a good opening to set up your blind...maybe overlooking where one or two trees are missing. You have a better chance for them to come in to an open hole vs. when they are ducking & diving between close trees to get in to the decoys.
- If possible, get in a spot that will offer shade once the sun is up. It is a lot easier to remain hidden in shade.
Hope this helps.
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.