Hey all! I'm fairly new to crow hunting. I have a question (many actually...) but concerning locating a blind. When hunting a field is it ok to place your blind on the edge in the treeline? or is it better to get out into the field as I have seen boba do in some of his posts? I am worried the crows may hangup in the trees behind me and never come where I can get a shot at them? Any advise would be appreciated.
MS, nothing wrong with a tree line so long as you have at least a little breeze (5 to 10 mph) where the birds will make there final approach down wind from your blind. Not all crows will but about 95 % will under those conditions. Just try to position the blind in a spot where when the crows hear the call they are already down wind of your location.
Lefty, the reason is because birds decoy in to the wind. Now that does not mean that a guy can't shoot some going with the wind if he sees them in time in order to make it more sporty. You can call crows from much further off if they are down wind from you because the sound will carry to them much easier.
Gotcha, I understand, thnak you. While down wind flight delays my shooting time it sure gets my heart/blood PUMPIN while waiting for them to get in range! Lol
Hhhmmmm, the wind in my area switches around so much......what do you do about that? We have been building the blind the day or two days before the day of the hunt.
Do you plan for the forecast or what?
Hedgerows and low trees offer the best blind locations IMO. I stay clear of tall trees, conifers even more. A small opening...say 30 or so yards across... in a large stand of trees can be outstanding. Crows will dive in making for easy shots. Also small openings in tree lines with the proper wind can be hamburger heaven. Further, don't overlook old derelict farm machinery or out buildings as these can offer great hide. Crows in agricultural regions are used to seeing these as they are common on the farmland landscape. Just my 2 bits worth...
Ted
-- Edited by M12Shooter on Saturday 29th of October 2016 12:39:33 AM
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Another factor is orientation relative to the sun. A blind backed against trees or hedges and facing west or north is best. This puts the sun behind you and the trees will shade your blind. Blinds sitting in the shade makes it harder for crows to see detail or movement.
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.
Another factor is orientation relative to the sun. A blind backed against trees or hedges and facing west or north is best. This puts the sun behind you and the trees will shade your blind. Blinds sitting in the shade makes it harder for crows to see detail or movement.
Hope this helps,
Demi
Very important factor as well. The sun has always caused me great grief. Nothing worse than looking into a rising sun but conditions often make this necessary.
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
I hunted for a few hours this Saturday morning near my house. Our season here started Saturday. I had scouted a spot earlier in the week but due to a cold front the wind was going to be coming out of the north now so I had to adjust. Friday afternoon I hurriedly loaded my blind etc into my car and drove to find a new spot. I chose a spot on a harvested soybean field facing south. This spot had pines planted and the they were about 10-12 ft tall and head-high thick weeds. " Perfect!" I thought, I can just carve-out a spot in the weeds and I wont even need to set-up my blind.
Taking a round-about path I worked my way around to a spot about 10 ft from the edge of the field and chopped about a 4 foot circle in the weeds and left my bucket seat there for the morning. The race to get my kids picked-up from school was a bit uncomfortable as I was wearing shorts and my legs looked like a I lost a soccer match to a gang of ally cats.
In the morning I had 7 decoys in the field and was in place before sun-up (sporting pants this time). Not long after sun-up I had crows looking over my spread. I gave a come-here call and shockingly one came floating right over my decoys and then over me. I shot the first barrel and missed and with it almost right overhead shot the other barrel and flipped smooth over on my bucket and landed on my back. My 4 ft circle was now shaped like a key-hole. That crow got the last laugh.
I re-grouped, thinking how glad I was I didn't invite anyone with me! Not long later another crow came floating right over-head again. I missed him also with both barrels. Another one came after a bit and I got him good (with the second barrel...) After this I guess that were fully educated as I had tons around me but they would not come anywhere close to my spread.
I will keep trying! Thanks to you all for all the helpful advise. Things can only get better here....