Went out this morning to a pecan orchard we have already shot twice this year (107 on 1st hunt & 61 on 2nd due to fog). There were two of us: me and my new friend who is 84 years old. He's been suffering from a chronic back condition that will hopefully be fixed on the 30th of this month. Even with a little age and a constant back problem, this boy can shoot!
We set up my new "Ben's Blind" that was highlighted in another thread here. I took good notes of what Ben showed in the pictures and added a touch of what Bob A. uses for a pretty good folding panel system. I built it in only one hour's time. It should save me untold time on future setup. A couple more additions to the setup and it will be the cat's meow.
Back to the orchard... The crows came in quite nicely and steadily this morning until about 11:00. We had some bonus shooting with 3 or 4 groups of fish crows that allowed us to rack up some good numbers... each group netted 5 or 6 downed birds. At quitting time, we ended with a TBC of 76 crows. It was a cold morning for us (30's), which may have accounted for some terrible shooting on both our parts. Had our shooting been "on" we could have easily made the Century Club again.
Demi: That is not a blind... it is a pillbox!! Beautiful work, sir and a fine TBC! Glad you managed to down a few rain crows as they are always a bonus! "Steady shooting till about 11" is the name of the high TBC game and pecan orchards sure offer that potential! I wish I had more such orchards in my area! Fine report Demi.
Looks great.the blind looks great.seems sturdy like mine.you can pile up lots of brush on the panels without tearing up the blind.how did you get the crow in the tree.
It seems to make a big difference when I get the sentry decoys up high. Have had many crows land in-between two of my sentry decoys and are never spooked.
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.
In contrast to the super blind Demi used, my piece-work of a blind using only a couple of branches and a small chamo netting worked to the detriment of 77 birds last Wednesday! The old farm shed, that is near collapse, offered fine coverage for birds approaching from my rear. As you see I am protected 360 by Pine and Cedar trees.
Two different methods of hunting: Run & Gun (Skip), vs. Duck Hunting Method (Demi).
Demi would use the R & G method, except for: - I don’t have enough properties to string together to make a good run (not enough friends). - Too many decoys laying around. Want to use them all. - Don’t have a custom flapper from England. - Not a member of FoxPro Field Staff (love the mouth calls).
I hereby bow to the Master (crow hunter, rifleman & sporting clays shooter). Skip’s the best! If he can get 77 birds with that ratty blind and blaze orange hat, imagine the number he would have put up with a “Normal” setup!!
Demi
P.S. And ain’t it just like Skip: I go out with a buddy on Wednesday and shoot 76 crows. Skip goes out alone on the same Wednesday and shoots 77 crows... He did it just to get my goat!!
-- Edited by Island Shooter on Tuesday 21st of November 2017 02:29:12 AM
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
Demi: Clearly a ratty blind... but effective! Wish you could have been with me as this is one of my favorite places! The lady who owns the place LOVES for me to shoot the crows that are eating her prized pecans. It is about 100 yds to 8 beautiful pecan trees and the birds tend to peel off from the trees and head my way offering just stunning shots... close in full of confidence, hollering at my crow "flapper". Heck, I could have been wearing an entire suit of blaze orange...they just have their heads on swivels looking at the flapper. I need to post a video of the flapper.. if I can figure out how to do so. I have always traveled light after crows...one decoy and some camo netting plus bullets, calls, water, etc.. But to each his own.
Skip
ps.. her pecans are coming in fast now...suspect I will return in 10-14 days!!
Quite observant, sir!! When she calls, the "crowman" has to respond! Duty calls! There are few places on this planet that offer a finer spot to dispatch crows. I consider myself lucky to the max! I failed to answer L2B's question about the orange cap, sorry. There is no requirement in NC to wear orange or any color crow hunting. I did not wear this cap during the hunt but did so afterwards as the cap belongs to a very good friend who owns and runs a sporting clay range I visit often. I made him a hard copy of the picture!
Top Cat.. I am sure Black Widows live there... but no rattlers in our area. Now there might be a copperhead or two hanging around so I just stay out of the shed. It leans a little more each year.. it will be sad if it falls. I have dropped many crows onto its old rusty roof...
Island Shooter (was going to abbreviate your title with "IS"...whoa!!), glad you got the situation cleared up with enforcement fellas and back to action. Fine body count as well. How many guns?
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
Other than the police, only two guns. Brought a thermos for a hot beverage to keep me warm, but never got a chance to pour the first cup! They just kept coming in.
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.