Hello NHC. Not sure what you are asking so let's try this: I can look around and my report is I saw crows here and there but basically not in any numbers. Unfortuneately all were in Vermont where I have seen them before in their late summer behavior so figure a couple here and there, nothing to get excited about, maybe a mile apart. That would be rt.91 of course but up across from Claremont NH on the Vermont side? Same old ones you'd see all summer long...but only visible in Vermont.
The Bennington area was typical this time of year...one lone crow flying over the Tenney farm...I have no idea where they are all feeding. Not much corn being harvested either....the corn stalks are yellowing at the same time. They grew more corn in the Bennington area but also posted it. No idea as to why? I can guess the older generation retired and the youth posted the and which is what happened in the general area but all the crows have left but for about a dozen altogether; nothing to write home about...in my neck of the woods meaning about a mile away...I have not seen any decent crow population in Han**** in years ....there is usually none...the old snipe field is posted and has been for quite a few years now, also the last place I saw a true red headed woodpecker which was immature which this species has seeming split New England altogether..about the size of a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker also becoming rare..used to be a fair amount of New England crows in Han****j years ago,I used to chase them..never did good but about a hundred hung out there anyways...(late 70s)
Despite all the road killed gray squirrels I only saw one crow eating it-I forget where?General Peterborough area?
I did check out areas I've never been before and despite the abundance of corn fields I didn't see any...so I am as mystified as you are...they used to hang out at the old dumps in fact the Peterborough dump had a roost there unbeknownst to me or else I'd never have shot there but this again is around 1977...
so basically what you two are not seeing neither am I...I am not seeing much of anything period...Bennington/Antrim had maybe 3 crows I spotted..highly unusual for that area...but once the old pumpkin/watermelon farm virtually closed down that was it....and this was about eight or so years ago...maybe longer?I did roll through my old haunt in the connecticutt river-absolutely nothing...nothing of anything even...no red tailed hawks; no turkey vultures...unbelievable! In fact only dead gray squirrels and I don't get it-everywhere including Vermont!Seemingly every half mile or so..unreal!Most crows I did see for what small amount I did see by and large were in Vermont along rte.91...that idea..(Where else?) and a pair here and there heading off to bed where you can get a good idea of the numbers of crows in that general area so I saw altogether about 20? So not really south to Springfield..but here again part of the old area but on the nh side of the Connecticutt river where there were always crows around..not anymore..we'll just have to keep watch out NHC..this is very strange! I am guessing the colder weather ought to bring them out especially after the first frost.As for me? Still have back problems but getting better to be sure but dragging my bacon to get there...but it's enough to keep me home if I am going to go crow shooting anywhere so nothing happening anyway...it would be a problem to try in my current condition...
I was just wondering if you were alright as you had not made a post in some time. Things are going well on this side of the state. No big numbers of crows around yet and 10ga and I are chipping away at them as we can. We have about 90 down so far between us since 8/15. We have had one good day where together we took down 23. The weather is changing, October is around the corner and in another four weeks we should be in the thick of the migration. Sorry to hear about your back problems, I hope it gets better and you able to get out more.
THank you very much and I am glad you are doing an amazing job. Yes I do feel sad when you two aren't doing what you normally do. Now this report is really good. I am highly impressed. Now I feel better because I know you love your guns and went to great lengths to make them the best you can. That is great.
I lost 99% of what I used to know for all the reasons you've seen and I hope you two do not experience it too...I hope no one here experiences it again or ever....BobA lost Long Island and luckily was able to correct it by moving. So anyways I am searching for new areas. If it takes a couple hours to get there one way it's do or die period..I hate coming home after a hunt in the dark but that is often the case.....I grab a bit to eat-Wendys' then rest a bit then continue. Often it's coffee I bring. It's a blast shooting them enroute to their roost...anyways my old haunt has more corn I never saw being on the other side of a hill as the leaves blocked the view but I got a little look which surpised me-how can that be?! They were never going that far away at all! So I'll use that as the "anchor" and let them eat there as they will be coming back anyway...but I never expected they would expand the corn-a very decent surprise! I was wishing that but I never expected they would! The only thing I hate is when the whole kit and kaboodle come over at once and I get one or two and they all book it for ports further south! This is a very strange area; they filter back when going to the roost but if coming from the North is basically the only way I will get any shooting!(Until the bed time crows return in small flocks or a few here and there...the other flyway they come in over the small hill side one by one-I need to look closely to see if I am too close to the barn;I have been instructed not to get too close but everywhere else is okay...
You two are doing remarkably well and please keep us informed. Some out there are not getting that many at all! And as we know I have seen very very few...keep up the good work!