Crow Busters Forum

Basically you might not need tons of decoys to get crows in; they sell great horned owl decoys you can stick out anywhere but on a tall pole makes them more visible. If you live in a big crow area; then you'll want to carry extra ammunition-not extra decoys...mud? I would never get in mud. There has to be a more doable dry ground near there. I don't know your environment but they actually allow crow shooting right in the pecan orchards? Do you have to be in those pecan orchards? Do you have an area the crows cross over enroute to the pecan orchards? You could set up under that. I don't use tons of decoys like I used to. Here it isn't necessary except if I hit the same area a little too often as they wise up fast and then vacate altogether and find someplace else to eat...I don't see why an owl or hawk decoy set up somewhere would be all you need. Here's why:you're going to be dropping dead crows around and they make perfect decoys. Besides you don't want  them coming all over at once but  a few at a time. If they are way out there then all you will want is one to come over every now and then to get the kills. Worked for me time and again. Let them eat in their big flocks and every so often one will check out your calling and spot your owl or hawk...if your area is that hot you will also want lunch too...or at least a snack or two if you got time to eat. Also never shoot up a crow roost! Stay far enough away (maybe a mile?) to not disturb the roost. Doing so will make them go elsewhere; possibly the next county or state  if you are on the border. Then good luck finding them.

  If you need to build a blind that best matches your surrounding terrain as much as possible. Let them in close in case you miss you'll have time for a follow up shot if necessary and you need not lead them by much when in close-they ain't ducks you are hunting.  Lead by a bill length gradually increasing your lead  after 25 yards or a little more. You will learn in experience. Heavier shot size is best at "longer rangers" how ever....try to go where no one else has been before or you won't many if any. The crows will sit on top of tall trees way way out of range looking like fleas on trees and  answer your calling but refusae to come in. So another good reason to not set out dozens of decoys or spend another half hour wasted picking them up trying to fool educated crows...you need to read  the techniques on the home page as well as learn the calls.

Other wise good luck!

 Oh yes; a two wheeled cart?   Wow I got carried away. I think if you can keep it simpler -the better...I am thinking whatever is the most rugged if you need to.

-- Edited by killer Crowalski on Tuesday 20th of November 2018 11:58:58 PM

-- Edited by killer Crowalski on Wednesday 21st of November 2018 12:00:19 AM

Mattie,

Much of my hunting is also in irrigated pecan orchards. It can be wet in places, but around here most of the underground irrigation and puddles are at the trees. The owners hate for us to drive under trees because of nut damage, so we go for the open areas. 

I carry all that you mentioned in my 2-wheel drive Toyota P.U. and rarely have problems. My attitude is that by avoiding the time to unload/load to a second vehicle, I can sleep in that much longer. 😀    It also minimizes the risk of leaving ammo, gun or other important gear way back at the truck.

Your mileage may vary, but I hope this helps with your decision.

Demi

Mattie,

More like "infamous" lol. The cart that O.A. Named the "cart of death" is a plastic dump trailer with removable sides and front and rear panels for my riding mower that we use, only had to add a handle and paint. It has down sides, you have to load it evenly and on down grades it will run you over and I don't think you could keep it loaded and be able to unload it from a truck. The other is a folding 4 wheel cart that does ok but needs bigger tires. We use these when the nuts are on the ground as a lot of our growers don't want us driving in at this time, and during wet years like now the ones we can drive I would have these along just in case to avoid damaging the owners land. I'll try to find an old post with the pics of them and let you know what page it's on.


Butch

Go to page 23 and open thread "grandson hunt" that I posted it has a pic of both carts.