As we poured out of bed at 5:30 this morning there was little doubt in our minds that today would be no different than yesterday. Today we would deal Mr. Blackfoot another stunning defeat. The deal was done, we where there and we had plenty of ammo, so we thought. We met up with Brad and headed to the killing fields. We drive around for awhile as I am trying to find a suitable location to set up shop for the slaughter, that is sure to come in Colts and my mind. My inexperience at this point is painfully obvious in my decision of our first blind location and my general decision making HAHA
Finally I find a spot I feel like will work and we set up. After 20 or so painful minutes I come to the realization that today, is a different day and our current situation is not gonna work. The birds where flaring, from the massive movement of our new hunting partner and yes, we discussed in great detail proper blind edict. The 100 yard shots didn't help the set up very much either, he had his turkey choke in . So, I call it and we pack up and trudge our equipment back to my truck some 400 yards away. At this point we where still in the game and it was only a miner set back to the slaughter that was coming. After getting the truck loaded back up, I start my truck and my 2017 Chevy Z71 has decided it no longer wants me to have power steering. Just like that the power steering is shot and these new trucks and hell to steer without it.
Now the day has taken an ominous turn for US and not Mr. Blackfoot. As I try and gather my thoughts for the next few minutes Brad decides he is ready to be done with hunting for the day and I take him back to his truck. It is now about 11:30 and we haven't killed a single crow. I looked at Colt and said there is no way we are getting skunked today, ain't happening. I wrestled my truck towards a local eating joint where we would fill out guts and make a new battle plan. After eating we headed the spot we hunted the previous day and had done so well. After two hours we downed 31 birds and at 3:00 we packed up so I could get my truck back to the dealership.
We killed 118 birds in two days which is absolutely awesome. We didn't hit he century mark in one hunt, but did it in two days which we are very proud of.
Looking at the pictures, you really ruffled some feathers on those crows! Also sounds like you might have ruffled a feather or two with your newbie crow hunter. Maybe that flaring problem will be solved. A couple other points:
First, Google satellite scans of prospective hunt sites can be surprisingly helpful for blind location. You can see tree lines they might travel, sun orientation, alternative sites, etc. I almost always check the satellite photos before choosing a blind location.
On the flaring problem, your blind constructon is similar to mine, and that flat camo fabric on the inside can be stark and noticeable from overhead. I will put a few palmetto fronds on the inside as well. Also, if I have 3 people in the blind, a palmetto frond between each of us makes a tremendous difference in hiding the extra motions from the bandits looking down on us.
Keep the good reports coming!
Demi
__________________
The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
I learned and ton this past weekend. The biggest takeaway is that a large kill is not out of the question for us.
One of the biggest pains I had was my blind, it is much to cumbersome and provides less concealment than I want and we have to shoot from a setting position which I do not like. I have been doing some serious thinking on my next iteration. I want it light, easily portable and taller.
I use burlap with the camo side facing to the inside of the blind and then rap the burlap with a camo netting. After that, then I brush it in, its a lot of work but provides the best cover. I will try your method of dividing the shooters with cedar trees as I do not have palmetto fronds laying around HAHA.
__________________
"If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be wise enough to be crows." Thoreau.