I'm new to the forum. I am a South African living in France. I live in a small town at the feet of Les Alpilles - a small mountain range in the South of France (Provence). I've been hunting here for about 4 years and have shot a number of wild boars and foxes. Last year I took up crow hunting since there are loads of them and they destroy the nests of our game birds.
I bought a bunch of decoys and a crow carousel and a mouth caller. Last season I managed to call in a bunch of crows but always seemed to miss them. No matter how close. My little daughter of 8 went with me a few times and she mocked me about my shooting prowess with the shotgun. Shooting running boars and foxes with my Marlin 308 didn't present a problem but dammed if I could hit a crow at 10m. One day I missed 16 shots out of 16.
The hunting season just started up again and I missed another few shots a few weeks ago. Then this week I said enough and watched some videos on Youtube and read some articles. My problem was that I was shooting where I thought they would be and not following through them and continuing to lead and then pulling the trigger.
So on Tuesday morning I dropped my daughters off at school and decided to have a quick session before work. I got to my normal spot where I have already managed to call in a few and quickly set up my decoys. There is a permanent hide set up and I got in and waited. I made a few calls. Then suddenly a raven came in from my right, flew over the decoys at about 10m and then I shouldered the old O/U and swung through him and pulled the trigger. Great was my joy when he exploded in a bunch of feathers. I was on the scoreboard! About 2 minutes later another came in and I shot at about 25m and hit him. Not dead but falling to the ground. I got out of the hide and killed it.
Just before the time came to pack up a bigger flock came in and I went back to old habits and shot where I thought where it was going to be. Missed obviously. Rather cross with myself I just wanted to reload when the last one in the flock came closer and at around 40m I swung through and continued leading and pulled the trigger and he folded his wings and hit the earth with a big thump! I were ecstatic!
I went the evening as well but because there were olive pickers I couldn't use my blind and setup on the other side of the field. Just one came over but I thought he was to high and rather let him go.
Hoping that it won't be raining this weekend so that I can go and try again!
It's a real moral booster when you pull the trigger & a bird falls, especially the first ones that come in. practice, practice , practice will improve your shooting but it sounds like you're off to a good start. Just keep using the swing thru.
You may want to work on your set up's & use the wind in your favor so that you are presented with the easiest shot's possible.That can make a big difference. Welcome to the forum & good shooting...
Welcome to the forum. You live in a wonderful part of France! My daughter lived in Aix-en-Provence for awhile and we have visited the country a few times. Twice my wife and I shot in the World FITASC event. First at Orville in '11 and near Paris (St Lambert 02) in '18. Wonderful country!
From an experienced shooter, take it from me that it is extremely difficult to self-diagnose shooting problems by yourself or via YouTube video clips! Shooting a moving bird with shotgun is much different from shooting boar with a rifle. You would be well advised to find an shooting instructor to help you with what is going on.
A one hour lesson with a qualified instructor will be the cheapest investment you can make towards getting many more crows! Look for local shooting clubs who can set you up with an instructor.
Keep us posted on your progress with shooting and hunting.
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
I'll try and find an instructor. As we are pretty much in the countryside there aren't many of them ;)
I went again on Saturday morning. Missed a easy shot right in front of me - Thought O NO! I can't shoot anymore but then managed to shoot 2 more crows and a magpie with 3 shots. The Magpie I shot at about 50m.
I don't have a Fox Pro yet. So I took my bluetooth speaker with me and went onto Youtube and found this video from Bob and played the first 4 minutes continuously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkJLOPkfSvw
Worked very well.
I need to buy some more decoys as well. Though about making some by spraying some old plastic water bottles mat black. Will test some time and report back.
Yeah it is a beautiful part of the world.
Here is some photos I took while out boar hunting:
Regards
-- Edited by Methos on Tuesday 12th of November 2019 08:26:41 AM
