We spent Sunday 22 Dec. scouting for a possible hunt on the 23rd. The expected number of crows were present, but with warm weather and no snow they scattered everywhere. We determined we could get some good shooting on the flight out, but all bets were off after that. They seemed most concentrated in late morning along the banks and sandbars of a river we'd be near. We were fortunate that a good place to ambush the flight was a half mile south of the river, which then turned south and flowed past us again 3/4 mile to the east. Maximizing the amount of river the call would cover.
Predawn temperature was low thirties and would warm to the low fifties. One of the nicest days I've ever shot crows. Wind was SSW from calm to 10 mph.
The first crow hit the ground at 7:15 and 42 were down by 8:15. Things slowed down for a bit, but soon picked up as we begin to call them a few at a time off the fields and river. These decoyed the best and guy couldn't ask for softer shooting. We had 103 at 11:45 and ended with 140.
The last picture is evidence I need to work on my timing. He needs to be in the top of the tree to do us any good.
Well done Randy, low thirties up into the fifty's is probably t-shirt weather for you. lol. Hopefully you'll get an arctic blast soon & you can hit the golf course again. Paul
Can't say I agree with your sentiments on the lack of snow and ridiculous cold but I can say that looked like a good set up. I bet those crows had a really confused look when you boys cut down on them.
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"If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be wise enough to be crows." Thoreau.
Well done Randy, low thirties up into the fifty's is probably t-shirt weather for you. lol. Hopefully you'll get an arctic blast soon & you can hit the golf course again. Paul
Well, not exactly t-shirt weather, but pretty close! And yes, one eye is being kept on the next opportunity to,"hit the links". Funny that we don't get near a golf course until the dead of winter.
Can't say I agree with your sentiments on the lack of snow and ridiculous cold but I can say that looked like a good set up. I bet those crows had a really confused look when you boys cut down on them.
Hey Dale,
Around here we need snow cover and cold to limit feeding areas so they concentrate on what's available. Otherwise they're so scattered run and gun would be the best option. Once we find concentrated numbers, we can go to work on 'em.
That was a good ambush site and actually, most of them never had the chance to look confused.
