Demi, we alternate shots. So, I shoot first, then Paul, then it’s my turn again regardless of numbers of crows coming in or number killed. This way you don’t spook each other’s birds and you can take the bird you want and not be rushed.
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"If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be wise enough to be crows." Thoreau.
Again..LOVED your video!! Wonderful windless, clear, 90% of birds came from one direction, excellent long range shooting, two good shots, etc. Hey, it hardly gets any better than that!!! Might I be allowed one observation... love your binds BUT.. those crows flared, in my opinion, at the longer ranges because they saw you, saw your movement, etc. I suspect you know that but virgin (green) crows coming in with such confidence.. do not flare without seeing something that they do not like! Perhaps an additional foot for so to hide yourselves better!
Again..LOVED your video!! Wonderful windless, clear, 90% of birds came from one direction, excellent long range shooting, two good shots, etc. Hey, it hardly gets any better than that!!! Might I be allowed one observation... love your binds BUT.. those crows flared, in my opinion, at the longer ranges because they saw you, saw your movement, etc. I suspect you know that but virgin (green) crows coming in with such confidence.. do not flare without seeing something that they do not like! Perhaps an additional foot for so to hide yourselves better!
skip
Spoken like a true southern gentleman Skip, I don't think we found a single ( green ) crow around that area. We knew we were in trouble in that area on our first morning hunt when we turned on the caller & the crows flew the other way ! I'm sure we all have had that experience of being spotted as we raise our gun to take a shot only to see them take evasive action & flare off quickly. I think these guys had been educated by other hunters in the area. We were so disgusted after our first day that we went to another area an hour away to do some scouting & we spotted a hundred or so out on a plowed field, I grabbed my caller and set it on the hood of the truck & turned on Johnny & immediately had crows on us within shooting distance. That was with us standing in the roadway next to the trucks. That's where the video of the orchard hunt was taken. Same blinds, same setup but no flaring birds. I'm all about staying hid but like Dale has taught me, if you stay still you don't have to be so blended in. Ideally we needed to be in a spot where when the crows came in they would be within range by the time they saw our phony set up but that wasn't an option there. Paul.
Yes.. movement is the most important..no question. But when you "move" to shoot they can see you! That is why I suggested a higher "wall" of chamo to disguise those early movements to mount and move your gun. Can't hurt!!
I don't disagree with you at all and if it was feasible in that area I would have a 5 foot tall blind. We have sacrificed some concealment for portability. I have lost significant hours of sleep trying to come up with a fast, easy, portable and efficient blind that is taller than the ones we have, still at the drawing board. I would much rather stand and shoot and the set up we have now really prevents that as well. I keep mulling it over I will come up with a solution that meets all of our needs.
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"If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be wise enough to be crows." Thoreau.
I too have been puzzling over an efficient way to get those 360's taller. We've found some dead limbs and set the blind on them. Works good if you have the right limbs around. Other than that, just extending the height with grass/weeds/etc. I've seen you and Paul do that as well.
I think a guy would need four extendable poles. Much like the ones used for braces in their panel blind. Find a way to attach them so they'd be out of the way and contained when the blind was folded up. Keep after 'em.
Have never sat.. while shooting crows except one time for 5 days in Texas! That event is a story for another time! As you well know shooting sitting is not as effective as standing. I love being able to "traverse my turret..me" 360 degrees at anytime! There is nothing personal or confidential about how I set up but would prefer to "discuss and send pictures, videos" directly to you. If you want contact me at fwoody@nc.rr.com ... I am in North Carolina.
Did some experimenting with the brace poles from the two Tanglefree panel blinds. The "U" clamps don't snap on the smaller 360 frame, but will do a good job of supporting the blind. I removed the telescoping end, then removed the bushing with the thumb screw in it and slipped it through the two middle loops on the inside. After all four were installed and the thumbscrew bushings replaced, I set the blind up and extended the poles. This was a bit awkward, as the unsupported panels wanted to fold. I started over by laying the blind down, extending the poles equally and then setting it up. Still awkward, but easier than the first attempt. I now had a five foot 360 solo blind that could be adjusted higher or lower as needed.
I think a fifth pole is needed on one of the end panels for support. It folded up well but you can feel a bit of extra weight. The unsupported panels still want to fold if the poles aren't just right. An extra hand would be helpful setting it up.
I don't think a guy would lose portability, but it will take a couple extra minutes to set up. Will need a total of ten extendable brace poles for the two blinds to do things right. If Tanglefree sells them separately, I'll bet they're not cheap. Still need to do some thinking on this.
Very true, Skip. Every sporting endeavor is done best in the most athletic position possible. When shooting crows that would be standing. That being said, I've shot plenty of crows sitting down on a spin top bucket, but that's on easy shots. A guy won't make as many tough shots or get as many doubles or triples sitting down.
As you well know shooting sitting is not as effective as standing. I love being able to "traverse my turret..me" 360 degrees at anytime! There is nothing personal or confidential about how I set up but would prefer to "discuss and send pictures, videos" directly to you. If you want contact me at fwoody@nc.rr.com ... I am in North Carolina.