To get into your spot before the morning crows are flying? Would you consider it a waste of time to hunt if you couldn't get to your spot before sun up? This would be just shooting local crows, wooded farm country.
If crows are in the area and will be within call range at some point, you'd not be wasting your time.
If they're flying through and may not be back, I'd want to be there in time to shoot the first one.
I they're flying into the area to feed, I'd want to be there before they got there and get them as they trickle in. But you wouldn't have to. It might be to your advantage to be sure of where they're at. Then adjust your ambush point accordingly and call them off the feeding ground.
If you can get near a flyway without scaring the roost off an afternoon ambush might be the better way? Just try to stay far enough away so the roosting crows don't hear you as you shoot at the bed bound crows.....but we all don't have that luxury so what ever anyone can do -go for it!
Crows fly early when migrating or moving to feeding areas. I’d be in early for a decent shoot. Wouldn’t be up at zero dark thirty for a couple shots though.
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
A few days before the hunt day arrives, I try to step out of my house at first light and listen for the first call of the morning. Mark that time and subtract 30 minutes...that is when I will try to be in the blind. Note that first call time will vary with the weather. If overcast, it may postpone things for 30-45 minutes. Times may also vary if you travel many miles to the hunt location.
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
I don't think its a waste of time at all. I have had several mornings where I was running late for whatever reason and still had great hunts. As a matter of fact my best morning was on a day that I was there late. I do prefer to get there and set up before first light but if I can be setup and ready to go by sunrise or 30 minutes after then I would go for it.
If you’re lucky you can shoot a dozen or so. You might get a total of two hunts before they figure out what’s going on. Then move a mile or two. Sounds like you need to run and gun with no blind. But morning hunts are best for you style of hunting until 9am
Depends how far they have to travel to get to where you are located. One area that I hunt I don't have to be there before 9:00 A.M. because the crows have to travel 18 miles to get to my location. They don't fly directly there, they hedge hop along the way eating in different fields before getting to me.