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Jr. Squirreler · Veteran Member

I am a very inexperienced Crow Hunter, however I do like hunting the game. I went out a few times last year, but with very, very little luck. I have logged on to Crow Busters a few times, and just about got everything I need when it comes to the basics. However, I want to learn a few tips from personal experience.

Also, I know that Decoys are a must. However, they are a little expensive. Do Decoys made out of like Cardboard and Wire Hangers actually work?

My hunting plan consists of this. I know a farmer, which I have done some Sparrow control for. He lets me hunt anytime around the farm besides when Deer season is around. (He leases the land to other Deer hunters for the season) My plan is to set up on the woods line in front of a field. I am then going to put out a few Decoys, Put out some Corn, and call them in with my cousin using his Electronic Caller, and both of our Primos Old Crow Calls. I plan on sighting in for about 65 yards and placing the decoys out about that far. Do you think that is far enough from where our blind is going to be set up?

Jr.

twalter · Veteran Member

You actually have success calling them in with the old crow call? It sounds like a sick duck to me and I get frustrated as .... with it.

It sounds like you do have a handle on things, just remember the first few in are scouts so wait for a few to land before cracking one. Twisted Evil

Ive tried to take out some in the backyard but those things are jumpy and out of there as soon as they sense danger. Good luck and enjoy!

radar · Silver Status Member

Successful crow hunting often requires a bit of scouting ahead of hunting time.
Crows, at least a year at a time, and usually more, will roost in one area, and fly along a set path to their feeding area in the morning, and back in the late afternoon. Typically, the feeding area is about a mile away. During the flight and also on the feeding grounds, they post sentries...not sure if it is the dominant males or why one or a few birds get sentry duty, but they do. They will be on the lookout for trouble below and you have to be in place when they come so they don't spot you and start squawking.

Many times they can be pulled out of flight to or from the feeding area if they think another crow is in trouble. The cheap way to do this effectively, is to go to a garden center and get one of those plastic owl scarecrows that people put on a fenchpost by the garden to discourage bird. They run about $10. Cut a black trash bag into a few crow-sized pieces and stake them to the ground by the owl. Pieces of metal wire work good. Its nice is the wind blows the trashbag crows so they flap. Make your crow calls to get attention as they come flying in so they think there is a fight. Owls and crows are natural enemies and crows really, really hate owls.

Good luck and be safe.

Jr. Squirreler · Veteran Member

SmallGamer · New Member

Owl decoys are a must Exclamation

I cut the corner of black trash bags in the shape of a crow an stuff it with cotton balls. Then cut wing shaped flaps for wings and put them on the decoy. I usually have two decoys and keep and owl hooter with me. I will hoot as the sun comes up in about 5 sequences of 'hoo hoo hooooooooo' hoo hoo hoooooooooooooo' 'hoooooooo' hoooooooooooo'. Space the sequences 5 minutes apart. Then start doing crow calls with a few hoots in between. I don't hunt crows with airguns. I will use a semi-auto shotgun with bird shot. There are usually 3 other people with me with shotguns and when the crows come in we unleash hell upon them.
Oh, and cardboard cut outs do not work for me. Ever. They never have.
Good luck, and happy huntings.

Jr. Squirreler · Veteran Member

Airhead · Member

its been along time since I set a feild to hunt crows! My setup was a few decoys and a johnny steward electronic game call, which changed everything this is back when we used cassette tapes. Id play a tape which was a simulated owl/crow war and things could get crazy and fast. But i must say those must be the smartest birds I've ever hunted, they learn quick and have the eyes of a turkey!

Jr. Squirreler · Veteran Member

I have just bought an owl off of eBay, but Crow decoys are expensive! I will try the cardboard ones I have cut out and see how they work. I Do not think an air gun is going to do this time though. It doesn't seem like the Crows would land for me to get a shot. I guess I will have to use the shotgun.

grizzlyadams · Member

hey jr, the last time i was at gander mountain in middletown, they had crow decoys for like 3.99 each on sale. cardboard do not work well because of their great eyesight.also i have better luck with an airgun sticking to heavy woods and calling shoot when they come in and roost, then move on to a different spot and repeat. i dont use decoys for that kind of hunt with airguns. when i do use them, we're shotgunning