Crow Hunting? I want to try it...

[Alan]

Hello to all, been a while since I have been here, and it was always fishing related...but now as the 1st Crow hunting season approaches (March 2011) I am wanting to give it a try...maybe I will be successful, maybe I won't. But none the less I was to give it a shot..no pun intended..

Anyway, I live in the South East Metro..I am looking into purchasing some electronic crow calls, some manual calls and some decoys. I have a pump 12guage. I have found a few sites online with what seems to be good info. But I am hoping to hear some feedback from the folks around here on what I need to know, where to find them, public land vs private land (Yes I know I would need to ask permission)and what do ya do with them once you shoot em? Sure as heck aint going to eat them...

I know they are a destructive bird, and it's free to hunt...

So, all you crow hunters out there, would you mind helping a newbie to the sport out? I sure would appreciate it. This site has proved to be successful when it comes to my fishing times, now I am hoping for the same on my next adventure...

Just looking for what I need to know, and hopefully some helpful tactics on the sport.

Thank you for your time...and Happy New Year...

Alan

[bloc004]

I tried Crow hunting for the first time this year (WI). It was fun, but I learned a couple things after a few tiimes out:

When one crow comes in, wait! Instead of blasting at the first chance, let more come in, they ussually always do!

Dont move, if they see movement, they are gone or not coming into your call.

Make sure your electronic call is loud enough. Some of the ones on the market are a waste of time, becasue they dont project loud enough.

[trolloni]

check out crowbusters.com !

[Alan]

check out crowbusters.com !

Yep, been there many times, however I am interested in more local information..from the folks here that crow hunt...

[LightningBG]

I cant say that I have any info for you, but if you're ever looking for someone to go, let me know. I've wanted to try for years, but dont have a clue what I'm doing.

[ChompChomp_YANK]

Alan,

look back to last march postings (2010) there was a crow post I think in the hunting form. You should be able to find some info. I usually hit it pretty hard on the early march season!!

[ChompChomp_YANK]

Alan,

go to the bottom of page 7 you will find some info there

[stizoler]

I think it fun during the sometimes slow month of March.

[Stute_Slap]

It can be fun but do not go out and educate a bunch of crows so others can not shoot them.

[Quackaddict9]

I shoot some around my house as I live out in the country and everyday flocks of crows would fly overby and I would blast a few everytime. I was shooting 3 1/2 shot 2 and they pounded them well. I did not waste a bunch of shells, I know I'm nuts but it was the only shells I had around and the cheapest steel you can get. That was in September though.

Have fun!

[1eyeReD]

Just curious.. Are crows hunted just to be hunted? Or does something happen to the meat? Or feathers? Kinda like the pelt of coyotes? Again - I'm only asking out of curiousity. I have no bias against any answers given.

[Alan]

Some eat the breast meat..not sure why, not me, no way.. Hunted just for the sport of it...just toss the dead crows in the woods, critters need to eat too.

[tracker x-2]

Try using them for yote bait.

well maybe they might not even want em

[Crow Hunter]

The only thing that will eat a crow is another crow....

[1eyeReD]

MM.. Crow tacos.

[SkunkedAgain]

....and remember, crows are the 6th smartest animals on the planet next to humans. They are the smartest bird in the world.

Don't let them talk you out of shooting them. They're that smart.

[JBar]

Ive been involved in crow hunting tournaments that are a good time and something to do in the spring. We have used a electronic caller with a couple of crow specific calls and set up in dense cover and turn the caller on and get ready. Camo is a must and the flocked decoys from avery work awsome. Crows have pretty keen eye sight and quickly learn that they are being hunted. One thing to keep in mind that ravens look alot like a crow and are not legal to shoot. have fun!!

[stizoler]

It can be fun but do not go out and educate a bunch of crows so others can not shoot them.

Don't worry by the time they get educated they are on the ground!

[LightningBG]

IOne thing to keep in mind that ravens look alot like a crow and are not legal to shoot. have fun!!

Is there anywhere it says you cant shoot a raven?

[pureinsanity]

MM.. Crow tacos.

mixed with the rotten coon it ate the day before, the rotten skunk from last nights road kill, and than the field mouse it ate just before you shot it that was full of decon.

Ill pass on crow tacos

They sound spicy and potently skunky

[mixxedbagg]

Quote:

Is there anywhere it says you cant shoot a raven?

Yes. They are protected. If you can't tell the difference, you shouldn't be hunting crows.

[HardTopFowler]

Crow hunting is pheominal! Find a good electronic call grab a lawn chair and let the games begin! But don't shoot the firts crow that comes in he's the scout! I've find the best calling tape to be crow vs. owl and have utilized an owl decoy. Best advice is to wait until the sky is black and the crows are so loud you can't hear yourself think. Then blast away!

[Tom7227]

All you need is a McDonald's bag and some french fries. Toss them out and the crows will come. I swear they know how to read the writing on the bags.

[LightningBG]

Yes. They are protected. If you can't tell the difference, you shouldn't be hunting crows.

It's a good thing I dont hunt crows then, because I have no idea what the difference is.

[LightningBG]

And now I know.... Where's my gun?

Quote:

Physical Differences Between American Crows and Common Ravens

The most obvious physical difference between an American Crow and a Common Raven is size: the raven is bigger, about 63cm (25in). The difference between a large crow and a small raven can be very subtle, however, especially if the two are not standing side by side. There are other physical features to note:

* The bill of a Common Raven is larger and heavier, and has a less obvious downward curve—the raven’s upper bill does curve downward at the end but is more parallel for most of its length.

* A raven’s throat feathers look shaggy and fluffed out, a feature best seen from the side, in a perched bird.

* The tail feathers of a raven form a wedge shape, while a crow’s tail feathers form a fan, a feature most easily observed when the bird is in flight.

* In flight, the wing of a raven may have a sharper bend than that of a crow, and the primaries, the long feathers at the tip of the wing, are more separate, with space between them.

Behavior Differences Between Common Ravens and American Crows

Because crows are so common, most people have plenty of opportunity to observe them; ravens are more elusive. There are some behavioral differences that can help distinguish the two:

* Ravens don’t flock—they are often solitary but are sometimes seen in pairs. Crows have large family groups and sometimes gather at crow roosts of thousands at dusk.

* Ravens tend to remain in wild undisturbed areas, although they are gradually becoming more common in rural areas.

* During flight, crows typically flap their wings. Ravens are more inclined to soar, and may do somersaults in flight.