Kill a crow, save a duck

[Fish&Fowl]

Spring can be a great time of year to hunt crows. Migrating back north, spring can be one of the best times to hunt them. It's a challenging sport that offers hunters a chance to shoot the guns at something besides clays until Sept. rolls around. If you've never tried hunting the elusive crow, give it a shot. If anything, you might be saving a few duck eggs from being eaten.

[Nova]

Excellent idea, but be advised. I wasn't aware of it either, but they closed the crow season march 31st. I think you can still shoot them if they are, or are about to do damage...and when aren't they. just a heads up.

[Sartell Angler]

unless "spring" only refers to the month of March, you are mistaken with your post because crows are fair game for hunting only during March and from July 15th- Mid October(check the regs for specifics).

I know they can still be shot at anytime whenever "about to" or actually committing damage, but I think that definition is pretty subjective, not to mention you couldn't use decoys or ecallers if shooting them during the "closed" season. I wish the MN DNR could simply classify crows as an unprotected specie like coyotes or coons and allow them to be hunted at all times. Unfortunately, since crows are migratory birds the issue is under federal jurisdiction and therefore presents a bigger hurdle. I would like to get out and pound some crows this time of year but I don't think it is worth getting in trouble over.

Anyone else have a take on this??

SA/wdw

[Fish&Fowl]

I guess I used spring sort of vaguely the way I mentioned it. I too wish they would put crows in the same "year-round" season as varmints. There are not enough people hunting them to have to worry about killing them during breeding periods. Sorry if I came across as confusing, didn't realize it until you pointed it out. I also don't think it's worth the risk of getting caught, besides a law is a law.

[Finlander]

Just don't decoy them, or use electric calling machines. Use a hand held crow call and blow like crazy and they will come! I don't think there is a game warden anywhere that would give you a ticket for shooting them out of there so called season. And as stated earlier, they are always about to do damage. They also eat song bird eggs and any nesting birds that they can find! I once read that they eat almost two thirds of all the duck eggs that are laid! Now if that isn't what you would call "just about to do damage", I don't know what is! Kill'em all!!

[Esoxmn]

The problem is targeting them woul be taking game out of season.

[Fish&Fowl]

Finlander,

I agree with you on all points. I used to use the ecaller, but this year was my first with the mouth call and I don't think I'll be going back. They came in just as hot and furious as ever. Being a waterfowl hunter makes it just that much better knowing you took a few crows out of commission, besides being fun anyways.

[deepportage01]

A good in season trick is to grab some road kill{Iknow that's gross]but it works hide in some bushs and call.they don't seem to spook for very long after you shoot.

[tealitup]

Do you use a hand held crow call like the locator calls for turkeys?

[deepportage01]

hand held just a chep one there are so many once you get one to come the sky turns black

[lanyard]

As I remember it, crows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1934.

So are cormorants.

Point: flexibility in application of law is a must in any situation

[Fish&Fowl]

Cormorants are protected under that law and cannot be hunted by season and with a license. Crows can be hunted in MN during two different periods, in March and during the mid-late summer months. Don't know if they are also protected under that act or not, but they can legally be hunted and killed if they are or are about to do any damage private property.