Crow shooting
- Thread starter ARW
- Start date
Years ago crow hunting was a popular pass time in my area. We called with a caller and just by mouth. I had a real owl that had been hit by a car in front of the house and killed. I wrapped him up with hay bailing twine and let him/her mummify.
We would set it up (tied down) at the edge of a field/pine forest and start calling. Sometimes so many crows would come in ready to fight and raising cane it was ridiculous as we shotgunned them.
For some unknown reason sometimes they would NOT come in when called. Could have been over called or something else, don't know, but when it worked, it really worked well. Also have some of you buddies call at the same time so it sounds like a fight going on, that can be startling
!
We would set it up (tied down) at the edge of a field/pine forest and start calling. Sometimes so many crows would come in ready to fight and raising cane it was ridiculous as we shotgunned them.
For some unknown reason sometimes they would NOT come in when called. Could have been over called or something else, don't know, but when it worked, it really worked well. Also have some of you buddies call at the same time so it sounds like a fight going on, that can be startling
!I went out this morning and set up in a low area I had not called from before. I set out my owl decoy and the only crow decoy I have and I set up on a hill about 300 yards away with my 220 swift. Within literally mere seconds of starting the caller I had crows over the decoys but they would only land high up in the trees where I could not get a safe shot. After about 45 minutes, I finally gave up and left.
I went to another area several miles away, that I had called from last weekend and had shot 2 crows at, but did not set the decoys out. I set up at around 250 yards and started calling, I had several come in that landed low and got one. The rest left and did not come back.
The decoys, when I set them out on the first set up, did not spook the crows. They just stayed high in the trees where I could not shoot them.
As a side note, a 220 swift with 55gr. Sierra BK really knocks the stuffing out of a crow.
Alan
I went to another area several miles away, that I had called from last weekend and had shot 2 crows at, but did not set the decoys out. I set up at around 250 yards and started calling, I had several come in that landed low and got one. The rest left and did not come back.
The decoys, when I set them out on the first set up, did not spook the crows. They just stayed high in the trees where I could not shoot them.
As a side note, a 220 swift with 55gr. Sierra BK really knocks the stuffing out of a crow.
Alan
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Yep that's a lot of fun. Done it with and without decoys. The Crow fighting Owl works the best. Or just use a mouth call if that's all you have. Use a 12 ga semi auto. Usually just one crow will come in first to scout. Don't shoot the first one. Wait he will eventually bring in the rest then the fun begins. I think the Crow can see almost as well as the Turkey. So you may want to Camo up.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
Crow fighting owl works best for decoys. We also used to shoot them in fields and in the pine trees. They are smart and can count. When two hunters go in and one leaves, they will not come in. Shot my first one with a .22LR, moved to a .222 and they would move just out of range. Acquired the then new .22-250. They would just fly off after that. My load was 38gr 4320 and 52gr. Sierra HP's.
Lots of fun and really got me hooked on long range shots.
Bill
Lots of fun and really got me hooked on long range shots.
Bill
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timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
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Decoys are an advantage. I have an owl and crows. Also a battery powered crow that the wings flap. Here's the deal though, after a time or two, the crows wise up and it doesn't much matter what you use. Crows are easy to call, but they aren't stupid. I usually prefer an electronic caller, but use a hand call sometimes also. Camo up and stay hidden. Once they catch onto you, the gig is up. As for using a rifle for crow hunting, know your target and beyond. Whenever a rifle bullet is launched upward, it must come down somewhere. I believe that it was in Iowa where a young girl was killed by a bullet from a muzzle loader that had been fired skyward. The shooter had shot skyward to empty the muzzle loader prior to cleaning it. Crows are fun to whack with a rifle, but make sure there is a safe backstop. I whacked one awhile back with a 6 Dasher load of Berger 105 htg. VLD. Cut him nearly in two and he remained hanging in the tree. Saw a couple crows in the days following that landed near him and cawed furiously at the carcass. Crows are a scourge. I have seen them completely devour the eggs in turkey nests. I really don't understand why the season is so short here. A guy on one forum told me that crows were considered migratory and that we were bound by an agreement with Mexico that only allows a certain number of days maximum for season. From what I can tell ours do not migrate. Aside from that, I can't imagine Mexico abides by any agreement. Have fun - be safe!
223 / 40 gr Vmax / 154 yds.. / tree sitter..
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Try watching a farmer plant winter wheat, it won't be long before the crows come in to feed, then when the wheat starts to germinate and come up they will feast on that!!!!! They cause millions of $$ damage every year to farmers.
Kill them. All of them
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
i use several decoys, a n old tape cassette e-caller with crow/owl fight or Crow in Distress. I usually hunt in the winter, full white camo. Bury myslef in weeds. Only take birds directly over me, never sit up, never wave gun above teh sticks I hide in. I use a 12 guage with modified or full and 6's, usually a heavy 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 load. When the grass is brown I bury myself in golden rod in a thicket and do the same, using a dead crow tied to a tree with a string to it to make it flap. Sometimes I use my fake owl. If you whack one and it dumps in and is not dead, stay outta sight, let it squawk and shut up, it will do a better job as the others get infuriated. It is game over the minute one sees you that you don't kill. One highball and they vacate the area.
I have shot several with a 22-250, but only incidental to groundhogs. it is kinda neat when one comes along to peck a recently dead chuck. Scope setitngs are already done!
I have shot several with a 22-250, but only incidental to groundhogs. it is kinda neat when one comes along to peck a recently dead chuck. Scope setitngs are already done!
Crow hunting with a rifle, 22BR 748 Winchester 40 grain bullet 4000 fps and a 17 fireball 20 grain bullet both deadly. Been hunting crows for some time and have found it a big plus to use callers and decoys. Remember there smart very smart, if you over shoot an area they will learn, you must move around google map your area, (to know safest shooting direction) they do like to land high in trees.
As for decoys certain times the owl decoys works well but have found best results with crow decoys only on the ground.
In South Carolina we are able to shoot almost year round even though there is a season.
They learn our cars, faces and seem to warn there buddies when we are coming. Just one thought if you see them they have already seen you.
Mike
AKA Crow Killer
As for decoys certain times the owl decoys works well but have found best results with crow decoys only on the ground.
In South Carolina we are able to shoot almost year round even though there is a season.
They learn our cars, faces and seem to warn there buddies when we are coming. Just one thought if you see them they have already seen you.
Mike
AKA Crow Killer
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
That was in Ohio, a mile and a half away from where the muzzleloader was fired.
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...d-with-homicide-in-girls-death/1#.VwvGpUf67OU
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
I wasn't sure. The old brain is failing. I was thinking 1 mile also. Thanks for clearing this up. Safety, safety, safety. Shooting into the air with rifles is not a wise move.
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hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
I like the mulch description. I call 'em feather bombs.
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