Going Crow Hunting, need tips

M

Matt S

New member
We are going to try crow hunting for the first time this weekend and I got a couple questions. I have been reading up on it and realized that this isn't some dove shoot where you can just walk out there and shoot birds. I realize that it is a full camo and concealment hunt. I also read that the first single crow should be left alone and don't let it see you.

I will be using a ecall and was wondering if crow hunting is similar to yote hunting in setups and hunts. It sounds like it's the type of hunt where you would sit at a location for a while (an hour?) and if nothing comes in, then just move down the road. If that is the case, how far between sets?

Do most people use decoys? If so, then how many and do you add a different decoy like a owl or some other forms for predatory animal?

Any other tips will be appreciated.
 
All I can tell you is crow hunting is like drugs. If you don't want to get hooked, don't even start! I'll give you a few tidbits I have learned in over then years of hunting the black bandit. First tip, go to www.crowbusters.com if you have not and look around.

Camo is king, but concealment and movement are right up there. Crows have eyes like hawks and will bust you out in a second if you are wiggling around.

I've let the first crow go and shot the first crow. I've found if you have a good setup and stay still the first crow will wing through and bring back his buddies. If you shoot at and miss the first crow you have ruined your set.

Setup can be friendly or fighting. I've shot crows off of both but the fighting setup is more entertaining. I prefer the crow/owl fight. One owl decoy and a couple of crow decoys are all you need. Place the owl in a tree and put one crow decoy on the ground as if the owl has killed it. Place one or more crow decoys in trees around the owl tree and then go into a fighting call sequence. When the crows see the owl and a possible dead buddy they will go nuts.

Again, do not move until you shoulder the gun for the first shot. If the crows are stirred up and in great numbers I swear they don't hear the gun or see you for a while.

Best of luck to you.
 
Buddy let me tell you something, I get numerous deer every year, plenty of coyotes, but those dang crows school me everytime! Lots of fun trying though!
 
Interestingly i was gonna post this same question. Wanna' shoot some with my Ruger Charger this year out as far as i can hit them. Thks. for the tips also guys!

Could it be set up to be like crow sniping with a rifle/pistol setup, or does it need to be shotgunning. Decoys, etc.???
 
When I was in high school we used to use a crow and owl fight tape to call crows. No decoys needed, but we would play the tape from a pine tree (lots of cover) that was next to a leaf-less alder.

When the crows first came in we wouldn't shoot, but would wait for them to add to the racket and call in more birds. When there were enough birds we would start sniping them from a blind with CB caps and pump .22s.

I don't know if they are just really focused on getting into a fight, or if they just can't hear they quiet report, but we could put a lot of birds on the ground before they ever got wise.
 
+1 to the don't try it if you're prone to addictions!

I've done the run and gun hunts, ecaller and under 4 decoys. Good hide and stay still until the last moment. Kill that first crow in, if you miss, pack up and move on.

I've had my best shoot over 2 dozen crow decoys in July. Fresh manure field and a nearby roost area. We stood in the corn and took turns shooting them as they came to the dekes. Killed 39 in 2 hours. Not normal.

As for decoys, I can't say enough about the Greenhead Gear FFD crows. They come in two styles, a lookout and a caller. They have motion stakes so they move in the breeze or can be hung from a tree. A little pricey, but the best out there.

Have fun, its the 2nd best way to spend a sunday morning.
 
Hi Matt, you have got some excellent advice above! I use to hunt them a quite often but since this coyote addiction I don't hunt them much. I always used crow decoys and a owl set out where they could see it coming in and turn the ec way uup. You really have to hide good and be fully camoed or they will spot you easily. Have fun!
 
no one seemed to have mention the wounded crow. if it falls and is still alive and can make noise more will come like out of nowhere. take lots of ammo no excuse to run out when crow hunting.
 
I use an owl,five or six crow decoys and crows fighting an owl call to start with. I switch to a crow desth call for minute or two that will get attention and sometimes I will tie a dead crow up at the feet of the owl decoy, using an owl crow fight call and a death call. That really [beeep] the crows off!

Of course I use cammo, cover my hands and face 12ga choked Mod 11/4oz of 71/2 or 6's works great. It's alot of fun!
 


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