Shot size for crows

msmith

msmith

New member
What size shot do yall mostly use for crows? I was thinking #6. In the past, for garden control, I used what was handy at the time which was what I was using last, #5 turkey loads.

Thanks in advance,

Mike
 
I prefer anything between 4's and 6's. Ive seen a lot of crows look like they get nailed pretty good then at the last second swoop up, shake a few feathers loose and keep on flying. Test a few sizes and see what works best for yourself.
 
i use whatever is around, between 4 shot turkey or waterfowl.
(heavy shot) or whatever else is around. ive even popped a few with my 28 ga. when ive run out of 12 ga. shells.
 
I'm probably like most in that I have used a variety of sizes, but I seem to have settled with 7 1/2's. Size 6 is also good in my experience, particularly if shots are a little longer, but I have shot more 7 1/2's for crows than anything else. Oh yea, I'm one of those people who have used #9's as well, not much, but a little. They worked ok as long as shots were close. I've used 8's more than 9's and I seemed to have more cripples with them, so I just continue to use 7 1/2's. But hey, whatever works, works, right?
 
I shot a few thousand crows a few years back on my buddy's dairy. Was shooting 200 plus rounds every week for a couple of years.

I shot light loads to reduce recoil as I was taking a pounding. Had to switch to a 20 gauge after a few months.

1 oz of #6's was my choice load, but killed them quite dead with 8's too.

Started loading 7/8 load of 8's for my 20 gauge. My best day was 140 in 4 hours of shooting.

Best shooting I ever did........... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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I'm interested in how you crow killers get close enough to use the #8 an #9's. I sure have a lot to learn about crow hunting because the few times I tried it I could never get them low enough./ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
Quite a diverse bunch here. Looks like some 'speramintin' is in order. I figure I'll start with what I have...6 and 7 1/2 for now.

Our season closes today however...

"Nuisance Crows - crows committing depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, home gardens, live stock, or wildlife, or when
concentrated so as to constitute a health hazard and or other nuisance may be killed at any time."

I think they are a nuisance when they get in our garden. We fight the darn things every year. My wife and mother-in-law says if you hang a dead one up, it keeps others from coming in. I oblige them with a few that I snipe with the 22, but I think they act more as decoys than a repellent.
 
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I'm interested in how you crow killers get close enough to use the #8 an #9's. I sure have a lot to learn about crow hunting because the few times I tried it I could never get them low enough.




Tight cover so they got to get down to try to look in helps alot and using agressive calling.

I'm not scared to pop off a round at a bird at 45yards, shooting a Imp. Mod. choke will get the payload out there with plenty of punch, and more shot in the pattern makes for less holes in it.

Crows aren't like ducks, they are alot more acceptable to be killed by shock rather than penetration of shot like waterfowl. More shot hitting the bird inflicts more shock effect. This is what I've found anyhow.

Nick T
 
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Nick is right. The area I hunted in had rows of eucalyptus trees. I would hide along side the trees. I wore camo to with face mask.

I was using a Johnny Stewart 512 and they would have to come low to see what all the fuss was about.

I would start off with fighting crows, that would bring them in by the bunches to at least 25 yards, the rest was up to me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We made some great shots out to 50 yards shootin 12 gauges with full choke and a load of 6's.

Shooting 40-50 crows in a morning was real common.
 


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