Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    have you tried the owl call....  Owl is a natural enemy of the crow
    this will usually get em in close...
    
    fra

    I just started hunting last fall and have done quite a bit of crow
    hunting since then so I've experienced crow hunting through all four
    seasons.  I'll try to comment on your questions from my experiences.


>    	> What time of day did you go?  I've been hunting in the early
>    morning, when the birds seem to be active.  But a tape I have on
>    crow hunting suggests afternoon or evening is better.

    I usually go in the morning, although I've had success during all parts
    of the day.
    
>    	>What was the weather like?  The one time I got them into shooting
>    range was a foggy morning.  How do they respond to heat, cold, rain
>    and wind?

    This one is kinda hard to answer because the weather conditions for
    the time of the year seem to be the key.  For example, warmer days in
    the middle of the winter seemed to have been real good since they were
    moving around looking for food.  Also, I have not had much success
    during windy days.

    The best time of year was during late fall, winter, and early spring.
    During this time the crows are more "sociable" and come in on calls.
    Also they are looking for lots of food and decoys on the ground tend
    to bring them in close.  In the summer they are really independent and
    are usually hanging around the roads looking for "road kills" (the
    farmers corn isn't out yet too) - so not very good this time of year.
    
>    	>Has anyone had experience hunting the big mid-western rookeries
>    and flyways?  I'm in the People's Republic of Taxachusettes, and
>    rarely see more than ten birds at a time.  Some of the strategies
>    for crow hunting seem more adapted to the big flyways, and if someone
>    out there has hunted both situations, have you seen differences
>    in what it takes to be successful out here?

    I'm in Mass. myself and have been hunting at Bolton Flats and the
    Westboro wildlife management area.  Have had varying amounts of success
    at both places.  A friend from Conn. has gotten hundreds of crows
    at a dump near him.
    
>    	>What particular kind of call got the best response?  I've tried
>    attention, attraction, angry and wounded crow calls, but only the
>    basic attention call ever really seems to work.  Are crows different
>    around here, or is it me?

    I have two calls a wood one and a plastic one.  The wood one has the
    best sound but is no good when it gets cold (below 40) - which is when
    I end up using the plastic one.  I use the attention call until I hear
    one coming in, then I try to mimmick it's call.



    Some general comments beyond your questions.  When I first started there
    were two or three of us that would go out and set up some decoys, get in
    some cover and do a lot of calling.  We would get them to come in but we
    were very impatient - that is we shot too soon.  As the season developed
    we became much better at waiting 'till the last minute before shooting
    and started getting some kills.  And again, the winter was really good
    shooting - some mornings we each would go through two boxes of shells.

    One final note.  There were a couple of times when I got into some
    cover, started calling but wasn't bringing them in.  I could hear them
    in the distance going at it like mad.  So I picked myself up and started
    walking towards them.  I was able to stay out of sight and got within a
    couple hundred yards from them behind a tree.  Started calling again and
    got six to fly in out of the trees.  I got four shots off, the first one
    was a kill the other were misses.  Which reminds me of one more thing.
    Crows go nuts when they see another crow wounded or dead.  If you happen
    to get one, leave it out in the middle of the field and remove the the
    decoys.

    Hope this rambling was of some use...

    Kevin.

    
    
    
    		Just a question.
    
    		What does one do with a crow, once it's down.
    		I've never heard on them being food or anything.
    
    		Thanks
    
    		CP
    

    re: .1
    
    Have you actually tried an owl call?  It ought to work.  I had a
    big hawk about 50 yards away the last time I went out, and although
    he screeled a few times and I called angry and wounded style, the
    locals just weren't interested.
    
    re: .2 
    
    Everything you say makes sense.  I have a tape by Bill Loeman (called
    "Save a Duck, Shoot a Crow")  where he recommends wooden calls.
     mine is a plastic OLT, and I'll look for a wooden Loeman call.
     Anything that'll help.
    
    I hunt in the Norton WMA.  Bill L. has a lot of suggestions, and
    I just wonder how many of them are really going to work around here.
    
    The business about a dead or wounded crow is right on.  He says
    you will have a much better time if you hit than if you miss, as
    the crows will hang around in spite if the gunfire if they see a
    buddy wounded.  Of course, I've got to improve my shootin' some
    to take advantage of the loyalty.
    
    Your ideas about patience and going to them if they won't come to
    you are good.  I'll give them a try.

    re: .3
    
    Good question.
    
    Photographing the big ones is my answer.  I sure wouldn't bring
    'em home.  And if you'ld like to try eating one, send me your mailstop
    and I'll send you one.  Let us know what its like.  MAybe you could
    share a few recipes?  8^)
    

    Kevin (or any other experienced crow hunter),
    
    Is this time of year (August) so bad that you could call for hours
    and not get any interest?  Have you been out lately?
    
    I switched to a wooden call (actually tried several and picked the
    best) and went out last Saturday a.m.  I got some answers, but no
    takers.  The only crow I actually saw was heading away.
                                                        
    Also, how many decoys do you use?
    
    <<< Tim >>>

    - I've found crow hunting tough during the heat of the day.  Am
    early or PM late is best in summer.
    
    - One needs to locate a group of crows.  Then, try to set up nearby.
    Leave your vehicle as far away/out of sight as you can.
    
    - Groups of crows often send in a scout.  You need to kill that
    scout or it'll warn the others.
    
    - I wear camoflage/neutral clothes as well as a face mask.  You
    need to hide and stay as motionless as possible.  Once they start
    coming in after several are shot they are less wary.  They really
    can get angry and frenzied, and hot gun barrels are often the result.
    
    - Crows have a deleterious affect on other bird/foowl populations.
    I believe they are one of the few birds that kill for pleasure.
    I carefully observed one break duck eggs and not eat them.  Perhaps
    they do it to reduce competition.  Therefore, shooting crows is ecologically
    justified whereas shooting raptors isn't (except in exceptional cases.)

     No one mentioned the use of a predator call for crows !!  I,ve
    been out many a morning trying to call in a fox and have only crows
    show up.  Get yourself a dying rabbit call, wait for the snow to
    fly and let the fun begin.  Who knows, maybe a fox, fisher, bobcat
    coyote or even a crow will show up.  Give it a try and good luck.
    Camo from head to toe.  Don't forget to cover your face. Soon as
    you look up they'll spot ya' and there gone, flying in that zig-zag
    pattern.
    

    I keep trying'.  I've been out about ten times altogether; two
    different locations; eight decoys.  I've had many long conversations
    with 'em, but they almost never come in.  I've only had one time
    with a real shot.  I'm camo-ed down to my waist, kneeling in the brush.
    Every other kind of bird flies right up to me, but no crows.  This
    is getting pretty frustrating.

                               
    I tried crow hunting for the first time last week. I was supposed
    to meet a friend at a secret place, he of course had the calls and
    decided to sleep late. Anyway another friend who came along and
    I decided to try to stalk some that we heard. As we got within a
    couple hundred yards two of them took off and flewright towards
    us. We waited till they were close then fired...and missed both
    of them! Agh!                   
    
    Things were very quite after that so we left and decided to buy our
    own calls which I did this week. I got an Olt crow call (plastic) and
    am going out this sat a.m. to try my luck again.
    
              
    I think I'll bring my predator call along also. I was looking at
    the owl calls and thought of picking up one of those also. They
    are ten bucks and can be used for locating turkeys too.
    I'll let you know next week how things turned out.
    
    Scot, I hope you sleep well this sat. cause I aint waiting for you
    anymore! 8')
                                                           
                                             Walt

    Walt is crow season open again already in mass???
    
    I've been dying to get some action in...
    
    Fra

    
    Fra,
        They are in season but you can only hunt them on Friday, Saturday
    and Monday. I went out sat and did'nt even see one. Another friend
    went out the same day and did'nt see any either. I think part of
    the problem was that the fog hung low until past 8a.m. by then we
    were bored and not really trying. We had been there since five waiting
    for the fog to lift.....                          
    
    By the way, I was out in the prison camps, did'nt hear or see one
    the whole time there. So if you were planing on going out there you
    might be better off thinking about going someplace else.
    
    Also if you do go out be sure to use plenty of bug repellant.
    I'm still scratching from all the bites I got........
                                                         
    Good luck....                          Walt
                                               

    
    
    
    	I don't want to take away someones "spot", but basicly whereabouts
    do you go for Cent. MAss crows?
    
    		Thanks,
    		CP
    

    There are plenty of them here on the MRO1 grounds every day!

    
    Re.-2
    
         CP try out some of the Wildlife management areas near you,
         There should'nt be too many people there this time of year.
         I suppose any place you usually hunt could be good for crows,
         buy a good call, listen to a good tape of crows fighting and
         try to imitate it, then buy an owl decoy and have a go at it.
                                                                              
                                     Walt
                                         
    p.s. where do you live, maybe I can tell you of some places I know
    or we could get together and give it a try.

    
    	Walt,
    
    		I live in Hudson Ma.

    
    < I live in Hudson Ma.
    
     Good, I work in Hudson and live in Shrewsbury, I'll write you through
     mail and see if you want to make some plans.
                                                   
                                       Walt

    Anyone ever try eatin' the critters?
    
    Mark.

         <<< Note 425.17 by NAVIER::LEFEBVRE "Sleep Keeps Me Awake" >>>

>>>    Anyone ever try eatin' the critters?
    
>>>    Mark.

No, but I've heard of an interesting recipe.  It seems that some years
ago the Washingtion Biological Survey banded some crows for study
purposes.  A hunter managed to bag one of these and sent a letter
back to the survery folks that the cooking directions did not produce
a very tasty meal.  The directions were, of course


	wash. biol. surv.




Jerry

    Must have been a red neck !
    
    

    Re. 19
    
    	> Must have been a red neck
    
    	I resemble that.....
    
    	Smile,
    
    	Red

    You know what a red necks idea of foreplay is ?
    
    
    
    
    	"Get in the truck, b**ch!"
    

    
    re .21
    
    I think we've all heard that one before (in here as a matter of fact) 
    and it's still as lame as ever, it's really a tasteless joke that has 
    no place in a public DEC conference.  
    
    Kevin

    
    	Saw this note on crow hunting and I thought I would throw my $.02
    in.  I have been doing it for a few years now and find its one of the
    best and most frustrating experiences ever.  Since you can hunt them for
    almost most of the year hear in  Mass. it is a good way to keep up on
    your shooting skills (not that mine is the greatest to begin with).
    
    	Some days I have been out and been able to bag 6 of them but there
    are many days when I can't even call in one.  I have found out, and it
    has been pointed out by others, that weather, time of year and good
    camo are a necessity.  The best shooting time I have had is Sept. and
    Jan.-Feb.  I have found that cloudy but not foggy days were the best 
    though I have had some pretty good times when a light snow was falling.
    
    	I use a wooden call but after reading some of the notes I would
    like to try a predator call.  I usually hunt them at Bolton Flats or 
    at the Westboro WMA depending on which way my truck is pointing in the 
    morning. I have also developed my own load for my pump.  I use a
    combination of 4 and 6 shot with Blue Dot powder of 26.5 grains.  I
    have found that the 6 shot gives me good coverage in the 25-35 yard
    range and the 4 out to 40-55 yards.  I run them thru a 30 inch full
    choke barrel to maximize my distance (it ain't easy to get them to
    come in close so you got to use something that "will reach out and
    touch someone"). 
    
    	I usually like to hunt with one or two other guys.  This way you
    can get 2 to 3 calls working and if everyone stands back to back you
    can cover a full 360 degrees since they can come in from anywhere. 
    
    	We use to hunt the edges of the big fields but recently we have 
    discovered  that it is easier to call them in from the middle of the 
    woods such as in Westboro half way between the open fields and Chauncy
    lake.  It makes for tougher shooting but there is more action. 
    
    	Well that's all I can think of now.  Maybe we will see you out there
    sometime.  
    
    Ken
    

    
      Boy does crow hunting bring back some memories, our basic set up was 
    one of the old style portable cassette players, and that was set in a 
    camoed wooden box and then 30 yrds of speaker cord wrapped around 2
    nails with a PA system speaker attached.
       We set out before daylight, and we always set up on a hill
    overlooking a trash dump, we would set the PA system speaker up in a 
    tree about 6 feet off the ground and about 20 yrds away, at first we
    got our hands on an old great horned owl mount, (lasted 4 years before
    it got so torn to shreads that elmers glue would not hold it together)
    after the real mount we went with a owl decoy, and to really top it off
    we got a couple crow decoys and put them in the tree by the owl.
      the tape we used was made by johny stewart game calls inc. it
    consisted of a crow fighting an owl, the tape started out with the owl 
    hooting, then the crows started, we had an olt owl hooter that we blew
    throughout the tape playing.
       I cant begin to tell ya how many crows we shot this way, there were 
    times that the sky was black with them, and as a few replies said when
    you put a crow down the others seemed to go crazy.
        I sure do miss that type of hunting, it was almost a saturday
    morning ritual for us. fridays were spent reloading shells, and I will
    agree with the last reply that shot size means alot, I always used # 5
    shot and that worked excellent from my 30" full choke.
    
                                Lee