A Murder of Crows
The crow is an exceptionally intelligent animal which exhibits behaviors that range from just annoying to very destructive. In agricultural areas this can be a problem. Many of the wild birds found around agricultural land are dependent on the land itself for survival. In a majority of cases this wouldn't be a concern but when you have a flock or a murder of crows you can expect damage, and in some cases it can be quite extensive.
When hunting crows you need to plan your approach meticulously. There are a few things to consider when preparing;
- Select your location carefully. Build your blind facing away from the sun and ensure there are trees and hedges to help with your camouflage.
- When hunting in feeding areas decoys are not just important but essential. A crow decoy will help to make any passing crows feel comfortable to approach. If you have any dead crows, these can also be used as decoys.
- Using an electronic caller will assist in attracting crows to the desired location. When using an electronic call make sure to place it as close to your decoys as you can. Start off with a low volume, gradually increasing over time to attract further out crows.
"Graeme, which decoys and callers should I use?"
Well it's funny you ask as I do have a couple of suggestions, I'll even give details of a suitable hide - I'm in a generous mood.
"Fooling one is easy, but trying to fool a 'murder' of crows is a little more challenging. We’ve adapted our motion machine to work with three, flocked and realistic crow decoys. Simply press it into the ground and turn it on to simulate crows moving and feeding. 3 stakes on the bottom of the machine for stability and strong metal support wires will allow the decoys to twist and turn as they rotate around, giving them a very realistic look. Flocking on the three decoys (included) eliminates any glare or shininess that might drive some birds away. Runs on 4 AA batteries, not included."
The Caller - Firestorm
The FIRESTORM comes standard with 50 high quality FOXPRO sounds of and is capable of storing up to 200 sounds. Features dual amplified speakers to deliver incredible volume. The FIRESTORM has a horn speaker in the front which handles all of your common distress sounds with ease. In the rear of the FIRESTORM you will find the cone speaker which handles the low frequency sounds. When combined they deliver a crisp, clear, high quality and realistic sound. The FIRESTORM comes standard with the TX-9 remote control. The TX-9 remote features a graphic back lit LCD panel which shows your sound list, volume level indicator, battery level indicator and an elapsed timer to let you know how long you've been on stand.
The Hide - BushWear Aviator Shotgun Hide
Developed specifically for pigeon/crow shooters, this innovative chair hide has a vast opening in the roof canopy to allow shots at fast moving, flying targets. The front and sides use a printed mesh to allow the user to easily spot birds approaching, while still totally concealed. The outside of the hide has a number of loops to allow foliage to be added if further camouflage is required. At the core of this hide is a comfortable one man folding chair, metal ribs then come off the chair frame to support the canopy and net. The entire hide can literally be erected in seconds and folds down entirely into a convenient carry bag. The right arm rest on the chair has a specially designed pouch to specifically hold a box of cartridges. The Aviator, enjoy your sport in comfort. Size: H145cm x W102cm x D147cm. Weight: 7kg
So there you have it. Everything you need to deal with a troublesome flock of crows. Do you have any tricks which work for you? Why not share and leave a comment. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for all our latest news and offers!
All the best in the field,
Your BushWear Team.
