Why hunt Crows?

Except for the handful of recipes for preparing crow, why in this day of rampant animal rights fanaticism, should we continue to hunt and kill an animal that has no real value? The reason is that the crow continues to exhibit behavior that ranges from simply annoying to highly destructive. In agricultural areas, be it the pecan plantations of the south or the cornfields of the mid-west, crows continue to account for extensive crop damage, including the nasty habit of pulling up sprouting grain in the spring. Western crows have the worst reputation for crop damage, especially because of their habit of congregating by the thousands to feed on cultivated fruits and nuts. Often, they end the day by raiding a nearby watermelon field in order to save a trip to a distant watering place. Under such conditions, total crop loss can occur. Remember that these scenarios only happen in grossly over populated areas of the US.

WEST NILE VIRUS

Recently crows have been identified as a carrier of the West Nile Virus that has killed at least 155 people to date. Crows have been found to be prime carriers of the mosquito borne disease because of their highly sensitive nature to the virus and their roosting habits in areas of water. Blood tests are currently being conducted throughout the infected areas, but this disease will continue to be a concern due to the crow's migratory nature.

INTELLIGENT AND HARD TO HUNT

I believe the crow deserves our admiration and should be considered more than just a nuisance bird by hunters. The crow is the most intelligent of all birds in North America. As such, they can be a challenging and worthy adversary that, kept under control, are a welcome part of nature's complex tapestry. Based on the outcome of man/crow conflicts throughout history, the crow will no doubt continue to be a source of many frustrating hours afield for those of us who hunt crows! This makes for a great hunting experience.

HOW TO HUNT'EM

This is how I have discovered to bag a few crows. You can either buy an owl decoy and crow decoy or make it a project and build your own decoys. I made my own decoys out of 4 Styrofoam balls and black and brown feathers. After a few days of plugging in feathers and rigging a spring system with fishing twine and nails I was in business. Why use an owl decoy? Crows despise them and owls hate crows. Crows will gang up in a bird fight. It is the survival of the strongest. An army of crows will defeat one individual owl. In conjunction with the two decoys I have an electronic call of an owl crow fight that calls in crows. Dynamite! This thing calls them in like flies on crap. Then stake out your two decoys and make them shake and replicate a fight on the ground. Weapon of choice is any shotgun and shot from 7.5 to 4 shot. Full camo is really recommended cause these guys can see good! Also you need 2 or more hunters to turn the odds your way.

The pic is of a few crows me and my buddy called up. He shot these two. I hit one but not solid and missed one also. However I was running the call and wiggling the decoys at the same time. It can get pretty intense!


Good Shooting!

Crow Crow!

Crows are believed to be the most intelligent of all birds. There is very little wonder why they have been revered and worshipped over the centuries. Also hated on the farm across America.

Physical characteristics

The American Crow when fully grown is 17" to 21" (from tip of bill to tip of tail). Weight when fully grown; approximately one pound.

Differentiation of sexes -

There is no way to tell by physical appearance alone, as to whether a crow is male or female. DNA testing of blood will indicate sex. Close study of crows in their daily life, especially during nesting season may provide a clue as to sex, however, this is not something that many people will be able to observe.

Coloration -

Crows are black for a very good reason. This is for identification of their own kind. A crow can easily identify another crow in the distance, during the day, because black is very visible during the day. However, at night, the black coloration helps to protect it from predators. Black is not easily seen during the night, when a crow is most vulnerable.

Life Expectancy -

Crows in the wild can live to be 10 years old +/- 2 to 3 years. However, predators and disease often shorten this by a few years. The oldest known wild American Crow was 29 1/2 years old the second oldest known, however, was only 14 years, 7 months old.

Diet -

Crows will eat just about anything. You are bound to find them feasting at fast food restaurant parking lots. They will eat bugs, worms, roadkill, mice, berries, corn, and a variety of other tasty treats. An adult crow needs 11 ounces of food each day.

Family life -

Crows are very social in nature. Interaction with their own kind is extremely important to them. Male crows will "court" their desired female. The male will fluff his feathers, strut, and fly by, in his attempts to win over the female. Once mated, crows usually mate for life.
Not only will crows defend and protect their own family, but they will come to the aid of unrelated crows in need or distress. Crows are cooperative breeders. Both crow parents take turns sitting on the eggs. All family members help in the care of the brood. As nesting season arrives, the juveniles from prior years, along with their parents, will help gather nesting material. The crow mother-to-be will arrange the nesting materials into a soft comfy nest.
The number of eggs in a clutch is usually 4 to 6.

Hunting Crows -

Stay tuned for info on hunting the great black Crow.

Day before opening day of dove season

Well, me and two buddies made it out for a practice run with clay doves. We do this every year in preparation for dove season. I'm not the best wing shooter around. If there is a lot of birds I will do good. If the birds are not flying I'm at about 50% which I would like to raise. I do real good on clay at every angle possible, but the real deal is a little harder to hit. Its what makes it more fun anyhow. Ass crack of dawn, drive 30 minutes, set up and sit down..... relax! Now watch the sun come up and say good morning morning! I won't get to do that till Saturday morning cause I got to work. The outdoors is a great place and tranquil setting on a cool Texas morning. If you do it already you understand what I mean. If you have never sat out in the middle of a pasture and watched the sun come up then you are missing out. What I suggest is to go out and find a farmer with a large chunk of land, and ask him if you could fish his pond. Get there early one morning and watch the sun rise. Its nothing like watching from your house or car trust me!

Good morning sunrise photo.