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Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009

Crows provide a special challenge

Deer season stretches on until January. Many hunters who have all the deer they need are looking for something to hunt right now. Of course, there are the predators, but some hunters are not as excited as I am about calling the meat-eaters. That’s fine with me — more coyotes for me to challenge. Many landowners bothered by coyotes are already calling me about removing some of the yodel dogs.

Crows are another offseason challenge, and they always need thinning. These bandits are always into some sort of mischief; even a headache for some who don’t want their fruits, nuts and other crops scavenged. Crows also provide some great wing-shooting practice that will come in handy when dove season comes around.

Crows often follow certain flyways — highways in the sky that they use every day to get from roosting grounds to feeding areas and back again. Just being observant when you are out in the wild can show you these flyways because seldom can a crow go from point A to point B and keep his mouth shut. Just this morning I observed a flock of crows numbering 80 or more, headed somewhere just after dawn. They were almost single-file and squawking all the way. They usually follow the same skyway path returning to the roost at night. Positioning yourself under this path can result in some fast and furious shooting, although it doesn’t last very long.

Calling the crows to the gun is also productive. Most every producer of electronic callers has several crow sounds available for the unit. Cranking up the electronic caller will bring any crow in hearing distance to you in a hurry. Unfortunately, they all come at once and after a few shots the crows wise up and refuse to return. After such an incident, their very capable memories kick into overtime and next time they are reluctant to answer the call. I find that I can not successfully call from a spot a second time unless I wait at least a month. It helps to move the calling location about a quarter-mile each time a calling attempt is made. Changing to a different crow sound also helps.

Crow decoys work well if used correctly. Place half a dozen crow decoys on the ground to simulate crows feeding. Place another one in a tree to simulate a crow sentry. Another ruse is to use an owl decoy along with the crows. Crows seem to forget past disturbances if they have an owl or hawk to harass.

Camouflage is a must, right down to head net and gloves. Crows have excellent vision and resolution. One departure from standard camouflage is to use black gloves. Any hand movement with the black gloves tends to translate into another crow.

Shotguns with modified chokes and No. 6 shot are my favorite, although I have some hunting friends who prefer a full choke and #8 shot. Just remember that crows are tough and they don’t fold up as easily as doves.

Emory Josey is a free-lance writer who has a weekly column on the outdoors page. Send questions for him to The Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, Ga., 31208-4167, or e-mail him at bobcat6440@windstream.net.