GHHC Crow Hunting 101

Crows are a highly destructive bird resulting in agricultural crop damage from pulling out sprouting seedlings in farmer’s fields and in some cases, total crop loss can occur. Crows can severely impact annual waterfowl and songbird populations. Crows are notorious for raiding nesting duck eggs and returning later to attack the fledglings. In the duck factory this can amount to be a significant bird loss. It is estimated that 1 crow can destroy over 100 duck eggs per year. There has been a crow population explosion in the suburban areas around the country and they are a nuisance by raiding garbage cans by spreading trash over the streets.

Crows are one of the smartest birds in North America. They have keen eyesight and are quick to be alarmed which makes the crow a challenge to any hunter. The average crow can weigh around a pound, measure 15-20” in length and have a wingspan of 30-36”. Crows are predominantly black in color and will show an iridescent blue/purple hue. Crows nest in cone shaped nests made up of twigs, grass, and anything else they find constructive. Nesting occurs in early spring with a hatch of 4-7 eggs per nest. Crows diet consists of mostly corn, wheat, oats, wild berries, and nuts. They may also eat insects, mice, rats, young rabbits, other birds' eggs, and carrion. Crows have many natural enemies including hawks and owls, but they have a high nesting success rate.

Crows are most active in the early to mid morning hours of the day, especially during the summer months when temperatures heat up quickly. Evening shoots can be also productive.

First you have to locate a spot where the crows like to gather up. This could be a fresh cut hay field, cut corn or any field holding grain. Summer crows like to frequent hay fields and if the farmer has spread manure, then crows are sure to be there searching out insects, waste grain or crops. Local dumps are a good place to find crows as well.

There are many different ways to hunt for crows. One tactic is called “Run and Gun”. Hunters go to an area that they have identified holding some crows, usually in woodlands with the use of e-callers or mouth calls. They entice the crows to come in for a quick look. Hunters may get a couple of good vollies at the crows before they need to move on to a different area.

Another way is to find feeding crows in a field and set out decoys to lure them with in gun range. Having good cover to hide in is a must so they have trouble seeing the hunters. The use of lay down blinds like used in field hunting for waterfowl can be used in areas that are sparse with cover to fully hide hunters. These blinds must be camouflaged very well and the use of face masks is highly recommended.

Any good operating Shotgun
#5 or #6 lead shot in a 1 Ľ oz field load or #2-4 Steel shot
Good Quality decoys like Avery® Fully Flocked Crow decoys
Owl decoy to simulate a fight scene
Mouth Calls
E callers with different audible functions of feeding, rally, comeback and fighting calls
Facemasks and gloves

Crows can be a great way to polish hunting and shooting skills in the off season of traditional waterfowl season and farmers are usually glad to have someone help remove these destructive birds. Always ask permission and clean up hulls and wads from grain fields to keep them from mixing into food for livestock. Always obey gun safety and landowner and neighboring safety zones. Take a kid with you and enjoy the day.

Some Recent Crow Action by Game Hoggs Erik Nilsson and David Rearick on the Avery Message Boards..

FFD Crows Getting the Job Done

A Good Day's Take