crow decoying

[tikka tom]

i am wonting 2 start decoying some crows i have never been decoying and wont 2 no the cheapest way around it i will be shooting over barley stubblefields thanks guys

[tikka tom]

HELP me !!!!

[Cranfield]

You mention "cheapest" so I assume you are referring to the decoys.

Keep an eye on the For Sale section here, secondhand ones do come up sometimes.

Alternatively, take a look at the UKShootwarehouse website.

Unfortunately the best ones IMO are the flocked versions (no shine) and they are the most expensive wherever you buy them.

[tikka tom]

thanks what netting would you buy mate cla game fiar soon might see if i can get a bargin there

[wymberley]

Hi, for years I've had trouble with not being seen by rooks/crows both with rifle and shotgun. Finally, my supply of military camo dried up so had to fork out. First time out, a rook flew right over my head. In realising it didn't see me, I was so surprised that I forgot to shoot it. A few minutes later, two more and down came the second one. Put it out with pigeon deeks and within 20 minutes I had 6 out and then it started. Ended up with 50 plus in less than 2 hours. Eventually I came to the only possible conclusion that they simply couldn't see through the net. However, perhaps someone can help because I can't seem to find it advertised any more (it may be because the advert photo's aren't clear enough). I know Deben used to sell it and possibly our sponsor. There were 2 different patterns, Woodland (I think) which I was told they had stopped making, and Moorland. I ended up with the latter and as you've realised by now, I think it's simply the best. Hopefully, another member will be able to identify exactly which it is. The net is cammoreal and is attached to a mesh of nylon cord with metal grips.

Cheers

 

PS, PM sent

Edited February 17, 2010 by wymberley

[tikka tom]

thanks hawe meney deks would u put out and i mean just 4 crows

[Pepe]

I only put four out and then use the ones I shoot as decoys also. I have flocked ones, they are worth the money. Does anybody know if you can get craddles for crows? The pigeon ones are too big.

[tikka tom]

will i need 2 get some cradles then if u use the dead birds

[Imperfection]

I use cheap non-flocked ones from local gunshop and have had good results with them.

 

The most important things i've found are to make sure you're conceled in a camo hide then stay absolutely still because crows are much more smarter than pigeons and detect movement very easily.When they're within range-pop up and shoot.The Primos power crow caller is an excellent way of drawing them in to you and just needs a bit of practice to perfect the required sounds.

[ollie]

will i need 2 get some cradles then if u use the dead birds

 

You won't necessarily need to use cradles for the dead birds, I never do and I have had some great days on the crows. If you want to use cradles the cheapest way would be to make your own from old wire coathangers or galvanised wire

[Red 9R]

I just get some old spokes from a push bike from the local tip and stick one end under the shot birds chin and the other end in the ground, either that or cut sticks sharpen and do the same as the spokes, just sit the body's up on a bit of dirt to get them clear of the ground if needs be i.e. on stubbles.

[malkiserow]

I just get some old spokes from a push bike from the local tip and stick one end under the shot birds chin and the other end in the ground, either that or cut sticks sharpen and do the same as the spokes, just sit the body's up on a bit of dirt to get them clear of the ground if needs be i.e. on stubbles.

This is what I do ................ spokes and very light to carry

[stevethevanman]

I would say you can use good quality military netting second hand or new...jsut sometihng to break up your image ...A guy I went shooting with sometimes just did full cammo, veil and everything, and just say in the hedge, on a small 3 legged chair

 

There was even a guy that wrote for sporting shooter, and he used a net, but didnt wear and cammo, just a t-shirt and a base blal cap, and he would frequently shoot bags of 200+....so really you can come to your own mind about it, however it gives more confidentce with a net, at least try to wear sometihng to take the glare of your face, like a low hanging hat.

 

Steve

Edited February 18, 2010 by stevethevanman

[Pepe]

I just get some old spokes from a push bike from the local tip and stick one end under the shot birds chin and the other end in the ground, either that or cut sticks sharpen and do the same as the spokes, just sit the body's up on a bit of dirt to get them clear of the ground if needs be i.e. on stubbles.

Great tip. I'll try that next time.

[John_R]

I was told not to use old bicycle spokes, just in case I forget one and leave it behind to wreak havoc in the combine harvester. Thin wooden sticks do OK.

[tikka tom]

thanks lads so judt buy about 4 and use the ones i shoot then thanks

[tweedledee]

i use a dozen or so standad crow deeks and then i use 2 floaters just beyond my pattern.in early morning it works well as the oncomers think the deeks are feedin.

[Spaniel]

Im going to purchase 10 flocked crow decoys for £40 on eb*y, as i think i had a bit of shine coming off my DIY painted pigeon decoys yesterday, :blink:

 

I will see what happens and if there is any different when im out next some time this week

[tweedledee]

Im going to purchase 10 flocked crow decoys for £40 on eb*y, as i think i had a bit of shine coming off my DIY painted pigeon decoys yesterday, :blink:

 

I will see what happens and if there is any different when im out next some time this week

 

 

i have noticed my crows shiny a few times.i don`t think it`s the shine that puts them off.my bet is they see something that is n`t right like a bird which fell with it`s wings spread. you have to keep an eye on the birds you have dropped in case they lie wrong.

[soreshoulder]

if you look at crows in a field they do shine in the sun :blink:

[Spaniel]

yep you are right there,

we are going to give it ago early morning mid to end of this week, catching them on the early morning feed

Already got the netting up which is set against a small wooded area,

The land as just been spreaded with some lovely fresh muck :blink: and there were hundreds of crows up there yesterday, so we should have some good shooting, well fingers crossed anyway.

 

We have set up so the sun will be raising at our back, of course that meant yesterday evening we had the sun hitting us, which didnt help much but they still could not see us.

[soreshoulder]

yep you are right there,

we are going to give it ago early morning mid to end of this week, catching them on the early morning feed

Already got the netting up which is set against a small wooded area,

The land as just been spreaded with some lovely fresh muck :blink: and there were hundreds of crows up there yesterday, so we should have some good shooting, well fingers crossed anyway.

 

We have set up so the sun will be raising at our back, of course that meant yesterday evening we had the sun hitting us, which didnt help much but they still could not see us.

 

 

Yep sounds a good plan putting your hide up in advance so that they are used to it If you can get into your hide before light and have a cuppa and they will start coming saying that the best day on the crows i ever had was in the summer and we set up at 10.00 O clock and had 70 crows and 8 pigeons Good luck cant beat it if they start coming in

[Spaniel]

Yep sounds a good plan putting your hide up in advance so that they are used to it :blink: If you can get into your hide before light and have a cuppa and they will start coming saying that the best day on the crows i ever had was in the summer and we set up at 10.00 O clock and had 70 crows and 8 pigeons Good luck cant beat it if they start coming in

 

Due to it being a dairy farm there are always plenty of crows up there, but they are not daft thats for sure.

They already changed their flight path after the last bashing we gave them and now at present they are cutting across the fields over the top of our hide.

 

They move between the clamp and the woods about 2 fields behind us, so i expect we will be moving around a bit this season to stay under there flight paths...

[soreshoulder]

Due to it being a dairy farm there are always plenty of crows up there, but they are not daft thats for sure.

They already changed their flight path after the last bashing we gave them and now at present they are cutting across the fields over the top of our hide.

 

They move between the clamp and the woods about 2 fields behind us, so i expect we will be moving around a bit this season to stay under there flight paths...

 

 

yep i live on a dairy farm which seems to really attract crows with the various clamps and the grains and maize in the cow poo in the summer. I am just waiting until the cows go back out into the fields between milkings which is when the crows really flock back to our farm :blink: Where about around bristol do you shoot?

[Spaniel]

I shoot up in Chippenham mainly and a couple of other farms :blink: