Crow decoys or not

[Metric]

Could anyone help.

I would like to know the most effective way to decoy crows. i have a crow caller but not sure weather I should be using crow decoys or a owl decoy.

Any info would be much appreciated

[steve_b_wales]

Crow decoys are a must, in my opinion. You don't need loads, although I have 19, all bought at different times. Some other good gadgets should include, some floaters/bouncers, and a flapper. I use a Primos Power Crow call, which is brilliant when used correctly.

 

Steve.

[Redditch]

I always use a mix, lots of pigeons, between 6-10 crows, and a few magpies too, the mix tends to work well, as you get whatever is passing taking a look

[snipe]

Crow decoys are a must, in my opinion. You don't need loads, although I have 19, all bought at different times. Some other good gadgets should include, some floaters/bouncers, and a flapper. I use a Primos Power Crow call, which is brilliant when used correctly.

 

Steve.

 

Hi Steve,

 

I often see you singing the praises of the flapper, but it just spooked them whe I used it. Can you let me know please where you place the flapper? and any tips in its use from the corvid perspective.

 

As for bouncers; I found they work well in high barley etc. but not on flat grass etc. What's your experience on this please? and where do you place them?

 

Thanks,

 

Snipe.

[Redditch]

better to put any flappers you have on a timer, as if they continually flap, this will be taken as a danger signal.

and have them about 5-10 metres from the main decoy pack

[steve_b_wales]

Hi Steve,

 

I often see you singing the praises of the flapper, but it just spooked them whe I used it. Can you let me know please where you place the flapper? and any tips in its use from the corvid perspective.

 

As for bouncers; I found they work well in high barley etc. but not on flat grass etc. What's your experience on this please? and where do you place them?

 

Thanks,

 

Snipe.

 

Hi Snipe. I usually place the flapper just outside the crow decoys. Sometimes I place it further away, facing into the decoys, to give the impression of a bird flying towards them. I have mine connected to an intermittent timer, which flaps for about 30 seconds, and stops for 5. I also fix the flapper to either a bouncer, or a home made one, which raises it about 5 foot in the air.

Crows are very clever birds, and if there anything that they don't like the look of, ie, decoys facing with the wind, they won't land. Jackdaws are easier to decoy though.

[Metric]

Cheers for the info.

[snipe]

Hi Snipe. I usually place the flapper just outside the crow decoys. Sometimes I place it further away, facing into the decoys, to give the impression of a bird flying towards them. I have mine connected to an intermittent timer, which flaps for about 30 seconds, and stops for 5. I also fix the flapper to either a bouncer, or a home made one, which raises it about 5 foot in the air.

Crows are very clever birds, and if there anything that they don't like the look of, ie, decoys facing with the wind, they won't land. Jackdaws are easier to decoy though.

 

Thanks for this Steve,

 

sorry, just picking another one there; should I face all the decoys into the wind? rather than with the wind? or is sideways on ok too? I have been trying to cerate a really random pattern and to be honest have been facing them in all directions!!

 

I have a remote for the flapper, so that's ok. Would you just give it a quick flap when one is in the air to draw its eye or something? or just leave it on the timer regardless?

 

Thanks again, this is really useful.

 

How about Maize, is that good to decoy over when chopped? We have quite a few fields in the area with maize on that I am keeping an eye on.

 

Snipe.