Crow Decoying Advice for a newbie

[jonnys]

Hi there

 

I only started shooting a couple of years ago, and have just joined this forum. I bought 12 full bodied flocked crow decoys about a month ago and have just taken delivery of my Primos crow call. I have done a fair amount of pigeon decoying and tried crow decoying a few weeks ago but with limited sucess.

 

I'm going to try crow decoying again this weekend and would be grateful for some tips and advice. The area I shooting has a piggery and there are thousands of crow (well rooks mainly). This is what I know about it, so if anybody would like to add anything that would be great thanks:

 

- no specific pattern required for decoys

- make a very good hide and keep still, as they will pick up movement

- don't bother with the magnet

- use a call

- shoot size 6 shot, 1/2 or improved - I have the new A400 Unico

 

That's about all I know, so any tips or advice would be great.

 

Thanks in advance, Jon

[swiss.tony]

good camo gloves and face mask and get some 5s they will kill better a longer range if they don't come in too close also a roof on hide will help as they often come for a look from high up

 

nearly forgot use a turbo flapper on timer for movement miles better than magnet

Edited December 13, 2012 by swiss.tony

[aga man]

crows and magpie are hungry at the moment and will happily come to a piece of carion. i would try a dead rabbit laid on it's back with its guts torn open. place just a couple of decoys near it. like swiss says get camo'd up and above all keep still until the very last minute.

[stubby]

watch the crow bit video

 

http://youtu.be/YAWU-0RX-6g

Edited December 13, 2012 by stubby

[jonnys]

Thanks for all your tips guys.

 

All the best, Jon

[corvid wings]

also if the crows start being shy ,,turning away before getting within range ,go out and pick up making sure nothing is on it's back, also loft a few birds ,in the trees ,on the buildings or on the farm machinery ,don't just use decoys in the front, but also a few behind you can be beneficial ,it gives the crows more than one place to look .ie the pattern in front of the hide , very rare i put the pattern in front of the hide usually to the sides so i don't get crows fixed on looking forward,but this can depend on the wind direction and other factors in you shooting location .and don't over shoot the good places ,crows quickly learn ( the ones your gonna miss will)

[cumbrian shooter]

also if the crows start being shy ,,turning away before getting within range ,go out and pick up making sure nothing is on it's back, also loft a few birds ,in the trees ,on the buildings or on the farm machinery ,don't just use decoys in the front, but also a few behind you can be beneficial ,it gives the crows more than one place to look .ie the pattern in front of the hide , very rare i put the pattern in front of the hide usually to the sides so i don't get crows fixed on looking forward,but this can depend on the wind direction and other factors in you shooting location .and don't over shoot the good places ,crows quickly learn ( the ones your gonna miss will)

sound advice that mate!