Dead-Eyed Duck Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Using a plastic owl is probably the easiest way of consistently shooting crows. Put the owl on a fence post on on a stake with a dead rabbit/pigeon nearby. Here's hoping this pic ends up being attached Well, it appears to have worked. The ideal time to set up is just before dawn as the crows are flighting out. These few were shot in a couple of hours on a Saturday morning - the magpie was a bonus. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Don Well done. Just a thought, does it have to be an owl, or will any bird of prey do? webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcha Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I thought it was something to do with owls big eyes. Good shooting by the way :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted February 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I've used Hootie for years, and the sight of a big, brutal owl always drives crows demented. All their common sense seems to go out of the window. Don't over-use it as they soon get wise to it. As always when crow bashing, an excellent hide and cammo gear (including face veil etc) is essential. As you can see on the pic on this occasion I put a dead pigeon on the floor only a couple of feet away, with the belly uppermost and feathers strewn about. I suppose that you could use one of the smaller owl decoys or a plastic hawk, but Hootie has always worked for me :blink: :blink: Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Good do sir, must try it myself sometime. :blink: :blink: Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I thought it was something to do with owls big eyes. Good shooting by the way :blink: what do you mean he had 60 shot,s that day. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted February 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I thought it was something to do with owls big eyes. Good shooting by the way :blink: what do you mean he had 60 shot,s that day. :blink: ****** off Magman. I wuz using Rotweil 36g and not too many got away Anyway, all you're good at shooting are slow woodcock. With my muzzle loaders you couldn't hit a barn door - even when shooting 2.5 oz of No 5 shot Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Not heard of the owl idea till now. There are 1000 of crows at the horse stud where my girlfriend works, this also borders my permission and are a pain in the ****. I've not attempted to have a go at them as i always setup away from the stud for noise reasons and i'm then a bit far away from their normal roosting. But this might help draw them in. Just to confirm is it just a bog standard garden centre garden ornament? Thanks for the interesting idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted February 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Not heard of the owl idea till now. There are 1000 of crows at the horse stud where my girlfriend works, this also borders my permission and are a pain in the ****. I've not attempted to have a go at them as i always setup away from the stud for noise reasons and i'm then a bit far away from their normal roosting. But this might help draw them in. Just to confirm is it just a bog standard garden centre garden ornament? Thanks for the interesting idea. I bought mine from a game fair, but have seen them in garden centres. I repeat though, you have to be very well hidden to get the best results. Using one near to a tree works well, as the crows will land in the tree to have a good look at the owl. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I thought it was something to do with owls big eyes. Good shooting by the way :blink: what do you mean he had 60 shot,s that day. ****** off Magman. I wuz using Rotweil 36g and not too many got away Anyway, all you're good at shooting are slow woodcock. With my muzzle loaders you couldn't hit a barn door - even when shooting 2.5 oz of No 5 shot Don just remember this when i have a red letter day later on this year :blink: as for slow woodcock i wish , but it brought a nice smile to my face seeing a 50 mile an hour one drop as for muzzle loaders had a chesty cough ever since to much smoke ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 good shooting :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnold Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 well done good shooting :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony9r Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Please forgive my ignorance, but what is it about the owl that brings the crows in? :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Please forgive my ignorance, but what is it about the owl that brings the crows in? :blink: I think the crow's see the owl as a threat so mob them! I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Ive got one and have used it abit... I found that it works better at certain times of the year. what do you think??? Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeihrauchPower Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Please forgive my ignorance, but what is it about the owl that brings the crows in? I think the crow's see the owl as a threat so mob them! I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong? That is correct, they are nothing but bullys and will take on any bird of prey. Especially if they appear to of made a kill, once out of the scene they turn on each other and fight for the food. They rely on their intimidating numbers and are pure evil!!!!!!!! :blink: :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Please forgive my ignorance, but what is it about the owl that brings the crows in? I think the crow's see the owl as a threat so mob them! I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong? That is correct, they are nothing but bullys and will take on any bird of prey. Especially if they appear to of made a kill, once out of the scene they turn on each other and fight for the food. They rely on their intimidating numbers and are pure evil!!!!!!!! :blink: :blink: Hence the name given to a gathering of crows.......... D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony9r Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Please forgive my ignorance, but what is it about the owl that brings the crows in? I think the crow's see the owl as a threat so mob them! I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong? That is correct, they are nothing but bullys and will take on any bird of prey. Especially if they appear to of made a kill, once out of the scene they turn on each other and fight for the food. They rely on their intimidating numbers and are pure evil!!!!!!!! :blink: :blink: Hence the name given to a gathering of crows.......... D2D Thanks guys... I'll have a trawl around the garden centres for Mr Owl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I found one of them owls at a scrapyard excatly like the one in the pic when I was out shootin rats, I gave it to my mum for her garden. I never knew it would attract corvids!!! Think its time I had it back and take it for a spin!! Cheers 4 that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinGalway Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Using a plastic owl is probably the easiest way of consistently shooting crows. Interesting, cheers for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 9R Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Been thinking about getting an owl from Deben (there local to me) for a while just never got around to it, looking at this I think I will invest in one at the weekend Can you leave the crows where they fall or will the shot ones on the ground put any others off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roughshot Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I often use the owl trick, stupid crows I dont use a pigeon or a rabbit just use a pheasant wing that I have for training the dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldwyn Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Do the crows actually land on the ground or just fly around mobbing the owl ? On our shoot it's the middle of lambing and I'd rather use the rimfire for less noise if I can. good shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted February 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Do the crows actually land on the ground or just fly around mobbing the owl ? On our shoot it's the middle of lambing and I'd rather use the rimfire for less noise if I can. good shooting They fly around mobbing the owl. Now and again they will land in a nearby tree for a closer look. When you shoot any you can either pick up straight away, or leave on the ground in the same manner as a shot pigeon for decoys. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I was in the gunshop getting carts today and I saw a fine looking owl decoy. £14 they wanted so I have welcomed "olly" to the decoy bag Can't wait to try him out (it might be a her but they put a spike where its 'bits' would be) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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