Bobba Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Read what seems to be the theory about owl decoys to attract mobbing crows but does any PW , Member actually use them with any succes? If so, could you share info please on type of owl decoy, method of deployment etc. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I've tried Owl decoys, European one and little owl and they made no difference at all. Maybe other's have had some success though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 (edited) Not had much success with plastic owl decoys but have done ok with a small teddy bear. It works better if you have a dead crow and scatter a few feathers as if the bear was eating it. The bear was about the size of a large ferret. The plastic little owl brings out the worst in small birds they seem to mob it every time I have used it. Edited October 8, 2015 by hambone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 i have a large owl decoy, i have used it at different times of the year for a couple of seasons and found it little use. have had the odd crow take a casual look at it but no terratorial behaviour towards it. i find it much more productive to use a flocked crow decoy. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 We tried it some years ago after reading crows would mob it. They didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Never had any luck at all with Owl deeks-just make the local Blackbirds shriek all day. I think movement is the answer for Crows-a flapper decoy over a dead Rabbit would be my best guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I do intend to fix my European Owl decoy to a post, and tie a dead Crow/Jackdaw to it's feet, and have this connected to a piece of twine. The idea is to pull at the dead bird to give the impression that it's been caught by the Owl and is struggling. A few feathers on the floor will add to the scene. I read somewhere that this actually worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I had no success at all with a large owl decoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted October 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Guesse that's a gentle gong then! Thank you one and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravanman Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I have a large falcon decoy that I use but like all the other posts I don't think it makes much difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarepeg Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 i put owl decoys above the consevatory to hopefully stop the pigeons\ doves crapping on the roof. they just crapped from a bit higher, perched on the decoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 bought an eagle owl for £12 crows just laughed at it been in the garden ever since . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killer_pigeon Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 they are more use in the garden for scaring cats to stop them using the backyard as a toilet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clanchief Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Used a large Owl for many years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I would say that after 20 years it makes no real difference, being where crows gather and having a few decoys and using a good call such as a Lohman will do the trick way better, the crow call can be essential as you can hear replies off in the distance and they will come to investigate, if you learn when to lay off calling. Never use a call sequence of three caws as this is their alarm signal, use groups of 4 caws interspersed with some two caw calls in a different tones, get out and listen to birds, then join in and learn from there. Chiefy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Tried large owl decoy, small owl decoy, and even a fox decoy, all to no avail. Better is standard corvid decoys and a call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 (edited) I know dead magpies keep others away! I put one in the garden the other day in a cradle to see what would happen! Magpies landed on the roof and chatter then they do one! Nothing, not even a woodie cane in the garden Think I will leave it there Edited October 13, 2015 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted October 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Never use a call sequence of three caws as this is their alarm signal, use groups of 4 caws interspersed with some two caw calls in a different tones, get out and listen to birds, then join in and learn from there. Chiefy Many thanks for this tip. Thinking about it, "three" just seemed a natural rythm to me. Will listen and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyatt Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 I know dead magpies keep others away! I put one in the garden the other day in a cradle to see what would happen! Magpies landed on the roof and chatter then they do one! Nothing, not even a woodie cane in the garden Think I will leave it there Stick it on a flapper! Best shooting I ever had was with a mate, his flapper and a maggie. Was flipping freezing but we had 13 of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 I've got a large fluffy soft toy donkey which I've had for 40 years.. Any good ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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