Crow and magpie decoys together?

[ChrisPCarter]

I've not really decoyed magpies before, other than using a single full body magpie in my garden with the airgun which usually works well.

If I'm out with the shotgun decoying crows will it work putting a magpie amongst them (or watching as a sentry) to bring both in?

Will the magpies stay away from a field of crow decoys? Will the crows avoid the magpie decoy?

I've got a crow call, 6 crow shells and 2 full body crows, plus a load of pigeon decoying gear.

 

Chris.

[steve_b_wales]

If I'm out Crow/Jackdaw shooting, I always place 2-3 Magpie decoys on a wall or fence post, together with Crow decoys, but not too close together.

 

You can buy Crow socks to fit over your pigeon decoys, or to cover shiny Crow ones. Paul Hart (the pigeon shooter) sells them.

[ChrisPCarter]

I was thinking of getting some crow socks as I've loads of pigeon shells and full bodies.

I might even paint a few of my old non-flocked pigeon ones black.

How many crows do you put out? The more the better?

Sounds like the magpies are OK with them anyway.

[steve_b_wales]

I was thinking of getting some crow socks as I've loads of pigeon shells and full bodies.

I might even paint a few of my old non-flocked pigeon ones black.

How many crows do you put out? The more the better?

Sounds like the magpies are OK with them anyway

Some, only put 1/2 dozen out and do well with them. Crows/Jackdaws are scarce round my area at present, so I put out as many as I can. Crows/Jackdaws are gregarious. I have approx 60 decoys, but don't use them all. Once I shoot some, they are added to the pattern. I use a 15" bamboo cane and insert it into the bird from the rear end into it's head. The rest of the cane goes into the earth.

[WelshMike]

Sound advice from Steve as always.

 

I tend to use 5 full bodied flocked magpies and set a couple of sentries on a hedge or gate post and put a group of 3 together, seems to draw their interest. I tend to space the magpies 15 or so yards away from the crow decoys. I have about 15 full bodied flocked decoys I use for the crows. If the pattern brings them in well I tend to remove the dead crows from the pattern but generally if they stop coming in you know that it is time to make changes. I have had days where bringing in the dead crows helps and others where more dead crows in the pattern had worked.