Decoying Crows from where they want to be.

[CillDaraVerminator]

Got a new permission and the place is overrun with corvid's I am talking 1,000 plus around the yard and adjoining fields.

So there is cattle in the fields closest to the yards and then in a further field of cut grass is where the corvid's like to settle, this field is flight line for them to get to the yard and from previous advice received I decided not to decoy in that field but choose one further out that the corvid' land in but in smaller numbers (50-100).

I set up under a tree and put out 24 decoys, gave it 1hr and only had 2 crows decoy in the rest were content to land in the other fields, my question is how to pull them away from that flight line.

 

[VSS]

Why can't you decoy them under (or at least, close to) their flight line?

 

[JTO]

If you see two Rooks, they are Crows.
If you see more than two crows, they are Rooks.
Try slices of white bread for Rooks.

 

[Dickie]

They're there because they want to be there for a short hop to the yard where I'm guessing they feed on the pit/clamp, no reason for your decoys to attract them until something changes their the current routine.

 

[Mike1979]

Its always a difficult one to get right first time and always hard to set up where you want to vs where you can. Also depends on if its rooks, carrions or jackdaws. Sometimes 1 flock of 500 and one shot and off they go...whereas if 150 leave and come back in ones and twos your on for a good day.

Ultimately if they dont want to decoy they wont and the best pattern in the world wont convince them otherwise.

I had similar on Sat. Set up on the one side of the yard and shot 42 but there were loads going in the other end of the yard. Moved farms and set up across from the yard and shot 90 but still loads more flighting into the yard after it went quiet.

Try a different spot next time and fingers crossed.

 

[old keeper]

If you see two Rooks, they are Crows.
If you see more than two crows, they are Rooks.
Try slices of white bread for Rooks.

I think this old saying worked well very many years ago, now, where I am anyway, there are considerably more crows than rooks.

 

[Mike1979]

If you see two Rooks, they are Crows.
If you see more than two crows, they are Rooks.
Try slices of white bread for Rooks.

Have to be careful of that in Wales...and what about Jackdaws

If you see rooks...let them by
If they are carrions or jackdaws ...let the shot fly

 

[Nickb]

I think this old saying worked well very many years ago, now, where I am anyway, there are considerably more crows than rooks.

More crows than rooks where I shoot too. Plenty Jack's though

 

[Tim.243]

Its always a difficult one to get right first time and always hard to set up where you want to vs where you can. Also depends on if its rooks, carrions or jackdaws. Sometimes 1 flock of 500 and one shot and off they go...whereas if 150 leave and come back in ones and twos your on for a good day.

Ultimately if they dont want to decoy they wont and the best pattern in the world wont convince them otherwise.

I had similar on Sat. Set up on the one side of the yard and shot 42 but there were loads going in the other end of the yard. Moved farms and set up across from the yard and shot 90 but still loads more flighting into the yard after it went quiet.

Try a different spot next time and fingers crossed.

Gary, you have bashed them a bit so give them a rest, with these long days they have all the time in the world and don't need heaps of food.

Get someone else on the other farm and bounce them from one to the other but, 2 hrs in the right place is better than 4 in the wrong place

 

[Nickb]

Its always a difficult one to get right first time and always hard to set up where you want to vs where you can. Also depends on if its rooks, carrions or jackdaws. Sometimes 1 flock of 500 and one shot and off they go...whereas if 150 leave and come back in ones and twos your on for a good day.

Ultimately if they dont want to decoy they wont and the best pattern in the world wont convince them otherwise.

I had similar on Sat. Set up on the one side of the yard and shot 42 but there were loads going in the other end of the yard. Moved farms and set up across from the yard and shot 90 but still loads more flighting into the yard after it went quiet.

Try a different spot next time and fingers crossed.

When they are on they are on when they switch off that's it , time to pack up.

 

[Mike1979]

When they are on they are on when they switch off that's it , time to pack up.

First hour on farm 2 and shot 45 or so...absolute carnage ...best hour I have had ever...then steady for a few hours before it was the odd one or two. Called it then and off home. Farmer was happy which is the main thing...plus the conservation benefit...though I did enjoy myself which is bad

 

[Nickb]

First hour on farm 2 and shot 45 or so...absolute carnage ...best hour I have had ever...then steady for a few hours before it was the odd one or two. Called it then and off home. Farmer was happy which is the main thing...plus the conservation benefit...though I did enjoy myself which is bad

Not allowed to enjoy yourself

 

[jall55]

If you see two Rooks, they are Crows.
If you see more than two crows, they are Rooks.
Try slices of white bread for Rooks.

Not anymore
We have hundreds of crows on some of the local dairy farms and jacks - we have had over 2000 - mainly crows the last 2 and a half years

 

[jall55]

Got a new permission and the place is overrun with corvid's I am talking 1,000 plus around the yard and adjoining fields.

So there is cattle in the fields closest to the yards and then in a further field of cut grass is where the corvid's like to settle, this field is flight line for them to get to the yard and from previous advice received I decided not to decoy in that field but choose one further out that the corvid' land in but in smaller numbers (50-100).

I set up under a tree and put out 24 decoys, gave it 1hr and only had 2 crows decoy in the rest were content to land in the other fields, my question is how to pull them away from that flight line.

What time of day did you set up ?
Crows tend to decoy well predawn - dawn
How well hidden were you and indeed your vehicle if they are not use to cars they will be suspicious

Lastly have you tried a caller - remember you cant use electronic but you can use a call

 

[Mike1979]

Not allowed to enjoy yourself

I made a compromise ... I enjoyed myself but looked miserable...that way both camps were happy

 

[Longstrider]

In my experience a pattern of flocked decoys well set up (with one or two 'couples' close together, will usually bring in enough to keep your barrels warm. If they get edgy about coming in then NOTHING does you more favours than a flapper. I made a flapper out of some fencing wire and a slow motor from E-Bay that is powered by a 12v battery with an On/Off switch in the hide. Black birdies swing within 150yds, give it a few seconds of 'flappage' and watch their heads swivel to stare at it as they come into range You don't need them to land until they're full of shot

 

[Smellydog]

I'd of set up right under the bastards.
Who the heck told you not to?

 

[Mike1979]

In my experience a pattern of flocked decoys well set up (with one or two 'couples' close together, will usually bring in enough to keep your barrels warm. If they get edgy about coming in then NOTHING does you more favours than a flapper. I made a flapper out of some fencing wire and a slow motor from E-Bay that is powered by a 12v battery with an On/Off switch in the hide. Black birdies swing within 150yds, give it a few seconds of 'flappage' and watch their heads swivel to stare at it as they come into range You don't need them to land until they're full of shot

Its funny isnt it...i set a flapper up and most times it makes no difference at all. Mix of flocked and Sillosocks, sometimes take the silos away and they come in better..sometimes they dont. Thats why I love corvid shooting .. its so varied and keep you on your toes (though I'm not allowed to love it as thats bad )

 

[Nickb]

Its funny isnt it...i set a flapper up and most times it makes no difference at all. Mix of flocked and Sillosocks, sometimes take the silos away and they come in better..sometimes they dont. Thats why I love corvid shooting .. its so varied and keep you on your toes (though I'm not allowed to love it as thats bad )

I use sillosocks now and find they are great but nothing beats dead birds.
My primos crow call is deadly on Jack's and sometimes great on crows but other days rubbish.

 

[Mike1979]

I use sillosocks now and find they are great but nothing beats dead birds.
My primos crow call is deadly on Jack's and sometimes great on crows but other days rubbish.

My calling skills are either brilliant or shocking. I can hit the right note with the jacks but anything else scares more away

Many years ago I tied a dead fox to a fence after the "crows mob a fox"...that was the first and last time but worth it for pure amusement value. I very much didnt enjoy shooting the fox the night before...promise