.22 or .25 for crow hunting?

[Firewalker]

I'll be the one to admit it; in over 1000 shots, I've never in my life, hit a Crow.

Truth

Our Crows live in the WMA across the road. I'm sure they have been shot at a million times in passing by every hunter that got a little bored so these crows have the distance and eyesight to avoid being hit.

They literally sit on open branches and taunt people now, caw and yell daring you to shoot them. Go get a gun? They post lookouts 180° from the murder in hidden spots and alarm the group before you even step through the doorway.

Have the gun with you first? Sure... they sit about 70-80 yards out and hop out of the way when taking a shot. "No problem, just aim where they hop!", you say? Nope, they drop off the branch.

Yes, they will fly off but they just land out of site and harass you for a good 20 minutes after. Spoils all other hunting, the Starlings and HOSPs won't come near as long as the murder is close.

I have yet to buy a call but I will get the owl call some day and ghilli suit up and lie in wait for those bastaiges!

 

[whyzee]

Saw a television program once on PBS a couple years back, all about crows.
They are the smartest animal in the kingdom, period.
Was a very interesting watch and I couldn’t look away from the television for a minute. Crows are so intelligent that they have the ability to use tools that nature provides, as well as pass on threats to their livelihood, to their next generations/babies/ chicks/offspring.
Incredibly smart!!

This is the show!! Well worth the watch

 

[Chukar60]

Was out at the feedlot yesterday. Stopped into the house and visited for a bit. Owner asks me to dispose of two crows that have been causing problems.
First bird I come to is a crow sitting on a corral rail at 45 yards.
Had the 25 compact in the seat next to me so just lowered the window and put an FX pellet about 2” below his head. No flopping, flapping or any other movement. Tipped over backwards and fell to the ground.

I think with that shot placement a 177 would have stoned it in the same fashion.

 

[WorriedMan]

@ WM- what’s the tune on that 30 WC? Just curious on your velocity. I love that platform for sure

Ragu,
Sent RA to FX-USA, thread, "Ever Seen a Butchered Wildcat?", included letter stating gun will only ever use JSB 44.75 grain, please tune accordingly. Returned reg @ 150, 814 FPS, I've not removed from stock since. Been a most deadly combination, flawless accuracy and performance. Installing new Vector Veyron 6-24x44FFP today, Vector Veyron 3-12x44FFP too low power to shoot dime-size circles @ 50 yds. for my tired eyes. Still love the platform, decided to go AGT Uragan 2 (700mm) .30 to reach "long distance" crows instead of messing with Wildcat. WM

 

[WorriedMan]

Ragu,
Sent RA to FX-USA, thread, "Ever Seen a Butchered Wildcat?", included letter stating gun will only ever use JSB 44.75 grain, please tune accordingly. Returned reg @ 150, 814 FPS, I've not removed from stock since. Been a most deadly combination, flawless accuracy and performance. Installing new Vector Veyron 6-24x44FFP today, Vector Veyron 3-12x44FFP too low power to shoot dime-size circles @ 50 yds. for my tired eyes. Still love the platform, decided to go AGT Uragan 2 (700mm) .30 to reach "long distance" crows instead of messing with Wildcat. WM

Sorry, Hammer Spring @ 7 (Max), I've not adjusted HS internally. WM

 

[moodyblues]

I'll be the one to admit it; in over 1000 shots, I've never in my life, hit a Crow.

Truth

Our Crows live in the WMA across the road. I'm sure they have been shot at a million times in passing by every hunter that got a little bored so these crows have the distance and eyesight to avoid being hit.

They literally sit on open branches and taunt people now, caw and yell daring you to shoot them. Go get a gun? They post lookouts 180° from the murder in hidden spots and alarm the group before you even step through the doorway.

Have the gun with you first? Sure... they sit about 70-80 yards out and hop out of the way when taking a shot. "No problem, just aim where they hop!", you say? Nope, they drop off the branch.

Yes, they will fly off but they just land out of site and harass you for a good 20 minutes after. Spoils all other hunting, the Starlings and HOSPs won't come near as long as the murder is close.

I have yet to buy a call but I will get the owl call some day and ghilli suit up and lie in wait for those bastaiges!

These sound like my crows. I just connect my Bluetooth speaker to my phone and play Johnny Stewart crow and owl fight off of YouTube. If you’re doing this style of hunting I recommend a 22 or even a 177, I want my shots to be as quiet as possible. I’ve killed 4 in one set like this, all shots within 25 yards. Very fast action.

Beau

 

[JungleShooter]

I'll be the one to admit it; in over 1000 shots, I've never in my life, hit a Crow.

Truth

Our Crows live in the WMA across the road. I'm sure they have been shot at a million times in passing by every hunter that got a little bored so these crows have the distance and eyesight to avoid being hit.

They literally sit on open branches and taunt people now, caw and yell daring you to shoot them. Go get a gun? They post lookouts 180° from the murder in hidden spots and alarm the group before you even step through the doorway.

Have the gun with you first? Sure... they sit about 70-80 yards out and hop out of the way when taking a shot. "No problem, just aim where they hop!", you say? Nope, they drop off the branch.

Yes, they will fly off but they just land out of site and harass you for a good 20 minutes after. Spoils all other hunting, the Starlings and HOSPs won't come near as long as the murder is close.

I have yet to buy a call but I will get the owl call some day and ghilli suit up and lie in wait for those bastaiges!

Firewalker,

I almost laughed my head off at your description of your experiences with crows.
Made me feel a lot better for my own successfree hunting outings.....!

Cool animals, that's for sure.
If they cause problems, so much more of a hunting challenge....

I read a report of a hunter who got a couple crows the first time out.
The next times out — they recognized his car(!) when he was driving into the parking lot — and where gone before he could get out.... Phenomenal!

Matthias

 

[TN_Yankee]

Saw a television program once on PBS a couple years back, all about crows.

Whatever your feelings on crows may be, that was indeed a very good documentary. Definitely worth watching to learn more about their habits.

 

[whyzee]

No opinion towards crows, though I do think they make great targets !
I used to shoot magpies a couple decades ago. Their feathered relatives fly off once you drop one, then slowly return as their pea brains forget what they witnessed?
I had an opportunity to take a shot at a crow, when he dropped, all of its’ relatives came for the funeral (as seen in the documentary) and it was such a noisy experience, I never took aim at another. Didn’t need the attention.

The documentary on PBS Nature that I posted, has been my favorite episode ever, and one that I will not soon forget.

 

[Mr303]

I don’t shoot crows for a couple reasons…but mostly I just don’t see the need.
Here is my take on crows.

They mate for life and can live for 80 years.

But the real reason comes from experience.

Once I saw a crow literally chase my buddy down a trail for 2 miles, because he shot its partner.
(That shows devotion and intelligence to me.)

Another time at a cliff side restaurant a big male landed on the railing and sneezed out a huge drippy nasty beak full of snot.
It obviously had a head cold.
He looked directly at me square in the eye, as if to say "Human I really feel like s**t today.".

With that his mate squawked at him like a woman will do to her husband when she’s torqued off for no real reason.
Again he looked at me as if to say”that Frippen woman won’t leave me alone!". And they flew off.
That’s why I don’t shoot crows any more.

 

[Lingdinger.22]

I don’t shoot crows for a couple reasons…but mostly I just don’t see the need.
Here is my take on crows.

They mate for life and can live for 80 years.

But the real reason comes from experience.

Once I saw a crow literally chase my buddy down a trail for 2 miles, because he shot its partner.
(That shows devotion and intelligence to me.)

Another time at a cliff side restaurant a big male landed on the railing and sneezed out a huge drippy nasty beak full of snot.
It obviously had a head cold.
He looked directly at me square in the eye, as if to say "Human I really feel like s**t today.".

With that his mate squawked at him like a woman will do to her husband when she’s torqued off for no real reason.
Again he looked at me as if to say”that Frippen woman won’t leave me alone!". And they flew off.
That’s why I don’t shoot crows any more.

I like crows as well and don't enjoy shooting them, but when they annihilate my orchards, I have to manage their numbers a bit. After I shoot a few, they don't come back that often. I honestly feel bad for any pest I shoot, but it has to be done.

The only pest I don't feel bad for are Starlings. No matter how many I shoot they just keep coming unlike crows.

 

[madeintheuk]

If you do not eat what you hunt.. You are a human that does not deserve to be in this world.. How would you justify it ?

Hunting and pesting are 2 different things. Hunting is for food, pesting is to remove that which will cause damage to your food.

 

[TN_Yankee]

The only pest I don't feel bad for are Starlings.

True for me, as well. They are a nasty, very invasive species on this continent. Even kudzu had an intended economic & social benefit (though poorly thought out) when it was introduced to the USA. Starlings? Naive Shakespearean fans.

 

[Lingdinger.22]

True for me, as well. They are a nasty, very invasive species on this continent. Even kudzu had an intended economic & social benefit (though poorly thought out) when it was introduced to the USA. Starlings? Naive Shakespearean fans.

I shoot two, or three every morning while I have my coffee. I’ve been doing that for three years now and no signs of them slowing down. The problem is worse than advertised.

 

[delooper]

I've never had a problem with the crows. Our local crows have an alliance with our chickens. Our chickens let the crows eat their scrap food. The crows help protect the chickens from hawks, eagles and owls.

That said, if I were hunting crows I'd use .22 since it's the smallest calibre I have. If I had 0.177 I'd maybe consider that, as well. Crows are tiny little things and .22 is plenty.

 

[Ezana4CE]

If you do not eat what you hunt.. You are a human that does not deserve to be in this world.. How would you justify it ?

@Nohm If you are offended by law-abiding members who legally kill problem animals in order to protect property, livestock, feed, and/or food this is probably a good time for you to exit the hunting forum.

 

[Mr303]

I shoot two, or three every morning while I have my coffee. I’ve been doing that for three years now and no signs of them slowing down. The problem is worse than advertised.

Now that's a good cup of coffee! I need to move to the country.

 

[Mr303]

If you do not eat what you hunt.. You are a human that does not deserve to be in this world.. How would you justify it?

Sorry sir with that first line your ignorance of the natural world is on display.
Have you never seen a well-fed house cat play with a mouse, kill it and leave it?
(Rant alert: don't let your house kitty outside to roam the rabbits and birds will thank you.)

Better the question .... How you can actually rationalize a line like this: "You are a human that does not deserve to be in this world" is beyond my limited understanding.

Thats a mighty broad brush-stroke buddy.

 

[Contndr35BB]

Sorry sir with that first line your ignorance of the natural world is on display.
Have you never seen a well-fed house cat play with a mouse, kill it and leave it?
(Rant alert: don't let your house kitty outside to roam the rabbits and birds will thank you.)

Better the question .... How you can actually rationalize a line like this: "You are a human that does not deserve to be in this world" is beyond my limited understanding.

Thats a mighty broad brush-stroke buddy.

Gentlemen , I grew up on a farm back when there was no season on crows in Pennsylvania. When Gramps or Dad planted corn we went hunting for crows shortly thereafter . The object was to pop a few to hang on a tall pole secured in the soil. This would get the flock upset & carry on for a day or two , then fly off and stay away. What this prevented was them pulling the corn as soon as it sprouted to eat the seed kernel , which a crow do by walking down the row & pulling till it has it's fill or is chased off. Also if certain people ever saw crows take a mature robin , mocking bird or dove out of the air or nest & batter it to near death THEN started to consume it while still alive & defenseless would never question the culling off them . Taking nothing away from them , yes they are very intelligent . They watch bluebirds nesting & young fledge then pounce . My family has witnessed this many times, along w/ robbing other birds nest eggs & young . And they can ruin a small tomato patch in a few days. If your bird bath has feathers or other "remnants" , you can bet that was a crow's handiwork . Farmers also have to deal w/ them poking holes in sealed/wrapped hay bales & ensilage bags that premotes spoilage. I think I've made my point .

 

[AmosBurton]

@Nohm can rest assured that when I find some invasive Eurasian Collared Doves to shoot, I will eat them.
As to other invasives like starlings, NO! Pigeons, aka Sky Rats, NFW! Sparrows, not worth my time except to kill.
If I were in FL I'd shoot any python or iguana I came across (I might actually eat those...)
If I were in TX I'd shoot wild boar(oh crap, I'd eat that too)
If I were in Australia I'd be shooting rabbits and cane toads all day long, neither of which you want to eat.
In other words, not everything I shoot I'm hunting.
The creatures I do hunt, I try and kill as quickly and painlessly as possible.