Hello, I am looking for recommendations on what to purchase for attempting to eliminate pest crows invading my farm (and yes, this is legal where I live). They are damaging my crops, eating feed meant for our livestock, harassing our livestock and causing property damage. I've tried scarecrows, reflective tape, netting and noise control to no avail. I don't have a great shot but should be able to get pretty close (within 30 yards I'd guess). I'm hoping to stay under $300 (if possible- willing to go up if I have to to get rid of this huge headache).
new to guns, need purchase recommendations
- Thread starter carlcrawford
- Start date
Umerex notos.22 pcp is a good option for under $300. There will be other cost associated with a pcp like a compressor. Any type of air rifle will require an optic, cleaning supplies. A tripod to shoot from will greatly improve your accuracy.
If owning a pcp is too much to get into im sure there are springers, or pump rifles that will work just fine.
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A consideration that is often overlooked is to ask the question of friends, associates and/or neighbors. If there is someone available, locally, who has a solution, that may be the best option, IME.
Let's say, for example, that the very best option happens to be a particular compressor, PCP and scope combination. The learning curve is going to be steep for someone not experienced with these types, and with shooting in general. A less perfect choice, that matches one's local support is often vastly superior, at least until you acquire sufficient experience to make critical assessments based on your own situation.
A huge consideration for someone new to shooting is trouble shooting issues, so a local support can make all of the difference.
I agree with Dstrac's suggestion, in that it is a .22 which IME is generally superior in terms of terminal energy with pellets. I agree that a PCP with magazine is usually a better solution, especially for one who is new to shooting. A wounded crow may recover enough to flap off, so the ability to follow up relatively quickly can be very useful. In addition, not having to change position to cock and load can be very useful.
I cannot comment on the Notos, although if it is a accurate and powerful as my old Gauntlet, crows are going to have a big problem.
IME, no matter what one chooses with regards the shooting sports, one will discover that "I should have" and can make improvements from there.
Let's say, for example, that the very best option happens to be a particular compressor, PCP and scope combination. The learning curve is going to be steep for someone not experienced with these types, and with shooting in general. A less perfect choice, that matches one's local support is often vastly superior, at least until you acquire sufficient experience to make critical assessments based on your own situation.
A huge consideration for someone new to shooting is trouble shooting issues, so a local support can make all of the difference.
I agree with Dstrac's suggestion, in that it is a .22 which IME is generally superior in terms of terminal energy with pellets. I agree that a PCP with magazine is usually a better solution, especially for one who is new to shooting. A wounded crow may recover enough to flap off, so the ability to follow up relatively quickly can be very useful. In addition, not having to change position to cock and load can be very useful.
I cannot comment on the Notos, although if it is a accurate and powerful as my old Gauntlet, crows are going to have a big problem.
IME, no matter what one chooses with regards the shooting sports, one will discover that "I should have" and can make improvements from there.
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Suggest buying a used RWS 34 in 22 cal. Should be able to get one close to $300. Also a Gamo can be had under $300 although mixed reviews on accuracy. Could buy a Gamo through Amazon and just return it if not a shooter. Of course have to master the artillery hold.
Vintage RWS Diana Model 34 .22 Caliber Air Pellet Rifle West Germany | eBay
Rifle is complete and in excellent condition, fully functional but will require a new piston seal as the power level is low.
www.ebay.com
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Depending on the distance most shots are, the Notos is a great little, easy to carry, compact shooter 10-30yds maybe a little farther. Any farther and I would suggest it's bigger brother the Zelos which has a lot more power and thus reach for longer shots.
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The Benjamin Maximus in .22 should do. Polymer stock, magazine fed and a hand pump to fill with air. Accurate out to 30 yards easily. Mine can hit eggs using a budget price red dot at 30 yards. As has been said, you may well find some locals willing to help out as well. Depends on where you purchase but should be very close to your budget. Another possibility is the Gauntlet 2 in .25. Requires a bit more support equipment and is bigger and heavier than the Maximus but shoots well.
Rick H.
Rick H.
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If you SERIOUSLY want to rid yourself of crows see if you can bump up your budget. If you're gonna be taking shots at 75 yards or farther you might be disappointed with a $300 airgun, then again, maybe not. Crows here rarely get closer than 100 yds.
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Not gonna recommend a gun but will say, those crows are smart. You might be able to shoot one or two that close but after that good luck getting in close again but who knows. I've taken quail out to around 50 yards with a Notos but not sure how much further I'd go. I can shoot quarter size groups with it out to 50 yards though.
www.airgunnation.com
Notos and Quail at 50 yards, finally able to upload vid
Notos 13.43gn @ 783fps / 18fpe Quail @ 50 yards With the scope I have currently the tactacam doesn't fit right because of the illuminated crosshair dial is in the way so it won't fully seat so vids aren't nearly as good as when it is mounted on my Arken. Need new scope for the Notos
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Air rifles are expensive and you are going to have a hard time putting a setup together for less than$500-$600. Your only real choice is going to be a break barrel of some kind, limited on either power or accuracy and maybe both. For a 25-50yds shot on a crow or raven I would suggest getting something in 22Cal and use JSB Hades pellets or the standard JSB 18.13g pellet. A Gamo is probably going to work fine for you and come under budget. Mine will shoot golf balls at 50yds which is more than enough accuracy for a crow. The factory scopes are hit or miss some are great for years and others fall apart right away but these rifles have decent open sights too. $235 as a package plus some shipping at MWG.
In my experience after you get a couple of the problem birds the rest figure out your area is dangerous and wont come back for a while.
If you are willing to spend more like $700-$800 you can get a decent PCP and compressor and usable scope/rings.
www.midwestgunworks.com
In my experience after you get a couple of the problem birds the rest figure out your area is dangerous and wont come back for a while.
If you are willing to spend more like $700-$800 you can get a decent PCP and compressor and usable scope/rings.
GAMO WHISPER FUSION MACH 1, .22 W/3-9X40MM SCOPE 1020FPS
Check out the deal on GAMO WHISPER FUSION MACH 1, .22 W/3-9X40MM SCOPE 1020FPS at MGW
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A $300 PCP is going to be over your budget by the time you get a scope and compressor and filter setup. A quality springer maybe a better choice but they can run into big bucks also. Not to mention you have to have a springer rated scope. Like as been said, airguns are not cheap. My best advice is to stay away from the cheap guns, they are just going to discourage you. Good luck with your search.
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Umarex Notos
Barra 250z
Pinty pforce
Snowpeak M16b
Airforce Talon
Any of those in .22 will be plenty for crows.
Downside, need air. Pump, compressor or tanks.
Barra, Gamo and Umarex make adequate break barrel with magazines. Less convenient than pcp but no air required.
30 yards is no problem for most airguns. You dont need to break the bank
Barra 250z
Pinty pforce
Snowpeak M16b
Airforce Talon
Any of those in .22 will be plenty for crows.
Downside, need air. Pump, compressor or tanks.
Barra, Gamo and Umarex make adequate break barrel with magazines. Less convenient than pcp but no air required.
30 yards is no problem for most airguns. You dont need to break the bank
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Where are you ? might be only a few hours or closer to one of us here on the AGN forum willing to help / try a gun b4 you buy ?
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or you might try finding an air gunner that can shoot the crows for you, lots of them out there that will do it for free... 
Crows huh, prepare for real challenge, as mentioned before, shoot 1 and others spread the word. then you have to reach 50-75 yards and if you get a few, they will just move farther away. The worst will be when they know you are a threat, they will do the dive down to the ground and grab some feed and immediately jump up and fly away. Moving so fast, you can't set up on them. They are that smart. I'd consider several small hides placed around the property and change location that you shoot from. Get a set up that can hit consistent at 100 yard, maybe 120. Personally for cost, I'd get a used taipan 25 cal long , quiet, powerful, and used it would go for 800-1000.
KatoKevin454 has a great idea as well.
KatoKevin454 has a great idea as well.
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Break barrels are harder to shoot accurately and less accurate even for an experienced shooter. So while they do not require a compressor I don't recommend them for a beginner.
The Notos seems like a good suggestion for another reason. It only stores a little air which has the downside of limiting your usable shots to something like 20-25 but the benefit is it can be filled with a hand pump fairly easily. I watched a youtube of a guy doing it in 100 pumps. A cheap Amazon pump actually worked better than some more expensive ones he had. So for about $300 you could have a Notos and a hand pump to fill it with. But you would still need a scope. I always recommend a Hawke Vantage because it is the least expensive that has worked well for me. But others report good results with CVLife scopes and others. You want something with adjustable parallax.
Another pretty inexpensive airgun that would give you more reach than a Notos would be a Stoeger Scout or Ranger. Probably about $80 more but it would get fairly heavy 22 caliber pellets up to 850 fps or more while still giving you around 50 shots per fill. But it would take more effort to refill it with a hand pump.
The Notos seems like a good suggestion for another reason. It only stores a little air which has the downside of limiting your usable shots to something like 20-25 but the benefit is it can be filled with a hand pump fairly easily. I watched a youtube of a guy doing it in 100 pumps. A cheap Amazon pump actually worked better than some more expensive ones he had. So for about $300 you could have a Notos and a hand pump to fill it with. But you would still need a scope. I always recommend a Hawke Vantage because it is the least expensive that has worked well for me. But others report good results with CVLife scopes and others. You want something with adjustable parallax.
Another pretty inexpensive airgun that would give you more reach than a Notos would be a Stoeger Scout or Ranger. Probably about $80 more but it would get fairly heavy 22 caliber pellets up to 850 fps or more while still giving you around 50 shots per fill. But it would take more effort to refill it with a hand pump.
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or you might try finding an air gunner that can shoot the crows for you, lots of them out there that will do it for free...
Hire an airgunner to solve the pest problem and buy a HW30 for back yard plinking.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
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