crows

OP, I know you wanted shot size recommendations, but to me the ultimate in varminting is shooting crows with a rifle. An accurate .222, .223, or .22-250 and a 12X scope is the ticket.

As an aside, a CO friend (who was stationed here some time ago and is now retired) and I were driving around one day and seeing hundreds of ravens around the dump, I commented that due to the unnatural numbers around the dump, that local culling should be accepted.

He responded with, "If I catch you shooting ravens I'll charge you."

OK. We drove along a little farther and there was another large flock of ravens sitting in the sun on the side of a snow covered hill and they were swooping down and stealing food that was put out for some sled dogs that were tied up alongside the road.

He looks out the window and says, "If I was Brian I'd do something about those crows!"

I just about fell out of the truck laughing. So there you have it, in Manitoba the difference between a raven and a crow is that the crow has a cross hair on it.
 
Boomer said:
OP, I know you wanted shot size recommendations, but to me the ultimate in varminting is shooting crows with a rifle. An accurate .222, .223, or .22-250 and a 12X scope is the ticket.

As an aside, a CO friend (who was stationed here some time ago and is now retired) and I were driving around one day and seeing hundreds of ravens around the dump, I commented that due to the unnatural numbers around the dump, that local culling should be accepted.

He responded with, "If I catch you shooting ravens I'll charge you."

OK. We drove along a little farther and there was another large flock of ravens sitting in the sun on the side of a snow covered hill and they were swooping down and stealing food that was put out for some sled dogs that were tied up alongside the road.

He looks out the window and says, "If I was Brian I'd do something about those crows!"

I just about fell out of the truck laughing. So there you have it, in Manitoba the difference between a raven and a crow is that the crow has a cross hair on it.
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Ravens do come in to crow calling as well...along with our buddies the magpie. Got to be careful as in the heat of the battle a raven can be mistaken for it's smaller cousin and shot.

While on the topic of ravens, I can't believe how they have increased in numbers the past decade of so.

Judging by the debris below a raven nest ths past spring at our cottage I must say they do wreak havock on our ducks and upland birds. Puddle ducks and divers both adult, young and eggs were the most common food items found. Upland game birds and road kill made up the ballance. This was no scientific study, just my observations.
 
Just wear blaze orange and stand in the bush. I swear ravens and crows follow us when we are moose hunting. They see the blaze orange and wait til they hear the bang. Awaiting on the gut pile.
 
DVXDUDE said:
Just wear blaze orange and stand in the bush. I swear ravens and crows follow us when we are moose hunting. They see the blaze orange and wait til they hear the bang. Awaiting on the gut pile.
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An old Native guy once told me that when he hunts he looks for a Raven and starts to follow it. When the Raven calls he knows the bird found him something to shoot (deer, moose, bear).

He says he's never had a skunked hunt with this method.

What a neat old man :D
 
drache said:
An old Native guy once told me that when he hunts he looks for a Raven and starts to follow it. When the Raven calls he knows the bird found him something to shoot (deer, moose, bear).

He says he's never had a skunked hunt with this method.

What a neat old man :D
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I fully believe that this would work very well.

I've been watching and listening to crows and ravens while I sit in my deer spot all week. They are very very smart and know when there is a meal around.
 
drache said:
An old Native guy once told me that when he hunts he looks for a Raven and starts to follow it. When the Raven calls he knows the bird found him something to shoot (deer, moose, bear).

He says he's never had a skunked hunt with this method.

What a neat old man :D
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wow, I never really put two and two together but this fall when I was moose hunting I was doggin threw some really thick brush(nothing taller then 15 feet) and i could see a raven ahead of me about 50-100 yards ahead circling one spot cawing away. Then I hear BANG BANG. My buddy drops a moose right in front of where I was that I pushed out to him. Maybe the raven was saying "there he is"
 
Because its fun, and can be challenging. They're loud, annoying, and destructive birds. I realize they serve a purpose, and I'd never try to eradicate them, but I'll shoot them if they come in while I'm calling for coyotes.
 
I don't use a 12 for crows anymore..lol my hunting partner takes care of it all!

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Crows are bastardly birds that eat grouse chicks, songbirds, etc. They spread diseases such as west nile. They are Class C Vermin in BC (Kill as many as you can).

WHAT in the world do you have there Gargoyle? Looks awesome. DO tell.
 
kevguy said:
Here where I am they are tough buggers to take down. I've used 3" #6 on them at 25 yards and just knocking feathers off them.
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After reading this Im starting to think mine was a fluke. I shot one with my crossman 2240 (.22 460fps) and took it down.

I hate the damn things big ugly and good for nothing.
 
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The question assumes shotgun use, but I prefer my .204 with 32grn vmaxs. Limits the shots you can take due to safety, but extends the distance you can take them at. Not much is sweeter than watching a crow or magpie detonate.
 
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