Grackle and Crow? What to use to shoot them?
- Thread starter USP
- Start date
a .22 cal air rifle will do nicely, and you won't have to worry about shootign a rifle up into a tree 
Non pal rated vs crow will equal you're better ofdf hitting the bird with the gun. Pal rated will enable you to take crows a lot easier.
Non pal rated vs crow will equal you're better ofdf hitting the bird with the gun. Pal rated will enable you to take crows a lot easier.a .22 cal air rifle will do nicely, and you won't have to worry about shootign a rifle up into a tree
Yeah I keep meaning to get my PAL one day. Until then I guess its the trusty old airgun
Thanks Jay, ill try the 8s
Crows are a great way to get rid of all youre way too old "dont know what the hell it is" ammo...
At under 40 yards, 3 hits with #2 lead or 12 hits with # 8's still equals dead birds.
This is also a great time to be shooting them, cause if you only wound one and it starts to bawl... The adults may think its their babies that are being tormented, and many will come to investigate which means more shooting for you
At under 40 yards, 3 hits with #2 lead or 12 hits with # 8's still equals dead birds.
This is also a great time to be shooting them, cause if you only wound one and it starts to bawl... The adults may think its their babies that are being tormented, and many will come to investigate which means more shooting for you
Crows are a great way to get rid of all youre way too old "dont know what the hell it is" ammo...
At under 40 yards, 3 hits with #2 lead or 12 hits with # 8's still equals dead birds.
This is also a great time to be shooting them, cause if you only wound one and it starts to bawl... The adults may think its their babies that are being tormented, and many will come to investigate which means more shooting for you
Hmm the only really old ammo I have right now is this full case of 3 inch hollowpoint tactical slugs...
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
8's will work just fine out to 35 yards or so, 7-1/2's are even better. I generally opt for an Imp/Cyl or Modified choke, given the choice, but have used everything from Cylinder and Skeet to X-Full.
I've shot a pile of crows with everything from a 2-1/2" 410 pump to a 3-1/2" 10 ga. SxS with shot sizes ranging from 2's to 9's. If you're on, you're on !
"Hiding in the bushes" is certainly one way to go about it, but a well-constructed blind of natural materials in a good setting is another and usually more effective. There are books and articles, even videos about crow hunting which should give you a leg-up on "how" to go about doing it. An owl decoy, a few crow decoys and a good call are helpful ... a good electronic caller even more so. Don't over-do the calling !
I've also shot crows on the goround while coyote or ground hog hunting with a 22, 223, 257, 25-06 and a 270 ... you really need to be certain of your background. Shooting them out of a tree with a rifle to me is a very dangerous no-no ... there's no way to tell where that bullet will go.
I've shot a pile of crows with everything from a 2-1/2" 410 pump to a 3-1/2" 10 ga. SxS with shot sizes ranging from 2's to 9's. If you're on, you're on !
"Hiding in the bushes" is certainly one way to go about it, but a well-constructed blind of natural materials in a good setting is another and usually more effective. There are books and articles, even videos about crow hunting which should give you a leg-up on "how" to go about doing it. An owl decoy, a few crow decoys and a good call are helpful ... a good electronic caller even more so. Don't over-do the calling !
I've also shot crows on the goround while coyote or ground hog hunting with a 22, 223, 257, 25-06 and a 270 ... you really need to be certain of your background. Shooting them out of a tree with a rifle to me is a very dangerous no-no ... there's no way to tell where that bullet will go.
Ive got plenty of 4,5 and 6 but its all premium stuff either steel for waterfowl or stuff for Turkey. I have a huge case of 8s I got that I havent tried. I dont recall ever buying or shooting #9s ever. Is it that common of a shell anymore?
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Target load No. 9's are standard for all of the 4 gauges used to shoot Skeet. I've used standard Skeet loads for grouse & woodcock too. They lose a lot out past 25 yards, but are otherwise effective in close and will certainly work for crows and blackbirds. Your 8's should work just fine.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I think myself, this is where high brass #6 really shines.
Also try wingshots with the crows flying away from you. Shot is more apt to get in between the feathers and not get slowed down by bigger/stronger wing & breast feathers.
Also try wingshots with the crows flying away from you. Shot is more apt to get in between the feathers and not get slowed down by bigger/stronger wing & breast feathers.
Ummm........
