5 Basics of Crow Hunting

By Tom Claycomb III

Use these tips and crows will go brain dead.

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Get in some heavy cover, heavier than this if possible. And don’t shoot until they get close.

If crows aren’t the smartest bird around, they’re close. It’s impossible sneak up on one. So how do you shoot one, much less a whole “murder’ of them? (Yes, that’s the name for a flock of crows.) Try calling them – that’s when they seem to go brain dead.

These five basics will give you a pile of crows. (I call a flock of dead ones a “pile.”)

  1. Consider your set-up. You want to be well hidden. My favorite set-up is right in the middle of a cedar thicket. My partner and I will get so deep in a cedar clump that we can see only a 20 or 30 square foot area right above us.

If you don’t have any cedar brush then hide in the middle of any thick brush. Get camo’ed up and wear a facemask. Grab your shotgun and some high brass shells loaded with number 6-shot. You can use low base 8s for a denser pattern, but I like the heavier loads.

  1. Get a good call. I use a Johnny Stewart Gallows electronic call. Lay it with the horn pointing upwards in the direction you expect them to come from. I first select the crow/owl fighting sound.  Turn it on and get ready.
  1. Time to shoot. My brother-in-law is a good crow hunter and always tells me to not take long shots but to let them circle and come back in right over head. So we don’t start shooting until they’re right over us. If the brush you’re in has small open patches you may be able to get a visual on them, but if not they may suddenly appear out of nowhere. You may or may not hear them first, so be ready for some fast shooting.
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A good face mask is essential for crow hunting.

His theory is that if they don’t see you, you can clean house on them if you don’t miss. That’s not just a theory – it really works in practice. Sometimes they’ll be coming in so fast I can’t even keep my gun loaded, so wear a shell vest and keep lots of shells handy. They’ll literally circle over you, and often zip in skimming the treetops. So, it’s best if you’re in a clump of trees no more than 20 feet high. If you’re hidden in a tall clump of trees then of course they’ll be a lot higher up.

  1. Switch up the call. If hawks live in the area (and they almost surely do) try the crow/hawk fighting selection. Recently in Texas a hawk was flying around our setup so we used the hawk option. When things die down, switch again to the dying crow – that’ll wake ’em up!
  1. Pull out the dekes. Crow, owl and hawk decoys are popular. Sometimes after a morning coyote hunt I’ll still have my Cass Creek Waggler with me and we’ll start crow hunting. After I’ve shot a couple if I’ll turn it on, and it attracts the crow using both sight and sound. I turn on the crow call option on along with my Johnny Stewart call to really raise a ruckus. If you wound one they’ll really swarm in. Live ones are the best decoy you can have.
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These crows went brain dead to the calls of the Johnny Stewart Gallows and the Cass Creek Waggler—then they went body dead to some sharp shooting.

I dropped by my gunsmithing buddy Ed Sweet’s shop yesterday and was talking to him about how much fun I’d been having crow hunting. He said Bob Martin (a 5-time world champion crow hunter at least – I’ve lost count) called him a few years ago to come down south to crow hunt. They killed somewhere around 900 crows in three days. And while crow hunting in Texas the other day I was shooting the bull with a guy who said he hunted a flyway to a roost and would get 150 in an afternoon.

So, set ups near a good roost, or along flyways or feeding areas are top spots. But I live in Idaho and we don’t have those quantities. Still, to me it’s still lots of fun if we can get 4-8 per stand. A few weeks ago I was coyote hunting with Trace Nuckles in Kansas and one afternoon I bet we had 60 come in while we were calling coyotes. We didn’t have a shotgun or we could have smoked ’em.

If you live near a hot and heavy flyway, get out and have fun. But even if you don’t, it will surprise you how many you will be able to call in at each set-up.

Shooting crows is almost as good for the environment as shooting wolves. They prey big-time on desirable species, and they compete with humans for food. When the walnuts ripen the crows will move in and eat every one unless you pick ’em fast. This year I was conducting a lot of seminars around the country and when I got home I found one solitary walnut – crows ate all the rest.

EXTRA TIPS:

  • You’ll call in a few crows while calling coyotes, especially right after daylight.
  • A hand call works, but with a Johnny Stewart electronic call, you keep your hands free.
  • A modified choke is probably best.
  • Start shooting when they’re right over the top of you.

To see how easy it is to use a Havalon Piranta on
smaller animals like birds, click here.


tom claycomb outdoor writerAbout Tom Claycomb III

Tom lives in Idaho writes outdoor articles for various newspapers, magazines & websites. If it’s something outdoors, he probably likes it. You can read some more of his writings at: www.Amazon.com.


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Hunting with the Havalon Pro Staff: Don Moore

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Don Moore, Havalon Pro Staff.

By Zach Rogers

Editor, Havalon Knives

“Each Havalon product is amazing in its field of perfection.” 

At Havalon, we love hearing what you have to say. That’s why we’ve taken the time to talk to some of our Havalon Pro Staff members who are out using the best hunting and skinning knives in the industry. Today, we’ll meet Don Moore.

First, could you tell me a little bit about yourself? Your name, occupation, etc.? 

My name is Don Moore and I’m a consulting wildlife manager and deer steward, as well as sales director for Elusion Camo. I am also a proud Pro Staff member for the following companies in the hunting industry: Havalon Knives, HHA Sports Inc., Kishel’s Quality Animal Scents and Lures, Black Eagle Arrows, U-Slide Bow Holder, Roost’em Hunting Products, Gobbler Gauge, Deer Creek Outdoors and Game Slayer Hunting Products.

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Havalon knives are the best, sharpest hunting and skinning knives on the market.

What exactly is your business in the hunting and outdoor field? Is this a hobby or a full-time occupation? 

It’s definitely full-time. Both as sales director for Elusion Camo as well as being a wildlife manager, I’m constantly coming into contact with new people and new businesses that share the same passion for the outdoors as I do. It’s also allowed me to go to a lot of outdoor shows, expos, banquets and seminars that keep me updated on all the current and hottest trends within the industry.

How did you hear about Havalon knives?

I first heard about Havalon years ago when a friend ordered the Piranta-Bolt hunting and skinning knife after seeing it advertised in a hunting magazine. We skin and butcher our own deer, so when he received the knife we put it to the test. The results were simply amazing!

When did you first try one of our products, and what were the circumstances surrounding the decision?  

I first tried a Havalon knife around 6 years ago in my buddy’s garage skinning deer. Right there, I knew I would never own anything other than a Havalon. I was tired of using other brands that never kept a sharp edge or were uncomfortable and would slip around in my hand, causing me to cut myself.

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Our crazy sharp knives do the hard work so you don’t have to.

Which knife did you use first, and what was your initial reaction to it?

My first was the Piranta-Bolt hunting and skinning knife, and my reaction was one of total satisfaction. I had finally found a product I loved, believed in and could proudly stand behind. Havalon actually makes all the work that comes with skinning deer and other game so much easier. It doesn’t take nearly as long as it used to with other skinning knives I’ve used in the past.

What do our knives do for you that no other knife is able to do?

Havalon knives fit perfectly in your hand and don’t slip, which is the main cause of injuries. Whether you’re using the stainless steel skinning blades or the carbon steel hunting blades, Havalon keeps a good solid edge without having to constantly stop what you’re doing and sharpen the blade all the time. The extra replacement blades are also a big selling point because if you’re in a rush, you can just pop out the old blade and pop in a new one in a matter of seconds, and then sharpen the old one later at a more convenient time.

Currently, what’s your favorite Havalon product and why?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one because each Havalon product is amazing in its field of perfection. For my own personal use, I would have to go with the Piranta line because it’s perfect for field dressing, skinning, filleting and even light butchering.

 

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Hunting with the Havalon Pro Staff: James Brennan

Havalon Pro Staff James Brennan

James Brennan, Havalon Pro Staff.

By Zach Rogers

Editor, Havalon Knives

“Havalon makes a number of different hunting and skinning knives to fit any need you might have.” 

At Havalon, we love hearing what you have to say. That’s why we’ve taken the time to talk to some of our Havalon Pro Staff members who are out using the best hunting and skinning knives in the industry. Today, we’ll meet James Brennan.

First, could you tell me a little bit about yourself? Your name, occupation, etc.? 

My name is Jim Brennan and I’m from Whitefish, Montana. I’ve been hunting for over 30 years. Although I started out on the East Coast, I moved to Colorado in the early nineties. I enjoyed a career in law enforcement for close to 12 years, but chose to walk away to pursue my real passion – western hunting. I moved to Montana 10 years ago and now I spend over 200 days in the field a year.

What exactly is your business in the hunting and outdoor field? Is this a hobby or a full-time occupation? 

I’m now a full-time guide, videographer, writer, photographer and I also work with a game call company. If I’m not building calls, conducting seminars, scouting, running a video camera or hunting, I’m usually just outdoors. I’m licensed as a guide in Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming. I will also be guiding in Washington and New Mexico in the coming year.

Havalon pro staff James Brennan in field

Pro Staffer James Brennan out in the field with Havalon.

How did you hear about Havalon knives? 

I first heard about Havalon knives while reading one of the dozen or so hunting magazines I receive every month and saw the advertisement.

When did you first try one of our products, and what were the circumstances surrounding the decision? 

I purchased my Havalon knife a while back, and haven’t let it go since! I honestly got tired of always having to sharpen blades, and I’m not very good at it. I thought the sharp replaceable blade option was fantastic.

Which knife did you use first, and what was your initial reaction to it?

The first ever Havalon knife I purchased was the Piranta, and it’s still my favorite. I still think it’s the best hunting knife in the industry today.

Pro Staff Havalon James Brennan in the cold

Snowfall can’t stop Havalon Pro Staffer James Brennan from getting a good catch.

What do our knives do for you that no other knife is able to do?  

I feel they are the best because of the ease of use, the sharpness of the blades, the light-weight design and the fact that they hold an edge for a long time. As a guide, I dress out and skin everything from turkeys to bears to elk, and Havalon always handles the job with ease. I can literally skin an entire elk with just one blade. I’ve had clients try to buy mine before, or they head out to a local retailer as soon as they can to get one. I’ve also had the chance to compare Havalon to other companies who make a replaceable blade knife, and Havalon dusted them every time! With other companies you have to change the blades 3 times just for one elk. Havalon makes a number of different hunting and skinning knives to fit any need you might have. I carry an old cigar tube to put my used blades in. They stay safe and I don’t have to litter the woods with the blades or wrappers.

Currently, what’s your favorite Havalon product and why?

My favorite knife is still the Piranta. I guess what they say is right – you never forget your first!!!

 

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Hunting with the Havalon Pro Staff: Mark Jenkins

Havalon pro staffer Mark Jenkins

Mark Jenkins, Havalon Pro Staff.

By Zach Rogers

Editor, Havalon Knives

“With the option of replacements blades, Havalon knives are the best for hunting and skinning game, hands down.” 

At Havalon, we love hearing what you have to say. That’s why we’ve taken the time to talk to some of our Havalon Pro Staff members who are out using the best hunting and skinning knives in the industry. Today, we’ll meet Mark Jenkins.

First, could you tell me a little bit about yourself? Your name, occupation, etc.?

My name is Mark Jenkins. I’m a husband and father to three children. I work in my family’s heating and air conditioning business, and I’m the third generation to work there. We have been in business since 1956. I also serve as a deacon in my local church and serve on many Pro Staffs for companies in the outdoor world, including Havalon Knives, Mossy Oak, Zink/Avian X and K2 Coolers.

What’s it like being a Pro Staffer?

I serve on Pro Staffs that put me in front of a lot of consumers in the outdoor arena. Whether it’s working outdoor events at the local Bass Pro, Dicks, Gander Mountain or Ducks Unlimited, or attending National Wild Turkey Federation banquets, I’m out and about as much as possible. Pro Staff really stands for “promotional staff” and my interest is to help grow each company’s brand that I represent.

How did you hear about Havalon knives?

My father bought my first Havalon knife for me as a gift, and I’ve been a firm believer ever since!

Mark Jenkins Havalon Pro Staff

Havalon Pro Staffer Mark Jenkins put his Havalon knife to work.

When did you first try one of our products, and what were the circumstances surrounding the decision?

I received my first Havalon knife when they came out on the market. With the ease of use and never needing to sharpen another blade, it allows me to have more time to pursue the wild game I cherish hunting! Not only do I use the Havalon line to process my wild game and fish, but I also use one for everyday chores as well. Eventually, the ease of use and product performance led me to inquire about becoming a Pro Staff member with Havalon. I only want to represent the companies whose products I use daily and believe in 100%, and I believe in Havalon.

Which knife did you use first, and what was your initial reaction to it?

The Piranta Whitetail was my first knife. I was very impressed with the size, and I love the fact that a surgically sharp blade is always readily available with a quick change of the blade. This knife has allowed me to have much more free time, and it makes doing things like European Skull mounts a breeze with fleshing and caping tedious areas of the skull. I feel like every taxidermist in the country should own at least one of these knives!

Havalon Pro Staff Mark Jenkins with his Piranta hunting and skinning knife

The Havalon Piranta line of hunting and skinning knives never fails.

What do our knives do for you that no other knife is able to do?

With the option of replacement blades, Havalon knives are the best for hunting and skinning game, hands down. While some people might enjoy spending time sharpening their blades, I prefer a quick and easy replacement blade any day. With the introduction of the Baracuta line, filleting fish is now a joy, as well as deboning any kind of meat I’ve been fortunate enough to harvest. These knives are durable, well-made and you always have the option to have the sharpest blade wherever you go!

Currently, what’s your favorite Havalon product and why?

My go-to is the Piranta because it’s the knife I carry with me everywhere I go. Whether it’s cutting boxes open at work or skinning a whitetail for the freezer or fleshing a skull for European mounts, the Piranta is my go-to knife for virtually every task … but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to part with my Baracuta! The Baracuta is a must-have when deboning meat or filleting my latest catch. With Havalon, I know I’ll always be using the best knives for hunting and skinning game, no matter what I’m after!

 

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Attention Fishermen: Protect Now to Prevent Skin Cancer Later

By Darl Black

Some of our most important advice
for summertime fishing!

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You don’t have to give up fishing. Simply follow the current skin protection guidelines to insure a healthy lifestyle.
(Photo by Darl Black)

I love sunlight. Always have. Cloudy days depress me. Can’t stand the short days of winter; they make me cranky. Give me those long days of summer any time. As a youngster and young adult, I spent my summers in shorts and short sleeve shirt slathering on suntan lotion and soaking up sun rays.

Yikes! If we had only known back then that overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is harmful – even deadly!

However, even today with all the warnings about increased likelihood of skin cancer through prolonged, unprotected sun exposure, many fishermen I encounter still ignore the basic prevention steps. Whether it’s from a stubborn it-won’thappen-to-me attitude, or a lack of being properly informed, I don’t know. But I do know the studies are in and the science verified. All of us need to take extra precautions when spending time in the sun.

If you want to avoid serious skin complications, from premature aging to deadly melanoma, take heed. Here are the Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Prevention Tips” and how I apply them to fishing.

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    Today’s skin protection tools should be right alongside one’s tackle when packing the boat. This includes wide-brimmed hat, gloves, buff hood and sunscreen.
    (Photo by Darl Black)

    Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. I do my best to avoid being outdoors when the sun is directly overhead, including limiting fishing trips to mornings and evenings during the summer. Of course if you are a tournament angler, or working construction, agriculture, or landscaping, avoiding mid-day sun is nearly impossible. Therefore proper clothing and sunscreen (see Points 4 and 5) are even more critical.

  1. Do not burn. Why is sunburn serious? Because skin damage occurs every time you turn red, and the effects are cumulative! Taking skin-protection seriously when outdoors will eliminate sunburn. However, be alert to instances of unexpected exposure, such as when driving on a road trip without protecting your face and arms. Whether the window is down or up does not matter. I keep a long-sleeve shirt in the car to slip on during long summer drives.
  1. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. If you’ve missed the news lately, tanning parlors have come under fire after studies show that individuals using tanning booths are more likely to develop skin cancer than those who do not. If you’re an avid outdoorsman under Old Sol you probably wouldn’t think about using a tanning bed, but the bottom line is that both are a risk. Any tanning resulting from ultraviolet rays can lead to skin damage.
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    A wide variety of hats afford protection from sun exposure. One style includes a long bill and wrap-around flaps that can be drawn in to cover part of the face.
    (Photo by Darl Black)

    Cover up with clothing, including broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Long pants and long-sleeve shirts with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of at least 50 is my standard attire when fishing or working in the yard. I’ve given up ball caps for a wide brim hat. Recently I started wearing a UPF neck/face gaiter to protect my neck, nose and cheeks. However, I discovered that wearing a gaiter over mouth and nose causes my sunglasses to fog. Fortunately, Potomac River guide Steve Chaconas showed me the new UVX Mask from Buff. “The new Buff covers all around my neck area, regardless of the shirt collar I’m wearing. The hood portion is much more comfortable and ergo dynamic, covering my forehead much better. But more importantly, a series of laser-cut holes around the mouth and nose area allows breathing without fogging my Maui Jim’s,” explains Chaconas.

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    The author applies a zinc oxide sunscreen to nose and other areas of the face which are routinely exposed throughout a day on the water. (Photo by Darl Black)

    Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreens have been vastly improved since first available in the 1980s. Today’s top rated broad spectrum sunscreens block both UVA and UVB radiation. UVB rays cause sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, are associated with aging of the skin, and add to the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) scale is a measure of the sunscreen’s ability to prevent skin damage. Anglers who expose themselves to the sun day after day should use a SPF with a high rating. I favor Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70.

 

  1. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. I admit, applying that much sunscreen every couple hours can be very expensive. But in my layman’s experience, wearing clothing with a high UPF rating reduces the need for so much sunscreen. When I’m headed outdoors for the day—spring, summer, fall or winter—I apply sunscreen to any area that will be exposed to sunlight, plus my arms before leaving the house. I reapply sunscreen to any exposed area when I take a hydration break every three hours. In addition to normal sunscreen, I also apply zinc oxide cream to my nose, cheeks and backs of my hands. Regular sunscreen soaks into the skin. However, zinc oxide sunscreen (made from finely powdered rock) sits on the skin’s surface to repel sun radiation.

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    Often overlooked, fingerless sun gloves are critical to protecting the backs of hands. (Photo by Darl Black)

  1. Examine your skin every month and see your physician every year for a professional exam. These days I am much more conscious of changes to my skin. In the last couple years, I’ve alerted my doctor to some unusual lesions and marks. Minor surgery removed the skin lesions in question for biopsy; the lesions were not cancerous. Several friends my age have not been so fortunate.
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Even many of today’s bass tournament pros are taking note of the warnings and covering up when on the water, including long pants, long sleeve shirts and buffs. (Photo by Darl Black)

Finally, the Skin Cancer Foundation is trying to debunk this popular myth: Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it’s too late to do anything now. While you are far better off starting your skin protection routine early in life, it’s never too late to make a difference.

Countering that myth, the Foundation says, “It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25% of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.”

Protection is necessary at any age.


Darl BlackAbout Darl Black

A lifelong freshwater angler and veteran writer/photographer, Darl tackles a wide variety of fishing related stories for print publications and websites.  Of all fishing, angling for smallmouth bass is his favorite pastime.  He may be reached for assignment at darlblack@windstream.net.


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