I finally understand varmint hunting.

MuscleGarunt · May 26, 2009, 10:40 PM

For the longest time I felt that varmint hunting was unethical, cruel and just wrong. Well, today I changed my mind. For the last few months I have been having this problem with crows around my place. After feeding the animals the crows come in and eat whatever grain the livestock leave behind, I was fine with that. Then I started to notice the livestock water was getting dirty very fast, half eaten worms and grain as well as large pieces of dung. I though it funny that the animals would crap in their water.

So the other day I am walking through the yard and I see this crow up on the water bucket dropping stuff in the water, why, I don't know maybe to soften it up for eating later. So it suddenly dawns on me why I have been having to change the water out every other day.

So all day I am trying to get this crow, but the damn things are really smart. Finally I got him, heart shot with a 22-WMR, dropped him instantly, no twitching, no flailing, no flapping nothing, just dropped him like a brick.

So morale of the story, I finally understand varmint hunting. You own some property, livestock, whatever, said animal is being destructive, a nuisance. You kill said animal to make your life easier.

ddeyo1 · May 26, 2009, 11:55 PM

amen

Buzzcook · May 27, 2009, 12:26 AM

Crows don't rate high enough to be called varmints.

Hellbilly5000 · May 27, 2009, 02:26 AM

Crows don't rate high enough to use a 22 on em use a good pellet gun instead, In the long run it will save you a lot of money, A good stuffed scare crow is always good too

butta9999 · May 27, 2009, 02:42 AM

I love Varmint hunting, plenty of it in Australia... Goodluck with your new venture.

Dingoboyx · May 27, 2009, 04:27 AM

Apart from Russle Crow, that is.... are less than, less than varmints.... in fact, they are about the same as rodents.... Hmmm sky rats? yup, thats about right

Here in Oz, me and some of my gyrocopter mates used to chase crows & Cockatoos away from crops (especially grapes) in our Gyro's.... had to chase roos and Emus out of wheat fields too. , was fun

One of the guys decided to shoot a few from the gyro... Never boring in Oz

kiwi56 · May 27, 2009, 05:16 AM

Had the same problem with Magpie's over here, fixed them with the 223 improved longest shot so far was 190 yards. It is amazing how far the feathers fly when they get hit with a 55 grain Nosler Balistic tip leaving the rifle at around 3600 ft per second. For the American shooters the Magpie is a bird slightly smaller than a crow but just as bigger pest.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · May 27, 2009, 05:33 AM

G'day. Muzza you might be giving Russel to much credit.

On a more serious note. I know Sheep farmers that want every crow, fox, dog and cat shot on sight. They do so much damage to lambs being born it is not funny. Don't spare the powder, no cartridge is too big.

kayakersteve · May 27, 2009, 05:35 AM

I used to feel bad about people shooting woodchucks. After looking into it and discussing with the local grape farmers, I chnaged my mind. They all had a story or two about broken axels, flat tires and damaged tractors from hitting woodchuck holes in the vineyard isles. Now I can presue them and feel I am doing a good thing.

Dingoboyx · May 27, 2009, 05:50 AM

That must be where that saying "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"

& you know what my answer to that is??

Chucked if I know

ddeyo1 · May 27, 2009, 12:02 PM

not to mention borken cow legs from woodchuck holes. ill tell ye a cow worth 1800 breakin its leg in a chuck hole will change yer mind, and generally make you want to annihalate woodchucks from the face of the earth.

Kendo · May 27, 2009, 12:15 PM

Muscle, now you need a crow call, couple cases of shotgun shells,and three or four buddies. You talk about a hoot.

hogdogs · May 27, 2009, 01:11 PM

Keep your kills as decoys during the shoot. If wounded tie some fish line to their leg and to a little stake or twig sappling and it will really draw in their buddies...
Brent

4406v · May 27, 2009, 02:32 PM

Get a Johnny Stewart game caller (electronic)with the crow fighting hawk tape,a case of shells and a few buddies.Kill the first one to come in (the scout) and use the dead as decoys.It is so much fun and great wingshooting practice.I have old Pennsylvania Game News from the 50's and 60's they literally show guys with pick up trucks full of dead crows in almost every issue.I had a friend invite me to go crow hunting early one spring day before turkey season came in and I figured I had nothing else to do why not?? I had so much fun I went out and bought all the stuff I would need to introduce someone else to the sport.We killed about 30 crows that day and I've been hooked ever since.

Yithian · May 27, 2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingoboyx

"How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"

A woodchuck could chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Brian Pfleuger · May 27, 2009, 06:42 PM

If you think you understand it now then you really need to see what it's like just after sunrise, while the dew is still on the ground, the birds are singing in the trees.... and you can see through your scope the pink mist hanging in the air where moments before there was a woodchuck.

MuscleGarunt · May 27, 2009, 06:52 PM

Wow, that would be intense. Yes, I need a crow call, have to check the sporting goods store downtown later. Maybe I can put that 100 bulk pack of 12 gauge skeet/bird shells too good use.

crowbeaner · May 27, 2009, 06:53 PM

Please note my nom de plume; it speaks volumes. Old Noir is the smartest bird that lives, and unlike a wild turkey, has the ability to reason and solve puzzles. They can live to 25 years of age, have 52 known "words" in their vocabulary, and think like union members. They post lookouts to watch for hawks and owls, and absolutely hate Great Horned Owls. They will harass an owl mercilessly, and eat a variety of disgusting things such as carrion, bugs, worms, and God knows what else. Vermin is the word I use; maybe some kinder people will call them varmints. 222 and 22-250 are my calibers of choice, and an exceptionally accurate rifle is a must for long range vaporization. The Speer 52 grain HP or TNT is the bullet of choice in my old M700, and I drive them just as fast as RL7, BLC2, and IMR 4198 will push them.

Brian Pfleuger · May 27, 2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Yes, I need a crow call, have to check the sporting goods store downtown later. Maybe I can put that 100 bulk pack of 12 gauge skeet/bird shells too good use.

Indeed you DO understand!!

Where mere days ago you wanted them to leave now you intend to CALL THEM IN!!!

You've got the bug.

MuscleGarunt · May 27, 2009, 07:31 PM

Oh what have I become

longcall911 · May 27, 2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Finally I got him, heart shot with a 22-WMR, dropped him instantly, no twitching, no flailing, no flapping nothing, just dropped him like a brick.

If I ever come over to visit and have a bunch of beers. . . I'll have to remember *not* to pee in the water trough.

/*tom*/

Buzzcook · May 27, 2009, 10:45 PM

Just thought I'd add that you should take care not to shoot ravens, thinking they're crows.

Ravens are larger, Ravens have a pointed tail, crows are more rounded fan shaped. Ravens wing tips are pointed and crows more blunt.

MuscleGarunt · May 27, 2009, 11:08 PM

Ravens have a slightly curved beak too and are twice the size of the northwestern crow.

hogdogs · May 28, 2009, 12:45 AM

Even the smaller crow is a thick sumbuck... I use no less than 6 high brass but for the range they usually stat out to, I need #5 or 4 to really get one shot kills... 7 1/2 seem to bounce off at 25-30 yards.
Brent

crowbeaner · May 28, 2009, 08:32 PM

Brent; I have just the load for you. I use it for long range birds of all feathers including black colored ones.

RP 2 3/4" hi brass Unibody hull, black or green
WW 209
33.0 of IMR SR 4756
RP 12 wad
1 1/4 oz. of the best Lawrence shot; copper plated is the cat's meow. Magnum #4,#5 or# 2
1340 fps. at 10,000 lup
KICKS LIKE HELL> KILLS BIRDS AT 70 YARDS WITH EXTRA FULL CHOKES!

May 26, 2009, 10:40 PM	#1
MuscleGarunt Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Posts: 75	I finally understand varmint hunting. For the longest time I felt that varmint hunting was unethical, cruel and just wrong. Well, today I changed my mind. For the last few months I have been having this problem with crows around my place. After feeding the animals the crows come in and eat whatever grain the livestock leave behind, I was fine with that. Then I started to notice the livestock water was getting dirty very fast, half eaten worms and grain as well as large pieces of dung. I though it funny that the animals would crap in their water. So the other day I am walking through the yard and I see this crow up on the water bucket dropping stuff in the water, why, I don't know maybe to soften it up for eating later. So it suddenly dawns on me why I have been having to change the water out every other day. So all day I am trying to get this crow, but the damn things are really smart. Finally I got him, heart shot with a 22-WMR, dropped him instantly, no twitching, no flailing, no flapping nothing, just dropped him like a brick. So morale of the story, I finally understand varmint hunting. You own some property, livestock, whatever, said animal is being destructive, a nuisance. You kill said animal to make your life easier.

May 26, 2009, 11:55 PM	#2
ddeyo1 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2008 Posts: 195	amen __________________ Beware the man with one rifle... He probobly knows how to use it.

May 27, 2009, 04:27 AM	#6
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	Crows Apart from Russle Crow, that is.... are less than, less than varmints.... in fact, they are about the same as rodents.... Hmmm sky rats? yup, thats about right Here in Oz, me and some of my gyrocopter mates used to chase crows & Cockatoos away from crops (especially grapes) in our Gyro's.... had to chase roos and Emus out of wheat fields too. , was fun One of the guys decided to shoot a few from the gyro... Never boring in Oz __________________ Muzza If you cant blind them with brilliance, Baffle them with BS Be alert...... there is a shortage of LERTs

May 27, 2009, 05:16 AM	#7
kiwi56 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Auckland NewZealand Posts: 350	Varmints Had the same problem with Magpie's over here, fixed them with the 223 improved longest shot so far was 190 yards. It is amazing how far the feathers fly when they get hit with a 55 grain Nosler Balistic tip leaving the rifle at around 3600 ft per second. For the American shooters the Magpie is a bird slightly smaller than a crow but just as bigger pest.

May 27, 2009, 05:33 AM	#8
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. Muzza you might be giving Russel to much credit. On a more serious note. I know Sheep farmers that want every crow, fox, dog and cat shot on sight. They do so much damage to lambs being born it is not funny. Don't spare the powder, no cartridge is too big. __________________ If you're not confused, you're not trying hard enough! When you're confused, I'll try to use smaller words!!!

May 27, 2009, 12:26 AM	#3
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Crows don't rate high enough to be called varmints.

May 27, 2009, 02:26 AM	#4
Hellbilly5000 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2009 Location: RGV, Tx Posts: 787	Crows don't rate high enough to use a 22 on em use a good pellet gun instead, In the long run it will save you a lot of money, A good stuffed scare crow is always good too __________________ And death climbs the steps one by one, To give you the rose that's been burnt by her son, Point me to the sky above I can't get there on my own, Walk me through the graveyard Dig up her bones

May 27, 2009, 02:42 AM	#5
butta9999 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 692	I love Varmint hunting, plenty of it in Australia... Goodluck with your new venture. __________________ Knowledge is Power!

May 27, 2009, 05:35 AM	#9
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 925	It's easy to understand your change of heart. I used to feel bad about people shooting woodchucks. After looking into it and discussing with the local grape farmers, I chnaged my mind. They all had a story or two about broken axels, flat tires and damaged tractors from hitting woodchuck holes in the vineyard isles. Now I can presue them and feel I am doing a good thing. __________________ See Ya!

May 27, 2009, 05:50 AM	#10
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	Ahhhh woodchucks That must be where that saying "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" & you know what my answer to that is?? Chucked if I know __________________ Muzza If you cant blind them with brilliance, Baffle them with BS Be alert...... there is a shortage of LERTs

May 27, 2009, 12:02 PM	#11
ddeyo1 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2008 Posts: 195	not to mention borken cow legs from woodchuck holes. ill tell ye a cow worth 1800 breakin its leg in a chuck hole will change yer mind, and generally make you want to annihalate woodchucks from the face of the earth. __________________ Beware the man with one rifle... He probobly knows how to use it.

May 27, 2009, 12:15 PM	#12
Kendo Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 103	Muscle, now you need a crow call, couple cases of shotgun shells,and three or four buddies. You talk about a hoot.

May 27, 2009, 01:11 PM	#13
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Keep your kills as decoys during the shoot. If wounded tie some fish line to their leg and to a little stake or twig sappling and it will really draw in their buddies... Brent

May 27, 2009, 02:32 PM	#14
4406v Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Ellwood City,Pa Posts: 58	Get a Johnny Stewart game caller (electronic)with the crow fighting hawk tape,a case of shells and a few buddies.Kill the first one to come in (the scout) and use the dead as decoys.It is so much fun and great wingshooting practice.I have old Pennsylvania Game News from the 50's and 60's they literally show guys with pick up trucks full of dead crows in almost every issue.I had a friend invite me to go crow hunting early one spring day before turkey season came in and I figured I had nothing else to do why not?? I had so much fun I went out and bought all the stuff I would need to introduce someone else to the sport.We killed about 30 crows that day and I've been hooked ever since.

May 27, 2009, 06:42 PM	#16
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	If you think you understand it now then you really need to see what it's like just after sunrise, while the dew is still on the ground, the birds are singing in the trees.... and you can see through your scope the pink mist hanging in the air where moments before there was a woodchuck. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

May 27, 2009, 06:52 PM	#17
MuscleGarunt Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Posts: 75	Wow, that would be intense. Yes, I need a crow call, have to check the sporting goods store downtown later. Maybe I can put that 100 bulk pack of 12 gauge skeet/bird shells too good use.

May 27, 2009, 06:53 PM	#18
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Please note my nom de plume; it speaks volumes. Old Noir is the smartest bird that lives, and unlike a wild turkey, has the ability to reason and solve puzzles. They can live to 25 years of age, have 52 known "words" in their vocabulary, and think like union members. They post lookouts to watch for hawks and owls, and absolutely hate Great Horned Owls. They will harass an owl mercilessly, and eat a variety of disgusting things such as carrion, bugs, worms, and God knows what else. Vermin is the word I use; maybe some kinder people will call them varmints. 222 and 22-250 are my calibers of choice, and an exceptionally accurate rifle is a must for long range vaporization. The Speer 52 grain HP or TNT is the bullet of choice in my old M700, and I drive them just as fast as RL7, BLC2, and IMR 4198 will push them. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

May 27, 2009, 07:31 PM	#20
MuscleGarunt Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Posts: 75	Oh what have I become

May 27, 2009, 10:45 PM	#22
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Just thought I'd add that you should take care not to shoot ravens, thinking they're crows. Ravens are larger, Ravens have a pointed tail, crows are more rounded fan shaped. Ravens wing tips are pointed and crows more blunt.

May 27, 2009, 11:08 PM	#23
MuscleGarunt Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Posts: 75	Ravens have a slightly curved beak too and are twice the size of the northwestern crow.

May 28, 2009, 12:45 AM	#24
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Even the smaller crow is a thick sumbuck... I use no less than 6 high brass but for the range they usually stat out to, I need #5 or 4 to really get one shot kills... 7 1/2 seem to bounce off at 25-30 yards. Brent

May 28, 2009, 08:32 PM	#25
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Brent; I have just the load for you. I use it for long range birds of all feathers including black colored ones. RP 2 3/4" hi brass Unibody hull, black or green WW 209 33.0 of IMR SR 4756 RP 12 wad 1 1/4 oz. of the best Lawrence shot; copper plated is the cat's meow. Magnum #4,#5 or# 2 1340 fps. at 10,000 lup KICKS LIKE HELL> KILLS BIRDS AT 70 YARDS WITH EXTRA FULL CHOKES! __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.