I made a rule long ago to eat what I shoot, and I have pretty much stuck to it, with two exceptions. I’ll shoot woodchucks without a second thought whenever they invade our vegetable garden, and I hunt crows even though I have never eaten one and never had the desire.
When necessary, I’ll target them when our vegetable gardens are starting to ripen or are ready to harvest. Crows always seem to be around then, threatening to consume our crops before we get a chance to. I also hunt crows just for fun.
I’m not sure how many Mainers actually hunt crows. I mean those who buy calls and decoys, get dressed up in full camo, study the birds to learn their habits and dedicate real time and effort to hunting them like they do deer and other popular game species.
I may be wrong, but I’m willing to bet hunting crows is not high on the priority list of most hunters, especially during the winter season.
Under federal law, crows are not listed as a migratory game bird, so states have flexibility when setting hunting seasons and bag limits. There are certain federal guidelines, including that hunting seasons cannot last more than 124 days and hunting is banned during peak nesting periods in each state, but that’s about it.
Because of their non-migratory status, lead shot and shotguns loaded with more than three shells are legal, and a migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. A Maine hunting license is all that is needed.
Here in Maine, the first hunting season depends on which wildlife management unit (WMU) you live or hunt in. In WMUs 1-6, the season opened Feb. 2 and runs until April 15. In WMUs 7-29, the season opened Jan. 17 and ends March 31, which means crows can be hunted now anywhere in the state.
The second period generally takes place statewide from about Aug. 1 through late September. During both seasons, there is no daily bag or possession limit.
I have hunted crows during each season. Although I personally prefer later in the year due to better weather conditions and warmer temperatures, both seasons have their advantages and disadvantages.
Either way, whether it is a full-blown passion or occasional pastime, there are reasons to give hunting crows a try.
That’s true even at this time of year. Once snowshoe hare season closes at the end of March, coyotes are the only hunting opportunity until spring turkey season rolls around. Crows are about the only thing going from a hunting perspective.
Weather conditions can be unpredictable and uncooperative over the next couple months, but on those sunny days, it’s a pleasure to get outside.
As winter fades and days grow longer and warmer, resident crow populations grow increasingly active and vocal. Crows that migrated for easier living conditions during the winter also start to return and join resident flocks and family groups.
In a word, as spring arrives and weather conditions improve, crow numbers increase. They seem to be everywhere and are not difficult to find. Oftentimes, they can be heard cawing when you step out the front door or while doing outdoor tasks. Across Maine, crows are rarely far away.
I personally like the fact that crows are intelligent and consider a successful hunt a personal challenge. Crows are naturally cautious and notoriously wary.
I’ve noticed on several occasions that a group might be fooled at the start of a hunt but is seldom fooled a second time, which means you often have to change tactics, use different calls, bide your time, wait for a different group to fly in or move locations.
Crows respond well to mouth calls as well as electronic calls, which are legal in Maine. Like wild turkey, crows are social birds. They live or die by communication and have different vocalizations for different meanings, so it helps to know what you’re doing and when to use them. I’m still learning.
Put it all together, and crows have proven as challenging and as frustrating to hunt as anything that walks or flies in Maine.
Crows are also inexpensive to hunt. Some warm clothing is needed at this time of year, but for gear all that is required to get started is a shotgun, an inexpensive mouth call and plenty of patience.
I use size 6 or 7½ loads in the Remington Model 870 12-gauge shotgun I have owned for years and use to hunt turkey, and I sometimes set up the same blind and use the electronic call I already own.
I have invested in a handful of crow decoys and an owl decoy and have noticed an increase in gunning opportunity. But like other hunting activities, you can invest as much or as little as desired to even the odds and provide an advantage.
Compared to deer, turkey and some other types of hunting, it is not necessary to break the bank. Except for a mouth call, most hunters probably already have what is needed to get started.
Hunting crows may not be for everyone, particularly at this time of year. But whether you hunt them now or later when the weather is more pleasant, two things might happen: you’ll be surprised how much fun it can be, and you’ll want to do it again.
