FFD Crows Getting the Job Done...

**David Rearick** · #1 07-09-2007, 10:15 AM

2007 Hunting Journal Entries

DATE: July 1st and 7th, 2007

LOCATION: Western PA

SUNRISE/SUNSET: 5:56 AM

WEATHER: Hot and Sunny

TEMPERATURE: 80’s +

WIND: Little to None

EQUIPMENT USED: Greenhead Gear® FFD Lookout and Aggressive Caller Crow Decoys, Avery® 12-slot Decoy Bags, Avery® Mud Case, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Sportsman’s Camera Bag, Avery® GameHog Strap

HUNTERS: Zink® Field-Staffer Erik “E” Nilsson and Avery® Pro-Staffer David Rearick

JOURNAL NOTES:

July 1st:
Always looking to get some practice in during the off-season, so when the season opened for crows here in PA, on July 1st, we were ready to hit the fields. Everything was set for the opener; the decoys, some great fields courtesy of “E”, and the hunters. Needless to say, we were pumped. At 8:45 PM on June 30th, as I was packing my gear, I realized I forgot one very crucial item, my license! July 1st was the beginning of our “hunting license year”, and I had forgotten to pick mine up the previous week. Even best made plans sometimes get snake bitten and it appeared as though the morning shoot was a loss. After a quick brainstorming session, we decided to head out a little later, which allowed me to get my license first thing in the morning.

After getting my license and heading to our first field, the crows were already in place. We made short work of setting up the decoys and getting hidden in the shadows. It wasn’t long until our first group approached the field, but they had clearly seen us setting up and as many of you may know, crows are a very smart creatures. With a little coaxing on the E's custom crow call to get them fired up, they were on there way though. After a few vollies, we decided to head on to another spot and see what we could come up with as these birds clearly had us pegged. After three sets for the day, we ended up with 7 crows. Nothing near what we hoped for or expected on the opener, but with the late start and high temps, we were somewhat satisfied with results.

July 7th:
After last weekend’s mishap, we were looking for a better shoot on Saturday. With more scouting throughout the week, things were looking good and the birds were still holding in some key areas. Having a few minor issues in the early AM I didn't make it out for the first set, but waited to hear from Erik when he finished up. About 8 AM E. called and said the birds were working the decoys great and he had faired very well. I high-tailed it to the meeting spot and we quickly headed into the field. The birds were moving, so we quickly made our set-up and got tucked into some standing corn. After a few short calls the birds were on their way and we were into them. These birds were decoying like ducks and geese, something we had rarely seen, prior to using the FFD’s. Sometimes when we were just talking, they would catch us by surprise and be in the decoys locked and ready to land. It made the time pass by quickly and made for a great day afield.

Things were going well and the birds were working so good today we decided to try our luck at another spot. It proved worth while as our luck continued and the birds committed feet down over the decoys. We made quick work of putting them on the ground and at the end of the day, 22 were hanging on the Avery® Game-Hog strap. It was definitely a good day and one for the scrapbook. Things only get better from here.

Goose-Down989 · #2 07-09-2007, 10:49 AM

Nice Job Guy's..

Kill'um All

**Michael Reed** · #3 07-09-2007, 11:20 AM

Nice Je David!

I went down to the duck club this weekend again and there were about 50 crows all over the corn field.... After this next duck season(next spring) I am going to take my doz FFD crows and whack the hell out of em...