IN THE FIELD Bag of tricks

Tom Sykes highlights the different methods and aids he uses to lure more crows into his range and increase his chances of success on this most wily of quarry

- Tom Sykes

As the summer corvid control is now underway, I decided to look at some of the tools and tactics that can help yield better bags. Crows have always fascinated me as being a worthy adversary, with their keen eyesight and sharp senses. The damage they cause is considerable and the person employed to control them will need to use virtually every tool at their disposal. The following highlights my methods and gives some recommendations.

Calls

I have a passion for calling in general and very rarely hit the foreshore without an array of trusty duck and goose calls, and so it is with crows. The first point to make about calling is that it will not work every time and should never be overused. However, calls can be invaluable at beguiling your quarry and helping to lure them in close enough for a shot. When it comes to crows, however, I typically use them sparingly.

The most common birds to call are those ones that are wide of the decoys and show minimal to no sign of commitment. These are well worth trying to call as nothing ventured, nothing gained and they are most likely going to remain out of range anyway. I find that using a call they can be persuaded to come just close enough to give me a chance.

The most satisfying crows to lure into the decoys are the ones that have pitched into a nearby tree. They often appear to be assessing every inch of the decoy spread and will seldom be convinced to leave their position. However, they will on occasion take flight and come sailing right in, providing an opportunity for a shot. The fact that they were not deterred by the set-up despite strict scrutiny gives me immense satisfaction.