Crow Shoots

Since beginning my crow shoot guiding service 11 years ago
in 1991 I have conducted over 500 shoots and taken almost
25,000 crows with an overall success rate of 50 crows per
shoot. When you consider the number of hunts and that
we are hunting wild and not pen raised birds the average is
even that much more impressive. Take also into account
that this average includes the shoots with factors such as
rain, fog, high wind and at times running into an area with
call shy birds, all of which unfortunately I have no control
over. With wing shooting action like this many of my
clients have been hunting with me for 7 or more years.

The first crow shoots usually begin about the first of
October when the pecan growers start calling me to tell me
which of their orchards are being heavily depredated by the
crows. The season officially goes out the last day of FEB.
When shooting crows in Georgia for crop damage purposes
you can shoot unplugged and there is no limit.

The crow shoots start at sunrise and go until usually noon
or if the crows are still coming in well have hunted until
2PM, but usually around 11AM you start seeing a decrease in
the number of new birds arriving and the repeaters coming
back for a second look of course have been educated and
keep their distance.

The Crow Roost is located in the antebellum capital of
Georgia, called Milledgeville which is located 90 miles south
east of Atlanta and 30 miles east of Macon. By air you may
fly into the Harts field International in Atlanta and rent a car
or the Baldwin County airport is a 100' by 5,000' strip which
can handle small corporate jets.

Pick up and drop off from Hartfield is $100 or free if flying
into the Baldwin County Airport. Car reservations locally
can be made through U-Save Auto Rentals at (478)-452-1913
or (478)-452-4991.

Georgia one day small game hunting licenses cost $12.50 and
you can buy one for each day you plan to hunt or a 3-day non-
resident license is $30.00. Licenses can be ordered from the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, License Unit, 2189
Northlake Pkwy., Building 10, Suite 108, Tucker, GA 30084
or by phone at (770)-414-3333 or 1-888-748-6887 or on the
Internet at www.permit.com. You will need to provide your
name, address, height, weight, color of hair, eyes and indicate
days of the hunts. Hunters born after JAN 1, 1961 must have
proof of having completed a hunter safety course. If you
choose you can pick up your licenses once you arrive in
Milledgeville. Minimum age for hunters on the crow shoots is
13 years of age and have completed a hunter safety course.

Accommadations are through the Days Inn (formally The
Jameson Inn) at $49 plus tax for 1 to 4 people to the room.
Tell them at the time of booking that you are coming in for
a Crow Roost crow shoot to get this rate. Reservations can
be made by calling (478)-453-8471. Rooms are furnished
with a microwave and refrigerator.

You will need shotgun shells in #6 or #5 shot. Please no 7 1/2
or 8 shot as these are too light for shots past 40 yards.
Recommend bringing 100 rounds for each morning.
Camouflage clothing in a dark pattern such as Mossy Oak or
Real Tree. If you have a dove bucket that's fine or I have them
on hand. Rain gear in case of inclement weather. I have camo
umbrellas on hand. Pump or automatic shotguns are
preferable as they are easier to reload than an over and under
within the blind and you'll also appreciate having the extra
shots when unplugged.

In October and November the expected lows will be from 35
to 60 degrees and in December, January and February they
may be in the 25 to45 degree range. October is the driest
month in Georgia with each succeeding month increasing
the chance of rain.

Rates for 2000-2001 season are two party shoot-$360, three
party shoot-$390 or four party shoot-$400. There is a multiple
day discount of 5% for 3 or more consecutive days. If you have
a site scouted out and would like for me to come and conduct a
shoot for you the rate is $250 plus mileage. A 50% deposit is
required within 10 days of booking to secure the date with the
balance due at the time of the shoot. Refunds of the deposit less
a $25 administration fee are given for cancellations 30 days
prior to hunt. Cancellations within 30 days will be forfeited or
may be rescheduled to another date with a $25 adminstration
fee due at the time of rescheduling. Cancellations less than 7
days prior to the shoot forfeit the deposit.

In addition to the morning crow shooting there are
several hunting preserves locally such as Barksdale
Plantation and Burnt Pines Plantation that offer half
day and whole day quail hunting as well as sporting
clays. Plus there are two very fine sporting clays facility
at Forsyth called The Meadows and in Griffin called
Cherokee Rose. Or usually by the second day of hunting
the favorite afternoon past-time is taking a nap.

Most of the crow shoots are in pecan orchards located within a
1 to 2 hours drive of Milledgeville. If you are local it can also be
arranged to rendevous at a local restaurant near the place
where we will be hunting that morning. We also shoot some
peanut field and dairy farms when we find crows feeding there.