{"id":53898,"date":"2020-05-20T10:39:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T10:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunting.be\/how-to-efficiently-control-the-crow-and-jackdaw-with-decoys\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T10:48:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T10:48:52","slug":"how-to-efficiently-control-the-crow-and-jackdaw-with-decoys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunting.be\/en\/how-to-efficiently-control-the-crow-and-jackdaw-with-decoys\/","title":{"rendered":"How to efficiently control the crow and jackdaw with decoys?"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”41779″ bg_position=”left top” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”25″ bottom_margin=”25″ column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” boxed=”true” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”Who are those black robbers of the sky now?”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589992290891{margin-right: 50px !important;margin-left: 50px !important;}”]Crows and jackdaws, like pigeons, are group animals. You can find them in groups of one or two, but also in groups of more than 100. If they are found in these large numbers, they cause enormous damage to fauna and flora, but also to the agricultural sector. The main damage they cause to fauna and flora is the killing of young rabbits, hares, birds, ducklings, chickens, etc. The main damage to the agricultural sector is the eating of newly planted maize, the chipping of the foil around the hay bales, the damage of fruits in times of drought (in order to get moisture), etc. They are known to be greedy birds: they only take a few bites of their prey and then go in search of their next victim. <\/p>\n

Keeping the crows within acceptable numbers can be done by catching with funnel traps and Larsen cages, as well as fighting with a firearm. Today we will take a closer look at the latter, namely how efficiently the crow and jackdaw fight with decoys? Before you start placing your decoy and your cabin at random, there is some preparation beforehand.[\/vc_column_text][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”Preparation is the key to success.”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589992328932{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]A few mornings in advance, I try to locate where the crow mass is an hour or two after sunrise. It is very important to note whether the crows are present in large numbers or not. If there are only a few, it makes no sense to place a gigantic decoy house of 20 crows. This is inefficient with suspicious crows. Less is more. Once the crows have been located, it is important to find a nice place where the crows can land easily, the view is enriching and where the hut easily blends in with the environment. The ideal environment is large meadows at the edge of the forest or where there are a few trees in the middle of the field. It is best to place the hut one or two days before the control. Below you can find some tips on how best to place and make your hut.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”1000″ column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”25″ column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” boxed=”true” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”42218″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_text_separator title=”Crow with young rabbit” color=”white”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”25″ column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” boxed=”true” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”TIPS”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”50″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”175″ column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”42225″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_icon_list color=”default” direction=”vertical” icon_size=”small” icon_style=”border”][nectar_icon_list_item icon_type=”icon” text_full_html=”simple” title=”List Item” id=”1672736945525-5″ tab_id=”1672736945525-5″ header=”Hut” text=”\u2022 Never make the hut too big. Crows like to fly over you before they land, the bigger the hut the easier they can spot you. ” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check”] [\/nectar_icon_list_item][nectar_icon_list_item icon_type=”icon” text_full_html=”simple” title=”List Item” id=”1672736945551-0″ tab_id=”1672736945552-2″ icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check” header=”Back cover” text=”\u2022 Always make sure you have a dark background. You can do this by placing your hut against a cover. If there is no (back) cover available, make sure you place a dark net at the back. This makes it harder for the crows to see you move. A silhouette that moves against a pale background stands out much more brightly. “] [\/nectar_icon_list_item][nectar_icon_list_item icon_type=”icon” text_full_html=”simple” title=”List Item” id=”1672736945560-4″ tab_id=”1672736945560-5″ icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check” header=”Shadow” text=”\u2022 Place the hut in the shade. This way you never have to shoot into the sun and you blend in more brightly with nature. “][\/nectar_icon_list_item][nectar_icon_list_item icon_type=”numerical” text_full_html=”simple” title=”List Item” id=”1672736945573-0″ tab_id=”1672736945573-7″ header=”Natural shelter” text=”\u2022 If possible, place the hut under overhanging branches. As mentioned earlier, crows like to fly over you before they land, without cover above you you are therefore easier to spot. “][\/nectar_icon_list_item][nectar_icon_list_item icon_type=”numerical” text_full_html=”simple” title=”List Item” id=”1672736945585-5″ tab_id=”1672736945586-8″ header=”Natural vegetation” text=”\u2022 After placing the camouflage nets, it is better to take some vegetation from the area to put around your hut. This way your hut blends in with the surroundings. “][\/nectar_icon_list_item][\/nectar_icon_list][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”The day of control has arrived”][vc_column_text]The time has finally come, the day of control has arrived. To be able to hunt most efficiently, you have to get up early. I myself am on post an hour before sunrise to set out the decoy barn. You should never do that the day before. Crows have a good memory so they won’t fall into your trap. <\/p>\n

The placement of the decoy barn is the most important thing after the hut. If it is set incorrectly, the result will be satisfactory. Always use real, but lifeless decoys, these work best. You place them neatly on the floor with their heads on a Y-shaped stick. If you don’t have real crows, use flocked decoys. If there is a little wind, make sure that the decoys can move freely on the wind. Movement in the decoy always helps. Never use live decoys, it is forbidden! <\/p>\n

Just like pigeons, crows like to land against the wind. By placing the decoys in a U-shape or horseshoe, you decide where the crows will land. Place the horseshoe so that the landing zone is about 25 meters away from your cabin. For example, you can shoot the crows at \u00b1 30 meters, just before they land. There are 2 reasons for this. Just before crows land, they fly steadily, and shotguns are deadliest at \u00b1 30 meters (due to the spread of the hail).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”42279″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”42280″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]I determined the number of decoys the day(s) before. If I see that there are a lot of crows present, I usually place about 15 decoys. If it concerns only a few crows, about 5 decoys are normally sufficient.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”The moment of truth”][vc_column_text]The hour of sunrise has passed and the first visitors can be stretched. Because of the limited space, I always shoot at control with a semi-automatic, an old browning A5 that I inherited from my grandfather. This has of course been converted into a regulatory three-shot. With a tipping run, you always have trouble reloading. Because I don’t do crazy shots from +40 meters and want to be sure that every shot is a deadly hit, I shoot shot shot number 5 – 32 grams with Rottweil steel game. The dog is always present to retrieve the stretched crows. Crows lying on their backs scare off other crows, so you can’t shoot.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”25″][nectar_animated_title heading_tag=”h6″ style=”color-strip-reveal” color=”Accent-Color” text=”Extra tips to avoid a rude awakening”][vc_column_text]\n