Thursday, August 20, 2009
Plugging crows
Bill Cochran
Recent mail
BILL: Is it true that you can hunt crows with an unplugged shotgun that holds five shells rather than three?
E.S.
E.S.: Yes, the shot shell limit for crow hunting has been removed. Hunters may now use unplugged shotguns even through the crow is a federally regulated migratory species. You don’t have to have a HIP number to hunt crows.
The crow hunting season opened Aug. 15 and extends through March 20 with hunting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday only. On National Forest land, the season is Sept. 1-March 10. Electronic calls may be used on private and public lands.
I asked an avid crow hunting friend of mine how much of an advantage it will be to have a couple more shells in a crow gun. He indicated, “not much.” If you miss with the first three those last two probably are just going to be fired in frustration.
Under recent regulation changes, an unplugged shotgun also can be used for hunting upland game, such as rabbits and deer. It remains illegal to hunt migratory game, such as doves and ducks, with an unplugged gun. So don’t forget, if you use an unplugged gun for crows you must plug it back up when after doves or ducks.
BILL
