Crow Hunting Tips

GET STARTED HUNTING - CROW
What you need to know to get started.

www.iowadnr.gov/huntered
Looking for some fun, fast action hunting? Try out hunting crows. Crows are plentiful in numbers and can be found all
across the state. Crows can easily be called into range for the young/novice hunter. Since the action is fast paced, most
hunters find this activity to be enjoyable.
CROW SPECIES
Click on the photo for details about the species.
American Crow
IOWA CROW SEASON INFORMATION
SEASON DATES: October 15, 2016 - November 30, 2016 and

January 14, 2017 - March 31, 2017
SHOOTING HOURS: No restrictions
BAG LIMITS: There is no daily bag limit or possession limit.
LOCATIONS: Entire state is open to hunting
LICENSE & FEES: Hunting license and habitat fee
2016-17 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations

This booklet contains rules and regulations most likely needed for hunting in Iowa.
WHERE TO HUNT
A large portion of Iowa is private land, but there are plenty of public hunting opportunities throughout the state. Try out
Iowa’s Online Hunting Atlas, an interactive map that shows all lands open to public hunting in the state, totaling over
600,000 acres. The Hunting Atlas also gives basic information about those areas such as: acres, general habitat descrip-
tion.
Iowa Hunting Atlas

Crows can be found in many habitats so you’ll want to spend some time scouting. Crows can be found in woodlands,
where they roost, nest and perch. They can be also found in open areas, agricultural fields, marshes, rivers and streams
looking for food. As they are omnivores, crows will eat almost anything. Their diet consists of corn, seeds, fruits, nuts,
insects, earthworms, eggs, nestlings, frogs, mice, garbage and carrion.
Hunting crows on privately held land is often an opportunity as many farmers dislike them and will usually give you
permission to hunt crows. Always remember to be courteous and respectful when asking permission to hunt. This will
increase your opportunities to be allowed back to hunt for crows or other species in the future.
WHEN TO HUNT
Crow hunting season is broken into two segments both allowing for ample opportunity to locate and harvest game.
Scouting prior to each segment of the season can improve your chances of finding crows. Crows are very noisy and can
be easily seen which also increases the chances of a successful hunt. Keep an eye out for freshly cut fields as crows will
typically flock there to feed.
HOW TO HUNT CROWS

The beginning crow hunter needs a gun, ammo, a crow call, camouflage, and a couple decoys. Most importantly, choose
a shotgun that you are comfortable shooting. Any gauge shotgun can be used, however chances are much better with a 20
gauge or 12 gauge. Make sure to check your choke as you’ll want to be shooting with a modified or improved cylinder
choke. As for ammunition, #6 shot has traditionally been the shot of choice, however #7 1/2 or #8 shot will also work.
Crows have extremely good eyesight and can detect movement from a long way off. So in early fall you’ll want to wear
camo that is mostly green and lightweight, whereas in late fall and winter, you’ll want to wear warmer clothing and a
pattern that is mostly brown, gray and black. Many crow hunters will hunt from a blind. Your blind can easily be made
from a few pieces of camouflaged material and branches, grass or other surrounding vegetation that blend you into your
backdrop. No matter where you hunt, make sure that you have an open field of fire ahead of you so that you can spot and
retrieve your game.
There are two kinds of crow decoys - silhouette and full bodied. Both types will attract crows, but each has it’s advantag-
es and disadvantages. Silhouette decoys are cheap and can be easily hand-made. Full bodied decoys look the most realis-
tic and are easy to set up but are more expensive. They are also harder to carry out in the field than the silhouette type.
There are two types of decoy setups that can be used when hunting crows. The Friendly setup is used to mimic a group
of feeding and foraging crows. This display should be placed at a location where crows normally are found feeding like
a dump, field or orchard. As crows are very social and live in family groups of between 2 and 15 birds, put out as many
decoys as you have to simulate a group has found a feast. Keep the decoys away from your blind, so that birds don’t look
in your direction.
The Fighting setup is used to simulate a situation where the crows are in conflict with something such as a raptor like a
an owl or hawk or even other crows. Crows attack and chase all raptors but have a hatred for the Great Horned Owl. The
best set ups is to put an owl decoy so that every crow in the area can spot it. A fence post, top of a small tree or even a tall
pole works great. Then put your decoys in the trees and brush around the decoy.
Once you have your decoys and blind set, you’ll want to call the crows. There are two kinds of calls for crows- hand and
electronic. Beginning crow hunters can have instant success with the electronic units right out of the store. Electronic
callers can produce the sounds of many crows at once which is something must harder to do with a single hand call. If
you choose to go with an electric call be sure to select one that produces a loud, clear sound. Hand calls are the cheapest
of the two methods and easy to carry with you in the hunting field. When picking a hand call you should try to find one
that is easy to blow. Crow calling requires long, loud calling. A call that is hard to blow will wear you out in a hurry.

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GET STARTED HUNTING - CROW

What you need to know to get started.

IOWA CROW SEASON INFORMATION

SEASON DATES: October 15, 2016 - November 30, 2016 and

2016-17 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations

Iowa Hunting Atlas

HOW TO HUNT CROWS

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