20 replies to this topic

[Dave H]

Has any one seen crows out in Imperial Valley? I know there are many guys that hunt other birds out there but never have I herd about crow hunter out there

[.243Win]

gotta be some out there somewhereI've never seen anycourse, I'm never looking for them anyway....

[meangreen75]

The last time I saw some was when I called in some yotes up on the west side. PM me and I'll give you the location.Doug

[Beretta]

Nieland Ca...... Next to SLAB City!!!!!!

[howdy62]

There are bunches that fly over my place around sunset around Campo. McCain Valley has to have some too. Lots of BLM land around and only half the drive.....r

[shadow_catcher]

Has any one seen crows out in Imperial Valley? I know there are many guys that hunt other birds out there but never have I herd about crow hunter out there

Hi Dave, I am also interested in locations.##########http://tinyurl.com/6depfnOut in the desert, ravens prefer the fresh meat of young desert tortoises."We've found as many as 200 shells under raven nests," said Ray Bransfield, a wildlife biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service."Desert tortoises have been described as walking ravioli," Bransfield said. "Their shells are not hard. And they don't run very fast."#########

[ShooterJohn]

Don't forget Crow Season closed April 2, 2008.

[Bozsik]

Don't forget Crow Season closed April 2, 2008.

Ravens are protected. Know the difference between crows and ravens. Crows aren't big desert lovers, so make sure you aren't shooting ravens. And. as Shooter just mentioned, the season is now closed.db

[shadow_catcher]

Don't forget Crow Season closed April 2, 2008.

Thanks, John.This must be why they are suddenly all over the place.: - (Considering the havoc they wreck on native species, I wonder if there is a way to go after them as nuisance birds?

[Moe]

Don't forget Crow Season closed April 2, 2008.

John........That's only for the poor people who can't afford the fines.

[huntnsurf]

John........That's only for the poor people who can't afford the fines.

Ouch!!

[clampdaddy]

Don't forget Crow Season closed April 2, 2008.

Damn it! I pretty much missed crow season. I only went four or five times. Has anyone heard or know if they're still trying to make it an open all year season again?

[lefttyhunter]

You Guys can hunt crows in Calif year round IF a land owners signs a depredation permit that you keep in your possession at all times per Calif Administrative code title 14 and 472 section 485 that the crows are either a health hazard or they commit depredation to crops. Also one should cite Calif Fish and Game codes 200, 202, 203 and 330. There is n Federal objection to a state depredation permit per 50 Code of Federal regulations 21.43. When the almonds start to ripen in July crow hunters may be very welcome by farmers. It is very important that this depredation permit be in your possession at all times during the hunt and after they hunt until the crows have been disposed of. You can not sell any part of the crows but you will have great summer bbq with crow breasts. Clampdaddy should be in crow heaven in just a few months!Leftyhunter

[Bozsik]

Thanks, John.This must be why they are suddenly all over the place.: - (Considering the havoc they wreck on native species, I wonder if there is a way to go after them as nuisance birds?

Not true. Crows are a native species. They have always coexisted with the native species of CA wildlife. They become a problem to people who raise crops, hence the ability to obtain depredation permits. Farmers cannot issue a depredation permit for you to hunt crows on their land. The permits come from DFG. If they (the farmers) have a permit already issued to them, I believe you can hunt on their property with written permission though.Just because you are anoid with an animal, doesn't grant you the right of depredation. Make sure the person has the proper permits before hunting. It could be embarrasing for you if they don't. db

[lefttyhunter]

I have contacted two DFG officials and they both said that the DFG does not grant a depredation permit the landowner does. Of course one can contact the DFG themselves. One official that I found to be very helpful is"Wildlife Branch" who can be found at Jesse's Outdoors. Yes crows are native to the all of the US but due to agriculture their population has exploded. I do not advocate wiping them out and my shooting ability precludes that possibility but they are a lot of fun to hunt and they go great with worchestershire sauce.Leftyhunter

[ShooterJohn]

§472. General Provisions.Except as otherwise provided in Sections 478 and 485 and subsections (a) through (d) below, nongame birds and mammals may not be taken.( a ) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).( b ) Fallow, sambar, sika, and axis deer may be taken only concurrently with the general deer season.( c ) Aoudad, mouflon, tahr, and feral goats may be taken all year.

( d ) American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) may be taken only under the provisions of Section 485 and by landowners or tenants, or by persons authorized in writing by such landowners or tenants, when American crows are committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance. Persons authorized by landowners or tenants to take American crows shall keep such written authorization in their possession when taking, transporting or possessing American crows. American crows may be taken only on the lands where depredations are occurring or where they constitute a health hazard or nuisance. If required by Federal regulations, landowners or tenants shall obtain a Federal migratory bird depredation permit before taking any American crows or authorizing any other person to take them.American crows may be taken under the provisions of this subsection only by firearm, bow and arrow, falconry or by toxicants by the Department of Food and Agriculture for the specific purpose of taking depredating crows. Toxicants can be used for taking crows only under the supervision of employees or officers of the Department of Food and Agriculture or federal or county pest control officers or employees acting in their official capacities and possessing a qualified applicator certificate issued pursuant to sections 14151-14155 of the Food and Agriculture Code. Such toxicants must be applied according to their label requirements developed pursuant to sections 6151-6301, Title 3, California Code of Regulations.

[Bozsik]

Thanks John,I knew either DFG or the Feds would have a hand in it. They are now considered Federal migratory birds. I was contacted by a farmer to eliminate some beaver feeding on his orchard located adjacent to a river. DFG said they would have to send out a biologist to look at the damage and issue a permit before I could take them out of season. It was so close to the season I just waited a couple of weeks and took care of the problem when the season opened last fall.I can see how a landowner could give you written permission to hunt, but issuing a depredation permit was a bit much. Where do the landowners obtain the permits forms they issue? Thanks again for the confirmation.db

[clampdaddy]

Ok, so as I understand it I can still shoot crows as long as I'm hunting an orchard and have written permission by the farmer to do it, and the farmer doesn't need a depredation permit from the DFG. Is this right?

[ShooterJohn]

No! The farmer must have a depredation permit to shoot crows out of season.

[ShooterJohn]

Crows are regulated by the Federal Government in California because they are a migratory bird. So you may want to contact US Fish & Wildlife. The law states. If required by Federal regulations, landowners or tenants shall obtain a Federal migratory bird depredation permit before taking any American crows or authorizing any other person to take them. And crows are covered under federal regulations that who sets the season.Tell me where any state government is going to let a farmer or businessman write his own permits to take federal wildlife. Besides if you get busted for a federal offense it's a whole different court system.

[ShooterJohn]

I don't want to beat a dead horse or crow in this incidence but this is a serious matter. But today I got the depredation application form from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Since the crow is a migratory bird it falls under their jurisdiction. Read the application and if you feel you can meet the standards they set forth to issue the permit, go for it. But like the gentleman told me today this isn't a way to lengthen your hunting season. You can't call the birds and there are steps that must be followed.http://www.aphis.usd...tion_permit.pdfThe fee to process a migratory bird depredation permit application is $100.00. This fee applies to new permit applications and permit renewals.