Something other than a shotgun for crows?

thenashlegend

Howdy

We're having a bit of a problem with crows and magpies around a farm yard where meal and grain is left in troughs so I'm looking for some suggestions as to what might get rid of them, bar a shotgun.

We've tried traps and a shotgun but both have their downsides. The traps (larson I think?) have failed completely and although the shotgun has had some success it has frightened the dogs to the point of one running away (temporarily) so I'm looking for some other, possibly quieter suggestions.

I'd be thinking of a pellet rifle, as they seem to have some success on youtube and in other forums. I know the process I have to follow but its the spec of the gun itself I'd need some advice on and where I could pick up a good unit as there seems to be a lot of scrap floating around too.

What should I look for to take out crows and magpies?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

garv123

If they'll be on roofs and the likes when shooting an air rifle is the best bet if you dont want to use a shotgun.. you can pick up springer rifles cheap enough but if gas operated ones are more expensive. They also have a further range and you can have a magazine for them. A springer will be break barrel and single shot.


http://patrickcarleyfirearms.com/patrick-carley-firearms-limited-airguns-for-sale/
A gas air rifle will be more expensive to buy than a .22


If you'll have a safe back stop you could get a .22 and use subsonic ammo and a mod. The dogs wouldn't even notice it, its so quiet.

thenashlegend

They mainly hang around the slatted sheds and the ESB wires. So that's another reason the shotgun isn't doing a great job.

I'd be all for the spring fired pellet gun if it would be strong enough to knock them from say 30-50 yards?

garv123

thenashlegend wrote: »

They mainly hang around the slatted sheds and the ESB wires. So that's another reason the shotgun isn't doing a great job.

I'd be all for the spring fired pellet gun if it would be strong enough to knock them from say 30-50 yards?

Id say with a springer depending on the energy of it you would be more on the 30 than the 50 side of it.

You'll have to get used to the wind and bullet drop as you try and push it out further.
Owl or other bird of prey decoys could be another option. They'll either attack it or stay away from it.

1shot16

have a spring hw97k dose the job at 35 yards.Would go for gas if u want more range!

Catfirelily

.410 shotgun with a moderator...very quiet and effective

garv123

Catfirelily wrote: »

.410 shotgun with a moderator...very quiet and effective

Has anyone got an S for the hush power shotguns and the likes?

Down side to having it is you can only use the moderator vermin and not game birds.

.17hmr

Would a ladder trap not be of a benefit here ?It would mean you would be catching they in numbers rather than two and three at a time.

Catfirelily

garv123 wrote: »

Has anyone got an S for the hush power shotguns and the likes?

Down side to having it is you can only use the moderator vermin and not game birds.

John Lambert stocks mods for .410 shotguns that use a type of collet over the barrel so no need for threading, needs to be a single barrel tho(or pump action) or marlin make a pump action .410 with a mod attached.

patdahat

I'd try the ladder trap it will catch big number's.

Tawny Owl

patdahat wrote: »

I'd try the ladder trap it will catch big number's.

As was said in the other posts Ladder Trap, but empty it late at night it will catch loads.:D

aaakev

garv123 wrote: »

Has anyone got an S for the hush power shotguns and the likes?

Down side to having it is you can only use the moderator vermin and not game birds.

I know a guy with a .410 pump thats silanced, serious bit of kit for vermin control in built up areas, he shoots some grave yards and industrial areas. Pricey ammo tho is the downside

hedzball

COuld always buy subsonic 12g ammo..

1shot16

Air rifle ammo is cheap 500 pellets for 12-15 euro.. 400 for a second hand hw97k

http://irishguntrader.ie/weihrauch-177-hw97k/

vapour_trail

A gas operated .22 air rifle is what you want. Bit pricey but look at it as an investment for the farm. Buy a proper set up the first time and your sorted for a few years

1shot16

vapour_trail wrote: »

A gas operated .22 air rifle is what you want. Bit pricey but look at it as an investment for the farm. Buy a proper set up the first time and your sorted for a few years

That would be the right job!Cheap ammo get a nice bsa daystate or weihrauch all good makes!

kramxw

@thenashlegend a single shot spring powered air rifle of good quality will do the job; for air rifles rated <12ft/lbs you should limit your range to 30 meters or less, anything beyond that will require accurate range finding along with very good weather conditions i.e. no wind. A precharged pneumatic (PCP) is more expensive, will generally have a magazine holding 10 rounds, and will typically require filling from a dive bottle. Both are reasonably quiet to shoot, the PCP more so especially when fitted with a moderator.

Note, a spring powered air rifle will have much more recoil than a PCP, so hold consistency for a springer is critical for accurate shot placement. For a flatter trajectory consider a 0.177 over a 0.22.

Shots over 30 meters are of course possible, but generally air rifle shooters try to remain within 30 meters. High powered air rifles are available (>12ft/lbs), that will allow for a greater range, but not that much further. As always the capability of the shooter plays a large part.

thenashlegend

Thanks for all the replies guys, some very helpful answers! Might try and get a spring powered rifle and see how it goes. Always good to have for a bit of target practice anyway!

Any good dealers around Connacht?

dodderangler

A good male goshawk would sort ya
Would take up to 3 a day tho so go with rifle

extremetaz

If you want the most effective solution then go with the trap.

If you *WANT* to shoot, then go with a good PCP as suggested.

Steve012

A Scarecrow?