Grey Crow / Magpie Callers

gquirke

Hi,

I want to buy an electronic caller for grey crows and magpies and would like to hear from anyone on here who uses these or has any experience of using them. I would love some advice on the best one to get and how it can be used to maximum effect (decoys/bait/roost shooting etc.).
Thanks in advance.
Gary.

E@gle.

I dont no much about them but i heard electronic ones are very good. I saw one in my local gun dealer that served as a number of different callers includin duck. fox,magpie, etc.

I know someone who bought one a shot over 12 magpie using it.

I will try find out make and model for you.
They are expensive though.

Irishglockfan

Apprently they arent as hectic as made out to be.Some gunstores claim they are illegal as well.Get a manual operated crow caller and learn to use it.I can bring in crows over an owl decoy with them no trouble.

E@gle.

Irishglockfan wrote:

.Some gunstores claim they are illegal as well.

Why would they be illegal??
They make the same sound as manual callers.

Irishglockfan

Beats me!
but thats what i found printed all over a catalouge for a local gundealer who was importing them from the Uk.Along with the weapons mounted nite scopes,

"Items,....... not for sale in the irish republic".
Maybe somthing obscure in the wildlife act about artifical calls,or some other such well thought burrocratic laws. :rolleyes:

Dont know how the hunt sabs get away with using them either! :mad:

Terrier

They are only illegal in the UK for the hunting of game as far as i'm aware..
I have one, it's Italian, I know it cost €220 :eek: euro in Galway at the moment.
It has two fox calls, Rabbit, Magpie, Crow, and duck calls

I only use it for foxes, Grey and magpies. I have tripled my kills since getting it and would seriously recommend it. Although expensive it is well worth it for the results you will see.
On magpie's (Jay's also) you will only get one shot with a shotgun as they get spooked very easily.. use a .22LR with silencer ...brilliant
As for Greys/crows they just keep coming,
Excellent for lamping foxes, have even managed to get foxes to appear from wood in the middle of the day..

Well worth it...

gquirke

Thanks Terrier. Triple your bag count is great. I have a .22LR with a silencer so I will definitly take your advice on that for the Magpies. Do you use any decoys with the caller or is the caller enough to bring them in?

They are expensive items alright but if they work that well then they would definitely be worth the investment.

I presume they are widely available in gun shops?

E@gle.

I mite take your word for it terrier and go out and get one.
a .22LR is that just an ordinary .22. i have a magnum mite put a slincer on that.
Is a slincer expensive??

gouda

[QUOTE=
I only use it for foxes, Grey and magpies. I have tripled my kills since getting it and would seriously recommend it. Although expensive it is well worth it for the results you will see.
On magpie's (Jay's also) you will only get one shot with a shotgun as they get spooked very easily.. use a .22LR with silencer ...brilliant
As for Greys/crows they just keep coming,

Well worth it... [/QUOTE]

Hate to be awkward but isn't it illegal to use a rifle on ANY bird in this country? At least that's my understanding of the Wildlife Act. Also, Jays are now protected. Sorry to spoil your fun.

Terrier

gquirke wrote:

Do you use any decoys with the caller or is the caller enough to bring them in?
I presume they are widely available in gun shops?

Often use a dead rabbit with a grey decoy, for magpies if you shoot one place it on its back wings outspread, place the caller under it, hide and enjoy...

Only seen them in Galway, they are becomeing more popular as everyone wants them for lamping.... the old aeroboard is not good enough anymore..

E@gle. wrote:

I mite take your word for it terrier and go out and get one.
a .22LR is that just an ordinary .22. i have a magnum mite put a slincer on that.
Is a slincer expensive??

Paid €60 for mine, althought i managed to get a silver one later from http://www.deben.com/ for £22 in sliver to match my gun

gouda wrote:

Hate to be awkward but isn't it illegal to use a rifle on ANY bird in this country?

Surely not on vermin, :eek: Everyone I know use there .22 for the control of Crow & mags....

E@gle.

Its illegal to use a rifle on any game bird e.g Phesant or duck.

E@gle.

Terrier wrote:

Paid €60 for mine, althought i managed to get a silver one later from http://www.deben.com/ for £22 in sliver to match my gun

Hmm €60 seems cheap for a slincer do u not needed to get your barrells treaded and the gun needs to be sent away to get it done. i thought silencers are fairly expensive.

brocdubh

gquirke wrote: »

Hi,

I want to buy an electronic caller for grey crows and magpies and would like to hear from anyone on here who uses these or has any experience of using them. I would love some advice on the best one to get and how it can be used to maximum effect (decoys/bait/roost shooting etc.).
Thanks in advance.
Gary.

i use a u-caller remote on greys and maggies,and a couple of crow/maggie decoys,u-callers are cheap and cheerful and come with eight calls the foxing call are a bit tinny but the crow/maggie one do the biz,new/different sounds are downloadable from the net free from the likes of "varmint al`s website.
locksvogel callers are good if pricey and you have to change the sound card for different calls.

J.R.

gouda wrote: »

Hate to be awkward but isn't it illegal to use a rifle on ANY bird in this country?

A rifle can be used on crows, magpies & pigeon if shot under E.U. Derogation

J.R.

Terrier wrote: »

They are only illegal in the UK for the hunting of game as far as i'm aware..:D

As far as I'm aware electronic callers are not allowed in Ireland.

Wildlife Act ammendment 2000

Amendment of section 35 (certain use of scarecrows, decoys, birdcalls and calls of wild mammals restricted) of Principal Act. 43.—Section 35 of the Principal Act is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) by the substitution of the following for paragraphs (a) and (b):
"(a) use, for the purpose of hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal—
(i) any live wild bird or live wild animal which is tethered or secured by braces or other similar appliance or which is confined in a cage or pen or which is blind, maimed or injured, or
(ii) any kite, light trap, balloon, aircraft (including model aircraft) or similar device,
or
(b) use, as a decoy for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal, any live wild animal or live bird, or",
(ii) by the insertion, in paragraph (c), of "wood pigeons," before "wild duck",
(iii) by the substitution of the following for paragraph (d):
"(d) use an electrical or other instrument or appliance (including recording apparatus) emitting sound, for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal.",
(b) in subsection (3)—
(i) by the substitution of the following for paragraph (a):
"(a) the use for hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal of a species specified in the order of any stuffed or artificial decoy or any device, whistle, instrument or appliance which is of a particular type, class or description specified in the order, or",
(ii) by the insertion, in paragraph (b), of "plover," before "wild duck",
(c) by the substitution of the following for subsection (4):
"(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, a decoy, vehicle or an instrument or appliance, including electrical or other recording apparatus emitting sound for the purpose of repelling, scaring or capturing any wild bird or any wild animal, may be used, pursuant to and in accordance with a licence granted in that behalf by the Minister, for scientific research or for another purpose approved of by the Minister.
(4A) Nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting—
(a) the practice of falconry lawfully carried out in accordance with a licence or licences granted in accordance with section 41 of this Act, or
(b) the taking, killing or use of a wild animal, which is not a protected wild animal, for the purpose of, or while engaged in the practice of fishing.",
and the said subsections (1) (other than paragraphs (a), (b) and (d)) and (3) (other than paragraph (a)), as so amended, are set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act apart from this section, but subject to section 42, a person shall not—
(c) use a stuffed or artificial decoy in the form of any bird for the purpose of hunting any protected wild birds, other than wood pigeons, wild duck and wild geese, or
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the Minister may by order prohibit throughout the State or in any particular area thereof—
(b) the use of any orally or manually operated whistle or other instrument or appliance (not being recording apparatus) which imitates, or emits calls similar to, the calls of plover, wild duck or wild geese or emits recorded such calls.

bunny shooter

We had this discussion here many times.......think we came to the conclusion that shooting vermin with a rifle was allowed BUT not with a moderator on the rifle. Away to seach for proof now in case someone is gonna say I'm wrong

garv123

E@gle. wrote: »

I mite take your word for it terrier and go out and get one.
a .22LR is that just an ordinary .22. i have a magnum mite put a slincer on that.
Is a slincer expensive??

you can get one and have the rifle threaded for maybe 100 euro.
But you need a licence for it( the S on your licence if you `ticked the box when applying for the rifle. if not you might have to pay for the licence on it. some said they had to pay, other didnt.
it also wont silcence a .22magnum. it might take away some of the loud crack but there still be a bang. the.22lr with subs isnt breaking the sound barrier which is why its quieter.

J.R. wrote: »

As far as I'm aware electronic callers are not allowed in Ireland.

Wildlife Act ammendment 2000

Amendment of section 35 (certain use of scarecrows, decoys, birdcalls and calls of wild mammals restricted) of Principal Act. 43.—Section 35 of the Principal Act is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) by the substitution of the following for paragraphs (a) and (b):
"(a) use, for the purpose of hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal—
(i) any live wild bird or live wild animal which is tethered or secured by braces or other similar appliance or which is confined in a cage or pen or which is blind, maimed or injured, or
(ii) any kite, light trap, balloon, aircraft (including model aircraft) or similar device,
or
(b) use, as a decoy for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal, any live wild animal or live bird, or",
(ii) by the insertion, in paragraph (c), of "wood pigeons," before "wild duck",
(iii) by the substitution of the following for paragraph (d):
"(d) use an electrical or other instrument or appliance (including recording apparatus) emitting sound, for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal.",
(b) in subsection (3)—
(i) by the substitution of the following for paragraph (a):
"(a) the use for hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal of a species specified in the order of any stuffed or artificial decoy or any device, whistle, instrument or appliance which is of a particular type, class or description specified in the order, or",
(ii) by the insertion, in paragraph (b), of "plover," before "wild duck",
(c) by the substitution of the following for subsection (4):
"(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, a decoy, vehicle or an instrument or appliance, including electrical or other recording apparatus emitting sound for the purpose of repelling, scaring or capturing any wild bird or any wild animal, may be used, pursuant to and in accordance with a licence granted in that behalf by the Minister, for scientific research or for another purpose approved of by the Minister.
(4A) Nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting—
(a) the practice of falconry lawfully carried out in accordance with a licence or licences granted in accordance with section 41 of this Act, or
(b) the taking, killing or use of a wild animal, which is not a protected wild animal, for the purpose of, or while engaged in the practice of fishing.",
and the said subsections (1) (other than paragraphs (a), (b) and (d)) and (3) (other than paragraph (a)), as so amended, are set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act apart from this section, but subject to section 42, a person shall not—
(c) use a stuffed or artificial decoy in the form of any bird for the purpose of hunting any protected wild birds, other than wood pigeons, wild duck and wild geese, or
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the Minister may by order prohibit throughout the State or in any particular area thereof—
(b) the use of any orally or manually operated whistle or other instrument or appliance (not being recording apparatus) which imitates, or emits calls similar to, the calls of plover, wild duck or wild geese or emits recorded such calls.

3 above that also says you cant decoy either
is that not just for species with a season?

ssl

bunny shooter wrote: »

We had this discussion here many times.......think we came to the conclusion that shooting vermin with a rifle was allowed BUT not with a moderator on the rifle. Away to seach for proof now in case someone is gonna say I'm wrong

I'd be interested in your findings. Sound bananas that a rifle with a moderator( part of your ppe IMO) cannot be used to hunt pests

fodda

bunny shooter wrote: »

We had this discussion here many times.......think we came to the conclusion that shooting vermin with a rifle was allowed BUT not with a moderator on the rifle. Away to seach for proof now in case someone is gonna say I'm wrong

Except there is no such thing as "vermin" in Ireland just birds which are not protected when attacking crops and animals which arent protected.

Also does this mean you cant use a live maggie or crow as a decoy?


"(a) use, for the purpose of hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal—
(i) any live wild bird or live wild animal which is tethered or secured by braces or other similar appliance or which is confined in a cage or pen or which is blind, maimed or injured, or


(b) use, as a decoy for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal, any live wild animal or live bird, or",


If so you basically cant do anything..........none of it makes sense.

J.R.

fodda wrote: »

Except there is no such thing as "vermin" in Ireland just birds which are not protected when attacking crops and animals which arent protected.

Also does this mean you cant use a live maggie or crow as a decoy?


"(a) use, for the purpose of hunting, repelling or scaring any wild bird or any wild animal—
(i) any live wild bird or live wild animal which is tethered or secured by braces or other similar appliance or which is confined in a cage or pen or which is blind, maimed or injured, or


(b) use, as a decoy for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or any wild animal, any live wild animal or live bird, or",


If so you basically cant do anything..........none of it makes sense.

E.U. Derogation 2011

http://www.npws.ie/media/npws/publications/legaldocs/Declarationfor%20Leinster.pdf


Using a Larsen trap / ladder trap for magpies & greycrows, with use of live decoy, is covered under derogation above.



Interestingly, black crows (rooks & jackdaws) are not included in use of traps with a live decoy so what happens if rooks enter trap???

The use of crow decoys is perfectly legal, as far as I'm aware, but the Act only mentioned pigeons, duck & geese decoys being allowed!

Confused?????????????

fodda

J.R. wrote: »

E.U. Derogation 2011

http://www.npws.ie/media/npws/publications/legaldocs/Declarationfor%20Leinster.pdf


Using a Larsen trap / ladder trap for magpies & greycrows, with use of live decoy, is covered under derogation above.



Interestingly, black crows (rooks & jackdaws) are not included in use of traps with a live decoy so what happens if rooks enter trap???

The use of crow decoys is perfectly legal, as far as I'm aware, but the Act only mentioned pigeons, duck & geese decoys being allowed!

Confused?????????????

Yes it says use of caged traps and the use of decoys but it does not say "live animal/bird" decoys which are not allowed in the 2000 wildlife amendment so live decoys are illegal yes/no??

Birdnuts

fodda wrote: »

Yes it says use of caged traps and the use of decoys but it does not say "live animal/bird" decoys which are not allowed in the 2000 wildlife amendment so live decoys are illegal yes/no??

I think we're in danger of over analysing things here - if a vermin species is legally trapped and happens to attract in more of his own then this is totally legal, not withstanding the fact that some would argue that the first bird in could be construed as a "live decoy".

Tackleberrywho

I'm a Varminter
Any pesky Varmint

I Mod on of course

ClayDuster

Irishglockfan wrote: »

Beats me!
but thats what i found printed all over a catalouge for a local gundealer who was importing them from the Uk.Along with the weapons mounted nite scopes,

"Items,....... not for sale in the irish republic".
Maybe somthing obscure in the wildlife act about artifical calls,or some other such well thought burrocratic laws. :rolleyes:

Dont know how the hunt sabs get away with using them either! :mad:

The reason the calls are now illegal is they have electronic duck and other game birds calls which is making it too easy to trick the ducks. the fox and pest calls are still legal.

ClayDuster

gquirke wrote: »

Hi,

I want to buy an electronic caller for grey crows and magpies and would like to hear from anyone on here who uses these or has any experience of using them. I would love some advice on the best one to get and how it can be used to maximum effect (decoys/bait/roost shooting etc.).
Thanks in advance.
Gary.

Hi Gary, i use a bird call bought in Duffy's in Mainguard st. Galway for €155 which has various calls, fox, magpie, crow etc and in the field i place two plastic magpie decoys (€7.50 each) out about 25 yards from my hide (under a tree) and wait. the mags land above my head in the trees or fly over repeatedly and i take them down as i see them. the caller is VERY loud so i recommend good hearing protection and good camo gear in the hide. crows and mags are both drawn to both the crow and magpie calls so use either one and it'll have the desired effect.

hope this helps, happy hunting
CD

Bamanlou

lockvogel callers are very good , we have used them for the last few years and cant fault them .

Eddy Hill

fodda wrote: »

Yes it says use of caged traps and the use of decoys but it does not say "live animal/bird" decoys which are not allowed in the 2000 wildlife amendment so live decoys are illegal yes/no??

Larsen traps are used by NPWS as far as I know on some of their own conservation projects.
Using a live caged call bird (Hooded Crow, Magpie ) is ok , provided it has shelter and water and feed .....