Magpies everywhere

[BIGINNER]

is it just me or are there $hi& not of magpies everywhere?   this morning I probably saw 50+ on the way to work.   there was a bunch today picking on a family of quails.
I bet those things do lots of damage to the game bird chick population and eggs.

I killed one today in my yard,... suckers are picking on my baby chickens and even going into by chicken coop after the eggs..  holy crap they cause a lot of damage in my yard,.. imagine how much damage they cause everywhere else.

these suckers are smart too...  they wait till I put my shotgun away before they move in,... and they aren't very scared of me either until I reach for the shotgun,.. and they take off right away....

I need to come up with some kind of plan to get them by surprise so I can take care  of the problem birds.


anyone else shoot these suckers?

[eastsidemallard74]

Just a fyi, I don't think it's legal to shoot those

[BIGINNER]

Just a fyi, I don't think it's legal to shoot those

its legal if they are committing depredations...   

[BIGINNER]

I got this from the wdfw website.

I looks like I can shoot them for messing with game birds too.      I didn't know that.  so,... time to protect the baby quails and pheasants.   
and i'm pretty sure they are always "about to commit" depredations

Legal Status


Magpies are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. However, under the Code of Federal Regulations, “a Federal permit shall not be required to control . . . magpies, when found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance . . .”

[PlateauNDN]

I used to have a problem with magpies to.........until I got my son a bb gun.   now the pheasamts are increasing and its nice to see them running around the yard fighting for women.

[Jingles]

Fox pro has a sound that brings them in by the flock use either the single magpie or the magpie fight both work wonders

[BIGINNER]

Fox pro has a sound that brings them in by the flock use either the single magpie or the magpie fight both work wonders

I will give that a try.   

[uplandhunter870]

When I was living with my parents as a younger man my dad made me a deal hed buy components for 410 shells and I'd load them and kill birds out of his cherry orchard. Killing magpies is a tough task they are very smart I'd feel like king **** one days I killed one or two. One thing I've learned is that they will flock to other groups of magpies so decoys and/or carcasses laying out work well

[lucky33]

Between them and the crows there isnt much left for seedlings in my garden. 

[gaddy]

F-inlaw used to pop one with a bb gun & hang it upside down on his fence. seemed to work.

[Shoffy]

You should forget about the shotgun and use the scoped .22 rifle. Maybe you can sneak up on them and crack one or two in the head??

[lucky33]

Two words.     Magnum  Pie.                 

[Special T]

This is the MOST important time of year to shoot magpies!

232-12-005
Predatory birds.
  (1) HUNTING PREDATORY BIRDS:

     (a) It is unlawful to hunt for or take predatory birds without a hunting license except as allowed under RCW 77.36.030.

     (b) Crows and magpies: It is lawful to take crows during established hunting seasons and crows or magpies when found 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 provided that none of the birds, or their plumage, be offered for sale.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Amended on March 10, 1972. This amendment  added 32 additional families of  birds including eagles, hawks, owls and the Corvidae family…which includes the crow species.  I'm also asumeing that it uncludes Mag pies... Here is some info i found on the details.


Federal regulations (50 CFR Parts 20 and 21).

Section 20.133 provides States with the opportunity to set sport-hunting seasons without notifying the service. These seasons must comply with certain restrictions:

Crows shall not be hunted from aircraft.


The hunting season or seasons on crows shall not exceed a total of 124 days during a calendar year


Hunting shall not be permitted during the peak crow nesting period within a State and


Crows may only be taken by firearms, bow and arrow and falconry

Section 21.43, which covers depredation situations, provides for the taking of crows without a Federal permit, when crows are found committing or about to commit certain depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife or when they are concentrated in such numbers as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance. For instance, a crow in the proximity of an agricultural field with documented depredation damage would likely be considered as "about to commit depredation"; whereas a crow in a forested area or on a game management area would not likely be considered in the same way. Provision would include that: a) none of the birds killed or their parts are sold or offered for sale b) anyone exercising the privileges granted by this section shall permit any Federal or State game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises where the operations have been or are conducted and will provide them with whatever information is required by the officer concerning said operations and c) that nothing in the section authorizes the killing of such birds contrary to any state laws or regulations and that the person needs to possess whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the state concerned.

In addition, the taking of crows under the depredation order must comply with the conditions listed in Section 21.41(c). As an example, while decoys, calls, other devices to entice birds within gun range, and rifles may be allowed during a sport season, they are specifically prohibited under the depredation order by Section 21.41 (c). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) feels the basis for these restrictions is that it would be counterproductive to lure or entice crows into an area already experiencing depredation problems. Other requirements of that subsection, such as retrieval and disposition, must also be met. Certain severe depredation problems can allow exceptions through obtaining a permit by application. Be mindful that these restrictions apply when you are helping a landowner with his depredation problem.

[BIGINNER]

In addition, the taking of crows under the depredation order must comply with the conditions listed in Section 21.41(c). As an example, while decoys, calls, other devices to entice birds within gun range, and rifles may be allowed during a sport season, they are specifically prohibited under the depredation order by Section 21.41 (c). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) feels the basis for these restrictions is that it would be counterproductive to lure or entice crows into an area already experiencing depredation problems. Other requirements of that subsection, such as retrieval and disposition, must also be met. Certain severe depredation problems can allow exceptions through obtaining a permit by application. Be mindful that these restrictions apply when you are helping a landowner with his depredation problem.

I guess no calls..  lol  anyways I have enough of them here, wouldn't want to call them in.

[BIGINNER]

You should forget about the shotgun and use the scoped .22 rifle. Maybe you can sneak up on them and crack one or two in the head??

can't in most cases they are positioned in a way that i'm afraid of hitting houses that are 200-400 yards out.

[Bullkllr]

Just a fyi, I don't think it's legal to shoot those

I know what it means, but your signature makes your statement at least a little ironic

[washelkhunter]

Crows are everywhere too in abundant numbers here in the city. Its creepy. Harbingers of evil to come?

[Special T]

I have done extensiive research on this topic and kill LOTS each year. They key to this puzzle is the definition of "Depredation" I am having a hard time finding the specific WAC to cite, but have done so before onhere...(I think it got lost some how) Basically Crows and Magpies can be taken if they are in OR adjacent to agricultural feilds. So what does this mean? Well In the Columbia Basin Cutter Bee boxes are common used to polinate alfalfa and other agricultural crops. The larva are housed in a Cutter box that looks like a 3 sided 4x4x8 ft elevated  box. You will often see MANY of them in a feild. It just so happens that Magpes LOVE cutter bee larva. It also happens that farmers LOVE to giver permission to people to shoot Magpies that have these bee boxes. Many of you know that magpies roost in small trees/brushlines near feilds...  If you see those plywood boxes its time to start shooting. ALSO this time of year ther are lots of baby magpies. many of which cannot fly. they tend to be easy pickings, and thier squaking tends to bring mom and dad into shotgun range. IMO the perfect rifle for stacking up magpes is a 17hmr. I have found that when a person or vehicle approchase magpies they fly off past shot gun range and never let you get close enough. Normally landing about 150 yrds away or so... A chip shot for the 17hmr.

[syoungs]

I have 20+ on my property in finley, in the early morning they all congregate in my yard and in my landscaping, make a hell of a racket, nice to know when they are picking on the baby quail I can take em out. my pellet guns getting dusted off soon as im home from work!

[boneaddict]

I don't see any magpies around my place.

Welcome to the no fly zone in the Wenas

[Kain]

Crows may only be taken by firearms, bow and arrow and falconry

Dang.  I was thinking about making one of those ladder traps for the crows around my home.  Basically this leave you zero methods of controlling them where I live. 

[Special T]

I have 20+ on my property in finley, in the early morning they all congregate in my yard and in my landscaping, make a hell of a racket, nice to know when they are picking on the baby quail I can take em out. my pellet guns getting dusted off soon as im home from work!

The destruction of ornamental trees are also covered by "depredation". so if they are making a nest in, or tearing up your  trees let them have it.

[Special T]

WAC 232-36-051 Killing wildlife causing private property damage. The fish and wildlife commission is authorized to classify wildlife as game, and/or as endangered or protected species, and/or as a predatory bird consistent with RCW 77.08.010 and 77.12.020. The commission is also authorized, pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations and conditions on killing or trapping wildlife that is causing property damage.

     The conditions for killing wildlife vary, based primarily on the classification of the wildlife species, the imminent nature of the threat to damage private property, the type of private property damage, and the preventive and nonlethal methods employed by the person prior to the damage event. Additional conditions defined by the department may also be important, depending on individual situations. Killing wildlife to address private property damage is subject to all other state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Titles 77 RCW and 232 WAC.

     (1) Killing wildlife causing damage to a commercial crop or commercial livestock.

     (a) It is permissible to kill unclassified wildlife, predatory birds, and big game animals that are in the act of damaging commercial crops or livestock, under the following conditions:

     (i) Predatory birds (defined in RCW 77.08.010(39)) and unclassified wildlife that are in the act of damaging commercial crops or livestock may be killed with the express permission of the owner at any time on private property, to protect commercial crops or livestock.

     (ii) An owner with a valid, written damage prevention agreement with the department may kill an individual (one) big game animal while it is in the act of damaging commercial crops.

     (iii) An individual (one) big game animal may be killed during the physical act of attacking livestock.

     (iv) Multiple big game animals may be killed while they are in the act of damaging commercial crops or livestock if the owner is issued a kill permit by the department.

     (v) A damage prevention agreement or kill permit must include: An approved checklist of the reasonable preventative and nonlethal means that must be employed prior to lethal removal; a description of the properties where lethal removal is allowed; the species and sex of the animal that may be killed; the terms of the agreement/permit; the dates when lethal removal is authorized; who may kill the animal(s); and other conditions developed within department procedural documents.

     (b) It is unlawful to kill protected species (as defined in WAC 232-12-011) or endangered species (as defined in WAC 232-12-014) unless authorized by commission rule or with a permit from the department, with the following additional requirements:

     (i) Federally listed threatened or endangered species will require federal permits or federal authority, in addition to a state permit.

     (ii) All migratory birds are federally protected and may require a federal permit or federal authority, in addition to a state permit.

     (2) Killing wildlife causing damage or killing wildlife to prevent private property damage.
(a) An individual (one) big game animal may be killed during the physical act of attacking livestock or pets.

     (b) Predatory birds (as defined in RCW 77.08.010(39)), unclassified wildlife, and eastern gray squirrels may be killed with the express permission of the property owner at any time, to prevent private property damage on private real property.

     (c) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, the following list of wildlife species may be killed with the express permission of the owner, when causing damage to private property: Raccoon, fox, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otter, weasel, hare, and cottontail rabbits.

     (d) The department may make agreements with landowners to prevent private property damage by wildlife. The agreements may include special hunting season permits such as: Landowner damage prevention permits, spring black bear hunting permits, permits issued through the landowner hunting permit program, kill permits, and Master Hunter permits.

     (e) Landowners are encouraged to allow general season hunters during established hunting seasons on their property to help minimize damage potential and concerns.

     (3) Wildlife control operators may assist property owners under the conditions of their permit, as established in WAC 232-36-060 and 232-36-065.

     (4) Tribal members may assist property owners under the conditions of valid comanagement agreements between tribes and the department. Tribes must be in compliance with the agreements including, but not limited to, adhering to reporting requirements and harvest restrictions.

     (5) Hunting licenses and tags are not required to kill wildlife under this section, unless the killing is pursuant to subsections (2)(c) and (d) of this section. Tribal members operating under subsection (4) of this section are required to meet tribal hunting license, tag, and permit requirements.

     (6) Except as specifically provided in a permit from the department or a rule of the commission, people taking wildlife under this rule are subject to the laws and rules of the state including, but not limited to, those found in Titles 77 RCW and 220 and 232 WAC.