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.