House sparrows?

[bobcat]

I don't remember starlings ever being protected. Crows are protected, yes. Through some stupid treaty with Mexico. Unless they're in the act of depredation.

[sako223]

From the 2010 game regs page 60

Crow  Statewide: Oct. 1, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2011 Crows in the act of depredation may be taken at any time.

Magpies are federally protected but there is also a specific clause allowing killing them when in the act of depredation.

We also get a ton of house finches that resemble the sparrow just add color.
We have killed up to 50 sparrows in one sitting with the pellet gun here at the house.
we stopped counting starling kills in the thousands and magpies in the... well you know. Crows a good number too.

[Kain]

  It says "house sparrow" in the regs but I think that is same thing as "English" or "European".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Sparrow

It is also known by the alternative vernacular names English Sparrow, Indian Sparrow, and Spatzie or Spotsie.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/huntregs2010.pdf  Page 73

7. Depredating Wildlife:
Rock doves (pigeons), Eurasian collared doves,
starlings, and house sparrows may be taken
at any time. Crows may be taken during the
crow season or in the act of depredation. Crow
season: Statewide, no limit, October 1 - January
31. Magpies may be taken only in the act of
depredation (damaging crops or other property).

[sako223]

Another tough one is Ravens are federally protected and although generally larger than a crow can be difficult to distinguish at times.

[WDFW-SUX]

Ravens tail feathers are a different shape..

[Kain]

Yes ravens are larger, their tails have a pointed triangle shape and they can soar while crows have to constantly flap their wings.  From my experience they are mostly solitary when they are out flying around but will come to the call of other ravens while crows are very social and usually fly with others.

[runamuk]

Ravens tail feathers are a different shape..

Ravens silhouette is also different not to mention they are huge and their vocalizations are different...

[sako223]

Yes I understand there are ways to identify the difference but as I said at times it can be difficult to distinguish.
When in crow season you see one sitting on a rock at a distance it is not always certain. We have passed on a few shots to be safe.

[PolarBear]

It is too bad that buzzards and turkey vultures are protected.  Man those things are thick around my place.

[HardCorpsHuntr]

Another tough one is Ravens are federally protected and although generally larger than a crow can be difficult to distinguish at times.

One way to tell tell the difference;  If you shoot and miss it's a Raven, if you shoot and kill it it's a crow!

[sako223]

One way to tell tell the difference;  If you shoot and miss it's a Raven, if you shoot and kill it it's a crow!

Sounds reasonable, wonder if the feds will buy it.

[jdb]

One way to tell tell the difference;  If you shoot and miss it's a Raven, if you shoot and kill it it's a crow!
[/quote]thats exactly what i was gonna post. you beat me to it!

[trippledigitss]

Last month we had a few hundred starlings land on a tiny patch of lawn just outside our front door.  I stuck the old 12 gauge out the window and gave then both barrels.  I had close to a hundred dead birds to pick up.  What a mess, I'll never do that again!

HAHAHAHA! That is freaking funny! Picturing the thought in my head and still cracking up just thinking about it!

[Gringo31]

Starlings, pigeons, (house, barn, english) sparrows all need killed.  Black birds as well.

[lokidog]

Blackbirds?  Redwing?  Yellow-headed?  They are awesome birds and do no harm to anything.  Plus, they are protected.  I've got no problems taking out the non-natives just because they are there, but no reason to pound on the other song birds... except maybe brown-headed cowbirds, though techniocally also protected.  Rock dove or barn pigeons actually taste decent as well plus are good fetching practice for the dog.