crows legal issue's

[seth30]

I know that crow season is a ways off, and the regs state you can kill them in the act of predation.  Does that cover them scaring off my song birds from the feeders and harassing my bird houses to the point that all of them now stand vacant?  I stopped filling the bird feeder and now only fill the suet feeder, which I used to enjoy watching the wood peckers at.  Well the crows are at that now and they take the suet feeder and wrap it around the tree branch it hangs from so they can open it up and take the whole block away.  I have tried yelling at them, and have even sprayed a few with a garden hose to no avail   I want to pop them with a pellet gun now and send them a clear message but not sure if it would be covered in the regs or not.  Thanks for any help in this. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I do not know but when they wake me up in the mornings its not a good thing for them 

[seth30]

I do not know but when they wake me up in the mornings its not a good thing for them 

  I am surronded by neighbors and all it would take is one looking out the window at the right time   Thats why Im checking up on it so I can get my back yard back.

[bobcat]

With crows I would shoot first and ask questions later.   

Is anyone really going to care if a crow dies?   

[seth30]

Hopefully not, but I am on Whidbey Island and we have our share of earth muffins   Either way the next crow I see is going to either eat a paintball or some lead, depending on which one is legal

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have quite a few crows around here these days.  I had a robin's nest in a small tree in my back yard, not very well hidden.  A crow spotted the nest and when mamma robin left, he stole the eggs.  I figure if the birds can't hide their nests where crows can't find them, they deserve to lose their eggs.  I think "depredation" means the crows are damaging crops or gardens--not just being crows.  I mainly shoot Starlings.  I hate them, and they don't belong here anyway.

[BLR 243]

How do u know if there causing depradation ? They turn black when u shoot them.

[huntinguy]

Hopefully not, but I am on Whidbey Island and we have our share of earth muffins   Either way the next crow I see is going to either eat a paintball or some lead, depending on which one is legal

Paintball would be harassing wildlife... and that would get you in just as much trouble as crow pie. Don't think I would like to have evidence flying around. 

[Humptulips]

77.36.030
Trapping or killing wildlife threatening human safety or causing property damage — Limitations and conditions — Rules.
(1) Subject to limitations and conditions established by the commission, the owner, the owner's immediate family member, the owner's documented employee, or a tenant of real property may trap, consistent with RCW 77.15.194, or kill wildlife that is threatening human safety or causing property damage on that property, without the licenses required under RCW 77.32.010 or authorization from the director under RCW 77.12.240.

     (2) The commission shall establish the limitations and conditions of this section by rule. The rules must include:

     (a) Appropriate protection for threatened or endangered species;

     (b) Instances when verbal or written permission is required to kill wildlife;

     (c) Species that may be killed under this section; and

     (d) Requirements for the disposal of wildlife trapped or killed under this section.

     (3) In establishing the limitations and conditions of this section, the commission shall take into consideration the recommendations of the Washington state wolf conservation and management plan.


Here's what it says about damage;

(5) "Damage" means economic losses caused by wildlife interactions.

So unless you can show economic loss from the crows I would say you are on shakey legal ground if you kill them.

I tried to look up hazing wildlife and couldn't find much except for on The Application for Permit to Trap for Animal Problem it does list hazing as an appropriate method for nonlethal control that is required before a permit can be issued.

Sounds like the paintball gun would be OK but I couldn't find a specific WAC about it.

[Fl0und3rz]

Heard elsewhere: I've never seen a crow that wasn't in the act of, on the way to, or on the way back from, an act of depredation.
-unattributed WDFW officer

Depredation -
Noun: An act of attacking or plundering. The act of preying upon or plundering; robbery; ravage.

Crows - No bag limit - Oct. 1-Jan. 31 Crows in the act of depredation may be taken at any time.

It sounds to me like they are fair game, because they are plundering the feeder.  Killing seems fine in this instance according to the regulations.  You might only have to get one before the others start watching their backs.

[shoot-em-dead]

I wouldn't hesitate to blast one in my yard. If you got them with the garden hose then they are way too comfortable there.

[Special T]

I looked up the "depredation" clause and what it said for Magpies and Crows were If they were in or near a Agriculture field it was depredation. If they were attacking other animals native or domestic... Boom! I kill lots of Magpies around the farm in E WA. They eat the cutter bees used for pollination, and they get it year round.

[CP]

I’d like to see some brightly colored, paint ball splatted crows flying around.

I think your biggest issue is discharging a projectile, even an air rifle pellet, in your neighborhood on Tree Hugger Island.  You should check your local laws on that first.  You have a depredation argument for killing the crows but not if it isn’t legal to shoot an air rifle in your neighborhood.

[Fl0und3rz]

I looked up the "depredation" clause and what it said for Magpies and Crows were If they were in or near a Agriculture field it was depredation.

Source?

"Crows in the act of depredation may be taken at any time." p.68.

"Crows may be taken during the crow season or in the act of depredation. Magpies may be taken only in the act of depredation (damaging crops or other property)." p.77.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01383/wdfw01383.pdf

The regulations say nothing about agricultural fields for crows, and it only lists two examples of acts of depredation in the regulations for magpies.  If you are concerned about the agricultural aspect of depredation causing you problems, plant a raspberry plant, blueberry bush, or other "crop" nearby.  They seem to like cherries.

Otherwise,  wait for crow season to open (Statewide: Oct. 1, 2012 - Jan. 31, 2013).

And to be sure, check your local codes about laws regarding airguns.  Mine only says something to the effect of ensuring your backdrop (personal safety and property damage concerns).

http://www.mrsc.org/codes.aspx

[Special T]

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.

I had a post that will not pull up that talked aobut the defintion of depredation... I will try and find it.

[Fl0und3rz]

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.

I had a post that will not pull up that talked aobut the defintion of depredation... I will try and find it.

Thanks.  I like the bolded parts.  Plant a fruit or shade tree and hang your feeder from that. 

[seth30]

It is hanging from my alder tree which not only provides shade for my home but also provides habitat for the many bird homes that I built, well did.  Every single home there is now vacant and the paint is all but gone from the roofs where the crows have been pecking at it nonstop.

[boneaddict]

I've never seen a crow that wasn't in the act of, on the way to, or on the way back from, an act of depredation.

Thats about the most honest whereto statement I've heard in a long time

[BOWHUNTER45]

pellet gun ...depressor ...no problems 

[seth30]

I will be buying one on payday

[BOWHUNTER45]

I will clue you in a little .... if you wound one  :chuckle be propared for and all out war ....you might want a semi auto pellet gun 

[seth30]

 Been there and done that will my 12 gauge last december

[Fishaholic]

With crows I would shoot first and ask questions later.   

Is anyone really going to care if a crow dies?   

i go chewed out by some Green anti hunter people for shooting crows.


and yes i would think you could shoot them because you didn't put the feed out for them and they are eating  the food to put out for the other birds

[bobcat]

i got chewed out by some Green anti hunter people for shooting crows.

    

[Carnivore]

I will clue you in a little .... if you wound one  :chuckle be propared for and all out war ....you might want a semi auto pellet gun 

When you shoot one be prepared for the sky to fill with them.  They seem to come in flocks when one of their own gets wounded or killed.

[KFhunter]

buddy of mine was over at the house the other day, wanted to see the new foxpro
 
 
so I stuck a crow decoy at the back of the yard and fired up crow distress - good fun - lot of rukus and disturbed all the neighbors
 
had a lot of crows circling the house all pissed off

[h2ofowlr]

I will clue you in a little .... if you wound one  :chuckle be propared for and all out war ....you might want a semi auto pellet gun 

When you shoot one be prepared for the sky to fill with them.  They seem to come in flocks when one of their own gets wounded or killed.

This only happens until you knock of the next one and they witness it.  Then it's every crow for there own.  They are smart critters.  I raised one in H.S.  I think the smartest bird I was ever around.  I would just be discrete about it and take care of the depredation problem.

[uplandhunter870]

if you do kill a crow in said act of depredation and it falls dead on your property i would strongly suggest you get it disposed of quickly

one dead crow equals lots of live crows investigating

shot one out of my dads cherries last summer with my 410 broke both wings and it went squawking and bawking through the orchard as i tried to chase it down and finish it, by the time i got it i had 20 more overhead and boy were they pissed after it was said and done i was out of shells and we didnt see another crow all summer

[MadHatter]

I shot a crow rooting in the garden one year and missed the body and broke its wing.  It ran off into the thick brush before I could cycle my bolt.  This happened to be at a family members house and I had to leave the next day...  Knowing how smart they are I felt really bad about not killing it... That damn bird lived for 5 more years as a flightless crow until it met a log truck that it couldn't outrun on the highway.  It managed to outsmart me hunting it for all those years as well.  I eventually gave up and let it be, if it had enough will and smarts to live without being able to fly it had my admiration.  Haven't shot a crow since, and still feel bad about that one...

Now their cousin the starling... I take out every one I can get a shot off on...

[j.galloway]

Now their cousin the starling... I take out every one I can get a shot off on...

There have been a ton of starlings around here lately, though unfortunately they hang around city limits. The biggest group lives at/near the school 

I didn't mind them that much until they dive bombed my truck
one even hit the drivers side door handle too, just 20 seconds before I was going to open it. 

[Loki_762]

Seth,
I also live on Whidbey, and despite being surrounded by tree huggers, I dispatch any and all invasive species that wander into my yard with a pair of EXTREMELY quiet pellet guns. I also take out crows any chance I get. I have found that with crows, you take out 2 or 3, and the rest get wise fast and stay away. If you need help, just shoot me a PM and we can talk. By the way, I'm in Freeland. Where are you at?
Chris

[seth30]

Chris,

Im outside of OH   I am borrowing Hillbill's airgun at the moment, and there are 10 less starlings, and a rat.  The starlings now fly away at the sight of me, and the crows well I havent seen once since I started dropping there the other birds. 

Seth

[Loki_762]

Atta boy - knock 'em dead!  I live on the edge of a greenbelt, and if I don't do my part to control starlings, house sparrows, cowbirds and crows, then I never see any of the native birds at the feeders.  We have finches, juncos, towhees, flickers, thrushes, song sparrows, hummingbirds - you name it, we've got them living around here.  If I don't keep the invasives controlled, we never see the other ones.  It seems like it's been a banner year for cowbirds and starlings around here - in the last month, I have probably taken close to two dozen combined.  Probably 2/3rds of them have been in the last 10 days.  I've also drilled a couple of rats that have been up in the trees.  Definitely honing my shooting skills, though!
Chris

[seth30]

Your right on that.  My backyard in the previous years was filled with many song birds and all 24 of my birdhouses were filled.  Now they all stand empty, and rats climb the tree in broad daylight to get at the suet feeder.    The crows have probaly been the worst but most noticable due to there size and sound compared to the others.

[Loki_762]

If you're having problems with rats, lots of guys lure them out with chunky peanut butter to a good shooting spot and then just drill 'em.  It's supposed to be like catnip for rats - just brings them running.  The ones around here have a den at the base of a tree with a feeder in it, so I keep an eye on the feeder just before dark.  They aren't bold enough to come out during the day - they've lost too many buddies to the cat.  But at dusk I can see them cruising the branches, and I plug them every chance I get.  A couple of years ago one ended up getting into the crawlspace below our house, and we could hear him running around in the wall.  Since then, they're "shoot on sight."  Even my wife, who tends to be okay leaving critters alone if they aren't directly bothering us, gives a green light for rat shooting.  I need to do a little research on night hunting these little buggers so I can be rid of them for good.  They seem to be getting wise about dusk being a bad time to be hanging around in the trees.

[seth30]

Chirs,

I have a million candle light powered spotlight, I bet that would freeze them.  I will try the peanut butter.  My tree borders the property line and my slob neighbors back yard which is just one huge black berry bush.  The rats are coming in and out of that.  I will put a big batch of it on the tree and give it a shot

Seth

[Loki_762]

Good luck!  Let us know how it works!

[MadHatter]

One way I have found to keep starlings away is shoot a few them hang them upside down in the trees and such.  We used to get them in our shop and I would kill a few, hang them from the rafter and gone would be the starling problem for a while.  I have found that they need to be upside down though as if you hang them from the neck they will attack the corpse.  Nice thing is that they don't really rot, they just kind of mummify and will last quite a long time (sounds morbid I know).  You end up kind of looking funny with dead birds hanging around your property, but it definitely keeps them away.  I stopped doing it because I just shoot them all now.  I think this spring I am up to about 30 or so and haven't even made a dent in the population around my house. If there is one bird I cannot stand its starlings... Second is kill deer...

[seth30]

so far 35 starlings

[Loki_762]

Nice work!  Any of the native birds coming back yet?

[seth30]

Yes but as soon as they get a good groove going on the suet feeder the starlings or crows will hassle them.   

[Kowsrule30]

Crows got two rows of my corn and two tomato plants are gone now..... Last year I was at war with rabbits.... This year is those damned birds...... I've got 6 with the bb/pellet guns..... Starting to get pissed..... Today I'm packing my 410 Contender while I work on the car with a box of shells on the roof....       

[Elk whack master]

Two words.... FRENCH FRIES AND POISION. Its not your fault the crows were bullies and ate your lunch and the poision you were gonna put out for the rats.

[Loki_762]

If you need help shootin' em, I'm only a PM away!