Condor .25 strikes after a long absence!

[only1harry]

I got a new tank for one of my favorite (2) Condor .25's last year, but I quickly realized that the new high flow valves use up too much air and can't hold POI for more than a 6-7 shots so I have not been using it much.  Lately I have been playing with the tophat clearance (yes I know I will try different o-rings soon) and finally got it to where it is shooting a bit more consistently with only a 2.5-3fps drop from a starting fill of 2,300psi (I got a 90gram hammer) and the power wheel at 0.  With a clearance of 0.071" I average 12-13 shots from 1,032fps down to 1,000fps with JSB Kings 25.4gr without much change in POI.  Shot count still stinks but better than 6-7 shots and a 5-6fps drop before - and it's subsonic and still in the JSB King's sweet spot range and very accurate.

Anyway, this morning the crows woke me up at 6:40 again when I was trying to sleep late after having worked late last night.  I was twisting and turning and couldn't go back to sleep.  I got out of bed around 7:15 and when I went to the bathroom I looked out the window and there were 3 crows eating sunflower seeds and had almost finished the crackers.  I did not have any windows open so all I could do is watch them eat everything   2 more crows joined in but an unusually big crow kept them away until they gave up and left.  This must have been the patriarch or matriarch as it was 20-30% larger than all the others.  It was almost the size of a chicken.

So the crows left and I decided to get my act together.  I put fresh batteries in the ding donger sensor, fresh crackers and sunflower seeds outside and opened the downstairs window so that I am ready if they decide to visit again.  Not an hour went by when the Ding Donger started going off non-stop.  I slipped downstairs quietly and the same 3 crows are out there again.  They were very cautious as before and would take a quick cracker and step away out of my field of view which was very narrow since I am shooting through a 2" opening in the blinds.  They were constantly moving and couldn't get a shot off for a couple of minutes.  That gave my heart time to calm down though   Finally I had the big crow in my sights but she kept moving a lot.  I was close to taking the shot when the big crow took off and so did 1 other one.  With one crow left on the ground now I had to make it happen.  She stepped in to my line of sight and after she picked up a cracker and stood up I had the crosshairs on the middle of her back and squeezed the trigger.  She went down upon impact, but then got up and made 1 step in one direction, turned around and made a step in the opposite direction and collapsed never to move again as I was trying to reload.  I have never lost a crow with any of my Condors so this was no exception.

The other crows were still around although I couldn't see them and started making a lot of noise.  I waited about 20-25min. and went out side after I made sure they were all gone.  The first pic is how I found the crow just inches form the bait.  She didn't go anywhere.  The 2nd pic shows the exit wound in the chest.  Finally I get a crow after 2 years!  They have not dared step foot on my property after I got 7 of them a couple of years ago within 2 weeks with the same Condor .25   I doubt I will see these crows again until the end of the season (March 27), but I am hopeful they will slip up again.

Harry

[dk1677]

Congrats Harry! Nice shot! Still none here that will land

[GSu]

Good shot!

Glen

[Onebaddj]

Oh man good shooting harry! Crows are a good hunt. I have a ton of them on my property every morning but there is always at least 3-4 in various trees watching every angle while their are a few on the ground picking up treats. They rotate through and all get their fill then leave till the next day.

[only1harry]

Thanks guys!  DJ, you need to shoot at the crows through a window (or door) and as far back from it as you can.  I shoot 11ft back from the window.  Keep the room as dark as you can so you cannot be seen from outside.  It is the only way I can get a shot at a crow.  I use the family room on the ground floor which spans the entire depth of the house front to back.  I use the window that faces the backyard.  If you have a sliding door use that and set up far back where it's dark.  I hang blankets over the other windows in the room I shoot from, because some light does come through the blinds.  The blankets (or dark towels) keep the room pretty dark.  You can also get dark shades from Home Depot that do not allow any sunlight through.  They will cut them to any size you want.  Dark shades darken a room real fast and are fairly inexpensive.  The key is to shoot through a small opening which allows very little light through.  You have to be invisible to get a crow.  I hope this helps.

Harry

[smythsg]

Crows are smart and hard to get within range. Always feels like an accomplishment when you take one. Good story and great shooting.

[only1harry]

Thanks Steve.  Yes, I find crows the most challenging to go after out of all the critters I have around.

I forgot to mention the wind was gusting 30-40mph when I shot the crow which is why I used the .25.  Luckily it was only 25 yards and the pellet did not stray from its path much, but I can tell it was off by almost 1/2" by the POI and exit wound.

Harry

[chancers]

Nice shooting.  I think crows are one of the toughest critters to actually get a shot at.  I get more of a thrill and satisfaction shooting crows than coyotes.

[grizzlyadams]

nice !!!! big one was probably a raven

[Onebaddj]

Dang harry your shooting room sounds alot like buffalo bills basement from silence of the lambs! It puts the lotion on its skin!

No wonder the crows are scared to come around your house. I would be too. Lol just teasing man. I have a media room down stares that is set up for my shooting galery. I open up the sliding glass door set up my nice comfy chair and shooting table about 6 ft back and pick off targets. I can also stand in my kitchen and snipe out the back doors.

[Motorhead]

Great Crow snipe !!

Of the 5 crows personally bagged in the last couple years, ALL had no clue I was there making getting a shot off somewhat easy.  Tho once down seemed EVERY CROW within 1/2 mile knew something was wrong ... Smart SOB's !!

[only1harry]

Thanks guys. 
Grizzly, there were no ravens, it was all crows.  One was just the boss of the family and larger.  The one I got was a fairly small crow and was no doubt a youngster because it waited until the big one ate, and then it was allowed to eat.  I have shot much bigger crows like the one that took off.  I have 2 kinds of crows here.  The Fish crow and the Common crow.  The Fish crow is about 25-30% smaller and make different sounds with a higher pitch, and they are not as loud as the common crow.  These were the common crow that came and what I usually shoot, but I have taken 2 Fish crows in the past.  We rarely get Ravens here, but I have seen a few around and know what they look like.  It's easy to tell the raven from the crow by looking at their beaks, and their tail feathers are also different in size and length. 

DJ, ALL the critters are scared to come around my house, not just crows  
Scott, yup it's like all heck breaks loose when you shoot a crow.  That's one reason I don't come out until they are gone   I came out a bit early one time thinking they were gone but there was 1 left that called in all the others within seconds.  A couple dive dive bombed me and came within a few feet of my head!!  No joke!  They are very protective of each other and they always have a sentry looking out while the rest feed or take turns.  I 've learned my lesson  

Harry

[LDP]

Good job Harry and nice shot.

[only1harry]

Thanks Leland.  As I predicted the crows have not returned.  It's unusually warm though.  We 'll see what happens when the temps drop below or near freezing again.

Harry

[nappyman]

Good shooting

[shadow]

Great shooting and pics brother, sure more to follow. Ed

[only1harry]

Thanks guys.  Something ate most of the bait this morning while I was in meetings.  I am hoping the crows came back.

Harry

[HunterOne]

Nice shot on the crow Harry.

I wish we could shoot them out here 

[only1harry]

Thanks.  Are crows completely protected in CA?  No season?  Here in NY we have a ~5 month season for them.  Less than a month to go.

Harry