Additional info: Crows are sharp-eyed and very wary of man. Getting within range usually takes a high level of fieldcraft and concealment. The height of a hide is important. You need to be able to move your gun comfortably and freely. Setting the front of the hide four inches below the top of your shoulder should allow for comfortable movement. Another important aspect is to try and maximise the extent to which you can see incoming birds without being seen. Any movement or a flash of a face is easily spotted by birds. By using multiple nets you can create visibility spots through the net, which means you can sit in your hide watching comfortably and not constantly having to bob your head up over the hide, which is guaranteed to put off approaching birds. The Double Bush is so light you can easily carry it to and from your hunting ground. The hide is comprised of a comfortable folding 2 man armchair with a sprung steel and fabric canopy. The hide can be fully deployed in literally seconds and the arm chair is so comfortable you can happily sit for hours. Many shooters cause themselves problems when shooting from a
hide purely because the hide set-up
is wrong. If this happens, it can actually end up being a hindrance as opposed to an advantage.

Mat doesn’t hang around, as he wants to get the decoys in place without being spotted by his quarry. With the imitation birds in position, he slips into his hide ready to make his final preparations before any crows start to arrive. Most imitation owls will wind up corvids during the spring and summer months, but ones with really piercing eyes seem to aggravate them the most. What is important is to set up the decoy in a prominent spot where passing birds won’t fail to miss it. We offer several postage options depending on parcel weight the options for UK delivery are as follow: Mat uses his caller to replicate the calls of the first crow when the owl decoy initially caught its attention. A reply comes after a few minutes and Mat keeps calling until the bird is within sight, and then stops immediately. The incoming crow is now close enough to see the decoys, so Mat leaves it to them to coax it in closer.

Mat’s gear

Mat almost always uses a beanbag seat for hide shooting. Filled with polystyrene balls, the bag doesn’t just improve comfort, but also makes for a stable sitting position, which really helps when you need to settle the crosshairs on aim. Once the trap is set, it is simply a matter of waiting to see how the birds react to the decoys. Sometimes the response can be immediate, but there are days when the action unfolds much more slowly. Starting as a family business from a farm in Oxfordshire we’ve grown to be the trusted brand behind quality shooting and decoy products in the UK and abroad. Adding real birds proves effective and, combined with more calling, produces another chance for Mat. The corvids eventually wise-up, but it has been a productive session and Mat has accounted for five crows when he decides to call time.

The best way to achieve that is to get out and observe what is going on. Decoying is a lot easier, and far more effective, when you understand your quarry’s behaviour patterns.

If you are going to shoot from a seated position, your choice of seat is important. I see so many shooters with the wrong seat – and, especially, the wrong height of seat, which is absolutely crucial. It is key that your seat is set at a height that ensures that your knees are below your hips when you are seated. This will allow you to stand comfortably, slowly and correctly to shoot. The TP now comes in superior camouflage and a more spacious design. A quality product at economy prices.

Mat places his decoy owl on a patch of short grass in a clearing about 25 metres from his hide. It is a relatively open area of woodland that should make it easy for passing corvids to spot the intruder. I use between five and eight poles and multiple nets to provide a good-sized, natural and strong hide. I don’t go over the top space but I like to be able to move comfortably and, most importantly, be able to move my feet. Natural hide I tend to use a spade to level the ground if it’s not level. It’s important to have a comfortable standing that allows you to move your feet nicely. All members of the corvid family are notoriously sly, which can make it very difficult to get within striking distance of them. However, despite supplementing their diet with the contents of other birds’ nests, crows and their cousins become extremely protective of their own territories during the spring and summer nesting season. This is a trait that can be used against them.

The quarry: carrion crows

A dedicated hide is a great choice, and many wildlife pros will swear by them. Many use a tent design that provide windows to shoot through. They're usually very portable and easy to set up, meaning you can make your shooting location pretty much anywhere. As an added bonus, many will also offer rain protection.. Gunslips are sent via a Parcelforce Express48 service however we find they often can take much longer than 48 hours, unfortunately we are not responsible for any delays in postage timescales. A decent dome hide may be the lap of luxury, but carrying several extra kilos makes it vital to plan your shooting.