Sandhill Crane Won - Tx Panhandle

[tdhadley10]

Happy Monday! Any experience Sandhill Crane hunters here? We need some help. We hunt just east of Childress and have a nice big crop field that is pretty much always wheat this time of year. We have hundreds/thousands of crane flying through our property and plenty drop down into our fields for morning hunts.

We were out there this weekend and went all in on the crane hunts in the morning. But they kicked our butts and we couldn't get a single one to come down and struck out for the second hunt in a row this year. Need some help.

We set up on the south end of our property and build a pretty strong, thick blind up into a few cedar and mesquite tress with tumbleweed and brush fully covering us up. Really don't think it was an issue with our blind and our ability to get hidden, but I could be totally wrong too. Have about 36 decoys very similar to the Dive Bomb version. We had a buddy make them for us in his printing shop. (pics below)

In the past, we had a ton come down in our field while we were hunting, just 600 yards away. This trip, nothing ever landed in our field but had so many birds over head (really think we were too conservative on our wilingess to shoot at some distance and just waited for them to cup down into our spread but well never know i guess)

Any tips? Pointers? HELP!! These birds are a blast to hunt but man, they are kicking our butts and discouraging us for sure. Appreciate any insight from seasons crane vets!!

[tdhadley10]

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[elliscountyhog]

Sounds like my duck hunting this year. Bird hunting is a challenge for sure.

[westtexducks]

You using a call? Might be the missing piece you need as the decoys look good.

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[Shane]

Those decoys look great from the right angle on the ground, but I doubt they look real from the air. I'd guess that's the main issue.

[gander]

If you aren't where the birds want to be, you are going to have a tough time getting them to commit into shooting range in the first place. Concerning the decoys, from what I can see in the pictures, it appears those silhouettes have a pretty good amount of "shine" to them. I would get either some matte grey or matte brown spray paint and give them a slight "dusting" of paint from a distance just to break up the glare.

[meangreen]

Those decoys look great from the right angle on the ground, but I doubt they look real from the air. I'd guess that's the main issue.

This. I am no expert by any means but the really good crane hunts I have been on have all had full sized decoys and lots of them.

[Quackerbox]

Two words....

pass shoot

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[Rcole1310]

I think it’s your decoys. I love hunting cranes but they are finicky about decoys in my opinion. The quality full body decoys have been lights out for us. Also, don’t call too much. They come to the decoys not the call.


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[Capt Glenn]

Silhouettes aren't the greatest decoy for cranes to begin with and your's are too shiny on top of that. Also looks like you have them pretty clumped together, spread them out more.

You need to be where they want to be, have great looking decoys and you have to hide really well. If anything looks out of place even a little you are going to have a hard time. They have incredible eyesight.

Even when everything is right they still don't decoy well every day.

[panhandlehunter]

They love corn just like ducks. You should try baiting up the field.

[Muskles]

If I was a hungry sandhill crane, I wouldn't try to find food where the skinny ones are. Sorry, I'm no help. I only came here because I was looking for advice in case I ever get to hunt them. Good luck!

[diamond10x]

Shine on decoys will definitely keep them flying without taking a second look.

Shadows from your blind even if brushed in really well will keep them from coming in or flying over to have a shot. If you’re back up against cedars you probably don’t need to worry about that issue.

Easiest thing would set up on their flight path and pass shoot them.

[JSki]

Agreed with above statements...crane can be difficult to decoy! Flocked full bodies really help. May try to get in their flyway and pass shoot them heading to your decoys before they realize whats up.

[eradicator]

We've never had much luck with sihlouettes. Killed a pile of them over rags, stuffers, and full bodies. You have to strike while the iron is hot and be on the X. Just because you saw them there last weekend doesn't mean they will be there this weekend. Food sources change and they can eat out a field in no time. It changes almost daily. If you are where they want to be, they will decoy like anything else. If you are not, you may scratch out a couple here and there. Our group has spent a lot of time chasing them over the last couple of decades and are constantly learning and adjusting our setups. Be careful or you might get addicted