What can I say John, a Conservation Officer who doesn't know the law especially a recent change regarding non-toxic mandates doesn't know his job. This is a change to federal law, it applies to all states.

http://www.federalregister.gov/artic...he-depredation

Authority:
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 40 Stat. 755 (16 U.S.C. 703); 95, 92 Stat. 3112 (16 U.S.C. 712(2)); Pub. L. 106-108, 113 Stat. 1491, Note following 16 U.S.C. 703.
2. Revise § 21.43 as follows:

§ 21.43 Depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies.

You do not need a Federal permit to control the species listed in the table below if they are committing or about to commit depredations on ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner that they are a health hazard or other nuisance:Show citation box
Blackbirds Cowbirds Grackles Crows Magpies
Brewer's (Euphagus cyanocephalus) Bronzed (Molothrus aeneus) Boat-tailed (Quiscalus major) American (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Black-billed (Pica hudsonia).
Red-winged (Agelaius phoeniceus) Brown-headed (Molothrus ater) Common (Quiscalus quiscula) Fish (Corvus ossifragus) Yellow-billed (Pica nuttalli).
Yellow-headed (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Shiny (Molothrus bonariensis) Great-tailed (Quiscalus mexicanus) Northwestern (Corvus caurinus)
Greater Antillean (Quiscalus niger)

(a) You must attempt to control depredation by species listed under this depredation order using non-lethal methods before you may use lethal control.Show citation box
(b) In most cases, if you use a firearm to kill migratory birds under the provisions of this section, you must use nontoxic shot or nontoxic bullets to do so. See § 20.21(j) of this chapter for a listing of approved nontoxic shot types. However, this prohibition does not apply if you use an air rifle, an air pistol, or a 22 caliber rimfire firearm for control of depredating birds under this order.

What does "In most cases mean"? One could interpret that to exclude Corvids.

Federal Register I looked at makes no mention of Non-tox:


Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries

CHAPTER I: UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (CONTINUED)

SUBCHAPTER B: TAKING, POSSESSION, TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE, BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED)

PART 20: MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING

Subpart L: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions

20.133 - Hunting regulations for crows.

(a) Crows may be taken, possessed, transported, exported, or imported, only in accordance with such laws or regulations as may be prescribed by a State pursuant to this section.

(b) Except in the State of Hawaii, where no crows shall be taken, States may by statute or regulation prescribe a hunting season for crows. Such State statutes or regulations may set forth the method of taking, the bag and possession limits, the dates and duration of the hunting season, and such other regulations as may be deemed appropriate, subject to the following limitations for each State:

(1) Crows shall not be hunted from aircraft;

(2) The hunting season or seasons on crows shall not exceed a total of 124 days during a calendar year;

(3) Hunting shall not be permitted during the peak crow nesting period within a State; and

(4) Crows may only be taken by firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry.

John as I think I explained in my reply to Francis the Non-Toxic mandate for crows applies only when hunting them under a Federal depredation permit. Lead is still legal for crows shot during established hunting seasons for crows, but who knows for how long. Your referencing the federal law as it applies during established seasons, my reference is the change to non-tox for depredation permit hunting.

This is the camels nose coming under the tent in regard to increasing mandates for use of non-toxic shot. The old adage about boiling the frog by turning up the heat slowly applies. Lead is not very "green", lots of young do gooder types want to ban lead as part of saving the planet.

Here in Central Oregon we don't have crows, but we have hords of ravens. I live in the wild and watch the wild life all day long. Eventually one becomes connected with the critters. Ravens are smarter than most people, certainly smarter than me.

Birds have been around a very long time and over the eons they have developed a certain brilliance. Our feathered friends can hear and smell as well as a dog. They remember and adapt. Just watch them.

I'll kill a goose and a mallard, but as for the winter divers? Can't bring myself to do it. I watch them raise their young. I watch the ravens dive onto their nests. Am I an old softy? Okay, I admit it. Ironically, I love nothing better than shooting ducks and always have. But jeeze....it's a puzzlement.

"NeverMore"??
 

--Yup Coridae are smart birds-let a farmer walk his field and they'll flap away and maybe perch in nearby trees- but if the man is carrying a gun- and they see him- adios.:bigbye:

I'm not seeing many crows around here this year, I'm wondering if there's been another round of west nile in the area this summer.....

Destry

Anyone who has hunted crows knows that if you don't have a gun they'll roost in the trees or on bales of hay all around you and flip you the feather. Show up with a gun and you can't get within 400 yards of one. If I want to kill crows I shoot them with a rifle. A 788 in .222.

Here is the George Digweed, the world's best shotgunner killing crows consistently at ranges most of think of as impossible. A couple of days ago he set the long range clay pigeon record breaking birds with one shot at 120, 125, and 130 yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAWU-0RX-6g

When they start yellin' to each other in the tall pines at my place in Maine at about 4:45 A.M. I just step out on the deck with a black handled broom and they scat like their tailfeathers were on fire :cool:

I don't think my lakeshore neighbors would appreciate a volley of gunfire at that hour.

If I hear shotgun reports early in the morning I smile and go back to sleep. Then I make plans to be out there the following morning.

Same goes for the sound of jet aircraft. It puts me into a deeper sleep. I flew jets and love their sound today.