Top 10 Accessories for American Crow Hunting
Decoys, calls, and smart concealment to fool the sharpest eyes in the sky.
American crows are wary, vocal, and travel in groups—making them both challenging and exciting to hunt. The right accessories tighten patterns, improve concealment, and add realism to your set so birds finish inside ethical shotgun range. Always confirm local seasons, legal methods (rifles may be restricted), and any non-toxic shot rules before heading out.
Electronic Crow Caller (with Remote)
Reliable crow, distress, and fight sound libraries pull birds fast—remotes let you keep movement at the sound source, not in your hide.
Overview
Electronic callers shine on field edges, dairies, and woodlots. A remote lets you run volume and sound sequences from cover while sound projects upwind. Keep spare batteries warm and rotate sounds to avoid educating flocks.
Benefits
- Hands-off control reduces movement in the blind
- Preset sound lists: rally, distress, and fight sequences
- Consistent volume to cut wind and reach distant birds
Notable Brands
- FOXPRO
- ICOtec
- Primos
Static Crow Decoys (3–8 Bird Set)
A small “feeding” flock gives incoming birds something to commit to and focuses their attention away from your hide.
Overview
Stake 3–8 decoys with mixed poses—sentinel, feeding, and lookout—near the caller. Use natural structure (fence posts, hay bales, low limbs) to add elevation and break uniformity. Add a few on the ground to suggest feeding confidence.
Benefits
- Creates a visual anchor where you want birds to finish
- Distracts sharp eyes from subtle movements
- Works in fields, pasture corners, and orchard lanes
Notable Brands
- Avery/GHG
- Avian-X
- Lucky Duck
Motion Crow Decoy (Flapping or Spinning)
A single flapper adds realism and urgency—especially when paired with “fight” audio.
Overview
Place the motion unit near your static spread but not directly in the landing pocket. Use sparingly; constant motion can educate birds. On bright days, reduce shine and avoid unnatural strobing.
Benefits
- Triggers curiosity and aggression in incoming crows
- Helps birds pick a landing spot for clean shots
- Useful in low wind when decoys otherwise look static
Notable Brands
- MOJO Outdoors
- Lucky Duck
- Edge by Expedite
Patterned Choke Tubes (IM to Full)
Tight, even patterns turn marginal birds into clean kills; test loads with Improved Modified to Light Full first.
Overview
Crow feathers are tough. Pattern your 12/20/28 gauge with #6–#8 (or approved non-toxic) at 30–40 yards. Record hits in a 10-inch circle and note pellet distribution to select the best choke/load combo.
Benefits
- Denser core for ethical ranges out to ~40+ yards
- Optimizes cheap target loads for field use
- Swap chokes to match cover and wind
Notable Brands
- Carlson’s
- Patternmaster
- Trulock
Patterning Targets & Stand
Paper tells the truth: verify pellet count and evenness before the season so you know your maximum ethical range.
Overview
Use large patterning targets or butcher paper at known distances (30, 35, 40 yards). Test two chokes and two loads; mark results and keep a log. A sturdy stand or shot board saves time and keeps data consistent.
Benefits
- Confirms point-of-impact and pellet density
- Eliminates guesswork when birds hang up
- Documents the best load for your gun
Notable Brands
- Birchwood Casey
- Champion
- Caldwell
Camo Face Mask & Gloves
Crows key on hand and face movement—covering bright skin boosts your odds more than most gadgets.
Overview
Choose breathable mesh for warm days and insulated gloves for cold, windy sets. Neutral, non-shiny patterns (Mossy Oak/Original Bottomland or Realtree Edge) blend with hedgerows and field corners.
Benefits
- Conceals the most visible, moving parts of your body
- Improves success when calling hard-hunted birds
- Comfort across early-season heat or winter cold
Notable Brands
- Sitka
- Nomad
- Mossy Oak
- Realtree
Lightweight Blind or Brush Netting
Breaks up your outline fast and keeps the wind off—perfect for field corners and hedgerows with sparse cover.
Overview
Pop-up hub blinds or simple burlap/mesh netting staked into natural cover conceal movement while calling. Cut shooting windows to shoulder smoothly without flaring birds. Always mind safe shot angles.
Benefits
- Quick concealment in bare fields
- Shields motion while running remotes
- Doubles for doves, predators, and turkeys
Notable Brands
- Ameristep
- ALPS OutdoorZ
- Avery Outdoors
Shotshell Belt or Bandolier
Fast reloads keep you in the action when a mob piles in—carry mixed loads for near/far birds.
Overview
A belt or bandolier organizes 12/20/28-gauge shells by choke/load. Keep a few tighter-pattern shells handy for pass-shooting if birds hang outside the spread. Don’t leave hulls—pick them up after the volley.
Benefits
- Quicker follow-ups on multiples
- Load management for changing shots
- Less fumbling in gloves or cold weather
Notable Brands
- Allen Company
- Nylon Gear/MTM
- Aker/Uncle Mike’s
Shooting Sticks or Bipod (Rifle-Legal Areas)
For jurisdictions that allow rifles for crows, stable support makes precise head/neck shots humane and repeatable.
Overview
Tripod sticks or a pivoting bipod control wobble for .17 HMR/.22 WMR on perched birds. Always confirm rifle legality for crows, maintain safe backstops, and avoid skylined shots at all costs.
Benefits
- Steadier sight picture in wind
- Cleaner hits with minimal ricochet risk (with safe backstops)
- Doubles for varmint and predator sets
Notable Brands
- BOG
- Primos Trigger Stick
- Harris Bipods
Electronic Hearing Protection & Shooting Glasses
Multiple volleys and excited calling can mask gunfire—protect your hearing and eyes without losing situational awareness.
Overview
Electronic muffs amplify quiet sounds and clip loud reports, helping you hear wingbeats and calls while staying protected. Clear or light-tint ANSI-rated glasses guard against brush and ejected hulls.
Benefits
- Safety without sacrificing audio cues
- Comfort for long calling sessions
- Year-round crossover for clays and range work
Notable Brands
- Howard Leight
- Walker’s
- 3M Peltor
- Radians
Portable Field Stool
Staying still kills more crows—comfortable, low-profile seating reduces fidgeting and keeps the gun ready.
Overview
A quiet, compact tripod stool keeps your knees under the shotgun and your silhouette below the skyline. Choose models with silent fabric and no squeaks; practice shouldering from the seat you’ll hunt from.
Benefits
- Less movement as birds circle
- Consistent mount and swing
- Light to pack between hedgerows
Notable Brands
- ALPS OutdoorZ
- Browning Camping
- Primos
Magnetic Hull Retriever
Keep farms and field edges clean—quickly gather spent hulls after the action without bending a hundred times.
Overview
Many landowners welcome crow hunters who leave places better than they found them. A magnetic picker or extended grabber speeds cleanup in grass and hedgerows and maintains access for next season.
Benefits
- Protects relationships with landowners
- Fast cleanup in tall grass
- Back-friendly after big volleys
Notable Brands
- Mighty Magnet
- Caldwell
- RangeMaxx
Breathable Game Tote & Gloves
Make quick retrieves and keep hands clean when handling birds between volleys.
Overview
A simple strap-style tote or breathable game bag keeps birds organized for photos and disposal where required. Durable, washable gloves maintain hygiene and grip when resetting decoys or moving brush.
Benefits
- Faster resets between calling sequences
- Clean, organized carry-out
- Hygiene when handling multiple birds
Notable Brands
- Allen Company
- Rig’Em Right
- Tanglefree