Was finally able to jump on a deer lease of my own this year and I got a question for those more seasoned than myself.

I've got grackles hanging out at the feeder damn near all day. Like the big ass loud kind.

Do I need to shoo these things off and if so how that won't disrupt the deer? I see all kind of bird be gone gadgets that make noise and what not but would think that would deter deer as well.

Just curious if it's something that needs to be addressed.

SteveBott said:

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You sure they are not crows?

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No

But to be truthful I'm no ornithologist but these are what I've always known as grackles.

Place is over in ETX in Hardin County if that helps.

To be fair a male crackle looks similar to a crow but much smaller. So not obvious.

But I've never seen crows under a feeder either so I don't know. But I'd make target practice day either way.

My recommendation is a border collie or aussie. I've seen trained dogs working in Chicago on canada geese that are the grackle of the upper midwest. This would be a fun diversion from hunting.

I hate grackles. Hate them. But I'd be careful talking about shooting them, I believe they are covered by the migratory bird act.

I also hate crackles. If it was legal I'd kill a hundred a year, just in my yard. 410, 8 shot would be fun. All the squirrels would be a bonus.

I imagine hanging up a fake owl and moving it around would work but would that spook deer as well?

And maybe they are crows since I'm seeing crows are bigger. These have wingspans of at least a couple feet. Either way they're invading the feeder and filling up my camera.

zooguy96 said:

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TX AG 88 said:

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I hate grackles. Hate them. But I'd be careful talking about shooting them, I believe they are covered by the migratory bird act.

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This. Protected.

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Crows also.

You think the deer care?

Not sure that annoying me at my deer lease would meet those standards.

water turkey said:

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You think the deer care?

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I don't know. That's why I'm asking

I don't think they would care if it's just a couple birds, but when there 10+ birds I think it would have an affect.

But again I could be completely wrong

Zaiquiri said:

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"Yellow-headed, red-winged, or Brewer's blackbirds and all grackles, cowbirds, crows, or magpies may be controlled without a federal or state depredation permit when found committing or about to commit depredation on ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in numbers and in a manner, that constitutes a health hazard or other nuisance (Federal Regulation 50 CFR 21.43)."
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/nongame-and-other-species

Maybe I am wrong but I have always read this in a way that permitted control of grackles.

Thoughts?

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Was going to post this. Choot 'em!

Not to be contrarian, but I don't read anything in that regulatory citation that would allow control of grackles or crows eating feed from a deer feeder.

"...or when concentrated in numbers and in a manner, that constitutes a health hazard or OR OTHER NUISANCE."

Sounds pretty wide open to interpret.

"Yes, Officer, the constant squaking while in my blind was giving me a headache. And it scared off the deer."

Google "black bird trash bag decoy" or trash bag crow decoy. Never done this before, but I hear it's a good time!

Grackles have yellow eyes, crows don't.

carl spacklers hat said:

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"...or when concentrated in numbers and in a manner, that constitutes a health hazard or OR OTHER NUISANCE."

Sounds pretty wide open to interpret.

"Yes, Officer, the constant squaking while in my blind was giving me a headache. And it scared off the deer."

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Eating food you put out to attract wildlife (even if you only really want deer, you are feeding "wildlife") isn't going to be considered a "nuisance" by most game wardens. The "other nuisances" they are talking about are going to be things like crapping all over sidewalks and making enough stench to drive customers and residents away from roost areas.

Hogs are considered a nuisance and they're eating the food I put out for wildlife.

Just playing devil's advocate.

Hogs are not protected by a treaty agreeement.

We hunt south of Victoria, which is probably the grackle capital of Texas, at least that'd be my take. I cannot remember seeing more than a few grackles at our deer lease over the years. However, we have some deer seasons, especially later in the year, that have swarms of actual crows that love the corn. What is weird though, they usually flock to the corn in the road much more so than under the feeders. In fact, I have less pictures of crows under the feeder than Cardinals. By far.

I hate both birds. Kill em!

SteveBott said:

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To be fair a male crackle looks similar to a crow but much smaller. So not obvious.

But I've never seen crows under a feeder either so I don't know. But I'd make target practice day either way.

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I've had crows, on occasion, under my feeder. I grew up in Tyler County (borders Hardin County) so I would imagine that's what it is.

Our Baine is the woodpeckers. Those SOBs hammer EVERY 4x4 deer blind leg with a huge hole and sometimes work on the corners of the blinds all the way through. They have even hammered the "eyes" of our game cams.

I will shoot every one I see. Period. Pellet gun, shot gun, or deer rifle. If caught shooting a woodpecker by the GW, I would request that we reconcile after the season so that I could write one check for killing their asses in lot, instead of many, smaller fines. Maybe I could get a discount for quantities?