Magpie Hunting Tips

Magpies are large, black-and-white birds founds in North America and Eurasia. Closely related to crows, magpies will eat insects, grains and nuts, small mammals and dead things. They are known to be large, loud and aggressive. In many places, magpies are hunted for sport and because they are considered a nuisance. Magpies have sharp eyes though, and aren't always the easiest prey.

  1. Camouflage

    • Magpies, like all birds, have keen sight and sharp wits. Successfully hunting a magpie requires concealing yourself from their view. This means full camouflage to break up your silhouette and blend into the background. It also means covering your face. Use a camouflage bandanna or a store-bought mask for this.

    Concealment

    • If a magpie spots your movement, you can expect to miss your shot, because the bird will be long gone. Camouflage works fine to break up your silhouette, but for a truly effective magpie hunting experience, a small blind will elevate your game. Blinds can be as simple as a small lean-to blind made from sticks and brush from the area, or they can be pre-existing structures such as barns, sheds or old cars. Hide in one of these and make sure you have a clear shot of you baited or decoyed area.

    Calls, Baits and Decoys

    • Once you are properly camouflaged and concealed, getting the magpies to come into range is the next step. In some cases, this may be a moot point, if you have concealed yourself in an area that already supports a tiding of magpies. If not, owl decoys, dead rodents and even bits of bread scattered on the ground will catch a magpie's eye and draw it into your kill zone. Electronic distress recordings will also attract the birds when played loudly.

    Armament

    • The type of weaponry you choose to kill magpies with will be determined by personal preference, local regulations and weather conditions. Air guns, which are popular for magpies in the U.K. have a shorter range than rifles, but can still be effective. For firearms, a .22 rimfire rifle will do the job, but some hunters may prefer using a .223 caliber rifle for making long shots across fields.