Syracuse.com - Watertown considering shooting pesky crows that congregate there each winter

[HuntingNY-News]

The crows leave droppings on sidewalks, vehicles and buildings and seemingly all over some city neighborhoods.

Watertown City Council members said recently it's time for the city to turn to lethal measures in dealing with the city's huge winter crow population, according to the Watertown Times.

The crow flock, estimated at 20,000 to 25,000, congregate in the city during the cold months, attracted by the lights and warm of the urban setting. The crows leave droppings on sidewalks, vehicles and buildings and seemingly all over some city neighborhoods.

The city has a three-year, $14,506 contract with a private contractor to handle crow-hazing activities, using primarily pyrotechnics, laser lights and distress calls. Councilmembers say, though, that's just moving them around and that it's time consider such measures as shooting them.

The city of Auburn has dealt with its winter-time crow flock for the past two decades. At it's height, the flocks was estimated to be more than 70,000 birds. The city has used hazing activities similar to what Watertown has been doing for years and it's had a noticeable effect.

The birds have also been congregating in recent years each winter in the cities of Syracuse, Cortland and Geneva.

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View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog