Black Birds in my yard

[loworange88]

Hey everyone,

Is it legal to shoot Brewers Blackbirds?  I get a rash of them every spring and they make a mess on my deck rails, and all over the pool.  I've cleaned massive ammounts of bird droppings for the past few years and I'm getting tired of it.  I'm not sure if these pests are protected or not, so thats why I'm asking.  I also live in a pretty residential area, so anything more than a pellet gun would probably get the cops called.

I've attached a picture and a link to a picture of these things.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71831

Thanks.

[Pygmy]

Are you sure they are not common grackles..??..

They look very similar to those pictures of Brewer's blackbirds...

Last I knew, common grackles were NOT protected in NY, but it's been a few years since I checked..

If I were in your shoes, I would assume they are grackles, get a BB gun or pellet gun and shoot the crap out of the damn things...

I'd promptly get the carcasses out of sight and would not advertise to the neighbors...

Remember the three S's..  Shoot.....Shovel.....Shut up....

[loworange88]

I thought the term "grackle" wasnt a proper name, I had an old timer call them that once before, but I thought it was more of a made up name.  I guess he may be right.  I like the 3S solution.

Thanks Pygmy.

[Larry]

you can only shoot starlings

[fasteddie]

Use "the 3 S method" to get rid of them ( Shoot , Shovel & Shut-up ) ....... :

[wooly]

Blackbirds ya say? ???

If the SSS method don't work there's always the KKK method.....kill-klean-kook.

[pistolp71]

They are most likely common grackles. That is the correct name. They migrate through the state every spring and fall. You cannot legally shoot them. Starlings you can.

[G-Man]

just put up a hawk or owl decoy up...

[loworange88]

I  tried the owl decoy last spring, and it didnt really work.

[FULLDRAWXX75]

I  tried the owl decoy last spring, and it didnt really work.

Put a pellet gun under one wing and see if that helps..............................LOL

FDXX75

[nyantler]

Throw a bunch of birdseed over in your neighbors yard... 

[loworange88]

Throw a bunch of birdseed over in your neighbors yard... 

LOL, I hadnt thought of that....I like it.

[Karpteach]

They'll eat the seed at your neighbors house and crap all over yours. I'm with the BB gun :-\ .