Have any of you had crows taking golf balls off your course and how did your club get rid of them?

We have at least 50 crows taking balls and have done so for the last 8 weeks but we are unable to get rid of them.Normally they stay for a week or to and then go but these blokes are staying around,we are allso part of a National Park so any legal ideas.

They are that bad that on Saturday every group of 4 that tee'd off from the 1st tee lost two balls. Mornings are the wrost, I lost 3 balls 1 on the 1st,4,6 all to crows.

Has any one got ideas?I allso work for my club so we can't just shoot the crows due to being part of the Natioal Park .
HELP!

Put out some old balls on the fairway covered with chillies...

Shoot them.

happened to me one afternoon playing the back 9 at carnarvon gc.

i would like my nike one black back please...

This used to happen frequently at my old home course, used to be almost isolated to a stretch where the 5th, 9th and 8th fairways ran parallel, and occasionally around on the back. They would only ever take balls out of the fairway too which suprised me, never went near one in the rough. I remember hearing at the time that a couple of vigilantes may have taken matters into their own hands with a firearm of some sort to solve the problem.

I can tell you that they haven't been a frequent problem for a few years now.

It was so bad that the club introduced a local rule that if you and your playing partners were in agreeance that the ball would definitely be on the fairway (on a hole where you cant see further than about 100m up the fairway due to a hill) and when getting to the site it wasn't there then you could drop a ball without penalty where you thought it might have been.

Never had crows...but where I play there's these 2 foxes that steal balls...partners in crime. They hide then pop out right when you hit a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway (new ProV1). I always try to chase them down...I ran about 200 yards at one once out of rage...but they wait and stare you down until you're about 30 feet away and then they just calmly turn around and take off.

Cocky little bastards. They know what they're doing too...they try to get into my head I think.

These things are out there all the time too. If anyone finds where they've taken all the golf balls they're gonna hit the mother load.

Stupid foxes...think they're so big...I really would love to kill them both and put em up on the wall in my room or something.

Birdieman, in a couple months maybe I can come over and see your fox "trophies" . Got to go find their stash.

At our course we don't have a problem with crows stealing balls, just stealing food. They wait till guys leave their buggies and the crows go over and peck it out of your bag or steal it from your cart. One time I left my carry bag near a tree with a zipper half open. I was hitting some balls about 50m away. When I got back to my bag I had a packet of tees all over the ground, golf ball packets ripped open and other items lying on the ground. At least the buggers didn't knick them.

Also they hang around the bar waiting to take the food off your plate. The magpies will sometimes swoop down and pinch it right in front of you.

Absolute menaces. Can't do anything to harm them which is a joke.

Northern Hacker,

The Judge gave you the good oil. Get a few old balls and cover them in Tobasco Sauce or whatever else you have that is as hot as hell. Place them out for the crows and keep a supply ready to replace any they pick up and you'll find that after about day 4 they lose interest in picking up golf balls.

JJ

QUOTE: judgesmails @ May 30 2005, 09:39 AM

Put out some old balls on the fairway covered with chillies...

Thanks mate we're allso going to try something from an old thread tobasco sauce in hollow pratice balls and ping pong balls.

So thank you again Cheers mate.

We used to have this problem at my Club.
If you can manage to shoot one (and its not easy as they are all feathers) you need to hang the carcass across a tree or preferably a fence.
Once the other crows see the dead one they are smart enough to keep clear of the place.
Seen it work at about four different Clubs.

QUOTE: Jack @ May 30 2005, 10:06 AM

Shoot them.

Failing that, put saltanas on the fairways with tiny fish hooks in them - works a charm - slow agonising death as a lesson to others.

Jack this strikes me as a very clever solution and i would endorse it whole heartedly !!!!!!!!

If you carry a can of Aeroguard just "Spray 'n' Play"! It would be good to follow them and claim the booty though.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the feathered thieves of Barnbougle. When last there, the site of a playing partner of mine having his tee shot, provisional and approach all taken by three different birds on the 6th hole late in the day was the funniest thing I have ever seen.

I agree with the comment regarding trying to track down their nest. It would have hundreds of balls. Failing the chance to track them, shoot 'em I say.

MM

QUOTE: MatthewM @ Jun 1 2005, 06:31 AM

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the feathered thieves of Barnbougle. When last there, the site of a playing partner of mine having his tee shot, provisional and approach all taken by three different birds on the 6th hole late in the day was the funniest thing I have ever seen.

I agree with the comment regarding trying to track down their nest. It would have hundreds of balls. Failing the chance to track them, shoot 'em I say.

MM

Last time I was there they were a proplem on 11. However, so was the fungi population.

Funniest thing I ever saw was a Japanese woman chasing a crow up the 10th fairway in her electric cart at Mona Vale after it stole her ball. I'm sure if I understood Japanese I would have been shocked at what she was saying.

And I mean, come on. Even in an electric cart you're not going to catch a bird are you?

Reading this thread makes me sick. Golf is an outdoor game and wildlife exists outdoors. For god sake it's only a game and part of the beauty of the game is being outside enjoying the natural surroundings. Sounds like you guys would be happy playing golf devoid of any bird life ! Drop another ball and get on with it ! Jack, your suggestion to torture a bird because it has stolen your golf ball is disgusting and sick. Get a grip on reality you red neck hick !

QUOTE: honest @ Jun 7 2005, 10:46 AM

Reading this thread makes me sick. Golf is an outdoor game and wildlife exists outdoors. For god sake it's only a game and part of the beauty of the game is being outside enjoying the natural surroundings. Sounds like you guys would be happy playing golf devoid of any bird life ! Drop another ball and get on with it ! Jack, your suggestion to torture a bird because it has stolen your golf ball is disgusting and sick. Get a grip on reality you red neck hick !

Honest, put down the crack pipe and take a deep breath. I never wanted to torture any crows, just kill them (albeit preferably slowly).

The only birds that should be seen on the course are the naked ones driving the drinks cart.

Crows have no place on the golf course - they should piss off and take up residence at the local tip where they belong.

Can anyone recommend a good psychiatrist for Jack?

QUOTE: henry @ Jun 7 2005, 11:05 AM

Can anyone recommend a good psychiatrist for Jack?

I bet that crow doesn't pinch anymore golf balls Henry!

By the same logic, if someone shoots you next time you're sighted in the Club X video store, you won't be able to post offensive crap on iseekgolf anymore!

QUOTE: henry @ Jun 7 2005, 11:15 AM

By the same logic, if someone shoots you next time you're sighted in the Club X video store, you won't be able to post offensive crap on iseekgolf anymore!

Why would anyone shoot me outside Club X? I haven't been there for years! Sexyland in Centre Rd Oakleigh is way better than Club X.

C'mon Henry, you know that I love birds, especilly when grilled, barbequed, roasted, deep fried (just like the Colonel does)

Jack, that is the sort of response I'd expect from you. Your definition of torture is an interesting one - how about we feed you some sultanas with fish hooks and see if your view changes a little. You are a selfish, repugnant, vile, disgusting character devoid of any compassion for anything but yourself. Have a good look at your morals and ethics man - you are trying to justify the torture of a living creature over a golf ball for god sake !!! You must really be a sad, pathetic, screwed up individual if you think that is OK. I love the birdlife at my course, of which there is plenty and am more than happy to co-exist with them and put up with the odd crow trying to get into my bag. They have a right to exist just like you do.

Honest,

What an amazing personal attack you have launched against me - are you the official keeper of the crows?

My shrink told me I dont have any problems any more. He recomends the internet as a fine remedial therapy for me. I think it works.

I like sultanans with fish hooks in them - they are very crunchy.

Have great day.

Jack

Jack, what does your shrink say about setting up multiple users on web forums and arguing with yourself?

brummer, Jack has done many stupid things on this website, but has never argued with himself. That would be the sign of someone who is truly f***ed in the head.