If being a part of a national news story sounds like an entertaining way to spend your weekend, then grab your gun, get your small game license and head over to J & B Bar and Grill on Orchard Street for the third annual Cayuga County Crows Unlimited Crow Shoot.
The controversial event has garnered attention from news organizations across the country. Lawmakers and protesters have tried to stop the event to no avail, and protesters are scheduled to make an appearance in the city this weekend.
Organizer Jon VanNest said he anticipates a large turnout of hunters for this year's hunt.
"We've been getting calls from teams from all over the country," VanNest said.
VanNest said the event is also open to those who don't hunt. People who would like to just take in the atmosphere of a hunting competition complete with self-proclaimed rednecks, beer, barbecue and body counts are in store for a surreal scene.
Teams consist of four members who pay a $60 entry fee. Crows can be hunted with any weapon, although shotgun is the preferred gun of choice, VanNest said.
Fifty-two teams killed 1,067 crows last year. Many of those bird bodies were donated to biologists for research. Some went to a Pompey gun club for its annual game dinner.
Organizers even fried up crow breast meat and ate crow sandwiches on a TV broadcast.
If crow doesn't sound like a appetizing entree, a chicken-and-ribs barbecue will also be available.
Crow hunting is legal in New York on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from Sept. 1 until March 31. It must be done outside Auburn city limits. Hunters must have a small-game license and are prohibited from hunting within 500 feet of a highway or residence. Hunting without a license is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine. Hunters must ask permission of landowners and farmers to hunt on their property.
Registration is already underway, but VanNest said teams can register at the bar when they return from hunting on Saturday afternoon.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
Organizer Jon VanNest said he anticipates a large turnout of hunters for this year's hunt.
"We've been getting calls from teams from all over the country," VanNest said.
VanNest said the event is also open to those who don't hunt. People who would like to just take in the atmosphere of a hunting competition complete with self-proclaimed rednecks, beer, barbecue and body counts are in store for a surreal scene.
Teams consist of four members who pay a $60 entry fee. Crows can be hunted with any weapon, although shotgun is the preferred gun of choice, VanNest said.
Fifty-two teams killed 1,067 crows last year. Many of those bird bodies were donated to biologists for research. Some went to a Pompey gun club for its annual game dinner.
Organizers even fried up crow breast meat and ate crow sandwiches on a TV broadcast.
If crow doesn't sound like a appetizing entree, a chicken-and-ribs barbecue will also be available.
Crow hunting is legal in New York on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from Sept. 1 until March 31. It must be done outside Auburn city limits. Hunters must have a small-game license and are prohibited from hunting within 500 feet of a highway or residence. Hunting without a license is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine. Hunters must ask permission of landowners and farmers to hunt on their property.
Registration is already underway, but VanNest said teams can register at the bar when they return from hunting on Saturday afternoon.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
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