A wildlife biologist from Maine was surprised by the number of crow hunters when he surveyed hunters a few years ago.

Brad Allen, bird group leader for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, surveyed duck hunters eight years ago.

He wanted to know how many hunters bring children with them. He had extra room on the survey for some additional questions, so he inquired as to what other birds are hunted. On a lark, he put crows on the list.

“I had no idea that 10 percent of our duck hunters had an interest in crow hunting,” Allen said of the results.

Allen estimated there are about 8,000 to 10,000 duck hunters in Maine. He said are “perhaps more than 1,000” crow hunters.

Though they’re federally protected, the state has a great deal of leeway in setting seasons for crow and there’s ample opportunity to hunt them.

The state currently has two seasons. One season runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. The other runs from Feb. 15 to April 15 in northern Maine, and Feb. 1 to March 31 in southern Maine. Furthermore, electronic calls are allowed, and there’s no bag limit.

“It gives those people who love to hear their shotguns go off an opportunity to hunt outside of the traditional (bird) hunting season,” he said.