I know quite a bit about crow decoying. I use 6 hide pole just in case i need to put a roof on the hide and i use stealth netting and realtree netting for the roof or background netting. I use a variety of decoys, i use flock coated decoys and a variety of flappers, magnets, peckers etc. the pattern i use depends on what pattern the actual crows are feeding like on the field and put the patern out about 15 to 20 yards away depending if there are tall trees blocking the view of the crows. the cartridges i use is a 28g 7.5s in the first barell and 32g 6's in the second barell