Well, I’m not going to claim to be an expert on all farms, but in our situation, a non-commercial farm with no hired help, there did not seem to be other options, within our price range. The fences, around the property and internal, were planted in dirt, so determined critters could always get in if they were determined enough. It seemed necessary to (at least) put a good scare into them. (Usually, no dogs were hit, but hopefully being shot at convinced them not to come back.) Baiting the property with poisoned meat would have probably been more effective, but that would have been illegal.
(Sorry for those reading at home, if this all seems rather bloodthirsty. I like dogs, but have little patience for uncontrolled dogs savaging other animals. You do not want me to tell you about the rabbits. I’m sure that last sentence has painted a picture in most people’s minds, but I absolutely assure you it was worse.)
As for the crows, you’re probably right about the effectiveness of the technique mentioned, although I don’t know about the cost. Actually, we never had to shoot at the crows, as they recognized the shotgun and immediately fled the scene.
Again, I have not argued against better regulation. I have just (redundantly so, by now I think) claimed a specific situation where they have their uses.
