John,
If you go the .22 route you may wish to use .22 bird shot ammunition.
A .22 round will travel a mile or more (if you miss of course). The bird shot ammunition is effective at shorter ranges, and offers a little forgiveness in aim.
Might be safer for your neighbors.
By the way, crows are considered 'game birds' in Wisconsin. There is a fall and winter season. The winter season ends March 20th.
However there is a clause in the rules which I have copied below.
"In addition to the general Small Game hunting regulations listed on pages 13-19,
the following are regulations specific to Unprotected Species.
Unprotected Species
are described on page 3 of this pamphlet. Note: Grackles, redwinged blackbirds and cowbirds are not considered Unprotected Species and may
not be hunted for recreation purposes. They may be killed on private lands without a hunting license or federal permit ONLY IF they are causing damage or are about to cause damage to trees, crops, livestock, or wildlife; or they are concentrated in large numbers that may constitute a health hazard or other nuisance. Crows may also be killed without a federal permit and outside the normal crow season in these situations."
Happy hunting!