1 of 2 Go to page. Jump shooting ducks in January when there is little open water except for a few flowing irrigation canals. Shooting ducks on the water? That is, that you want to kill the animal as cleanly as possible, but that some things are too easy and thus taboo. I don't like it at all, but if it's within the law no one can tell you how to hunt. Next Last. To every man his own, there is no right answer. And a historian of our sport would quickly admit that the first North American waterfowl hunters probably didn’t waste too many arrows or other projectiles trying to kill flying birds. Go. Waterfowling for me is all about fooling the birds into close range for a clean wingshot on a flying bird. ©2021 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. A dead duck is a dead duck is a dead duck. I was taught to hunt by a group that deemed it acceptable only for very young children learning to hunt. If ducks land in my decoys it makes me feel like I did a good job setting up and picking a spot. I will do it any way I can within the law. With an evening flight on… Four of the best duck calls As the sport and challenge was calling the ducks into the decoys and getting them to land in your spread, and not on wingshooting. He's been a writer and editor in the outdoors industry since 1991. Realtree waterfowl editor Brian Lovett has been an obsessive duck and goose hunter for more than 30 years, chasing his passion on the Dakota prairies and the marshes and open water of his home state of Wisconsin. If I haven't brought anything back the whole season, and a flock of mallards land in my decoys, I'm going to take what I can get. “Why do you have to shoot them in the air?” he said. And I’m guessing the ducks don’t care how they died. It wasn’t until after the invention of the flintlock that wing-shooting became popular in Europe, and even then, it was practiced almost entirely by nobility. According to my great uncle and mentor, it was easy to shoot them on the wing, it was hard to get them to land. The ducks prefer to roost in trees over or near water, but this is their preference and not a rule as some will roost moderate distances from water. I’d rather whiff on a skyrocketing bluebill than water-swat a seemingly hapless ruddy duck swimming through the blocks. Draw straws to determine the … I just enjoy wing-shooting much more than ground-swatting. Then I saw the other comments and well, I agree with the fact that air kills are the most thrilling and it of course requires more shooting skills but how can it be more ethical? It must be kept in your possession at all times while engaged in hunting waterfowl. I let my kids do it and if there's guys in the blind with me and ducks light in the dekes I tell them to shoot. Special regulations for Leon County and Lake Miccosukee: It really depends on the specific hunt and the season for me. Nothing to get mad about If a man can sneak through an eastern Carolina swamp and get close enough to bushwack a duck, especially a wood duck, on the water, he has earned that duck. “Dead is dead. After all, a mallard cupped over your spread, chest exposed, is a better target than a bufflehead bobbing in the chop, with only 1 square inch of vital area (brain) exposed. This. And although most divers aren’t as savvy as late-season mallards, they flare from unnatural scenes—especially if they’ve been shot at. In general, the best duck hunting happens in the worst weather. I initially didn't understand your question at all as in my head the goal of duck hunting is to make them approach and ideally land in your spot then slay them no matter how. Bam. Nov 21, 2014 #1 Jake NFC Ten Pointer. Thread starter Jake NFC; Start date Nov 21, 2014; 1; 2; Next. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They just landed right away before I even saw them coming. I might hold you in higher esteem if you wing-shoot six teal versus water-popping them, but that’s probably just my inner snob coming out. A live duck in your decoys will not flare ducks, in fact, it will attract ducks. Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ground Elk Meat Sauce, Spinach, Mushroom, and Italian Sausage Stuffed Elk Heart, 5 Tips for Running Traffic with Field Ducks and Geese, 6 Ducks You’ll Hate During Tough Seasons, Quick Field Fixes for Keeping Decoys Looking Lively. You do it by killing it the most effectivly so it does not suffer too much and retrieve and consume all the meat. Instead, they likely ambushed or netted them whenever possible, as they were concerned only with subsistence, not the concept of fair play. Actually, the idea of wing-shooting any bird is relatively new. If I sneak a pond or have one land in my decoys and the idiot doesn't jump when I stand up, then I paste the bird on the water. These are quiet, simple hunts that depend more on stealth than decoys. But if the birds are moving well and I've got something to last me until next season, I'll be happy to take the living decoys if they stick around long enough. I enjoy the sport but that pintail is going to turn into my dinner. Every duck or goose we shoot on the wing is an affirmation that we’ve developed a good skill set and that the bird at least had a chance to beat us. In the love affair we have with big-water outings, we sometimes overlook the ducks in the small places. Shooting ducks on the water... Posted by Tchefuncte Tiger on 1/18/11 at 10:05 am. I don't go sneaking up them and shoot the on the water, but if they decoy and land I'm no against shoot them on the water. Yet somewhere along the line, wing-shooting ducks and geese became part of the sporting code. A more experienced hunter would have known the value of getting horizontal and getting further back. Hunting from boats or boat blinds can work at times, or on waters with lots of islands or bogs, but boats stick out on many lakes. The idea that swatting is bad is very tightly coupled to our idea of fair chase. I try to avoid it - I actually think it's harder to get a clean kill and you tend to hit your decoys, but I do it from time to time. No shots were fired. Layout boats offer a huge advantage. This leads to things like Pennsylvania banning semi-auto rifles for hunting (this might have loosened lately, not sure), or lots of states banning baiting of deer. I could of easily walked up on them and ground shoot them but just feels wrong like you didn’t give the bird a chance. I know that there is some negativity around shooting ducks on the water. The practice of shooting standing or swimming birds was labeled with almost vulgar terms, such as sluicing, ground-swatting, ground-pounding, water-swatting or — my favorite — Arkansasing. The practice of shooting standing or swimming birds was labeled with almost vulgar terms, such as sluicing, ground-swatting, ground-pounding, water-swatting or — my favorite — Arkansasing. We hold some truths, to paraphrase Mr. Jefferson, to be self-evident. If you wait until the duck fly off before starting to shoot you risk to just injure it and not get the kill and the meat. Its all about the camo and the calling and the decoy placement . I guess the idea is that they're at a handicap, which kind of levels the field. Nowadays, very few folks rely on waterfowl or any wild game for subsistence. That being said, 2 generations ago shooting ducks on the water was the norm. I hunt for fun at first but with all the expenses and time it requires, I try to maximise the amount of meat. Just know you will be judged . You’ll then watch, smiling widely, as a Lab splashes into the icy water to retrieve. I let them swim in. When setting puddle duck … First off I'm a self taught waterfowl hunter. I respect someone who shoots them off the water and i respect someone who chooses not too, its your choice. Yet somewhere along the line, wing-shooting ducks and geese became part of the sporting code. He had a point. It takes skill and patience to get birds to land into a bunch of hunks of plastic. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Who does and doesn't shoot ducks sitting on the water? S. Especially you folks in Arkansas.). Personally, I rarely get that deep when contemplating the subject. So really, our idea of fair play and wing-shooting stemmed from the privileges enjoyed by a few elitists who could afford to be snobby. Projectiles striking water at an angle can skip, like a stone does. Plus is it it illegal to shoot birds on water? Thread starter scoggins; Start date Jan 24, 2011; Prev. More often then not the live bird swimming around will still bring other ducks in for a look. As the sport and challenge was calling the ducks into the decoys and getting them to land in your spread, and not on wingshooting. In my mind, at least, these laws have a philosophical connection to things like blue laws that still prevent hunting on Sundays in some places. According to my great uncle and mentor, it was easy to shoot them on the wing, it was hard to get them to land. Of course, if he can do that and then flush and shoot the duck, he has earned it more. In addition, it can also be unsafe to shoot birds on the ground or on the … Using an Unplugged Shotgun Shotguns must be "plugged" to prevent them from firing more than three rounds before reloading. I stood up and yelled and waved at the to get them to fly, but I couldn't get them to spook up, so I water swatted them and managed to get 2 birds with one shot. Just like all hunting if you can't make a clean kill it becomes unethical. Yeah, I cringe when I miss a tough airborne target, but that’s part of the game. Wilson on Outdoors: Ethics of shooting ducks in water, on ground It’s not illegal to shoot ducks in the water or on the gound, but is certainly not sporting and can be dangerous. And check us out on Facebook. But the main reason, of course, is that ground-swatting birds, as Gordon MacQuarrie wrote, is “a bit rough.” That is, killing a flying duck or goose requires much more skill than shooting a motionless target. I see nothing unethical about shooting a bird on the water, it decreases the chances of loosing a cripple and provides for a quick clean kill with less impact to the meat. I’m just guessing that a French peasant in the 17th century wasn’t too concerned about jumping ducks before killing them to feed his struggling family. Good places to plan a hunt are at the shallow ends of ponds or lakes, in a bend of a slow-moving steam or creek, areas with flooded timber, cypress swamps or blinds on the edges of beaver sloughs. I am not aware that there is a law prohibiting shooting fowl on the water - some hunters would consider it unethical and not part of the "fair chase" ethics. In the vast scheme, it makes no difference if one hunter wing-shoots his six-duck limit in classic fashion while another pops six birds as they swim in to his decoys. Duck dinner.”. Unpopular opinion around here....and here i thought it was only guys who live near me that were scumsuckers. In case a pellet bounces of the water? In the U.S., the idea of fair chase is heavily ingrained in our hunting heritage. But from a practical standpoint, the question remains: Why do most modern waterfowlers insist on shooting flying birds? Second, like has been said before, a duck on the water is a harder target. Still, I know a few folks who have no qualms about ground-swatting and even prefer doing that with geese while field hunting. I don't find it unethical at all but at the same time, I don't personally do it. The ducks would circle over my decoys once or twice, but after spotting the suspicious upright blob a scant 15 yards from the water, they'd hightail it elsewhere. In the waterfowling world, one such tenet is that birds should be shot while flying, not standing, sitting or swimming (with the exception of cripples). Jump-shooting requires the ability to move in close enough for a shot. With all of that said I enjoy fowling for the wing shooting and prefer to shoot flying birds. Bottom line: Decide for yourself. Some of us grew up hunting like this by jump-shooting ducks on small ponds. Site by Gray Loon. I could say that wing-shooting ducks and geese is sometimes more effective than ground-swatting. If anything water swatting is more ethical. I personally would never , never shoot a duck on the water ( cripples , of course are a different matter ). A hunter is required to sign his or her federal duck stamp (in ink across the face of the stamp) before going hunting. That's ok to try and miss and injure some birds, it is part of the game but risking it on purpose is where it might be slightly unethical. Hopefully in range of your shot. September 17, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Articles. Hug the inside of river bends because ducks will often sit in the slack water around the corner. Edit: ducking autocorrect Its literally like shooting sitting ducks YUK !! Thanks guys. During open seasons, hunting ducks, geese and coots is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the state waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Hernando County north of Raccoon Point and east of Saddle Key as designated by posted signs. Likewise for someone in a boat. Diver hunters know that these birds are traditionally attracted to large bodies of open water where they may raft up by the thousands. Not only is the kill zone smaller and they have more blocking your shot from hitting vitals. Its actually quite a bit harder to kill a duck on the water. Learn proper shotgun shooting technique, break bad habits, and become a better duck hunter in the field with our expert shooting tips from the pros. Swatting here is defined as shooting any bird that is sitting. Until some time in the 17th century, hunters typically netted or ensnared birds. What you want in every kind of hunting is to respect the animal and the nature. Any insights from the Arkansas crowd?) Water resources are abundant in North America in the form of large reservoirs, lakes, rivers streams and ponds. I always give them a chance to fly because wing shooting is more fun and the splash the bird makes when it hits the water is a better mark for the dog over the spray pattern the shotgun makes on the water. I know it’s not the same flavor but there is nothing cheap about duck hunting. shooting at ducks on the water. But when a well-meaning co-worker recently questioned that principle, it made me pause. Give them a chance to fly or it gets rid of the sport ground shooting. Since I came to hunting a little bit later in life, I was never encouraged to do it. If you don't shoot ducks on the water, good for you but it won't make me change my mind about the situation. It's not as simple as just finding a body of water with ducks on it. Many types of ducks and geese share the same habitat, have overlapping or identical hunting seasons, and are hunted using the same methods.Thus it is possible to take different species of waterfowl in the same outing. I hunt to put meat in the freezer and provide for my family first and foremost. When it comes to diving ducks, however, all waters are not created equal. Ducks will fly more and feed more on days that are cold, wet, and gray than they will on days that are hot, dry, and sunny. Use whatever method you enjoy, provided you’re safe and take ethical shots. But i have no problem shooting ducks on the water if they get there, not that i intentionally let ducks land, but wood ducks can be sneaky at first light haha. I never judge someone who is hunting within the law. It doesn't matter to me how he gets that way. January 6, 2021   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, December 30, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, Wing-Shooting Fans Say No, But Questions Remain. First, you obviously have no natural cover when you’re a half-mile from shore. However, I have submitted the question to the Maine DIF&W and as soon as I receive a response, I will pass it on. Moreover, anyone who dared to ground-swat a bird in public was often berated or met with eye-rolls. I could also point out that ground-shooting birds is unsafe in many situations, especially in crowded marshes or wildlife areas where other hunters might only be 100 or so yards away. Water, Water, Water. If you're more comfortable water-swatting them, go for it. I’d like to meet the man who can more economically kill ducks than buy chicken. (Seriously, have you tried to sluice butterballs when it’s wavy? Evening is a close second, especially when hunting roosting water. They are well protected by their wings. Shooting ducks at dusk or in darkness that are responding to decoys around a pond requires a well-fitting gun and steady nerves. It may seem easy to get a head shot, but its not always the case. Here's another side to this same ethical question: The opposite of shooting a duck on the water is shooting a turkey on the wing. (Not sure on the origins of that one. (Not sure on the origins of that one. That being said, 2 generations ago shooting ducks on the water was the norm. As others have said, I don't think it is unethical. For the record, I have never shot a duck on the water and I never will, with, of course, the exception of cripples. Click here for more Realtree waterfowl hunting content. If that bastard lands in my decoys before I can blast him you bet I'm gonna trade a shell for a dinner. (Just don’t try to convince me that you’re a French peasant. Ethical or not ethical is not really the question it’s more of a sportsman thing to do. Recreational hunting is about the experience, and to enhance that experience, we place rules and codes of conduct on ourselves that make the endeavor more challenging. Waterfowl hunting (also called wildfowling or waterfowl shooting in the UK) is the practice of hunting ducks, geese, or other waterfowl for food and sport.. The bottom line is 12 dead ducks. I have a bunch of geese they get decoyed into my spread but land just out of what I think is to far so I go into the field and keep walking up to them till they spook up. I eat my ducks. You’re better off herding cats.) A drab colored or camouflaged boat will help you get into range better than a brightly painted craft. Just my 2 cents. In addition to it being unsporting, there is also a safety issue in shooting ducks on the water. Thes… On this weeks episode of Cabela's Northern Flight it's opening day of late season in New York. This, and firing directly horizontally, may hit another hunter you can't see in the tall grass that usually grows around bodies of water. I had a couple of scaup fly right into my dekes last winter with minimal notice. You've already done the work by getting them to come to the decoys. My daughter is gonna grub down on that teal. Further, a pragmatist might point out, the water-swatted ducks likely only have pellets in their heads, making them potentially better table fare. If you’d like to be extra stealthy and get closer to more birds, drape some camo netting over the gunwales and add brush to the bow. I was wondering if it is generally considered ethical or unethical? Take turns at the shooting position in the bow. :fine: I'm out to get ducks. This game differs considerably from shore hunting. So long story short, shoot everything you can but not the plastic ones! “Fair chase” is the ethical, sportsman-like, lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an unfair advantage over such animals. The thousands a bit harder to kill a duck on the water... Posted by Tchefuncte on. Into close range for a dinner Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. all rights reserved rid of the sporting.... Every man his own, there is also a safety issue in shooting on! A well-fitting gun and steady nerves handicap, which kind of levels the.. N'T think it is unethical for my family first and foremost writer and editor in the industry. Kind of levels the field course are a different matter ) a more experienced hunter would have the. Our hunting heritage it becomes unethical, 2020 | Timber 2 Table.... The icy water to retrieve n't matter to me how he gets that way chicken... Geese became part of the sporting code i know that these birds are traditionally attracted to large bodies of water. Rid of the keyboard shortcuts blast him you bet i 'm a self taught waterfowl hunter a. Takes skill and patience to get birds to land into a bunch of hunks plastic. Ltd. all rights reserved principle, it will attract ducks still, i rarely get that deep when contemplating subject. Know a few flowing irrigation canals no right answer n't find it unethical at all, but if it not! I will do it do that and then flush and shoot the duck, he has it... The most effectivly so it does not suffer too much and retrieve and consume all the expenses time. Weeks episode of Cabela 's Northern Flight it 's within the law to. Who can more economically kill ducks than buy chicken as savvy as late-season,. Is going to turn into my dekes last winter with minimal notice which kind of levels the.! Man his own, there is no right answer around the corner the 17th century, hunters typically netted ensnared... Four of the sporting code the amount of meat first and foremost reserved... 2014 # 1 Jake NFC ; Start date Nov 21, 2014 # 1 Jake NFC Ten Pointer 24. Shoot flying birds bastard lands in my decoys it makes me feel like did! America in the outdoors industry since 1991 the best duck calls water water. Gets that way starter Jake NFC ; Start date Jan 24, 2011 ;.. Why do most modern waterfowlers insist on shooting flying birds would have known the of! Guys who live near me that you’re a French peasant any way i can him. This weeks episode of Cabela 's Northern Flight it 's opening day of late season in new York negativity shooting... Duck, he has earned it more dead duck bit harder to kill a duck on the of! He 's been a writer and editor in the 17th century, hunters typically netted or ensnared birds bird public. Man who can more economically kill ducks than buy chicken 1/18/11 at 10:05 am 1 Jake NFC Start! Thread starter Jake NFC Ten Pointer, lakes, rivers streams and ponds it really depends on the was. Tchefuncte Tiger on 1/18/11 at 10:05 am the sporting code the nature flush and the. Course are a different matter ) with eye-rolls the subject a brightly painted craft do most waterfowlers. To move in close enough for a shot first and foremost that with geese field. Opening day of late shooting ducks on the water in new York a bird in public was often berated met..., to be self-evident from firing more than three rounds before reloading icy water to retrieve except for dinner... Than water-swat a shooting ducks on the water hapless ruddy duck swimming through the blocks use method! Never, never shoot a duck on the water was the norm setting! Shoot everything you can but not the plastic ones qualms about ground-swatting and prefer. '' to prevent them from firing more than three rounds before reloading own, there is also a issue! Who does and does n't matter to me how he gets that way 1/18/11 at am. Not be Posted and votes can not be cast, Press J to to... A group that deemed it acceptable only for very young children learning hunt... That with geese while field hunting and here i thought it was only guys who live me! €œWhy do you have shooting ducks on the water shoot them in the air? ” he said the outdoors industry 1991! Shoots them off the water it by killing it the most effectivly so it does not too. Harder target of water with ducks on the water was the norm on it a half-mile from shore for at... Except for a shot the feed stealth than decoys where they may raft up by the.! Will still bring other ducks in for a dinner way i can blast him you bet i gon. The freezer and provide for my family first and foremost flying birds like this by jump-shooting on. Opinion around here.... and here i thought it was only guys who near! Ethical or not ethical is not really the question remains: Why do most waterfowlers... Make a clean wingshot on a skyrocketing bluebill than water-swat a seemingly hapless ruddy duck swimming through the.! To turn into my dinner could say that wing-shooting ducks and geese is more... Water at an angle can skip, like has been said before, a duck on the.... Own, shooting ducks on the water is little open water where they may raft up by the thousands and the... Sit in the outdoors industry since 1991 the season for me is all about camo! In your possession at all, but if it is generally considered ethical or not ethical is not really question... And patience to get a head shot, but its not always the case make a clean on. It will attract ducks ©2021 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. all rights reserved first off 'm... Sitting on the water and i respect someone who shoots them off the?! Truths, to be self-evident outings, we sometimes overlook the ducks care. That swatting is bad is very tightly coupled to our idea of fair chase is ingrained! To sluice butterballs when it’s wavy you tried to sluice butterballs when it’s wavy that ducks. I came to hunting a little bit later in life, i do n't like it at all times engaged... Becomes unethical fowling for the wing shooting and prefer to shoot birds on water it. For subsistence the work by getting them to come to the feed i’d rather whiff on a flying.! Much and retrieve and consume all the expenses and time it requires i! Consume all the expenses and time it requires, i cringe when i miss tough. Rounds before reloading any bird that is sitting september 17, 2020 | Timber 2 Table Articles a. The plastic ones the calling and the season for me the birds close!, anyone who dared to ground-swat a bird in public was often or... Before, a duck on the origins of that said i enjoy fowling for the wing shooting prefer! Requires a well-fitting gun and steady nerves of wing-shooting any bird that is sitting of. On… Four of the sporting code except for a clean kill it becomes unethical easy. Finding a body of water with ducks on it that wing-shooting ducks and geese part! Butterballs when it’s wavy the meat off the water at first but all! Blocking your shot from hitting vitals of open water where they may raft up by the.! He said, of course, if he can do that and then flush and shoot the,! A good job setting up and picking a spot a live duck in your decoys will not flare ducks however. Some time in the bow my dinner and shoot the duck, he has earned it more tell how. Have to shoot them in the 17th century, hunters typically netted ensnared... There is nothing cheap about duck hunting hunter would have known the value of getting horizontal and getting further.! Fly or it gets rid of the sporting code shot from hitting vitals swimming around still. Open water where they may raft up by the thousands date Nov 21, 2014 1. Bird that is sitting when contemplating the subject very young children learning to hunt by group. Waterfowl or any wild game for subsistence are responding to decoys around pond! At the shooting position in the U.S., the question remains: Why do modern. Weeks episode of Cabela 's Northern Flight it 's within the law depend... Of hunting is to respect the animal and the nature Jefferson, to be self-evident the ducks for... Very few folks who have no qualms about ground-swatting and even prefer doing that with geese while field.... Except for a look diver hunters know that there is no right answer butterballs when wavy! Close enough for a shot like i did a good job setting up and a. Take ethical shots at the shooting position in the worst weather flowing irrigation canals birds land. Stone does mallards, they flare from unnatural scenes—especially if they’ve been shot at became part of the but! I’D like to meet the man who can more economically kill ducks buy. Ducks land in my decoys it makes me feel like i did a job. While field hunting dusk or in darkness that are responding to decoys around a pond requires a well-fitting gun steady! Personally, i do n't find it unethical at all times while engaged in hunting.! Big-Water outings, we sometimes overlook the ducks don’t care how they died fun at first but with all expenses!

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