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re: Thoughts on duck hunting these days
Posted on 1/14/15 at 12:57 pm to KingRanch
Posted on 1/14/15 at 12:57 pm to KingRanch
KingRanch
Figured I was spelling it wrong. He swears up and down he does. No telling, we talk or text all the time but haven't seen him in 3-4 years. He had several waders but I remember them having holes and crap in em and being cold as hell wearing them.
Figured I was spelling it wrong. He swears up and down he does. No telling, we talk or text all the time but haven't seen him in 3-4 years. He had several waders but I remember them having holes and crap in em and being cold as hell wearing them.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 1:12 pm to yallallcrazy
quote:
I think too much emphasis is placed on numbers, and specifically limits.
exactly. This probably has more to do with all this bitching than anything else. Lots of hunters- old and new- are worried about the bragging rights or the photo at days end. They want to be able to post about or brag about how many they shot. I'm all for getting a limit and making it worth your time and money, but I've had some stellar days with my dog and family/friends when we didn't come close to limiting out. Its all a matter of perspective.
But I sure aint doing it if it starts pissing me off. And like Bourg said, I don't have an exclusive on using the resource. Nor do I let other hunters ruin my day.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 1:56 pm to TheBoo
I can work birds with the best of em. So can a lot of my constituents...but several factors have lead to the necessity of shooting longer shots. To say differently would make me question your sanity.
It is easy for our gramps to say that kind of stuff about shooting decoying ducks...it's because they had an abundance and their biggest decision was which ducks to shoot, not if they should leave without seeing any birds work.
Ducks are smarter. They see so many spreads these days. #s are down and flyways change. Seasons are more regulated, many times right when the #s make it down.
To say it is a problem with the Hunter that ducks don't decoy is dumb, especially season hunters.
I would venture to say a hunter today that kills 5 ducks is a much better hunter than our grandparents who killed 20 in the 70s.
It is easy for our gramps to say that kind of stuff about shooting decoying ducks...it's because they had an abundance and their biggest decision was which ducks to shoot, not if they should leave without seeing any birds work.
Ducks are smarter. They see so many spreads these days. #s are down and flyways change. Seasons are more regulated, many times right when the #s make it down.
To say it is a problem with the Hunter that ducks don't decoy is dumb, especially season hunters.
I would venture to say a hunter today that kills 5 ducks is a much better hunter than our grandparents who killed 20 in the 70s.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 2:15 pm to GeeOH
GeeOH, very well put. I find myself agreeing with and relating to your posts a lot. Very smart man you are sir!
Posted on 1/14/15 at 2:25 pm to GeeOH
quote:
It is easy for our gramps to say that kind of stuff about shooting decoying ducks...it's because they had an abundance and their biggest decision was which ducks to shoot, not if they should leave without seeing any birds work.
Ducks are smarter. They see so many spreads these days. #s are down and flyways change. Seasons are more regulated, many times right when the #s make it down.
Not to mention, we can't feed em anymore
Posted on 1/14/15 at 3:16 pm to GeeOH
I don't disagree with you, but there are many young and new hunters who "sky blast" at ducks all day and call it duck hunting. Whereas the art of working ducks in for a manageable shot (whatever distance that may be) is something that is getting lost with the new waves of hunters.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 5:32 pm to TheBoo
OK finally had a min or 15 to read through the entire thread.
So grandpa and dad used to only shoot waterfowl with 2 5/8" shells, and only when they were landing in the decoys.
Clearly that means I am doing it wrong when I shoot ducks passing at 30 to 40 yards and roll them, or when I use a semiauto gun with 3 or 3.5" magnum shells?
Well, I suppose outlawing lead in 91 had nothing to do with the change in shells, loads, or guns. And tighter restrictions of baiting have made it no harder to "decoy" birds in.
Certainly, the increasing popularity of the sport, and decreasing access to private and public lands has not concentrated hunters so that they now infringe on each other, flair each others birds, and gain a natural competitive emotion with the other hunters present.
It seems those most upset are upset most when they have successfully worked birds in, have them locked, and nearby blinds skybust flairing "their" birds. So if both blinds are working in groups and the other blind has birds locked in on final approach but yours are feet down, do you hold off on your shot so you don't flair their birds?
I suppose I am more fortunate that I realized. I duck hunt 75% of the time out of the same pond 10 min from my house. I only hunt water with people who are hunting with me. We work birds into the decoys when possible. We kill birds on passing shots. We occasionally have cripples but it is rare and we usually find, finish, and recover them anyway. We enjoy the sound of other hunters on other properties because they are pushing birds off of their property and to us. But I will tell you, I enjoy bringing home a limit although it rarely happens. Everyone in my household LOVES duck meat.
Yall want to bitch, bitch about the guys who hunt just for the sport and don't even like the meat.
So grandpa and dad used to only shoot waterfowl with 2 5/8" shells, and only when they were landing in the decoys.
Clearly that means I am doing it wrong when I shoot ducks passing at 30 to 40 yards and roll them, or when I use a semiauto gun with 3 or 3.5" magnum shells?
Well, I suppose outlawing lead in 91 had nothing to do with the change in shells, loads, or guns. And tighter restrictions of baiting have made it no harder to "decoy" birds in.
Certainly, the increasing popularity of the sport, and decreasing access to private and public lands has not concentrated hunters so that they now infringe on each other, flair each others birds, and gain a natural competitive emotion with the other hunters present.
It seems those most upset are upset most when they have successfully worked birds in, have them locked, and nearby blinds skybust flairing "their" birds. So if both blinds are working in groups and the other blind has birds locked in on final approach but yours are feet down, do you hold off on your shot so you don't flair their birds?
I suppose I am more fortunate that I realized. I duck hunt 75% of the time out of the same pond 10 min from my house. I only hunt water with people who are hunting with me. We work birds into the decoys when possible. We kill birds on passing shots. We occasionally have cripples but it is rare and we usually find, finish, and recover them anyway. We enjoy the sound of other hunters on other properties because they are pushing birds off of their property and to us. But I will tell you, I enjoy bringing home a limit although it rarely happens. Everyone in my household LOVES duck meat.
Yall want to bitch, bitch about the guys who hunt just for the sport and don't even like the meat.
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 5:34 pm
Posted on 1/14/15 at 5:48 pm to GeeOH
quote:
I would venture to say a hunter today that kills 5 ducks is a much better hunter than our grandparents who killed 20 in the 70s.
Well sunny, you are 100% wrong. Back in those days, one had a point system that start with 10 and 25 point birds. Yes, one could kill 10 birds a day, but myself, I always looked for the 25 point birds.
Hunting was always about friendship and family get togethers before the hunts and after. It was a time one would work birds in, even though we would let many just decoy all the way just for the hell of it. Of course we used lead shot that made shooting birds easy, but that is not what it's all about.
Then, back in those days, one had a hell of a time just to get out there and back in safe.
My Dad was a meat hunter way back in the day for birds. Pirogue mounted punt gun and all. To bad we lost all those pictures, but I do remember the stories of him telling us kids of those hunts. It was a way of life I wish I could of done.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:15 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
Clearly that means I am doing it wrong when I shoot ducks passing at 30 to 40 yards and roll them, or when I use a semiauto gun with 3 or 3.5" magnum shells?
I don't have the ability to recall every poster in this threads opinion of pass shooting, but I don't imagine many people are upset about others taking 30-40 yard shots, at least I'm not upset by it. I believe where most people get upset is the blatant skybusting at birds well over 50 yards, in other words totally out of reasonable shotgun range.
Nothing wrong with shooting 3.5 inch magnums, but if a person doesn't see that the marketing and availability of shells like this advertising extended range abilities, well then, wake up and smell the roses...it without a doubt increases the amount of skybusting occurring.
More power to you on having private land to hunt, many people are not that fortunate and only have the resources to hunt what is provided by the stat and federal government. Some realization of problems is good or no improvements would ever be made on anything
quote:
Yall want to bitch, bitch about the guys who hunt just for the sport and don't even like the meat
And I would say that a much larger portion of outdoorsman fall into this category than will admit it. Not just duck hunters, but fisherman, etc.
Out of curiosity, where and how long have you duck hunted? Any considerable amount of time of it being on public land in the state of Louisiana?
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:16 pm to Canard Gris
quote:
n't have the ability to recall every poster in this threads opinion of pass shooting, but I don't imagine many people are upset about others taking 30-40 yard shots, at least I'm not upset by it. I believe where most people get upset is the blatant skybusting at birds well over 50 yards, in other words totally out of reasonable shotgun range.
Came to post exactly this. There is a difference in a 30 vs 50 yard passing shot
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:23 pm to Canard Gris
I agree most did not complain about 30 to 40 yard pass shots. The op specifically noted that they wouldn't shoot at ducks unless about to land in the decoys and under thirty yards.
I have honestly been a bit envious of the guys hunting the Louisiana coastal marshes, the North Louisiana rice paddies and swamps with timber. I wasn't being facetious when I said I guess I have it better than I thought I did.
I've been duck hunting for 8 years. all of it in North East Texas small ponds on private land with the exception of 2 paid hunts this season to SD and LA.
For what it's worth other than the primary pond on our lease, my other hunt on private land has been acquired by simply asking the rancher or land owner if I can hunt their place once or twice during a season.
I have honestly been a bit envious of the guys hunting the Louisiana coastal marshes, the North Louisiana rice paddies and swamps with timber. I wasn't being facetious when I said I guess I have it better than I thought I did.
I've been duck hunting for 8 years. all of it in North East Texas small ponds on private land with the exception of 2 paid hunts this season to SD and LA.
For what it's worth other than the primary pond on our lease, my other hunt on private land has been acquired by simply asking the rancher or land owner if I can hunt their place once or twice during a season.
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 6:24 pm
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:26 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
I've been duck hunting for 8 years. all of it in North East Texas small ponds on private land with the exception of 2 paid hunts this season to SD and LA
Gotcha. Until you have hunted public land in a state that pressures the ducks like LA does, you haven't seen the shite show that people get on here to complain about, no offense.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:34 pm to Canard Gris
There's a reason its free
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:38 pm to Canard Gris
That's true, bUT then let's not bash duck hunting in general and claim all new hunters are the nuevo rich ignorant impatient assholes if they shoot at ducks that refuse to decoy all the way in.
Do something about it. Put on an educational seminar, speak with the guys on DD and ask them to do segment on skyblasting, work to get an ethical hunter educational workshheet added to lisc app each year. Offer to assist new hunters and teach them up right. Get a shooting range to design a duck specific range that throws crossing shots at 20, 30, 40, 50 ,60 yards. And high skeet out of range occasionally, and going away shots that climb out of range. It would be a great way to learn when to pass a shot. And what your limits are. Write LA conservationist or outdoor life, or LA sportsman or....
It sounds like the title should be "thoughts on overcrowded public land duck hunting and skyblasting flaring my ducks"
Do something about it. Put on an educational seminar, speak with the guys on DD and ask them to do segment on skyblasting, work to get an ethical hunter educational workshheet added to lisc app each year. Offer to assist new hunters and teach them up right. Get a shooting range to design a duck specific range that throws crossing shots at 20, 30, 40, 50 ,60 yards. And high skeet out of range occasionally, and going away shots that climb out of range. It would be a great way to learn when to pass a shot. And what your limits are. Write LA conservationist or outdoor life, or LA sportsman or....
It sounds like the title should be "thoughts on overcrowded public land duck hunting and skyblasting flaring my ducks"
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:38 pm to PapaPogey
The only public land I've ever messed with is Sabine, Biloxi, Big Branch, and Delta. I've always had luck at those four.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:42 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
How ya been fish?
Not doing all that good. Dam numbers been going up. Fighting a cold too.
They call me and I will be going into the hospital next Tuesday. Going to try a new treatment. Doctor wouldn't tell us what the med is, call it a black box med, but has nothing to do to help HF, but one of the side effects helps HF. Problem with the med is it can bring on a heart attack.
I'm at the point I'm willing to try just about anything.
Oh, only made one duck hunt without firing a shot.
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 6:48 pm
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:44 pm to KingRanch
Come to think of it that range idea sounds interesting. Could design a scoring system that deducts points for low percentage long range or very high shots and adds points for close range dbl and tripels.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:45 pm to fishfighter
Man that dosent sound good. I can't think of the name of that med off the top of my head.
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