Shooting ducks on the water? :)

[TheCoachZed]

So I'm curious -- who here shoots ducks on the water?

I know a lot of guys find it un-sporting. I personally have no problem with it, particularly because I do a lot of walking and stalking on the coast here. If I walk a half mile of bog to sneak up on a black duck, you'd better believe I'll shoot it, whether it sees me or not. Everybody I hunt with is the same here, although we generally prefer to get them feet down in dekes. But that isn't always possible, especially if you're walking. Or, right after liftoff works pretty well too.

 

[Jay]

Even when I used to jump shoot ducks on a winding creek, I always waited for the flush. Shooting them on the water doesn't seem sporting.

Same with grouse, same with woodcock. Just my preference.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Dfbshaw]

I've done both. Wing shooting is better IMO, but only for my ego. Dead is dead and they taste just as good.
I too have gone all day without a decent shot on a flyer, I don't use decoys so its jumping them or pass shooting. I have snuck up on a couple of birds close together on the water *shrugs* a two for one was to hard to pass up. I sleep just fine.

 

[Superbrad]

Even when I used to jump shoot ducks on a winding creek, I always waited for the flush. Shooting them on the water doesn't seem sporting.

Same with grouse, same with woodcock. Just my preference.

Cheers
Jay

This.... Except with grouse... Way too tasty to give a break too....

 

[trebor2880]

I find the best eating ducks and partridge are the ones with no pellets in the meat. Sittin' ducks are just fine to shoot for me. And partridge are usually too stupid to fly away.

 

[Jay]

This.... Except with grouse... Way too tasty to give a break too....

Agreed, but only if I am by myself... With the dogs, the birds are always shot on the wing. And I have not hunted without a dog for years!

Cheers
Jay

 

[Superbrad]

Agreed, but only if I am by myself... With the dogs, the birds are always shot on the wing. And I have not hunted without a dog for years!

Cheers
Jay

True, watching the dog work it is worth as much as the shot and the bird.....

 

[fraserdw]

Very un sporting.

 

[waltman]

Do we prefer to shoot deer on the run or standing still? Why risk making a wounding shot if you can make a clean kill?

 

[medvedqc]

i was taught it was unsporting then i learnt to hunt with game pushed by dogs and hunted in an hut (chasse au gabion) and shot mallards at night under the full moon where they were not flying ... what i can say is whatever you like to do and if not against the law why bother.

i had my best shot last fall on a flying grouse but that will not stop me to shoot the way i prefer or can do ...

 

[Superbrad]

Very un sporting.

Almost as unsporting as picking up a BBQ chicken at the grocery store?

 

[Fargone4sure]

In Alberta it used to be illegal to shoot them on the water, not sure if it still is, haven't bought a bird license in quite a while.

 

[trebor2880]

How sporting is picking off a elk at a thousand yards, or 500yds for that matter?

 

[yomomma]

I want to eat...I get better results when they are sitting on the water

 

[canuckchap]

Interesting question....how many here a) shoot deer from a blind or stand b) use a scope crossbow in archery season c) have a modern, 209 primed, scoped BP for deer......
amounts to about the same, could easily argue those three aren't "sporting"

The OP makes a valid point...his duck hunting conditions are different from what many would consider the norm.

 

[Arclight]

I have no problems shooting ducks swimming.

 

[3macs1]

Very un sporting.

Yep. Might as well go to the farm and shoot chickens. Here the boys would have tossed me out of the blind. I remember way back over in PEI shooting one goose on the ground which I thought was crippled and the guide went nuts on me and I had the handle ground swatter for years over there. Never again unless it is indeed a true cripple
Cheers

 

[Superbrad]

Interesting question....how many here a) shoot deer from a blind or stand b) use a scope crossbow in archery season c) have a modern, 209 primed, scoped BP for deer......
amounts to about the same, could easily argue those three aren't "sporting"

The OP makes a valid point...his duck hunting conditions are different from what many would consider the norm.

Arguing is what divides us as a group.... it's ridiculous.... If it's legal and you want to, then do it.. way too many purists in our community....

There are things I won't do because I don't find them "sporting".... or don't make me feel good and enjoy my hunting experience, Ie shooting a doe with fawns, but that is my choice and suits me and me only..... I refuse to look down my nose at anyone that hunts safely and within the law...

Ethics and morals are personal choices....

 

[1963beretta]

i was taught it was unsporting then i learnt to hunt with game pushed by dogs and hunted in an hut (chasse au gabion) and shot mallards at night under the full moon where they were not flying ... what i can say is whatever you like to do and if not against the law why bother.

i had my best shot last fall on a flying grouse but that will not stop me to shoot the way i prefer or can do ...

I prefer wingshooting ducks but I have no issues shooting a duck on water if thats what the situation calls for. But shooting ducks at night under a moon is not just the most unsporting and discusting act, its down right criminal.

 

[H Wally]

If it's legal, it's legal. A stationary animal stands a far lower chance of being wounded, which I'm fine with.