Duck Hunting Etiquette

[CouesPursuit]

I was just reading the recent post on the opener for waterfowl where one mentions not to skybust, as it can ruin the hunt for everyone. Then another gentlemen asks what qualifies as skybusting..

 

I think it would be great to start a little discussion as to what duck hunting etiquette is.

One can't follow it if they don't know it!

 

I follow:

Get in early- I don't have a problems getting in and settled before shooting light, but others do. Setting up or walking around like a sore thumb in a duck hunting area can be rude.

Give distance- It's not a big deal to be a couple hundred yards away from someone, but if I see someone seriously set up and blinded in well, I know I wouldn't try to earn from their hard work.

No skybusting- Call it what you want in whatever variation, but shooting at ducks that are not in definite kill range is "skybusting". I try not to shoot past 50 yards at a duck. it doesn't matter if they are decoying or passing by, if you can kill them shoot them! Or leave them alone!

Share big groups- If you're hunting an area with other guys around, and a large group (20+) of birds come in, let them work a little bit! If I had a large group come in, and I'm the first group to shoot, I better drop several or what a waste for everyone!

Bad call, No call- Calling at other people's working ducks should be good calling only. Everyone needs to practice calling ducks to get better, but I try not to do it at the expense of scaring them out of the area for others, and myself.

 

In regards to reducing the success of another's duck hunt, is there anything out there that one can learn to practice better duck hunting etiquette?

[Scooter]

+1 on getting in early. If it's light enough outside to not need a headlamp... You're too late and you're gonna screw up somebody's hunt- and your own. Guys- if you're set up early, use lights to show other folks where you're at.

 

+1 on Bad Call, No Call. If you are in a good spot there is no reason to blast a loud 30 note hail call!

 

Another etiquette thing is to wait for everyone to come out after the hunt and see if you can group up next time and hunt in cooperation. I used to do this in Texas. I would wait until everyone hiked back to the parking area and chat with them after the hunt. We all knew where each other were and how much each of us were shooting and calling. We all hunted a single shoreline of public land maybe two miles long on a cove. After awhile at least two of the solo guys grouped up with me and we all helped build a nice blind that we used. More decoys, more guns, and I was the only one who could call. We had a really awesome season after that because at least three of the people who were spread out consolidated into one blind and it gave the birds a break.

[azgutpile]

I've hunted ducks in Arizona for 29 years and never had the issues that you are describing. I think I would find some new places to hunt.

[Guest akaspecials]

The OP Nailed the major ones! A few others are:

 

Retrieve you're birds quickly and get back in the blind or hiding spot- When you hang out in the decoys or stand in the open the birds are more likely to leave the area so other hunters can't work them. Waterfowl behavior changes when they see people, keep out of sight.

 

If you're out in the open and birds show up, get down and stay still- If you have to run back to the car and a flock comes in and circling the marsh, get down and stay still, even if you won't get a shot. Just like I mentioned above, a person out in the open can make the birds flare or think twice about working that area. Just going to the car will quick could hurt another guy's hunt.

 

Keep the ducks dumb- If you're decoying and have a flock of 50+ ducks come in don't shoot them cause you'll educate every bird you don't kill. Then in the future they will be unlikely to decoy well or will be skittish. Let them land in your dekes and then hunt the smaller flocks. This is one reason that mojos and other electronic dekes have become so uneffective, especially in late seasons. The ducks learn what a dangerous scenario is fast!

 

Learn Waterfowl ID- This is hard without a mentor and lots of time on the field. But I'm always watching guys shoot coot and comerants and then ask me what kind of ducks they are. (For those that don't know, they aren't ducks and are hardily edible.) It's important to know what you're shooting, especially with the bag limits on certain species.

 

 

I really like your one scooter about talking to the others. A few of us have done that at one of my honey holes. We now talk to each so we know who's where and so we can consolidate 3 or 4 groups into 1 blind. I've also made some really good friends with complete strangers and learned a ton about waterfowling!

[123456]

I agree with just about everything above, except the whole do not shoot big groups of ducks. Those ducks have been shot at for weeks while on their way to Arizona. If you do not shoot at them, and they all land in your decoys, are they not even smarter when you shoot the next group of ducks that come in and they are still in your decoys? If it is a good duck, and they decide to visit my decoys, I hope to make them permanent residents.

 

If there is one piece of advise, I will give most duck hunters, it is to diversify your spreads. Confidence decoys are a highly effective tool. Mojo's can be effective, but IMO cause more harm than good. The good ole' fashion jerk line is a much, much better option to add motion to your spread. Also do not have spreads of 50 decoys in an area that usually does not see groups of ducks that big.

 

One day if we are all lucky, they will open a season on cormerants, and we can all try to get a handle on that destructive specie of bird. They are terrorizing pan fish populations in the north/ northeast, and I have seen a huge rise in #'s over the last 10 years in AZ. They will be like shooting coyotes to keep our big game herds healthy.

[CouesPursuit]

I've hunted ducks in Arizona for 29 years and never had the issues that you are describing. I think I would find some new places to hunt.

 

Good for you. I think I would re-read the original post.

 

I didn't imply or complain about where I hunt. It even looks like at least a couple other people in the "community" thought the information was valuable, followed by better ideas on top of mine. That's CWT, right? And let's be honest, any open discussion on any hunting etiquette is worth having. Even if it doesn't apply to you.

[azgutpile]

I've hunted ducks in Arizona for 29 years and never had the issues that you are describing. I think I would find some new places to hunt.

 

Good for you. I think I would re-read the original post.

 

I didn't imply or complain about where I hunt. It even looks like at least a couple other people in the "community" thought the information was valuable, followed by better ideas on top of mine. That's CWT, right? And let's be honest, any open discussion on any hunting etiquette is worth having. Even if it doesn't apply to you.

 

Ok, how about this. If I get to an area and there is someone already there I should move on ( first come first serve). Especially if I'm close enought to tell if they are sky busting, walking back to their truck, or I can tell how their call sound.

 

If you take my advise about finding another location, all of your concerns listed above would go away.

 

 

 

 

[CouesPursuit]

 

I've hunted ducks in Arizona for 29 years and never had the issues that you are describing. I think I would find some new places to hunt.

Good for you. I think I would re-read the original post.

 

I didn't imply or complain about where I hunt. It even looks like at least a couple other people in the "community" thought the information was valuable, followed by better ideas on top of mine. That's CWT, right? And let's be honest, any open discussion on any hunting etiquette is worth having. Even if it doesn't apply to you.

 

Ok, how about this. If I get to an area and there is someone already there I should move on ( first come first serve). Especially if I'm close enought to tell if they are sky busting, walking back to their truck, or I can tell how their call sound.

 

If you take my advise about finding another location, all of your concerns listed above would go away.

Ok, how about this. If you get to an area, you are the somebody there, no need to move on (first come first serve).

Now someone comes close enough to you and your spot, yes, even if it has been a secret until that morning..

 

Wouldn't it be nice if they were aware of what a community of people thought was good hunting etiquette?

 

Your advice doesn't always apply, and "my" concerns apply to more people than just me.

[Scooter]

Here's another one... Use hen decoys in a 3:1 ratio. You'll have a ton more ducks ready to commit and you really don't even need to call much. Trust me, it works

[maydayretrievers]

I think you all have good points. But your always gonna run into a few jerks. But I think the people that do the scouting find places to go with out the hassle the days of fighting on the salt river or pichaco or any other spots that get hammered on the weekends. And you guys all know how to act its training the newbie,s . I had 20 new people this year bringing me their first duck dog to train and training them was harder than training the dog. If you run into others in the field you might pass on your ideas its easier to work with fellow hunters than getting in arguments

I hardly hunt mornings anymore the evening hunt can be just as good. Hope everyone has a good season

[CouesPursuit]

I hardly hunt mornings anymore the evening hunt can be just as good. Hope everyone has a good season

My fiancé prefers evening hunts which gets me out more, but have only had limit worthy evening shoots later in the season. Thanks for the reminder to stick with it. Hope you and everyone else have a good season as well.

[maydayretrievers]

I hardly hunt mornings anymore the evening hunt can be just as good. Hope everyone has a good season

My fiancé prefers evening hunts which gets me out more, but have only had limit worthy evening shoots later in the season. Thanks for the reminder to stick with it. Hope you and everyone else have a good season as well.

Location location my daughter only 5 so after school hunts great for her and we hunt all private land so it make it nice but when we lived in white mountains oh boy evening hunts were awesome. Bring your dog up sometime or give me a call I hunt with you

[CouesPursuit]

I hardly hunt mornings anymore the evening hunt can be just as good. Hope everyone has a good season

My fiancé prefers evening hunts which gets me out more, but have only had limit worthy evening shoots later in the season. Thanks for the reminder to stick with it. Hope you and everyone else have a good season as well.

Location location my daughter only 5 so after school hunts great for her and we hunt all private land so it make it nice but when we lived in white mountains oh boy evening hunts were awesome. Bring your dog up sometime or give me a call I hunt with you

I still have your number handy, Roger. Thank you very much!

[PRDATR]

So, what would some of you suggest for someone who has not hunted ducks but has a son who wants to? Are there guides out there who can provide a hunt in an area that isn't high pressure and congested?

I didn't know that evenings can be so productive. Everything I have seen on TV and in magazines was all about shooting at first light.

[maydayretrievers]

So, what would some of you suggest for someone who has not hunted ducks but has a son who wants to? Are there guides out there who can provide a hunt in an area that isn't high pressure and congested?

I didn't know that evenings can be so productive. Everything I have seen on TV and in magazines was all about shooting at first light.

dude I hunt with 5 yr old daughter yes mornings can be more productive but evenings can be great if you want the experience. trying to drag a young kid out of bed at 4 am tough evening hunt easy if you want your kids involved it up to you. their are no guides in Az it so hit and miss don,t waste the money and it can be tough with anyone to claim to be a duck hunting guide its not like we have thousands of ducks flying in like some other states