Being kind of a difficult question without a specific answer, there are a couple of different ways to look at it. How many hunters out there are shooting to support a family or put meat on the table? I believe that if you know or see one of these people you shouldn't question their logic when they shoot a duck on the water. Especially if they kill the duck. But if you are just out to hunt ducks or geese for the sport of it or you really don't need the meat but are planning on saving it for a special meal or what have you , then why would you need to shoot one while on the water. I personally have shot ducks on the water for my own reasons and truthfully haven't wounded as many as I have on the wing. Maybe it's just a ratio thing or poor shooting on my part... but either way you can't judge a duck hunter just because they take a bird on the water there a just too many variables. good hunting everybody!