Not trying to start a big quarrel here but my Dad taught me growing up that it is VERY VERY unsportsmanlike to shoot a bird off the water or a dove off a line or out of a tree. When I was about 14 I went hunting with my friend and his Dad and his Dad let these ducks land and then shot them on the water. I freaked out and was like "what the hell are you doing?". Needless to say I didn't get invited back but my question is how many of you feel it's ok to shoot ducks on the water?????

Edited by - M Bucker on 11/19/2002 15:25:10

The only ttime a sportsman shoots a duck on the water is to kill a cripple...Your father taught you right and the friends dad is a slob.

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I had told my Dad when I got home and he didn't get upset. He's like "that's how some people around here are, you just have to make up your mind what YOU think is right"

One thing, he didn't let them land, they swam in. I know it doesn't make any difference but just wanted to be accurate how I told the story.

That was like 10 years ago though.

I WOULD NEVER EVER SHOOT A DUCK ON THE WATER.
ITS NOT RIGHT .

I agree with you guys to an extent. I would much rather shoot a duck on wing than on water. But under a certain circumstance I would water swat one. If I had a beautiful banded drake or a extremely rare duck come in and land when I wasn't ready that would be hard to pass up. I have never shot a duck on water nor do I plan to, but now honestly, how many of you would pass up a lone brant or scoter or eider in the midwest? I never plan on shooting ducks on the water, but if you are like me and are thankful for ANY duck you get, and the bird won't flush off the water, I would shoot. In that case I usually try to shoot away from the ducks to flush them, but if have a perfect full plumage bird out there I might not. If it's legal, no one can say your wrong. But ethics play much a part of hunting. I myself go by rather strick ethics, but water ducks that won't flush is another story. It's better than most people around here that will still shoot lead or use .22's and I hate people that do this. And the sad part is they brag about it.I am a sportsman and I respect the game I am after, but like I said earlier, a bird that isn't smart enough to flush when a predator is near won't make it through the migration anyways. I would rather have that meat than a coyote have another meal.

Without passion.....Why bother?

Edited by - duck killer on 11/20/2002 21:01:41

Only if it is to finish off a cripple. I am against pot shooting ducks but I will do it before I let one suffer.

I went hunting with a friend of mine one day for my first duck hunt. I thought he knew what he was doing becuse he says he been hunting since he could walk. He may have hunted since then, but he still hasn't learned how to shoot. He shot at two different ducks on the water and missed them both cleanly. I don't think ducks landing in his spread have too much to worry about.

I'll admit I have shot at a couple ducks on the water but it was the first time I was out hunting and I shot at the duck on the water but now I don't find it fun and I will never do it again I was very young but and I have respect for the animal I am hunting so I won't ever shoot at a duck on the water again but I don't find anything wrong with a beginning hunter shooting at a duck on the water

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