what would you do?

[broken_line]

ground poundin for a little kid is better than taking 2 shots at flying brown things and getting 2 hen woodies in my opinion.

[Gordie]

My sons first duck was a water swated woodie and after that he doesnt want to shoot anything unless its on the wing he got the first one out of the way and he wasnt happy with him self for it but it was his first duck now all thats just water on the ducks back He was proud of that duck but says that it was swimming and not flying so the first real duck he shot was the next morning as a matter of fact he shot his own limit that morning now you want to see a proud kid let alone a proud dad. he hasnt looked back since.

[gurkster]

My $.02 is that I pretty much agree with duckster. We own land on a swamp and have been in both sets of shoes. It is a tough one. I think common sense and courtesy are best. However, not always used by both sides.

As a land owner it stinks to have someone showup at shooting time and setup right by you and know that both hunts are really messed up. But some people pull the its all public card and seem to thrive on making their point.

Meathunter in my opinion you did nothing wrong.

At the ame time I know that owning a few acres next to water does not give me ownership of all the water. Also as stated, the law goes to the high water mark. Ex. I own 50 yards of lake bottom into the lake (normally covered with water). Well that is still public property today, when the lake is really down, as it falls within the "normal" lake water level or below the high water mark.

Usually cooler heads prevail and both parties work together in my expereince. As most people are decent, and at minimum both parties want a decent hunt. In many cases we have just hunted together and that has worked well.

[Surface Tension]

I think when we read topics like this one we each have an image of the slough or situation in our mind. No two minds are NOT going to have that same picture so of coarse the reply's will differ from on extreme to the other.

The access we are not totally clear of other then its a ditch on the side of a road. Who has the ownership of the land along the road. Navigation through ditch, length of ditch, depth, how much does this water level fluctuate. If you have to step foot on land to get through it is no longer open to the public.

Lets say access to the slough was legit.

How large is this slough and is it sitting in the middle of some guys 40.

What is the area surrounding the slough like? Farm, wooded, yards?

I'd take all that into consideration before hunting the slough.

While I defend the right to access public land and water, folks have to be considerate of each other. Legally it is first come first served, or dog eat dog depending on how you look at it.

Not saying that the OP wasn't being considerate because we don't know everything. All we know is there was a confrontation.

Personal I have and know others have an unwritten code they follow.

Not everyone has that unwritten code, when you mix both folks together and each share the same passion to get out and hunt, how you react can be good or bad. I've learned to handle myself in those situations differently and for the better. What bothers me the most about your story is you getting "it" when your son is present. Again there are two sides to each story but that bothers me.

[MN Greenheads]

All I know is there was a confrontation and the fellows with the blinds were dead wrong. Public is public. Common courtesy is not setting up by someone, not building a blind and expecting everyone to leave it alone. Fishing a dock on a lake and having the homeowner come out and tell you they are going to fish it and you have to leave is the same as what happened to this guy. If you all want your own club buy some wetlands that are completely surrounded by land or get a hard land pass or point like they do around Fergu Falls but don't come up with " It's not the ethical thing to do" because your own persoal interest is simmilar to that of the property owners. The blind builders are in the wrong from the info I have heard.

[duckster]

Surface,

Well said, You made my point better than I did..

The bigger point I was trying to make was that instead of worrying who was legal or not,we should try to treat people how we like to be treated. I am constantly disappointed in how other sportsman act towards each other in the field. These are people that share common interests and probably have alot in common but still do things that negatively impacts each other.

A few years back I was in Manitoba goose hunting. We got to our field and someone pulled into one end when as we pulled into the other. The other guy got out and immediately got onto us about it being his field although we had permission. He was aggressive, yelling and swearing at us. Although we could have probably escalated it into a fight, we decided to salvage our day by going to our back-up field.

We got to our back-up field and there was someone already there. It seems they also had permission for our field. Instead of getting mad we talked for a bit and they invited us to set up with them. That sportsman like act is something I wil never forget.

We combined our spreads and ended up with well over 1000 decoys out. Both of our groups had their best shoot of the entire trip.

Afterwards we helped them pick up their decoys, had coffee and talked about the hunt. It worked out so well these guys asked us to join up and hunt with them the next day.

So in this case everyone thought they were right but what was the best outcome?

-Duckster

[MN Greenheads]

Surface,

Well said, You made my point better than I did..

The bigger point I was trying to make was that instead of worrying who was legal or not,we should try to treat people how we like to be treated. I am constantly disappointed in how other sportsman act towards each other in the field. These are people that share common interests and probably have alot in common but still do things that negatively impacts each other.

A few years back I was in Manitoba goose hunting. We got to our field and someone pulled into one end when as we pulled into the other. The other guy got out and immediately got onto us about it being his field although we had permission. He was aggressive, yelling and swearing at us. Although we could have probably escalated it into a fight, we decided to salvage our day by going to our back-up field.

We got to our back-up field and there was someone already there. It seems they also had permission for our field. Instead of getting mad we talked for a bit and they invited us to set up with them. That sportsman like act is something I wil never forget.

We combined our spreads and ended up with well over 1000 decoys out. Both of our groups had their best shoot of the entire trip.

Afterwards we helped them pick up their decoys, had coffee and talked about the hunt. It worked out so well these guys asked us to join up and hunt with them the next day.

So in this case everyone thought they were right but what was the best outcome?

-Duckster

WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPEND TO THE GUY OUT IN THE SLOUGH? HE WAS BEING NICE, NOT THE GUY WITH THE BLIND. I don't get how you guys can spin this thing.

[duckster]

Mn,

Really not trying to spin anything. I think we all agree that meathunter was perfectly legal in what he did.

I just thought there was a bigger lesson in there to learn and it really had nothing to do with this situation. My point being that if people were more considerate of each other situations like this wouldn't come up.

-Duckster

[MN Greenheads]

Mn,

Really not trying to spin anything. I think we all agree that meathunter was perfectly legal in what he did.

I just thought there was a bigger lesson in there to learn and it really had nothing to do with this situation. My point being that if people were more considerate of each other situations like this wouldn't come up.

-Duckster

I agree with that 100%.

[Ufatz]

If I had shot a duck sitting on water my father and grandfather would have taken my gun away for the rest of the fall.

Times have changed.

[chub]

If I had shot a duck sitting on water my father and grandfather would have taken my gun away for the rest of the fall.

Times have changed.

Is a dead duck sitting on the water any more dead than one backpeddling for it's life ten yards infront of you?

Times haven't changed a bit other than more people whine about what everyone else is doing these days, and claim the moral high ground.

When I grew up, all my elders would get ticked if you shot too early and wrecked the chance that they might land. I'll wack one on the water and not think twice about doing so. It's not something that I make a habit of, but it's no easier killing a sitting duck than one with it's wings cupped ten yards infront of your face.

If you want to swat them.....more power to ya. You did something right to get them in and land them. If you choose to take them out of the air, good for you.(unless your one of the meatheads that shoots at everything on a 45+ yard swing), then that's another argument.......LOL

[169Sportsman]

If I had shot a duck sitting on water my father and grandfather would have taken my gun away for the rest of the fall.

Times have changed.

Yeah because it is great to take a kid out and have him discouraged and not want to hunt again after missing a bunch of fast flying teal and woodies. I see no problem with kids taking there first duck on the water! Good confidence builder. Than let them try to hit the flying ones.

[Musky Buck]

It's a sticky situation. For me I just avoid any and all those situations, sure I'd have the right to hunt there but I'm just done trying to deal with people, like opener I fired no rounds, but I had a spot to myself and that made for a great opener. I'm with duckster, no duck to me is worth confrontation, I'd rather run my garden hose and put dekes in that puddle then deal with confrontation. I must be getting old too duckster.

[MN Greenheads]

I know what you guys are saying about confrontations but I always remember my grandfather correcting people when they got out of line. He was firm and only slightly upset but he always said his peace.

I try to do this when some one tries to intentionally set up 70 yds in front of me where birds will work or mention to a skybuster at the landing that they are taking long shots that area little silly. No tiraids or anger just "hey your too close" or "try letting them get a little closer next time". I just think it's important to push back on the pushy.

[broken_line]

dead duck in the water.. why does it matter how it got there? no law YET that states we cant "ground pound".. a duck 30 yards in the water is harder to kill than a duck 30 in the air.. but thats my opinion which prolly dont matter..

[MN Greenheads]

Sitting duck, water shot, Arkansawing them whatever you call it is in the gray zone, some do - some don't. Generally the ones that don't think the ones that do are wrong. It's kind of like shooting grouse out of trees, fish hogging, keeping muskies, shooting roosts and on and on. Me personally I just shoot them as they come off the water and don't miss. Water pounding can get you cripps unless you use #4's at med to close range. As for kids I'd rather see a kid water shoot a bird than go through 2 boxes of shells. I am personally for making a water shooting only youth waterfowl day this would cut down on the educating and spooking of birds which is quite unethical to me.

[Ufatz]

Like I said fellas, times have changed and the comments affirm my statement.

In conclusion let me offer this, and then we drop it: a kid shoots a box of shells....or maybe half a box. He gets down, but keeps trying. Maybe next trip....maybe next trip.

And THEN he pulls up on that big greenhead and BAM....dumps him on his curly feathered butt. Is that kid THRILLED or what.Will he EVER forget that moment-not likely.

You guys do it your way.

[duckster]

Musky,

I am the same way about avoiding confrontations. I am especially careful if I have a kid with me. The problem with these situations is that they can go bad very quickly. To me it is not worth ruining an day over.

Everyone deals with things differently and I rather just avoid them. If one just happens, I try to deal with it nicely if that doesn't work I use it as a teaching moment for my kids on how not to act.

Have a good season,

Duckster

[Buckcountry]

arm wrestle over the spot. That way the weak get weeded out!

[slabchaser]

nothing has changed. some people hunt for pleasure some hunt for food. neither of which means you cant shoot a duck on the water. my father hunted ducks and pheasants for food when he was growing up. They were poor farmers, not shooting a duck that is on the water means that you would have to work even harder another day to get what you missed. i have no problem with a kid water slapping a duck and on occasion I will depending on how hungry i am.

[Musky Buck]

My first duck was a water pounded teal at the age of 11. It was my most special duck memory, I hadn't had a lot of practice with a kicking shotgun, but after a few of those with "lead" I wanted a greater challenge, with steel I guess I wouldn't water pound because many of my birds today I need to bust a wing. For a kid, let them have some say and when they are ready they'll be ready for air shots etc. Some of it may be the noise, recoil, taking aim etc. and that kind of practice, by getting a bird to they can inspect it, help clean it, learn more about them, etc. Good luck hunting and be safe, responsible, and have fun!

[Buckcountry]

I'll water pound anything. If they fly they die.

[Musky Buck]

To me it doesn't matter what anyone's preference is, turkey's get ground pounded so do pheasants, grouse etc. I don't think overall people get out as much as they once did and likely aren't seeing the numbers of ducks that we used to in the 80's or whenever it may have turned sour in your area. Just be careful not to water pound on a pond where someone may be concealed on the other side, I can look at my hands I'm typing with where I took several lead pellets years ago from my uncle water whacking a hen mallard of all things. Be very careful of riccochets. (sp)

[duckster]

If you have to kill a duck while it is sitting on the water you should give up hunting ducks and take up golf.

Duckster

[southwest]

Again your opinion on the subject, most of the talk was about kids shooting on the water, which who cares, its legal, and we have a few people that think they are above everyone else when someone states how they hunt. I like the guy that stated that

he yelled comments to others hunting close by, i would think that is hunter harrassment, whatever happened to minding ones own business, because if someone would be yelling at that him he would be on here post about what type of a jerk he hunted next to.