Hunter and fisherman encounters this time of year.

[Dylan33]

I'm wondering how everyone handles the issue of having to share the same locations this time of year.

The reason I ask, is I about pee'd my pants this weekend while shorefishing the Mississppi. I was walking the shoreline casting for smallies and minding my own business. I came around a bend in the river and BANG BANG BANG there were a few people duckhunting right there that were unloading on some ducks...I was probably about 20 yards from them when they started shooting.

Anyway, I gave them a nod and a polite hello (and plenty of space,) went around them on the inland side and proceeded up stream. They seemed very upset that I was invading on their hunting grounds. They didn't say anything(not even hello), or do anything aggressive, but I got the feeling that I wasn't welcome.

Has anyone else had any issues with hunters while fishing or vice versa? Am I not supposed to fish in a spot that might have ducks??

thanks

[BobT]

I'm sure they were probably bummed that you came walking through. I suppose about how you'd feel if you were quietly fishing and they came walking around the corner with waders disturbing your fishing hole? We sportsmen and women cross paths. It happens.

[goblueM]

sounds pretty standard. as both a duck hunter and a fisherman... I'd say if you notice somebody hunting, try to give them berth, for both safety reasons, and because they have a lot more limitations on where they can hunt versus where you can fish

i think of it like if I'm in a boat and there's a guy shore fishing... he's only got that one spot, I'll go somewhere else instead of crowding him

[mww24]

i was fishing a lake two years ago. It was early morning and i came flying into a bay to fish. I set the boat down and look over and I have three goose hunters giving me some very dirty looks. I had mistaken their decoys for actual geese and didn't notice them tucked into their blind in the cat tails. I apologized many times and slowly left the bay. Luckily there were no birds and they said it was ok and no hard feelings. I think some people take it too serious. the water is every ones and I have encountered many people who think its theirs solely . I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. It was an unexpected crossing of paths. not like you were trying to ruin their hunting.

[nige]

Was hunting on a lake near Warsaw a few weeks ago. We had duck and geese decoys out and a boat comes in and trolls through our decoys. And yes they seen us and only moved when we started to take photos of them.

[hanson]

As both a hunter and fisherman, I've found myself on both sides of that situation.

From a hunter's point of view, I'm PO'd when a fisherman doesn't know I'm there.

From a fisherman's point of view, I've thought I should have known those were decoys

and then was mad I'd gotten so close. (Note: not all fisherman know the difference between

ducks and decoys)

Both groups of sportsmen need to give each other some space and realize they are sharing the water with others using it for different purposes. The tough part with hunters is they camoflage well and the new decoys are really convincing until you are close enough to realize they aren't afraid of you. Then its too late. IMO... say sorry and get out of the way.

[GlassEyeangler]

me too, same thing on a small lake. i thought i saw a bunch of ducks down and they were decoys. i moved out of the spot quickly. i look at it like this...the waterfowl season is short, so i give way to them. i am a hunter and fisherman as well, but not a duck/goose guy; however, i know how excited they are to be out hunting and they won't be there long.

i've learned to check my favorite fishing holes for hunters first...if they're there, i move on to my second favorite spot.

now if i ever catch someone trolling cranks in a field off the back of a 4-wheeler while pheasant hunting...hmm, LOL!

[kg2]

I was fishing on Lura lake in south central MN last saturday. I stayed away from the bullrush area because I knew that there were a couple sets of hunters there. Later on in the day they left so I went to fish the rushes. I was not surprised to find at least 50 empty shell casings floating around.

Hunters, please don't litter. Those plastic shell casings will never decompose! Pick up after yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!

[EBass]

I hit Lake Sara once or twice a year and just so happened to hit it on duck opener this year. I was listening to KFAN talk about the duck opener on the drive there and it completely left my mind when I get to the ramp and its packed. I was like these bass get hammered. If anyone recalls that AM it was really thick fog. So it was before the sun was rising and we made our way to some lily pads only to notice a flock of geese, then they don't move and I'm like "Oh S...!" Those are decoys! OK fine lets go to the other shore. Dang it - more decoys. OK lets hang out next to the houses and hope no one is hunting from there back porch.

As the sun rose and the fog started to lift all the fisherman were in the middle of the lake - like 5 or 6 boats all close together staying ways away from the hunters. Kinda funny to see. And the hunters were in every catail area. I did see one goose get smoked so that was cool, but I could't see the hunters at all.

I gave them space but felt bad I didn't see them sooner incase I scared some birds. They must've been out there at 2AM getting all set and I don't want to ruin that. Plus - they have guns!

[Raider4ever]

Let 'em have their space. You may be in the moral and legal right, but their season is short and they are armed.

[Dylan33]

I definitely did give them their space, and I did feel bad for infringing on their spot. I just didn't see them. They were just on the other side of a bend in the river and I had no way of knowing they were there.

It is amazing that no fisherman get shot accidently since hunters are in full camo and fisherman can sneak up and get in the way. Thanks

[Northlander]

This time of year I dont go out until it warms a bit and I know the hunters have had their shot at the morning birds.

[theharvester]

common courtesy first one there. usually the hunter gets out there before light. waterfowl have great eyesight so give the hunters a wide berth if possible

[Down Deep]

I do a lot of fall fishing an, on occasion, encounter duck hunters. I always go by the "who was here first" rule. Most of the time they are in a bullrush and that is not typically where I find fish in the fall. I have run WOT past some hunters sitting in duck boats and I sure they didn't appreciate it, but they are usually disguised pretty well and hard to see until I go by so it is not intentional. I'm like Northlander in the fall I wait for it to warm up a bit and rarely start fishing until 9 or 10 am so encounters are not frequent.

[Sonicrunch]

I definitely did give them their space, and I did feel bad for infringing on their spot. I just didn't see them. They were just on the other side of a bend in the river and I had no way of knowing they were there.

You should have told the that, otherwise they may have thought it intentional.

I quick, "Whoops, didn't know you guys were here", and then scoot out of there would have been best.