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The problem with that theory is simple.
The MNR is so underfunded that there are no where near enough COs out there.
Which means the police respond to the majority of hunting complaints.
The FWCA mean nothing to the police as they are not trained in it.
The Firearms Act however they will have some knowledge of.
If a police officer sees gun discharged from vessel under power the storage and transport rules will apply.
Wrong !!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnvizsla
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnvizsla
Vis,
I see the argument you're trying to make since we have various levels of enforcement but in my experience police have always gone to MNR when unsure. I guess any officer who believed they were witnessing something unsafe may intervene but it's not going very far.
By the way you have several officers both retired and not who have replied to the thread.....all with the same opinion.
In the end we should all police ourselves such that anyone feeling uncomfortable should act accordingly. Personally I would still consider shooting cripples from a boat that is moving. You likely would never see me roaring across the water with a loaded gun but I certainly would stay on top of a diving cripple ready to finish the job....as stated in the regs.
I think many here are not long time diver hunters thus not exposed to the type of situation that can be very common in a given day.
I think some of the posters on this thread have a vision of us running out on plane, loaded gun in hand, chasing birds at full speed and shooting at them. Its not like that at all. Idling up to a crippled duck (and they all dive if they are crippled, in fact mallards and geese are some of the sneakiest cripples to retrieve if they are just wing clipped), one person on the engine, one person at the bow ready to shoot in a safe direction when the bird surfaces is a far cry from dangerous. I would say 95% of the time, the boat is stopped anyways, waiting for the bird to re-surface. If not stopped, its hardly moving, at idle at best.
Saying to wait for birds to be in range doesn't work either. Trust me, I let birds work until they are fully committed. In fact, the guys I hunt with probably get pissed because I wait too long, and often times the birds are well within range, but I don't call the shot because I feel they are going to make another pass. I like them wings cupped, feet down in the decoys. That's why I am out there. Killing birds is second, I just love to watch them work the spread. Even birds in range can be crippled, and we all know it happens.
Regardless, I will be retrieving birds with my boat when it needs to be done. The number one priority is safety, and second is retrieving any birds we may cripple. If my boat is slowly moving along just fast enough to keep the bird in range, and we get hassled for it, I will fight it tooth and nail in court. Its up to the judge to decide, not all the internet CO's.
S.
Funny thread...
Bob
Exactly Sinker, well put.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sinker
I agree with Sinker .
Can't believe this is still going on and on ... surprised it has not been extended to other grey areas, such as "if you down a bird, and your buddy finishes it off, who's bag does it belong in?" ... or ... "If you shoot your 6 birds and your buddy can't hit anything but air ... do you put your gun away and sit there waiting for him to limit as well?". Things like this could make another 17 pages of argument.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gadwall
Hahaha you just had to didn't you Steve.......lol
What's your opinion on the already ongoing.........lets call it a discussion????
Quote:
Originally Posted by duckslayer
Ah ... where's the point in adding with an opinion ... I do it the way I always have and I feel it is completely safe ... I will just say the letter of the law and logic do not always mix.