Originally Posted by
bowj
yep as sinker and others have mentioned (and I forgot to add to my post) make sure they aren't moving when you take your eyes off them to go retrieve.
also, if its safe to do so, always bring your gun and lots of ammo on the retrieve whether on foot or canoe or boat. how many times do you get out there and your gun could have put a quick end to the chase but you left it in the blind. or you take 3 long range shots to finish them (and it doesn't hit hard enough cause of range), and you have no more ammo to actually finish it when you get a bit closer.
not to mention how many times have you guys been out on a retrieve only to have birds come in and try to land, but you don't have your gun. same goes for messing with the decoys. that's when they always come.