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A full on discussion about the turkey course does not belong in this thread, but using it as evidence in this argument makes sense. I think the point is relevant here. The turkey course is a great example of why a mandatory waterfowl course should not be instituted.Quote:
Originally Posted by bardern
Making further light of your joke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRedUF0SAGg
Boy....that escalated quickly.
I don't troll this forum looking to pick fights. I post my opinion about once and you take me to task for not starting transcendental ones? I don't post a lot because I'm pretty reticent with my opinions, but what I don't understand is why a hunter would want to further hinder the ability to hunt by adding another mandatory course.
Someone in the bureaucracy would look at this and think its a fine idea, with a $20 bill (or more) coming in for every hunter. And if they did it, you can bet they would do it right and it would end up costing thousands of dollars. Shotty footage like that wouldn't fly in a course, and if footage exists that is satisfactory it would come with a royalty. That's how film and photography work. Each still would be a good little paycheque for the photographer and it would add up. You would also have to create at a handful of positions to develop and deliver the course.
I don't deny that there are accidental birds shot, or that a number of hunters can't identify ducks from geese, and swans from geese at a distance. But in my mind that's all negligible against the proposition you've posed, but clearly don't endorse. Bird ID may take some time, but any waterfowler should be able to identify a legal duck from any non-legal marsh bird within a few hunts.
Moreover, the policy makers and biologists who contribute to such policy have mostly been avid waterfowlers. That is changing, and that future landscape isn't as friendly as it is today. So why fuel the fire? Don't we have enough to worry about as hunters and our future in the outdoors without questioning our own brotherhood?
So, posting your goldeneye comment on a forum where many other participants actively hunt and post pictures of themselves with goldeneye is _____?Quote:
Originally Posted by Quigy
Oh yeah, trying to pick a fight.
Jumping into the middle of a thread where a number of participants are engaging in a mature conversation and declaring it ridiculous instead of simply offering points and counterpoints is ________?
Trying to pick a fight.
What's a goldeneye?? I LOVE shooting whistlers!!!
Each of the last 5 years I have seen harlequin ducks on Lake Ontario during the hunting season ... all are young and I expect most hunters would not be able to identify this duck even in hand ... they have always been with buffies or old squaw, which they resemble in their "baby" plummage ... I wonder how many are being shot and ate, not realizing what they actually are. Teachings in a classroom will not help much with this possiblity, these birds are not "blue" or even marked like a hen harly ... they are simply a small brown duck with a wing similar to a young squaw and a bill like a buffy (face spots are a little different, but their plummage is not consistant) ... personally I understand this mistake can and most likely does happen ... it is the only "duck" that we have to worry about being fully protected in our region. Honest mistakes can happen, and I think should be accepted that they can happen without assuming it is out of ignorace or malice, not all hunters are waterfowl biologists.
And ... just to add again ... I would not support a maditory waterfowl course.
I'm not sure why you would need another course or want to add waterfowl ID to the OHEP. It is up to the hunter to properly ID the birds and so should also be up to him to learn what each bit looks like etc. Google will pretty much show you what you want to know.
Hello Gadwall,
I identified a hen Harlequin Duck "in fllight" once at Presqu'ile Provincial Park only because a drake Harlequin Duck was following her as they both flew pass my decoys. I notified the waterfowl technician that day and he posted a warning at the waterfowl registration office that Harlequin Ducks had been positively identified in the area.
See my Post # 114 in the "A Tundra Swan Season In Ontario" thread that was in repsonse to Jaycee's comment about Harlequin Ducks.
Jerome
After reading this thread, you would think there are thousands upon thousands of mis-identified birds shot every season.
I don't think there are. I mean really, ducks are ducks. Its not that hard to figure out.
Regardless, its up to the individual hunter to identify what he/she shoots. If a deer hunter can't properly identify a deer, and shoots his buddy/son/uncle........???
Just sayin....
S.
I've stayed out of this one, but will weigh-in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sinker
I agree with Sinker. I suspect we are blowing things a little out of proportion.
I will give you the #1 cause of miss-identified birds being shot - OPENING DAY. Go to any big public marsh in Ontario on opener (Luther, Presquille, Mastadash Bay, Long Point, etc..) and that's where this is happening. Why? Competition, Frustration, Lack of experience and likely a little alcohol mixed in. I've seen it.
Do I want to see a waterfowl ID course? Absolutely not. The owness falls on the shoulders of the hunters. Just like 100 other small little rules and traditions that a responsible hunter must learn and understand.
Good Thread DR.
That is all.
R