Duck Opener - What A Day!

[gooseman]

Hey TR the only reason for so many others isn't due to duck dynasty but it's your celebrity status on here. People seen your pics with the Beasley boys and pics of Maddy training and they just know you have it going on and just want to be apart of it seriously tho I am glad it all worked out. Usually after the opener things calm down some and become less crowded hope it holds true for the rest of your season

[gunner28]

You're very lucky TR. The fact you were able to explain your circumstances with credibility was huge, and it sure sounds like the COs were aware of what was going on and by whom. While the poacher was apologetic to you it's hard to imagine they messed that one up and didn't know what they were doing was illegal. No person can deposit bait 14 days before a migratory bird season opens (unless a baiting authority has been issued; special circumstances) AND no person shall hunt within 400m of an area that has had bait deposited unless it's been free of bait for 7 days. For details, see s. 14 of MB Regulations at http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regula...ge-6.html#h-10 It's pretty obvious hunting over bait provides an unfair advantage in waterfowl hunting! Based on your experience last year with no hunters in the area may be word got out it was a honey hole this year. When large numbers of birds behave as you described (circling and looking to come back into an area after being jumped) suspect and look for bait! Sure glad the COs were onto this activity and caught these poachers; hopefully they receive the whole gamut of penalties including significant fines, forfeiture of guns, and lost hunting privileges.

[TurkeyRookie]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the support / kind words. Dave, they were MNR CO's.

We went out this evening, and dad managed to get his first duck! story and pics to come, For now. Sleep

[tom gobble]

did you use the new gun TR

[Dead Ringer]

Can you imagine the hunt you would have had if they hadn't shown up?! To me, shooting baited ducks just doesn't count. But if you don't know they're baited , it could be a hunt of a lifetime!

I'm kidding of course. It's darn great that the COs showed up, gave you the benefit of the doubt and caught the guilty party. For all you know, if they hadn't shown up, the posse that spent good money on paving that place with gold would have come looking to talk some more or worse.

And while the subject of corn is live, I think that corn baiting has become such a prevalent part of ON hunting (at least SE ON), that it's almost a custom. I have come across numerous piles scouting a few days before openers. And about every 3rd hunter I've spoken to in the area openly admits to baiting, even when you just meet them. I've had near strangers tell me about their baiting setup. All a product of weak enforcement due to an undersized force. When the guy on the next pond gets away with it year after year, it's only a matter of time until someone gets the balls to do it themselves. And after shooting piles of ducks until freeze up, they are convinced it's a good policy for the next season.

PS. TR, I logged in tonight just to read what you had to post about your opener. Thanks for getting it up. That story did not disappoint!

[LondonDave]

I'm surprised MNR would bother with migratory stuff. They don't seem to have much to do with it around here.

[scarkner]

Wow, what a story and really well written. I could see OOD actually printing that story!!!

[Turkeyjohn]

Just.........WOW,

Just when you think you've seen and heard it all...

Glad things worked out TR, you're the most ethical guy I can think of and to think you were almost caught up in that mess, what a shame. Glad things did work out and despite a blown opener, you can hunt another day.

TurkeyJohn

[gprice]

What a story!!

[Sprite]

I'm surprised MNR would bother with migratory stuff. They don't seem to have much to do with it around here.

I was checked while out hunting a goose field for the first time ever about 4 years ago. Since then, I've been checked 6 or 7 times!

-Nick