Novice Question- Shooting ducks on the water

[GoldenLakePete]

Welcome to the Forum!

I once watched 2 guys fire 6 shots at a bunch of ducks in their decoys - all the ducks flew off! Much better to shoot them while they're flying.

[JayStyles]

First off, if i have a duck swimming in my decoys ive always let them swim around (unless im one away from my limit). We call them " Decoy Roy". I find they DO draw in the birds. Its making ripples and splashes in the water which makes your raft of dekes look more real. As for birds not liking to land with a different species of birds, sure it happen. Some ducks can be picky. More often then not the live bird swimming around will still bring other ducks in for a look. Hopefully in range of your shot.
Second, like has been said before, a duck on the water is a harder target. Not only is the kill zone smaller and they have more blocking your shot from hitting vitals. I found the one major factor that makes it harder to hit is the waves on the water. Unless its a calm day, which can really suck for hunting waterfowl, you will have to time your shot with the waves. A wave will act like a sponge on your shot. The energy behind the pellets is lost, fast, as it trys to push through a wave. Even if it makes it to the duck it will just tickle it.
Good luck this year on the waterfowl. Its a lot of fun. An added tip, off topic, is dont sky blast. Its not worth the trouble of racing after a cripple or worst losing one completely.

[terrierman41]

If I'm going to shoot a duck on the water I'll load a 3" #3 or #4. I can honestly say I've never had a problem killing a duck quickly on the water using smaller shot with a 3" at reasonable ranges.

[rick_iles]

Water shot birds have virtually no pellets in the breast. So, in my opinion, they are better eating ! There's nothing finer than a water shot green head !! Live wild ducks left to swim around in your dekes does not constitute an offence with respect to live decoy regulations!

[Snowwalker]

Whats a CO going to do?

HUNTING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

• 15. (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird
  
  
  • (a)
    (b) by the use or aid of live birds, including non-migratory birds;
    (c)
    
    
  • (d)
    
    
  • (e)

[Snowwalker]

First off, if i have a duck swimming in my decoys ive always let them swim around (unless im one away from my limit). We call them " Decoy Roy".

You may want to think of 15(1)(b) since you are using them with intent to attract birds.
HUNTING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

15. (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird

• (a) except with a long bow and arrow or with a shotgun not larger than number 10 gauge;
• (b) by the use or aid of live birds, including non-migratory birds;

[Bandwagon]

Snowwalker

The intent of the law I think was to stop hunters from including live birds in there spreads years back when market hunting was taking place, it was common place to have birds staked to the ground. These birds were not wild, I am very confident that having a wild bird today landing in your spread while others birds continue to work your spread will not get you into any sort of trouble.

[gooseman]

HUNTING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

• 15. (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird
  
  • (a)
    (b) by the use or aid of live birds, including non-migratory birds;
    (c)
  • (d)
  • (e)

As already stated this is to stop using birds that are tethered for decoys the way the hunters did years ago. They would put a line on the ducks leg and put a weight on the line to keep the ducks in the area. No CO is going to charge you for a decoyed duck swimming freely in your decoys.

back to the original question, when I use to sneek boat hunt we would always try our best to get a couple birds lined up and take them before they jumped. That was with lead shot tho. As for geese I had no problem ground swatting one if it was a single that came in and stayed for abit then got weary and was ready to take flight. Usually would leave the landed birds for the last shot and start at the landing in flight birds first then by the time you fired twice the birds that were on the ground are taking flight and still in range.

[Whosinthebushes]

My personal opinion do what you feel is best I take most of my shots with bird on the wing but I will takem on the water if the opportunity arises. As for the live decoy debate I feel that you did not put that live duck in your spread thus making it legal to leave him there to invite his friends. Very similar to not being aloud to bait migratory birds and turkeys. But you can hunt over spilt corn beans ect.

[Labber]

If it's meat you want, you will save a lot of time and money going to the grocery store.
The hunt is decoying them in and hitting them with a shotgun in the way a shotgun is meant to be used.
That is fun.
I don't care what anyone choses to do. Just my opinion.