Ethics question

[No Deer]

Was out duck hunting this morning with a very knowledgable friend whose opinions I greatly respect. I have never duck hunted before. He told me if one swam by in range, take it. I have never seen any regulations saying that ducks have to be on the wing to shoot, but always felt this was the ethical way. He said that he does not shoot them swimming, although it does not bother him if others do, but as this was my first duck hunting trip he said I should.

Just curious,what are your feelings about this?

By the way, as 4 were appoaching I went to full cock without holding the trigger back(see "cocking your gun" thread), there was a loud click, and spooked them away from us, losing the opportunity of taking the shot. I was using my 20 ga. french fusil fin trade gun. They were the only ones we saw.

 

[roundball]

IMO, you got it right...shoot'em on the wing

 

[Dave K]

I agree with Roundball 100%.

 

[biliff]

There's no law about shooting them flying or swimming, however, it is considered more ethical or sporting to take 'em on the wing. It's also a lot easier on your decoys.

 

[Flint50]

I agree with Roundball. Where is the sport in shooting one on the water? After all, where does the term "sitting duck" come from? For me its on the wing or nothing.

 

[colt100]

Well, just to add some dissent to the ranks, I don't think there is anything wrong with shooting ducks sitting on the water.

I like duck. Where I live/hunt, you sometimes won't get ducks in range flying, at least not too often. Sometimes, if the ducks are not flying real well, and one swims past, or we decide to jump shoot, it's the only way we bring home dinner.

It varys and either way is fine. I don't really think it's a question of ethics, more so a question on if it's more sporting to do one over the other.


If the ducks are flying good, I do pass up sitting shots and I prefer shooting them on the fly, just for the record.

 

[Runner]

Guess it depends on whether you want duck or sport. If you were out for the fun and the challenge of the wing shooting sports, then there is only one answer. If you are meat hunting to put duck on the dinner table, the answer could be different.

 

[rabjr]

Interesting...I personally wouldn't shoot a duck on the water. But I wonder what a man using a 20 ga. french fusil fin trade gun in about 1750 would do... :hmm:

 

[Bob Riegl]

I would quite agree with the above statements---while I do not use BP for Duck Season---the only time I have shot at a bird on the water was to put down a cripple. Quite frankly if you were to hunt with any of my friends and you shot a swimming duck they would probably throw you out of the blind into the cold water. :RO: :hatsoff:

 

[brian turpin]

Interesting...I personally wouldn't shoot a duck on the water. But I wonder what a man using a 20 ga. french fusil fin trade gun in about 1750 would do... :hmm:

Back then hunting was for food more so than sport. I think that our fore fathers would have taken the sitting duck and thanked Providence for the table fare. That said. I think in the times we live in now wing shooting is most ethical.
Bimbo

 

[roundball]

Interesting...I personally wouldn't shoot a duck on the water. But I wonder what a man using a 20 ga. french fusil fin trade gun in about 1750 would do... :hmm:

Back then hunting was for food more so than sport. I think that our fore fathers would have taken the sitting duck and thanked Providence for the table fare. That said. I think in the times we live in now wing shooting is most ethical.
Bimbo

Agree...it's probably a rare individual in modern times who has to hunt for food...no longer an issue of survival.

Market hunters in the old days used to flock shoot ducks on the water using 'punt guns' mounted in skifs, and big .08ga & .10ga shotguns too.

I think of it being similar to the notion of 'fair chase' that is normally regulated for Deer...ie: no shooting a deer in water...or in water above it's knees...something like that.

 

[Bountyhunter]

They need to have their wings spread and at least one foot out of the water to be ethical......... :kid:

 

[Runner]

I have never killed a duck, but I have bought a duck stamp and migratory bird permit the last several years. If I decide to shoot one sitting with my black powder 12 using steel shot and cook it in my camp, I will do so. I will not be "duck" hunting. I will be filling the skillet in my camp. And yes, I subsistance hunt and fish during the season when I am hunting alone. If I go out to duck hunt out a blind for the wing shooting sport, I will wing shoot. Neither is wrong. They are two different things. I suspect the guy in 1760 would have used whichever method produced the most food for the least powder/lead. That would mean waiting for a group on the water so you could clobber three or four with the same load one would require on the wing. Fair chase had not been invented yet! Hunger had.

 

[biliff]

O.K., Let's throw this out for giggles.
You have a 100% chance of making a clean kill on the sitting duck.
You only have a 10% chance of making a clean kill on a flying duck (read that as a high percentage of flying birds get away wounded).
Which shot is more ethical??

 

[No Deer]

:front: :thanks:Thanks for all the replies guys. Interesting to see the differing opinions and reasoning. I think that next time I go out it will be on the wing as I happen to agree with those of you that think this is the most sporting way.
If you think about it though, what is the difference between shooting a duck swimming by in front of you, and shooting a turkey that walks by 25 yards or less from you? You call to both, and use decoys (where legal) to entice them to come to where you are sitting. Hmmm...will ponder this some more. :hmm:

 

[Runner]

Now that is just a plain evil question!

 

[No Deer]

Maybe ethical was the wrong question to ask, sporting may have been a better choice of words.

As far as ethical shot in your post, I guess that is an easier one to answer, the more ethical shot is the sure one. :imo:

 

[BrownBear]

I guess I split the difference in a way. I'm pleased when they swim within range, but for pure sport and entertainment I stand to make them fly before shooting. They aren't all that hard to hit when they first jump, but in fact they are a whole lot easier to kill reliably with their wings spread and their necks stretched, compared to sitting low on the water with their necks pulled short and their wings covering their body.

I shot ducks for years with a Navy Arms 12 gauge double before steel shot came along, and now sincerely regret letting go the gun. If I had it today, I'd be out there right now whanging away with bismuth.

First shot when their feet are down and they are dropping toward the decoys, and second shot as they are stretching to get back up and away. That usually meant two ducks laying on the water, unless you got tricky and lucky, taking your shots as two birds crossed.

If the birds are flying and you do your job, a muzzleloader is no real handicap over close decoys. Of course followup shots require lots of elbow flappping!

Sounds like there weren't a lot of birds around on your first hunt, but don't let that discourage you. The good days will be worth all the elbow flapping and cussing.

 

[Rebel]

I used a Navy Arms double barrel for years for ducks and geese with steel shot. Hasn't harmed it at all. Ii has cylinder bore barrels, and i use the special plastic steel shotcups.

 

[BrownBear]

Now you tell me!!!

Actually, when we first had to switch to steel the "experts" said it was a no-no for ML's, even with the right cups. Mine was cylinder bore in both barrels too, which was absolutely no handicap pattern-wise.

I've shied away from the choked models available today in the hopes that my friend would someday relinquish my old 12 or another NA would come along at the right price. Still waiting, though.