Ethics?

[ICEMAN]

If you like eating geese, why not? Turkeys are shot on the ground. I don't see the difference.

I basically agree with you but....  The vitals on a duck are below the surface when they are swimming, and actually present a low odds shot. We have sluiced a few, but lifting off presents a better odds shot IMHO.

[Brad Harshman]

Am I the only one who is concerned about our lifestyle?  Excuse me for promoting a constructive conversation on ETHICS.  IF WE DON'T HOLD OURSELVES TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD THEN THE ANTI'S WILL SHUT US DOWN.  I promote fair chase.  I hunt because it is an intrinsic value that flows through my veins.  Duck hunting is my passion. It kills me to read about guys breaking the law so they can increase how many birds they kill.  Sluicing isn't against the law - I know this -but its debatable whether it's ethical or not.  Thats why this thread was started.  Its a gray area.  I happen to be in the "no sluicing" camp and I'm free to say so and I'm free to promote it as well.

Insults are not constructive -there is no need for that.

[Brad Harshman]

If you like eating geese, why not? Turkeys are shot on the ground. I don't see the difference.

I basically agree with you but....  The vitals on a duck are below the surface when they are swimming, and actually present a low odds shot. We have sluiced a few, but lifting off presents a better odds shot IMHO.

[duckmen1]

Ya if he won't fly away I'm shooting. I give them a chance but I will shoot if it comes down to it. Tried not to before and came home pretty empty because all morning long birds we're let go because I didn't want to shoot them on the water.  Regardless most of my birds are shot flying.

[lokidog]

If you like eating geese, why not? Turkeys are shot on the ground. I don't see the difference.

I basically agree with you but....  The vitals on a duck are below the surface when they are swimming, and actually present a low odds shot. We have sluiced a few, but lifting off presents a better odds shot IMHO.

I'm sorry, can't stay away....  really?  The vitals are below the water line?  Ever been on a boat?  How much of that is actually below the water line?  The lungs are actually along the back, you might have some intestine, gizzard, and breast meat below the water line.  Are you trying to double lung a duck or break its skull/spine?  I watched a mallard fly over two hundred yards this year before "landing" out in the middle of the bay.  A friend coming by in his boat picked it up for me so I didn't have to go get my dinghy (luckily his cell phone was on), he still had to wring it's neck to kill it.  That bird had two #4 shot holes through its heart.  I'll go for the head/neck shot any time over a "vitals" shot. 

AND AGAIN, BH, YOU TALK ABOUT "BREAKING THE LAW", WHO'S BREAKING THE LAW? 

Here's one for you BH, do you use the legs of the ducks/geese you shoot?  I'm talking mallards, widgeon, pintails, etc. not the little teal or bufflehead, though I often eat those as well.  If not, then you are not only unethical but you may be breaking the wanton waste laws.

[sakoshooter]

Its a thin gray line.  Hunters who's only goal is to shoot limits is  a big concern.  Why?  Because it distorts thier thinking.  Its a form of greed.  All of a sudden sluicing Is justified.  And so is skybusting  and then comes baiting.  Its a slippery slope when It comes to ethics.

Successful hunts should be measured in building your skill set as a duck hunter.  Don't get me wrong I jump shoot birds but I do feel a little guilty doing it.  All year I think about decoying birds in, wings cupped and feet down.  That is duck hunting to me, those moments I remember the most.  Its those moments I share with my friends, not necessiceraly the number of birds.  Its quality not quantity. 

I share your thoughts on this subject. I love a limit but quality over quantity all the way. After it's all said and done, I remember the tough shots when I got lucky, great retrieves from my labs, the way a couple Pintails turned on a dime to my hail call(luck of course)but to ground swat them just doesn't seem right in my book. Shotguns are designed to shoot moving targets. Ground swatting is for cripples. But you can do whatever turns your crank.

Please don't let it consume you. One cupped in bird over decoys is worth seven jumped birds in my opinion.

[Brad Harshman]

77.15.170Waste of fish and wildlife — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of waste of fish and wildlife if:     (a) The person kills, takes, or possesses fish, shellfish, or wildlife having a value of two hundred fifty dollars or more or wildlife classified as big game; and     (b) The person recklessly allows such fish, shellfish, or wildlife to be wasted.     (2) Waste of fish and wildlife is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any license or tag used in the crime and shall order suspension of the person's privileges to engage in the activity in which the person committed waste of fish and wildlife for a period of one year.     (3) It is prima facie evidence of waste if:     (a) A processor purchases or engages a quantity of food fish, shellfish, or game fish that cannot be processed within sixty hours after the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are taken from the water, unless the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are preserved in good marketable condition; or     (b) A person brings a big game animal to a wildlife meat cutter and then abandons the animal. For purposes of this subsection (3)(b), a big game animal is deemed to be abandoned when its carcass is placed in the custody of a wildlife meat cutter for butchering and processing and:     (i) Having been placed in such custody for an unspecified period of time, the meat is not removed within thirty days after the wildlife meat cutter gives notice to the person who brought in the carcass or, having been so notified, the person who brought in the carcass refuses or fails to pay the agreed upon or reasonable charges for the butchering or processing of the carcass; or     (ii) Having been placed in such custody for a specified period of time, the meat is not removed at the end of the specified period or the person who brought in the carcass refuses to pay the agreed upon or reasonable charges for the butchering or processing of the carcass.[2012 c 176 § 16; 1999 c 258 § 5; 1998 c 190 § 21.]

Nope not breaking any laws because I don't keep the legs anymore.  I used to but have quit since I mostly make duck jerky.  Which I'm enjoying right now from the mallards I jump shot ths last friday.

[lokidog]

You still didn't answer either question....  OK so you not using the legs isn't wanton waste but it certainly could be considered unethical couldn't it?  And again, by  your own reasoning, if you are unethical by wasting the legs (which I am assuming you do since you didn't say differently), maybe you break the law in other ways...?

Just sayin'.   

[Brad Harshman]

Nope not breaking any laws because I don't keep the legs anymore.  I used to but have quit since I mostly make duck jerky.  Which I'm enjoying right now from the mallards I jump shot ths last friday.

Alright Lokidog- Take a break and reread what I'm writing.  You've consitently drawn the wrong conclusions from my posts.   

I'm not on here bashing anyone. And I'm cofused by your insistent rants.   Im encouraging everyone to hold themselves to the highest standard.  Lets not allow our moral standards to drop just so we can shoot more birds at the end of the day.  Thats all I'm saying.

[bobcat]

To kill a duck on the water, they DO need to be close. Like 25 yards, or 35 yards max.

[pianoman9701]

Another simple question turned into a pissing match. The OP was asking what we think. That means our own individual opinions of his question about sluicing, not pick someone else's opinion and slam it to the ground. You guys need to seriously take it easy on one another. This is dumb.

[h20hunter]

You still didn't answer either question....  OK so you not using the legs isn't wanton waste but it certainly could be considered unethical couldn't it?  And again, by  your own reasoning, if you are unethical by wasting the legs (which I am assuming you do since you didn't say differently), maybe you break the law in other ways...?

Just sayin'.   

Doesn't read as a rant to me.....probably the first time I've ever seen Ed (lokidog) accused of a insistent rants.

What pianoman said....jeez....take it easy.

[irishevox]

There is no reason to attack anyone.... i understand... people can get a little testy etc... but in loki's defense.... Brad kinda started stating things about stuff being illegal... nothing was asked about people being legal or not... though i hate people who hunt illegally,  and i hope all of us stand up for whats right, but i am asking over all what is ethical.... this doesn't need to be a pissing match.... but everyone needs to respect everyone...
if you don;t think it's ethical say why... if you think it is say why.... lets have a healthy fun discussion

[singleshot12]

Lol, People always get touchy when the word "Ethics" is involved. Ethics like this are just a personal choice i guess. I really don't even think the anti hunter watching you through his bino's is going to care whether you shoot on the fly or sluice. If you are a meat hunter and don't feel comfortable taking a jumped flying shot so be it,just make sure there is NOT a bunch of ducks farther out behind that you could potentially wound.
Personally I've been brought up to always take a flying shot within range. I have shot a sitting duck or two in the past but have never felt much gratitude doing so.

[pianoman9701]

There is no reason to attack anyone.... i understand... people can get a little testy etc... but in loki's defense.... Brad kinda started stating things about stuff being illegal... nothing was asked about people being legal or not... though i hate people who hunt illegally,  and i hope all of us stand up for whats right, but i am asking over all what is ethical.... this doesn't need to be a pissing match.... but everyone needs to respect everyone...
if you don;t think it's ethical say why... if you think it is say why.... lets have a healthy fun discussion

You're much more well spoken than I.