is this becmoing a trend?

[seth30]

Yesterday while on public land I once again came across debreasted ducks.  I have never seen this before but have heard about it years ago, now it seams like I cant go without seeing it in certain areas.  Is this a new trend in duck hunters, something they saw on duck commander?  I highly doubt that is even legal....  If I am wrong, sorry just venting my anger

[vandeman17]

Where did you see them? Just laying on the ground or in the blind? It is a tough call because the hunters might have just cleaned their kills there and left the carcasses for the scavengers. I am not sure the legality of it as I always clean my birds at home.

[seth30]

It was on the ground no where near a blind.  Not only does that place get packed with duck hunters but also bird watchers.

[vandeman17]

That is in poor taste for sure, much like leaving a gut pile by the road but I don't think it is illegal.

[seth30]

If your approached by a game warden in a field how could the game warden identify the birds you shot?  That's what got me thingking it may be illegal.

[vandeman17]

If your approached by a game warden in a field how could the game warden identify the birds you shot?  That's what got me thingking it may be illegal.

Exactly and that's why I am not sure the legality of it. Be an easy way to shoot 7 pinnies, breast them out and say you shot all mallards etc. I should read up in the regs and see if I can find anything mostly for the sake of my own knowledge. 

[hntrspud]

I see them alot in different areas, but MOST of the time they are thrown in the bush for the scavengers and out of sight.

[ghosthunter]

There are threads on here about this very thing. it is legal and done all the time.
I have talked to Skagit Game agents several times. The first time I ever saw it some one had dumped several breasted snow geese in works dumpster. I called a game agent.
And other than the fact that they used the dumpster without permission , no laws were broken.

The same agent has been to my Hunter ed  class several times over the years and instructed students that if they breasted birds to not dump them where the public could view them.

It is very common to find breasted birds near parking lots of public hunt areas.

Not saying its right ,Just saying no laws broken.  Most guys will wait till they get home or at least to there truck before they do it in case they are contacted by a game agent.

I have seen more snow geese breasted than ducks though.

[birdstew]

Legally transport breasted meat from hunting area no. But people do it.

State Regulation
IT IS UNLAWFUL TO:
Possess in the field or transport game
birds unless a feathered head is left
attached to each carcass, except
falconry-caught birds.

Federal Regulations
Species identification requirement:
No person shall transport within the United
States any migratory game birds, except doves
and band-tailed pigeons (Columba fasciata),
unless the head or one fully feathered wing
remains attached to each such bird at all times
while being transported from the place where
taken until they have arrived at the personal
abode of the possessor or a migratory bird
preservation facility.

[270Shooter]

Yeah supposed to leave a wing attached to the meat. I always just clean them when I get home.

[MtnMuley]

I figured you were upset because they wasted the hearts and gizzards

[MC37493]

i see them all the time at skagit. there were about thirteen honkers breasted out at cherry valley at the end of the season last year at the east end

[sakoshooter]

That is in poor taste for sure, much like leaving a gut pile by the road but I don't think it is illegal.

Very much illegal. Must leave proof of species and sex attached. The fully feathered head and/or wing. Breasting does neither and leaves a mess in the marsh also. The kind of mess the darn crabbers leave at the Luhr Beach(Nisqually)boat launch every weekend by cleaning the crabs above the water line and driving off.

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

Yeah supposed to leave a wing attached to the meat. I always just clean them when I get home.

 
When I have birds processed at Eagle Lakes Ranch whole birds have one wing left attached, breasted birds, obviously, do not.  Not sure exactly how the law reads, but I know they're not breaking any regs.

I have happened across breasted out carcases myself this year as well.  Definitely poor taste.

[ICEMAN]

I got heat for this in the past but.... 

Breasting a duck or goose out is a blatant waste of the resource. Guys need to learn how to eat the whole bird, or stop shooting them IMHO.