South Puget Sound Saltwater Duck Hunters

[full choke]

I can't speak much to the tide land laws- (though that is a property issue- not hunting related. If you owned the tide lands you could hunt it) but as far as the drifting things goes- there is a reason. That is where the snow geese hang out. If they allowed the drifting to happen you wouldn't believe the mess that would result. It is bad enough with all the *censored*es that shoot em on the road on fir island and all the skybusters that flail away at them off of every dike- could you imagine every Tom, Dick, and Harry floating around the bay blasting the crap out of them as they try to roost? It is already gross the amount of lunacy a few snow geese create in people- opening up more avenues to cripple them would be worse. Those laws are valid- not anti-hunting.

[sisu]

I can't speak much to the tide land laws- (though that is a property issue- not hunting related. If you owned the tide lands you could hunt it) but as far as the drifting things goes- there is a reason. That is where the snow geese hang out. If they allowed the drifting to happen you wouldn't believe the mess that would result. It is bad enough with all the *censored*es that shoot em on the road on fir island and all the skybusters that flail away at them off of every dike- could you imagine every Tom, Dick, and Harry floating around the bay blasting the crap out of them as they try to roost? It is already gross the amount of lunacy a few snow geese create in people- opening up more avenues to cripple them would be worse. Those laws are valid- not anti-hunting.

Good post fullchoke. I am not used to vast quantities of "hunters" in areas I go so again I am ignorant to the situation. I was raised in an area with lots of space to disappear in and then I spent my formative years in Alaska which again vast space to disappear in to hunt or fish. I guess I would not know what to think of a situation like you have described if I were to hunt in such a crowded environment.

[ck]

A lot of the tidelands are shellfish beds leased or owned by seafood companies, and  quite a bit of the tidelands in Padilla and Samish bays are owned/leased by gun clubs-the law works great for keeping us yahoos off their hunting grounds.

  Roadkill- I know someone who got a ticket for shooting a crippled brant from their unanchored boat, motor wasn't even running and they  were sitting still.  Federal game warden wouldn't budge even with a state game warden arguing for the hunters.

[road.kill]

  Roadkill- I know someone who got a ticket for shooting a crippled brant from their unanchored boat, motor wasn't even running and they  were sitting still.  Federal game warden wouldn't budge even with a state game warden arguing for the hunters.

Good to know! I never even thought anything of it, the safest way for dog or person to go get a cripple in that situation would to be with a boat and if it was diving you would have to shoot at it? Seems that making a good effort to retrieve a downed bird would be hindered by not being able to shoot the cripple.

The point above about the snow geese was very informative and it does make sense. People could just get close to the rafts of snow geese, float around and shoot them as they were getting off the water to head inland. The rules make more sense when you think about that situation

[ck]

What fullchoke posted about the geese would be true for ducks on Padilla and Samish also.  Lots of huge rafts of ducks floating around out there.
 
 Also to add to the post about the crippled brant- they had been anchored, shot the bird, pulled the anchor and decide it was close enough to finish off without chasing.  Game wardens were watching through binoculars.  They are pretty serious about that law.  I guess this doesn't have much to do with the original post, does it?

[sisu]

wow you guys sure get all worked up without knowing facts. 
full choke and ck-  right on!  
sisu- maybe you should look up why those laws exist and are written the way they are for the bays up there.  The laws are very old as well, and probably put in place by hunters.

You won't have to worry about me hunting in a situation like that. If there are people I stay away. I hate nearly everyone including myself. I left the west-side just because of people. Moved there from Alaska and realized too late that it was not the side for me.

I like to go out not see anyone if possible. Maybe hear a gun go off in the distance, way distance and continue my hunting. Nope, you guys can keep it and enjoy it all you want. Just not my bag of tea.

Ever sit in the dark alone in the woods and listen to the night...all kinds of sounds, smells that you don't hear or smell in the day. Now add extra people...the entire situation changes. It's no longer the same.

Sorry for deviating from the thread but Mr. Chaoski brought up reading the law for the west side...nope ain't gonna do that cause I ain't gonna be there.

[singleshot12]

+1 sisu,,,I think you just inspired me to get out of this zoo,it wasn't too bad 30 years ago,but now it's getting down right ridiculous to hunt and fish with all these people!!!!

[sisu]

doesnt really have as much to do with reading the law as it does with people blowing up about antis trying to close down hunting when they dont even know the issue.  but why interupt a good tangent with the facts.  There are issues regarding hunting in the south sound and the proximity of houses and people, but to say that it is all about people trying to shut down the right to hunt on areas like Samish, and Padilla bay is just plain false.
Know the issue before you run your mouth.  

A-OK Mr. Pibbs.   You are the expert and we will bow to Dr. Chaoski Pibbs!   

[Ray]

doesnt really have as much to do with reading the law as it does with people blowing up about antis trying to close down hunting when they dont even know the issue.  but why interupt a good tangent with the facts.  There are issues regarding hunting in the south sound and the proximity of houses and people, but to say that it is all about people trying to shut down the right to hunt on areas like Samish, and Padilla bay is just plain false.
Know the issue before you run your mouth.  

A-OK Mr. Pibbs.

Some people feel compelled to attack no matter what. Trust me - it's not you sisu.