Good waterfowl hunting and birders article - NW Sportsman

[high_hunter]

Good topic and reminder.  We need to be mindful of varying interests while on multiuser properties so we don't spread a negative reflection.  I've certainly been annoyed by birders in the past either doing exactly as described in the article or just parking is super unsafe ways along busy roads.

Probably had more negative encounters with fellow hunters (especially around ths Skagit and Samish wildlife areas) but have grown out of that.  Very happy about the strong verbiage for hunter harassment and glad the department is getting the word out on this.  In my experience if you call to report this behavior the wardens take it seriously which is good to see.   

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/waterfowlers-advice-on-birder-interactions-as-issues-arise/

-hh

[hunterednate]

Great article, and MD's approach in that piece is spot-on. I don't see many birders in the spots that I hunt...but used to hunt ducks with a guy who was an avid birder the rest of the year. My guess is the overlap on the Venn Diagram between those groups is larger than we might imagine.

[pickardjw]

Has anyone on here had a negative interaction with birders? Never even seen one where I duck hunt.

[GOcougsHunter]

Lots of conflicts in the Skagit flats.  Welt's property, especially.  Birders line up their cars along the road and glass and when the parking lot fills up, the overflow gets contentious.  I have attempted to at least say hello or acknowledge the birders, but, most have literally just ignored me or looked at me like I was doing something wrong.

There are also folks who follow the snow geese.  Back when they had the snow goose access program, I was able to score a couple of days on some great fields.  If we were into the snows, the birders, tourists, photographers would park along the road and enter the fields to get closer and get the birds moving.  Really limited the shooting as it ended up not being safe sometimes.

Also had issues with fishermen in potholes area while duck hunting.  We have had many fishermen come in and fish just outside of our decoys or off the banks in the seep lakes.  Not an easy scene when the other party knowingly is messing with you.