Careful what you are shooting at!

[CP]

There are a lot of Swans flying around the Skagit delta area.  They are big and white but they are not snow geese and they are not legal to shoot.  I’ve witness two events now where groups opened up on flights of swans.  None dropped but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

[snocohunter]

As far as i'm concerned, you have to be a complete moron to mistake a swan for a snow goose. Those guys should have their hunting privileges revoked for life 

[Dustin07]

yeah I saw swans for the first time last winter scouting some land in Chehalis. I knew instantly they weren't quite right (from a couple hundred yards) and could tell they weren't snows.

[h2ofowlr]

We witnessed a guy off of Wiley Rd. shoot at 3 swans. Wounded one and dropped another.  We yelled at him for being an idiot on the refuge as it tarnishes all waterfowl hunters.  As we were leaving the local Federal Agent checked us and I pointed him towards where the guy shot the swans.  He thought I was joking and asked if I was sure they were swans.  I asked him if 747's and cesnus look the same.  I let him know that I had been at this game to long, not to know the difference.  He finally got off his tail, located the bird.  Wrote up an article, but never caught the guy.  If he would have listened he would have met up with the guy and been able to see what was up.
If you can't identify the bird, DON'T SHOOT IT.  Pretty simple.  Like always someone will shoot a duck or goose etc.  Post the picture on this forum and say what did I shoot.  
If your dumb enough to shoot the wrong bird, don't post it.  Practice the 3-SSS if you have to.  If you post it on this forum, don't cry when you get ripped by the crew.  
A good example would be the kid on the waterfowl hunt forum that posted a picture of his scaup he shot openning weekend and couldn't identify.  He posted the pics under several forums.  To bad the season doesn't start until Nov. 7th.

[singleshot12]

Saw two guys dump a cormorant last week,,they high fived each other and excitedly ran towards it,, I bet the fools took it home and roasted it for dinner..I thought about reporting them,but maybe they didn't do such a bad thing by shooting one,they are hard on the stealhead and salmon smolts..But still half the guys out there hunting shouldn't be hunting 

[Snowgoose1]

I have to admit it was so nice to see numerous Swans in the area, meaning the migration is on for sure. In the early morning one must make sure to hesitate on the target. I have seen Swans shot at by people at Jensens. I agree, Swans are easy to identify if people would just give an extra heart beat of thought.

[Grizzly95]

Exactly the reason why I want to hook up with one of you guys to hunt with, I know what ducks look like and canada geese, I would like to think I am not cruising the short bus; but I honestly don't think I have seen swans in flight and can't think of ever seeing snow geese. I grew up on pheasant and dove on our farms in Yakima valley. What is a cormorant? I think my father inlaw has pointed them out to me on the PDO outside of Newport and if I remember right he hates them. Not trying to sound dumb, but won't know unless I ask. Thanks

[300UltraMagShooter]

I don't waterfowl hunt.  Don't really ever plan to.

I was reading this and thought this must be what the other post was talking about when he said there are a lot of judmental pricks on this site. 

[Ray]

I don't know if it's judgemental pricks if you call someone out for shooting a swan. That's quite a mistake. The swans are very large and do not even sound like snow geese. I'd say if you are shooting swans by accident you really don't have any business waterfowl hunting. It's about as bad as mistaking an deer for an elk and then saying don't blame me for not knowing the difference. Big difference.

[270Shooter]

A good example would be the kid on the waterfowl hunt forum that posted a picture of his scaup he shot openning weekend and couldn't identify.  He posted the pics under several forums.  To bad the season doesn't start until Nov. 7th.

[Caseyd]

I don't know if it's judgemental pricks if you call someone out for shooting a swan. That's quite a mistake. The swans are very large and do not even sound like snow geese. I'd say if you are shooting swans by accident you really don't have any business waterfowl hunting. It's about as bad as mistaking an deer for an elk and then saying don't blame me for not knowing the difference. Big difference.

[Curly]

You really have to wonder about someone that could mistake a swan for a snow goose.  Just because they are white doesn't mean they look like a goose.

Back when I was in high school my neighbors decided they would get into duck hunting and one of the first times they went out they had some "snow geese" come right over and they shot 4 of them.  They were so excited to show off their "geese" when they got home.  They brought them over and I was shocked that they had killed a bunch of Swans.   Right after I told them that they killed swans they buried them in their back yard.  I figured that they might as well eat them since they already killed them............but they were really worried about getting rid of the evidence  

[Ray]

The necks on swans are very long. They don't even have the same flight rythm. You can identify many bird types by how they fly as well. I hear swans taste good. But as long as they are off limits you're not doing any good shooting at them. It's certainly worth scolding and turning someone in for if you ask me.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I hate to say it but there really are a lot of waterfowl hunters who have no idea what is what. One opener at Crab Creek, these two doughnutholes that walked in behind my setup as it was getting light started blasting away at a flock of Sandhill Cranes. One finally got hit and spiralled down, making a big thud as it hit. By the time it hit the ground those two were already hightailing it out of there.....

[h2ofowlr]

I don't waterfowl hunt.  Don't really ever plan to.

I was reading this and thought this must be what the other post was talking about when he said there are a lot of judmental pricks on this site.  

Stating a fact, not being a judgemental prick as indicated by 300UltraMagShooter.  Those that don't follow the rules hurt everyone that does, unless I am wrong on that.  They even place a picture in the back of the waterfowl handbook, to make it easy to tell the difference between a 23lb swan and a 5lb snow goose.
I guess if some shoots a horse in a pasture and discovers it isn't a cow elk, no one should make comment.  As I might make some feel bad for being a poor sportsman, not identifying his target and being a complete idiot, that might come across as being judmental.  
And common your always on the political talk and mentioning about the frustrations of illegal activity and then make mention of judgemental pricks.  Wow.  Calling the kettle black.  You can't help the situation if you don't speak up and try to help correct it.    Also thanks for the  on a topic that you don't sound overly informed on, given the fact that you mentioned that you don't waterfowl hunt.  That again could be a judgement call.   

[D-Rock425]

what happen to if it flies it dies.  just joking. 

[Dustin07]

I don't waterfowl hunt.  Don't really ever plan to.

I was reading this and thought this must be what the other post was talking about when he said there are a lot of judmental pricks on this site. 

Yes there are, however... shooting a doe in a 3 point only GMU, shooting a swan, snagging salmon, poaching an Elk, all of these things are bad for the game and bad for hunters reputations. the game regs are really complicated, I admit that, but blatantly shooting something like a swan is just too obvious and a great way to get an entire area shut down to hunters. By the time my son is in his 20's I'm sure the only land he will be able to hunt will be private land. A walk in the forest is going to cost $150/day + forest protection class or something. we're not that far away from it.

[h2ofowlr]

This is why it is important to make good shots on birds as it can be easy to mistake them if you don't spend time in the field studying up.  If your off on the bag limit, ex. 2 hens, 1 can, 2 reds, 1 harli, 4 scoters and 2 sprags.  Then you get a ticket or the guys stuff them in the grass that don't know what they are doing. No different than big game like mentioned.  Identify it before you shoot it.  If you want to just go out and kill birds, I believe starlings are open year around.

[CoryTDF]

in my opinion you have to be a idiot to mistake the two.

[Dustin07]

This is why it is important to make good shots on birds as it can be easy to mistake them if you don't spend time in the field studying up.  If your off on the bag limit, ex. 2 hens, 1 can, 2 reds, 1 harli, 4 scoters and 2 sprags.  Then you get a ticket or the guys stuff them in the grass that don't know what they are doing. No different than big game like mentioned.  Identify it before you shoot it.  If you want to just go out and kill birds, I believe starlings are open year around.

agreed. I've passed a lot of opportunities for game that was probably legal, just because I wasn't 100% certain before pulling the trigger.

[rainshadow1]

For those who don't know, a Swan could carry a snow goose under each wing and still fly without much difficulty. I honestly don't think even idiots could mistake them. I doubt they're being shot at by accident.

The one time I was on the mouth of the Skagit I saw it happen, disgusting.

[Schmalzfam]

If you just sit and watch the birds for awhile as a bird watcher before you hunt you are better off. I know some guys are new and anxious but, that can get you in trouble. The swans and snow geese fly way different! Not to mention the size difference. Now, my son's classmate was hunting off of  in Mount Vernon not near Fir Island more towards Best Rd. He shot a bird..it was banded!! He came to school bragging about his banded snow goose. He was king S#!t amongst all his friends. Well, the WDFW called him last week at lunch to notify him or his ticket that will be arriving shortly in the mail and all the possible fines, for shooting a juvie whistling swan. Idiot!
Wasn't feeling so hot now...I really hope they sock it to him.

My son is always telling/showing me pics of their hunts of overlimits and mixed bags of "whatever". So, karma got him..pretty funny he ratted himself out.

That is exactly why, 14/15 year olds should never hunt with out an adult!!! When will that go into law anyways?

[carpsniperg2]

  get him h2ofowlr, i think it is someone trying to stir the pot talking. why even pipe in if you don't waterfowl hunt? let people who do, explain things kick back and relax dude. and its not being pricks just trying to prevent someone from getting in trouble. maybe someone will read are posts that don't hunt much, and then pass on the next flock of white swans that fly over his spread. 
 

[Schmalzfam]

I don't waterfowl hunt.  Don't really ever plan to.

I was reading this and thought this must be what the other post was talking about when he said there are a lot of judmental pricks on this site. 

Well, if it was put in terms of animals you hunt..would you understand? Does that make you ignorant? or Judgemental as others?
This forum is for opinions, experience, stories and help!!
However, of course you are going to get flack for shooting the wrong animal..or doing so out of season.
Ethical hunters don't take to kindly to those who aren't! A lot of us take pride in teaching our kids or who ever the right way.
I don't think that's being a Prick..

[Ragged Outdoors]

For those who don't know, a Swan could carry a snow goose under each wing and still fly without much difficulty. I honestly don't think even idiots could mistake them. I doubt they're being shot at by accident.

                                               

[Curly]

For those who don't know, a Swan could carry a snow goose under each wing and still fly without much difficulty. I honestly don't think even idiots could mistake them. I doubt they're being shot at by accident.

                                               

Well, there are some real idiots out there.........  I know for a fact that the case of swan killing I'm aware of (20+ years ago) was by accident.  The father and son were rookies at waterfowl hunting and were clueless.

People shooting at swans purposely would be morons too........ you can spot swans flying from miles away and if they started dropping out of the sky, it would be easy to catch the culprits.

[Dustin07]

For those who don't know, a Swan could carry a snow goose under each wing and still fly without much difficulty. I honestly don't think even idiots could mistake them. I doubt they're being shot at by accident.

                                               

Well, there are some real idiots out there.........  I know for a fact that the case of swan killing I'm aware of (20+ years ago) was by accident.  The father and son were rookies at waterfowl hunting and were clueless.

I've passed up a number of nice bucks that were probably legal, but if I didn't for sure without a shadow of a doubt see that 3rd point, I didn't shoot. I think sometimes people don't take birds as seriously when it comes to poaching because they are smaller and seem less significant.

[haus]

Damn the Bald Eagles better watch the hell out around Skagit

I don't waterfowl hunt.  Don't really ever plan to.

I was reading this and thought this must be what the other post was talking about when he said there are a lot of judmental pricks on this site. 

put down the spoon and step away from the pot