skybusters anonymous

[chester]

Most people start waterfowling as "That guy".  Its all part of the learning curve. The more you do it, the more you figure out, the birds get closer, more start falling, and you blow through fewer shells over time. You are now aware of the issue and im sure you will take what people have said to mind and choose your shots better.

[Special T]

Hello my name is Special T and I have been a Skybuster!    Good post and it takes stones to admit when your wrong or do something stupid... I still like to shoot out on the edge of my shooting ability... Fortunately i have a place to do it when there is no one else around to screw it up... Welcome to the addiction...

[ducks55]

I go with seeing the eyes. If I can clearly see the eyes on a bird then MOST times its within range.

[Blacktail135]

 OSCAR1987.....chester nailed it.....you're AWARE that you're not doing this right (shooting within range) and you're seeking to do so. That's a great start! We've all been there.
 Duck hunting and duck shooting are 2 different thing's. Setting yourself up to be where the duck's really want to be (commiting to your spread/zone) is duck hunting. Duck shooting is getting in shooting range of a duck and doing so.....whether attraction or jumpshooting it's all the same.
 There is a lot to learn about this duck hunting sport (setup, range, identification (on the wing especially), ethic's etc. etc.
 Shooting clay's will help the shooting part a bit but, shooting lead at clay's is a little bit different than shooting steel at duck's. The shot string for steel is a bit shorter than lead. BOTH require follow through on your shooting skill's and follow through is very important. An ounce of #7 1/2 lead is different than an ounce and 1/8 of #2 steel.
 I'd like to say just aim for just in front of the bill  for now but, this sport is just too diverse for such advise.

 

[Stickerbush]

I would try shooting clays with some of the same loads you are using, if you can dust a clay with it then it will probably be a dead duck. I think its a little misleading on the hunting shows because the camera makes it look a lot farther than it is, plus they are usually pro hunters that shoot very well. I prefer to shoot at ducks when they are pretty close within 15-20 yards landing in the decoys. With some of the premium ammo you can get out a little farther. If I'm having a slow day I might take some more iffy pass shots but experience will get you a better idea of effective range. good luck!

[sakoshooter]

Oscar,
I agree with everyone else as you're a good guy to admit your fault. Everyone that's ever hunted ducks has taken a shot that was out of range including myself.
Growing up hunting ducks/geese w/dad/grandpa, they had a couple strict rules - No Sky Busting! They always said thet if you see the geese's eyes and the ducks coloration enough to tell species and gender, they were in range. This still holds true for me and my partners. I even get teased about shooting only close ducks.
The 'effective' range of a shotgun is much less than people think. While shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays is great practice, and you should definitely do this, clay targets break easy from even a single hit from a tiny pellet. Waterfowl are tough and need to be killed cleanly, not crippled. Duck55 sounds like he uses the same theory. Even these theories are not perfect.  Bright sunny windless days makes this easy but horizontal rain in your face and a 50mph duck makes this a little tougher. So does the split second that you usually have to decide what to do. When in doubt - don't. I've passed a lot of 'in range' shots because I wasn't sure untill it was too late. Many of these same birds turned around because of not being spooked and swung back into the decoys and got shot. Many of these birds kept going. Some might have just been checking out the neighborhood for later use. Ya never know.
I can say this: There's little worse than to have a good group of birds committed to your spread only to have some guy open up and sky bust at a duck near by. This invariably spooks your ducks also.
Give me a holler sometime and we'll drink some coffee over a spread of decoys sometime if you're sincere about yor post.

[PNWsportsman]

Ducks are the only critter I hunt which I actually lure towards me.  In fact, luring ducks is my main appeal to duck hunting.  Get yourself some decoys, some other decoying gadgets such as motion decoys, hide yourself well, hunt where the ducks want to be, and shoot them at 25yrds.  Eventually you will have a lights out hunt and I bet youll never go back to sky busting.  Good luck.

[seth30]

I am a sky buster, and dont know it until I miss or drop the duck.  They hit the water and I realize crap thats a long ways to tread.  If they are flying along the water then I can tell how far, but if I cant see the water or ground as I am wathcing the ducks then I suck at telling how far they are.  then again its my first seaons as well.

[somethinsmellsfishy]

New to duck hunting here also and have been going out with a guy that has hunted for years and only shoot when told to get them. So far we have not had much success, but he had sold all his gear and I just got some decoys.

I also have a good friend that has hunted ducks for 55 or 60 years and he has been adamant about me being taught right. One of his biggest peeves is skybusting and being hunting ethically. He has taught me a lot and I know that I have lots more to learn. Joining this board has given me some insight into how others hunt and what I should and should not do out there.

Hope it turns out to be a great year for all of us.

Fishy

[Special T]

I second PNW Sportman  statement... Once you get ducks cupped coming into the blocks and hovering, you will be forever hooked and strive to make it happen when ever possible. I LOVE it when i can get it to work... Which is why its important not to be "That Guy"... "That Guy" normally screws up that kind of experience for everyone else...    I also think that many people take longer shot on birds that are hung up, or wary because the perceived competition with others in the area...

[OSCAR1987]

Guys
Thanks a lot for all of the encouragement and support. I am a bit surprised to hear that so many of you started out in similar situations and admitted it to all. That alone makes me want to get back out there and keep on trying to get it RIGHT. I was way upset about the whole situation and a bit ashamed of myself for wrecking the hunt for other guys. I will try some of the practices like you guys suggest especially the Tom Knapp method- that one really sounds good! I also plan to do some more skeet shooting this spring and over the summer to get better at hitting moving targets. I have done that once at a turkey shoot and I ended up with 2 hams - not turkeys but my kids ate them up and loved it!   I do have a dozen decoys that a guy at work gave me because he doesn't duck hunt anymore and a Buck-Gardner call my 77 yr old uncle sent me from Arkansas. I have been listening to how to videos on you tube for duck calling and had some ducks actually come to my decoys after calling to them and land right in the middle of them early on this season. I killed 2 ducks and wasted 1 of my decoys in the process-OOPS!  Calling hasn't worked at all after Thanksgiving for me.
I am currently laid up in the hospital with a severely broken ankle and will have probably 2 or 3 months of rehab before I am back in shape to do much.

[sakoshooter]

Good luck w/ankle Oscar. Next year will be here before you know it.

[Ratdog68]

Only difference 'tween you and I (Oscar) is... I was fortunate enough to have my first duck hunt be an "invite" with a buddy of mine who's hunted for a while.  All I had to do was show up with my scattergun and waders, help with some decoy hauling/set-up...  and follow "destructions".  Had a blast, missed a few birds, missed a couple of opportunities since I wasn't sure of the range/safety of the shot and decided to err on the side of no one getting hurt.  But... got me a nice pair of ducks and had a ball !   Lookin' forward to tryin' it again next year !

Take good care of that hoof and get back into form. 

[Malardman]

Yes It takes huge BRASS Balls to admit that, and I give you a huge applause, Everbody learns somewhere, and like you posted nobody ever taught you right from wrong. Another one be damn proud of yourself for just going out and doing it!!! waterfowling is dangerous and I never like to go alone... There is a guy I met on this forum that I have gone duck hunting with a couple of times. First time no birds, second time took'em to Skagit we were in a blind, to Mallards were coming in he's lookin up at them nothing covering his head (he's bald) I said put your head down he stands up shoulders his gun, I say NOOOO, The birds were cupped and committed 65yds out and he flared them, I said what's wrong with you? he said what? those were soooo close. I looked at him and called him a Skybuster, then told him he's a Cherry Valley hunter, he laughed I laughed then I told him I would call the shots. What do you know dead duck. He never had anybody to teach him right from wrong either. If you would be willing to travel to Skagit I will take you duck hunting can't promise anything but good conversation, and some 101. PM me if your intrested....

[Pathfinder101]

Hope you feel better soon Oscar.  FYI, late season ducks are harder to fool than early season ducks.  THink of it this way; January ducks have been called to, shot at and seen plastic ducks floating in ponds all the way down from Canada for the last 3 months.  Those that survive to make it down here are pretty savvy by now...