Duck Hunting Ethics

[Duckaholic]

We had originally planned to hunt thed Big "O", but as most of you know, at 12ft. Lake level there are not a lot of places you can run in a Go Devil. We left Lakeport on Thursday Morning and arrived at the East Ramp of the Everglades to hunt for the next three day's. Thursday and Friday were good, except for the fact that one of our group left his decoys on the water in the morning and went out to hunt friday afternoon and they were gone, stolen by some lowlife that calls himself a duck hunter. Saturday morning I gave hime one of my Bag's and we went hunting. We arrived at the ramp, I was next to launch, when this person backs onto the ramp in front of us. We approached him and he asked if we were ready and I said yes, he said he would move out of the way. He did so, we launched and headed out. We arrived at our spot, and started getting situated when in came the same person from the ramp and started throwing out decoys. This is a full bearded white man who when i asked what he was doing , said that since I had not started putting my decoys out he was going to hunt there. Now getelman, you and I know that when a man is on a pond , you don't come in on him like that, with out even asking if he was going to set up or what. Thjis Arrogant A-- H--le was as much a sportsman as thePoacher or lowest form of human being you can find. We had a lot of word's none of them pleasent, and I left hime with a few more unpleasentry's and I wish him the worst of luck for his unsportsman like ethics. Maybe that he roast in **** for the rest of his unnatural life. Gentelmen, respect the other man's turf, give hime his space and all due respect, thats all I ask out of life, and I willl be happy. We will meet again, white beard, and I promise you all you have coming to you, Amen

[Keith Yates]

Sorry to hear this. I think all of us who spend a little time in the marsh have run into the same knot head like this. These folks actions are what brings our sport to it's knees. I had a so called DU guy(Not knocking DU but the guy who should know better) do the same exact thing to me last season at MINWR. These actions are what is bringing more restrictions in certain areas. Kinda like shootin yourself in the foot.

[D Duck]

Duckaholic - not wanting to start an argument here, but leaving decoys out in a public place is no different than littering. Now I wouldn't take anyone elses dekes if found, but if I wanted to hunt that spot, they would be left in a big tangled ball on the shore. Sounds like someone was just picking up the trash....:eusa_naug

Keith - that wouldn't be the same DU guy we saw that morning earlier this year would it?

[Keith Yates]

Yep that's him!

[godvlman]

Not to start an argument here either:

I usually call a "low life" someone who leaves there decoys on the water in a public spot!!! Is someone that lazy that they dont want to pick up a few decoys and put them out again later in the day?? Or are they trying to save there spot in a PUBLIC area??

Duckaholic be lucky your buddy was just missing his decoys!!! FWCC does consider that littering they are out in full force being that this is a holiday weekend!!!

[duckbone]

I can't tell who was the bigger dummy. You both should have hunted together.

[CUNCRT]

Im not sure who is bigger Googan, your buddy for leaving his dekes out in the Glades or Mr. Whitebeard.

If I would have ran across the dekes, I would not have stolen them, However I keep a can of flouresent orange marking paint in the boat just for this occasion. I would have gladly painted a very nice coat of full orange plumage on every single deke.

Then they would have been tied in such a big knot you would have had a better chance solving a rubix cube than gettin the knots out.

2 most important rules for the glades.

1) Always have your orange flag
2) never leave out your dekes.


Welcome to UW-F.

[Lanikai]

Leaving decoys out is not very smart. Eventually you're either getting a ticket or your going to get them stolen. Lesson learned, no big deal.
Mr. whitebeard sounds familiar. I'm very disappointed to hear you had that problem. I hunt the glades to get away from the jerks. I don't mind shooting a few less birds if I get to have the marsh to myself. For the most part everyone I have met out there seem like sportsmen.
Let's hope the lake is more hunt-able next year!!!!

[Lawrence]

Once had a jackass ask the same thing we he pulled up on us and started to set up. "did you put out your decoys??!!!" Yeah see that hundred?

Very puzzling. I hate to say it but I am very down on anyone leaving out dekes in a public place. Just wrong.

[RutnNStrutn]

I can't tell who was the bigger dummy. You both should have hunted together.
I don't understand why people get down on me when I am outspoken. Duckbone is much worse than I am!! :angel12:

[jeepcj7]

As Lanikai said, hunting the Glades gives us the opportunity to spread out and not get in each other's way. For example Sunday morning we were in Holiday Park and once we got back into the marsh that we were going to hunt there were several airboats dropping off hunters. We went past them about 1/2 mile and found a nice pond to set up. They continued dropping off hunters in a few places and set up. Everyone kept their distance and it was a good hunt for all. If you're willing to run some distance you can usually get away from other hunters.

[Dead Ringer]

Out of the ~30 hunts out there this year, I've only had people on me maybe 2-3 times. Take the advice above: the further you run from the trails, the less likely you are to run into other hunters. It is a big area, maybe one of the biggest in the state, so there is room. As for the dekes, I used to do the same thing, and I paid for it. Now, they come home with me.

[Sewer Rat]

Guys... I can understand the anger and frustration on coming upon dekes set up and no one around... but I can also understand forgetting to pick up all your dekes and leaving some out.... destroying the dekes isnt the answer... picking them up and leaving them hanging where the owner can find them would be enough (unless they are a great set-up and better looking dekes then yours, then I would utilize them vs setting my own up LOL)(that would also teach the owner a lesson).

As a newby to FL duck hunting and getting to know the areas... I have come up on guys already set up (either they know the water better then me, or have gps' to get there in the pitch dark before me), but I just wave and move on... keeping a mental note of where and how they are set up for future (to compare with where and how I set up)....

Back in NYS I have had others set-up almost on top of me, and others who have set-up such that their shot rained down on us when they sky busted or shot at low flying birds (these are the dumbarses, who greatly perturb me)...

Ethics are a personal thing, we all hope that others share our same ethical views... but the reality is that they do not.