Unwritten Laws of Water Fowling

JOB WELL DONE – Bella takes a well-earned break after retrieving her first limit of ducks. Messenger photo by Layton Shelton

By Layton Shelton | Published on January 08, 2020 in the Wise County Messenger

It’s common to hear from a seasoned veteran that the “good ole’ days” have since come and gone in the world of waterfowl hunting.

Unfortunately, it appears that with the departure of those “good ole’ days” has also come the departure of the respectable hunter. With public lands flooded with inconsiderate hunters, along with private lands being trespassed on, duck hunting is all too often more stressful than it is enjoyable.

Below are a few unspoken laws that, if taken seriously, could make the sport safer and overall a better experience for everyone.

First and foremost, everyone is on the same team, and respect needs to be shown. This is a simple, but seemingly impossible task for many. Those hunters who wake up several hours before the sun to make it to the hole first deserve it, and they control that hole for the rest of the morning.

For other hunters who don’t quite make it in time, either move on, or ask the first party there if they would like to hunt together. Setting up 100 yards away is not an option and is quite possibly the worst thing a hunter can do. Also, for those hunters who come sliding in 10 minutes before shooting time: congratulations, you’ve just frustrated the entire area, and you should seriously consider getting a working alarm clock.

Second, if someone invites you to a secret spot, that spot is off limits to you unless you are with that person or they give you notice that you can hunt it. This happens too often on private land, and just because you have hunted there before does not mean you have permission.

Third, not everyone loves your dog as much as you do. Sure, Fido is pretty cute and lovable, but when he is sprinting into the water while guns are still going off, both you and him probably won’t be invited next time. Hunters love watching a bird dog retrieve, and they are always willing to be patient to help a dog learn, but no matter the skill level of the pup, that dog should be out of sight and out of mind until it is time for it to do its job.

Fourth, loose lips make for some lonely mornings in the duck blind. Sure, that five-man limit you and your buddies shot last week on public land was awesome. However, when you posted a pic on social media with the location, as well as telling half the breakfast cafe after the hunt where you hunted, your list of hunting buddies just got pretty short. It’s not a bad thing to show off your success, but where and how you did it needs to remain within your circle of trust.

Lastly, a duck call is a tool, not just a noise maker. In the hands of the inexperienced, it is probably the greatest conservation tool known to man. Sometimes it’s best to stay silent, even with an experienced caller, and if you sound more like a kazoo than a duck, it’s best to leave the call at home to avoid some choice words from other hunters.

While there are countless other unspoken laws out there, these five need to be something hunters live by, and something new hunters need to imprint into their brain. If these rules are followed, happier and more successful hunters will arise.

Layton Shelton is an avid hunter and writes a monthly outdoors column for the Messenger. If hunters would like to send in pictures of their trophies, they can email them along with information to laytonshelton@yahoo.com or rgreene@wcmessenger.com.