So claycreech, you can tell an opening day, still in eclipse drake mallard from a hen by the color of their bills at 30 yards while in flight, correct?

How much is your stud fee...?

If it's still an eclipse phase duck, it's not flying

I hope you're not charging any stud fees....

South Dakota is one of a handful of states testing the 3 duck splash limit for hunters who want to select the option. Hunter is allowed 3 ducks of Amy sex or species, had been a fairly popular option for young hunters and old guys who are not as sharp visioned as their younger days.

Now, lets get rid rid of the ban on lead shot on public ground!

I don't really care what you do when me or mine ain't doing it with you. Some folks won't wear a seatbelt or a helmet or a...

WB has a very valid point about not leaving loaded guns unattended in a boat or blind. I've solo hunted and knocked a loaded gun over just turning myself around in a blind to call at ducks circling behind me. Seen't it happen too many times and they always seem to fall towards someone else when they're with ya. I'm not jamming you up by thinking you're an unsafe hunter, but I think it's a valid point as to why you should think x3 about your proposal to carry multiple guns just cuz of a shell capacity limitation.

I'll also chip in on shooting birds after light coming into roost. Besides what's mentioned, ID'ing specifically, what are you getting out of it other than ruining a good roost and educating more birds? Don't like the law? Work to get it changed. This whole pick and choose mentaility and then crapping on the ones who enforce the laws doesn't math for me.

As to the orginal post, I can't think of an advantage in having more than 3 shells loaded under 'normal' wing shooting conditions. The one advantage I could see is water swatting any criples, especially divers. They have a tendency to get gone pretty quick and I know I've lost a few birds trying to get another shell or 2 in the gun to finish them off.

You are incorrect. I've shot at least one mallard drake very early in October near Brookings, SD with almost no green on its head. It looked like a hen with a slightly different chest but the only way to really tell them apart was from the bill. I'll see if I can find a picture of that event almost 40 years ago.

As for stud fees, I'd give it away for free if I was still out there on the prowl.

Tray, you live in the waterfowl paradise of northeast SD, correct? How far do you have to drive to decent duck hunting areas, 10-15 minutes...? Less? It's different down here in the southeast part of the state, especially during drought years. If I'm going to drive a decent distance to duck hunt, I want as many as I can get. Again, all this theory about shooting over high "value" ducks (points system or oneies or twoies in daily possession) seems a bit overblown. Then again, if all you guys are limiting out every time you go out, perhaps that is an issue. That's not me, although I've never paid to go water fowling in my life.

Cheap, easy talk. Hundred year federal laws never get changed. They just add more, but perhaps you still think were citizens and not mere subjects to the money baggers who really control the system.

You mean I'm supposed to have some device in my gun regulating my shell count?

no you are just fine with that single shot

want a be and now you by following his lead made assumptions people are all as unsafe based on your personal experience and as as you seem to be or have Ben in the past just leaning your guns in a blind where they can be knocked over so easily instead of having actual gun holders to put them in so they won't be knocked over by simply being bumped or the boat rocking or dog if your hunting with a dog.

he has good intentions 100% of the time but can't see his experience and wasy he does things I'ds not the only way and infact just may not even be the best or safest as your example seems to show.

yes it took just a little time to look at the bote and seating position then thunk if I make a rack and put it here my guns won't get knocked over, can be straped for transport and be very quick and easly accessible. to bad most people will just lean their gun up against somthing it can get knocked over from and not take the time and effort to correct a potential major problem. Theybwont admit it but instead try to be a know it all gun safety expert. but that's typically just how human nature is.

I was joking. Haha.

as was I

Accidents happen all the time. I personally won't hunt in a pit or blind with a bunch of people. I'm a solo guy or maybe just one other buddy. 2 or 3 guns wouldn't be an issue. I've never tried it though. Like I said, it would be tough to get more shots after you put one down and pick another up after you already shot 3 times. I think the birds would be too far away for the most part.

So related, waiting for birds to land and pot shooting them on the water was always considered bad form, but is that illegal?

My best, most memorable day of waterfowl hunting was in a goose pit.......killed my limit of 5 geese with only 9 shells. Last three were shot with only one shell in a double barrel. Done so ration out the remaining shells.....and making each shot count.

NonPCfed I live a little outside the good duck area, it’s a 45 min to hr drive to most of the good spots I hunt if I want to get away from the crowds. I do realize your area is much tougher and understand what you’re saying about wanting to capitalize on the few opportunities you may get.
I’m only pointing out the reasons why rules are the way they are. Many times I’ve sat in a decoy spread and had hundreds of ducks decoying in the morning after legal shooting light and not fired a shot due to not being able to ID what I am shooting as it’s overcast and still to dark….sometimes never firing a shot that day. It’s hunting.


I respect that you realized your values wouldn’t make you a good warden, I couldn’t be one myself for several reasons but still respect what they do.

Very well put, Tray.