Etiquette question: duck blind

[MallardSX2]

Make yourself a pontoon boat island. Hunt 200 yards out in the water downwind of them with a big spread.
That's how I roll.

OR

Find another place to hunt with about 6 QUALITY motion decoys and a layout blind and hide your boat a couple hundred yards away.....(Preferred method)

 

[BigDuckHunter]

A little late to the thread, but I’m curious to hear what you decided to do OP. I hate these kinds of things because you can either 1. Confront them/put up your own blind there/hunt that spot during the season and risk them ruining your hunt or escalating things or 2. Avoid the spot altogether which is just rewarding their behavior. Neither are good choices.

I’d probably lean towards 1 myself just on principle because I hate encouraging this kind of thing. Sucks either way. I agree with several of the previous statements that duck hunters can be some of the biggest A-holes around.

 

[Duckhacker]

A little late to the thread, but I’m curious to hear what you decided to do OP. I hate these kinds of things because you can either 1. Confront them/put up your own blind there/hunt that spot during the season and risk them ruining your hunt or escalating things or 2. Avoid the spot altogether which is just rewarding their behavior. Neither are good choices.

I’d probably lean towards 1 myself just on principle because I hate encouraging this kind of thing. Sucks either way. I agree with several of the previous statements that duck hunters can be some of the biggest A-holes around.

Yup. If anything illegal, let the GW/LE handle. If not, have to ask what level or effort do you want to put into the inevitable and eventual confrontation. Sometimes principal is worth it. Most the time enjoying your hunt elsewhere is.

 

[LongWayAround]

Arguing over ducks is never worth it.

You either work together, maybe shoot a few, and leave with some new friends.

Or...

Eff off and hunt somewhere else.

Some days, the spot you thought you wanted sucks and you shoot em on a plan B that wasn't going to work.

 

[LongWayAround]

Most of the time, if I walk in somewhere and there are other guys nearby I'll just go talk to them. I explain what I came to do and ask if they feel like it will screw them.

If they seem apprehensive, I hop along. If they say "yea, no problem" without thinking about it, I do my thing.

 

[Pilsner]

Why does it seem that the hunter to douch-canoe ratio is highest in waterfowl hunters compared to other hunting demographics?

 

[BigDuckHunter]

Why does it seem that the hunter to douch-canoe ratio is highest in waterfowl hunters compared to other hunting demographics?

I think a lot of it has to do with the places we hunt. Waterfowl hunting is largely done on public ground and there’s typically not that many good spots in an area. I’d venture to guess that if deer or elk or especially sheep hunting was done in similarly crowded areas there’d be just as much conflict.

 

[RockAndSage]

What would bother me about that situation, is that submitting to that behavior would only set a precedent in the area and encourage other people to also attempt to claim "their" spots. If it's legally unenforceable, then all they are doing is literally leaving trash with their name on it.

What ended up happening in your situation?

 

[Macintosh]

A little late to the thread, but I’m curious to hear what you decided to do OP. I hate these kinds of things because you can either 1. Confront them/put up your own blind there/hunt that spot during the season and risk them ruining your hunt or escalating things or 2. Avoid the spot altogether which is just rewarding their behavior. Neither are good choices.

I’d probably lean towards 1 myself just on principle because I hate encouraging this kind of thing. Sucks either way. I agree with several of the previous statements that duck hunters can be some of the biggest A-holes around.

I talked to the local warden. I already knew that nothing was illegal, I was just hoping to get a sense of the culture around this locally. He basically confirmed what I already knew, nothing shocking. He encouraged me to get there first if I wanted, and also confirmed that getting into a pissing match was a realistic possibility. Basically just people being people. I have other spots nearby there I can hunt, some of which are a lot harder to get to and I dont think will draw a crowd nearly as much (which I see as a +). I’ll probably call the guys and see what their plans are at some point later in the season, but I dont intend to fight over the spot. It freezes up fairly early anyway so it probably isnt a good spot when most of the ducks show up, anyway.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

It seems duck hunting more than any other type gets confrontational quickly. I grew up close to reelfoot lake. Anybody that follows duck hunting in the South would be familiar with it. People get shot, blinds burned, boats sank, wild stuff, every year. It’s just not worth it to have the confrontation. I’d call the warden and let him know.

 

[KurtR]

This is why I field hunt on private land. I where my waders about twice a year to remind me how much I like being dry

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

My past experience on public hunting some beaver swamps and wood duck holes on National Forest has been pretty good overall. I get there early, trying to have my small number of decoys out by 5-5:30 am. Guys roll up after me, sometimes right at shooting light. I'm generally by myself and they have come in groups of 2-4.

Let them know I have coffee, snacks, extra shells and would be happy for them to sit with me. They've all declined, no pissing match, etc. They've walked 100-200 yards away and I've gotten my 3 wood ducks before them and told them to take my spot.

The first time I ever had it happen, I was asked why did I bring all those decoys/stuff when wood ducks don't decoy anyway. The three I killed that morning all circled back and landed in my spread. Oh well.

OP, I would get there first if you really like the spot, get all set up and if they come in after you, let them know that the company is welcome (as long as they're not intoxicated or squirrely acting). I'd be courteous, but if they get their panties in a wad ask them to pick up your blocks for you and then go on your merry way.