I agree with most of this except for the idea that a dropping pellet is a basis for calling in a CO. There's just no real way that a hunter can tell where a pellet is really going to fall - at least not be able to do it and still take a shot. A dropping pellet isn't going to hurt you unless you're really unlucky and look up at just the wrong time and don't have any eye protection on.

On the other hand a shot that causes pellets to hit with any force may be another thing. Discharging a gun to scare off other hunters or fishermen is criminal and stupid and the cuffs should come out for something like that. IMO the guy that wrote that had been playing too much donkey kong back then.

I agree with keeping your distance if you mistakenly come across duck hunters, especially when they were there first and I also agree that if a hunter is going to set up adjacent to a fishing hot spot and the angler is already there, you either move on or wait till the angler moves off.

I both fish and duck hunt.

If I'm fishing on a lake and I see hunters or decoys out, I'll keep my distance. They only have so many days to hunt, I have almost all year to fish.

While duck hunting I avoid areas where anglers frequent. I also spend a lot of hunting time in shallow water sloughs where people don't fish.

It's all about respect for each other on the water. Most of us don't like being crowded while fishing and we don't crowd others. We should do the same for hunters, and vice versa.

We on this site are talking about hunting and fishing. I told a friend of mine earlier today that this was the reason that kept me from joining FM for so long. Not because this is a bad topic but because I would open my big mouth in the wrong way.WELL here goes: I don't care if you have a gun or not. hunting and fishing are both leagal and if your doing one or the other you need to respect the other. It makes me sick however that people on this site say "Well they have a gun and you don't". what does that mean???? So if I want a gallon of milk in a store and I have a gun, I will get the milk and no one else?
Thats dumb, I sure wouldn't mind not ever hearing that again. How stupid is it to say I have a gun, respect me??????????????????????? think about it. I think most of us here are for gun rights and hunting. fishing and hunitng go hand in hand. We sure dont neeed guys saying well my hunting sport involves a gun so its more improtant than yours.........

heh, heh, thought about the same thing but waited for you to say it.

Thank you.

I think a lot of it depends on who was there first. If you're in a bay fishing and then duck hunters come into that bay, then the duck hunters need to acknowledge you're there and go somewhere else. Same if you have decoys out and a boat approaches that spot, the boat needs to find someplace different. That's just how I see it.

I do agree with you, but I think the statement was meant as a caution because people with lethal weapons may not use the best of judgement. You never know how much whiskey or attitude might be affecting their judgement and there is plenty of proof of such actions.

One of the first thing my sons gun safety instructors said to the class was; "Never argue with man with a gun, you never know what he might be thinking especially if he is angry". I think that is sage advice.

after re-reading that post a few times I am pretty sure that it was a commical post, but there are people that would probably take it the wrong way if a guy went trolling in front of their decoys,

If they were set up before I got there fishing I would stay away out of respect

really??? I highly doubt that anyone out Duck hunting is in any way what so ever intoxicated. That is not what I ment. I would just like to think that anybody that does hunt or fish wouldn't use the tools of the trade as a deturent to someone else trying to reach the same result. I know of nobody that has ever been on any substance while hunting. Its foolish to say that whiskey affects any hunters judgement.

Lakes are for multiple public use. One user has no more right then the other to public water. What the user needs to do is be considerate of others. Common courtesy and common sense is needed but we know there are those that lack both.

If someone is duck hunting then you find another spot to fish.
If someone is fishing then you find another spot to hunt.
If your out water skiing or tubing you stay away from guys out fishing.

So your in your blind and a fishing boat moves in too close.
Your hid so maybe the boat didn't see you. First thing to do is make the boat aware of your presence.
I'd like to think that most guys would then give the hunters their space.

Lets say this boat lacks that common courtesy.
You then politely explain that #1. Its pretty certain that ducks won't be coming in while their boat is there. #2 Even if the ducks did come in you couldn't shoot because you can't do so safely, so please move.

At no time do you threaten with, discharge, or show, your shotgun.

They still won't move. Take down their boats registration number. If you have a cell phone you call the Sheriff and Conservation Officer right then. Don't let on to the boat that you did so.
Since every story had two sides, you'll want your story heard first by filing a complaint.

How far is far enough away to safely discharge a shotgun?
Anything less then a quarter mile is not far enough for me.

As a hunter I stick to the sloughs that don't get fishing pressure. If I were to venture to a lake with fishing pressure I would expect some boats to come by and I don't think that would bother me, as long as I can't carry on a conversation with them without raising my voice.

I agree with this. Respect each other. If one is there first, it's their spot.

I've been deer hunting with guys that were still drunk from the night before and had a hard time getting out of the cabin in the morning. When I used to drink it wasn't uncommon for me to road hunt with a 12 pack and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So I wouldn't assume that nobody ever drinks while hunting.

perfectly, well said surface tension.