this can be a hot button issue with me how about some of u?? i know there are a lot of variables but it does come down to greedy behavior sometimes. we are all out to have fun but there are no rules i'm aware of that say every bird that gets up must die??? if u are fortunate enough to have shot your limit early at least stop takeing the first shot. hunt close to people that haven't shot as many maybe u can flush 1 their way. on a multiple day hunting trip some fill possession limits but this to could be done with respect for others. this is a prized game bird with low populations in some states not a species we are trying to get rid of like coyotes/coons/skunks/stray cats etc. if u are board and have some extra shells burning a hole in your vest pollish off some of these please. well i have lit the fuse on what i'm expecting to be quite a shit bomb !!! so support me or give me hell thats what this fine site is about and i hope every one has a safe season see u all on the trail.:cheers:
group counts/personal limits?
- Thread starter iowa labs
- Start date
ehudgens
Active member
This is one of the reasons I prefer to hunt alone, but I do go on several group hunts every year. We all know how it goes, sometimes every bird flies your way, and sometimes you never fire a shot. For me personally, if I shoot my limit, I back off. Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna let a bird fly away, but I'll be very flexible with where I'm at in the line, and will be in the least likely spot the birds will be. Also, I'm always flexible with walking or blocking, and will let the guys who haven't done much shooting decide what they want to do.
I don't think this subject is that touchy, I think it's all about establishing the ground rules before you get started. Some guys like to hunt differently than others. If I'm with a group, my personal preference is the guy who has the shot should take it. Otherwise, I've had some experiences where we could have shot a limit in a couple of hours, and you wind up hunting till dark (not that that's a bad thing). This bothered me a lot more when I was younger.
I don't think this subject is that touchy, I think it's all about establishing the ground rules before you get started. Some guys like to hunt differently than others. If I'm with a group, my personal preference is the guy who has the shot should take it. Otherwise, I've had some experiences where we could have shot a limit in a couple of hours, and you wind up hunting till dark (not that that's a bad thing). This bothered me a lot more when I was younger.
siouxcitysmitty
Member
I usually back it down it a notch when I have shot my birds. I'll definitely defer to others on where they want to be in the lineup, and, be more conscious to let my neighboring hunters get off first shot.
However, one factor is how we're trending as a group. If we don't have a prayer of filling out as a group, I'm going to be a little more attentive.
If it's one of those days where the group's probably going to fill out in an hour, and, I have my birds in the first 20 minutes, I pretty much shut it off.
However, one factor is how we're trending as a group. If we don't have a prayer of filling out as a group, I'm going to be a little more attentive.
If it's one of those days where the group's probably going to fill out in an hour, and, I have my birds in the first 20 minutes, I pretty much shut it off.
i guess i am refering to the game hogs out there. we all know the ones. they shot 3 in 20 minutes but just keep on shooting first, always on the outside or first in the pinch corners. that is what gets under my skin. yes the best way to deal with it is to quit hunting with them. but that is difficult when u are out of state all rideing together.
carptom1
Well-known member
I won't hunt with anybody without a pre hunt meeting/agreement. This is as much for their benifit as mine. During that meeting we go over such things as gun safety, not shooting cripples on the ground, limits, shooting safety zones and other items. This is the point that these items should be brought up. Whenever I have been lucky enough to fill early, I will ask the rest of the group how they would like for me to adress the rest of the day. I remember one trip to Iowa years ago, I doubled at 8:15 and had my third by 9. I was hunting with 3 other guys, one I knew well. I let them know that I would just walk the dogs and not shoot for awhile. It is funny how the guy with the dogs gets many of the opportunities. Anyway, I would bring up the subject beforehand. It at least will plant the seed with the hog
Ranger Rick
Member
A dead horse
This issue has been beaten to death on this site. you may not get many responses if folks are tired of it as a subject.
I'm just back from my annual trip. I shot more than my share of birds. On the last morning I did everything I could to get other guys shooting, but the situations kept presenting themselves. I told the group I wanted to back off and they said to take the shot if I had it. Everyone had fun, everyone shot their share of birds, everyone went home happy because we have a good group of guys.
This issue has been beaten to death on this site. you may not get many responses if folks are tired of it as a subject.
I'm just back from my annual trip. I shot more than my share of birds. On the last morning I did everything I could to get other guys shooting, but the situations kept presenting themselves. I told the group I wanted to back off and they said to take the shot if I had it. Everyone had fun, everyone shot their share of birds, everyone went home happy because we have a good group of guys.
Downtown Bang!
Member
Can work both ways. Lots of times group hunts can involve less than good shooters. Where does the group draw the line in regards to shooting opportunities and everyone going home with a pheasant dinner?
My first SD pheasant hunt in the late 90's involved being asked to tag along with a small group (six hunters) for a three day weekend after one of the regulars had backed out. Through some extended family connections this group had access to a fair amount of private land.
The property where we had the best access was mostly aging CRP and in reality not very productive for birds. Combine that with some pretty sub-par dog work and the action was not as fast as I expected but in my mind still fun none the less.
At the end of day one I had shot the only two birds in the bag. It was the only two opportunities I had that day but several other members of the group had flat out missed roosters and in one case crippled and then lost one.
First thing on the morning of day two we decided to walk a nice parcel of native grass that happened to be on some public land. Pretty quickly a rooster got up and started flying across one half of the formation. At first I held my fire but after two missed shots (fired almost simultaneously) I pulled the trigger and dropped the rooster. The non-shooters then ask shooter one and shooter two if they had hit the bird. Both said no so then they ask me. Without thinking I said "yeah, pretty sure I hit him". Immediately a huge groan went up amongst the group. Not a good natured hey stop shooting all the bird ribbing but a real clear WTF is up with the new guy killing all our birds reaction.
I didn't raise my gun the rest of the trip and bird dogged all the worst cover. In the end only three more birds were killed and at least two more cripples were lost even though there were more enough roosters flushed on the last day to kill at least 1/2 our daily group limit. I just gave my birds away and tried not to listen to the "what a bad trip" talk.
Reality is that first trip turned on the light for me about what South Dakota could offer and I'm grateful I went. It also made it clear that future group pheasant hunting was mostly out for me and solo hunting with my young lab was in.
Group hunting can be a strange dynamic. I believe someone taking the time to be assertive and vocal and to get the group on the same page is important. Both from a general safety stand point and also from a "this is our groups values and expectations when it come to shooting birds and the group limit" thing.
DB
My first SD pheasant hunt in the late 90's involved being asked to tag along with a small group (six hunters) for a three day weekend after one of the regulars had backed out. Through some extended family connections this group had access to a fair amount of private land.
The property where we had the best access was mostly aging CRP and in reality not very productive for birds. Combine that with some pretty sub-par dog work and the action was not as fast as I expected but in my mind still fun none the less.
At the end of day one I had shot the only two birds in the bag. It was the only two opportunities I had that day but several other members of the group had flat out missed roosters and in one case crippled and then lost one.
First thing on the morning of day two we decided to walk a nice parcel of native grass that happened to be on some public land. Pretty quickly a rooster got up and started flying across one half of the formation. At first I held my fire but after two missed shots (fired almost simultaneously) I pulled the trigger and dropped the rooster. The non-shooters then ask shooter one and shooter two if they had hit the bird. Both said no so then they ask me. Without thinking I said "yeah, pretty sure I hit him". Immediately a huge groan went up amongst the group. Not a good natured hey stop shooting all the bird ribbing but a real clear WTF is up with the new guy killing all our birds reaction.
I didn't raise my gun the rest of the trip and bird dogged all the worst cover. In the end only three more birds were killed and at least two more cripples were lost even though there were more enough roosters flushed on the last day to kill at least 1/2 our daily group limit. I just gave my birds away and tried not to listen to the "what a bad trip" talk.
Reality is that first trip turned on the light for me about what South Dakota could offer and I'm grateful I went. It also made it clear that future group pheasant hunting was mostly out for me and solo hunting with my young lab was in.
Group hunting can be a strange dynamic. I believe someone taking the time to be assertive and vocal and to get the group on the same page is important. Both from a general safety stand point and also from a "this is our groups values and expectations when it come to shooting birds and the group limit" thing.
DB
Matt D
Well-known member
Think it boils down to picking who you hunt with. Easier said then done sometimes I know as we have all probably been burned a time or two by "that guy". I know personally once I have either shot my limit or more than the others in the group I then make sure I get the last pick of locations or the perceived worst spot. Also unless no one else is going to have a shot at the bird I never take the first shot at a flushed rooster in that scenario either. My experience has been that usually over a 3 day hunt shooting opportunities usually balance out and everyone has ample chances. Do know that because of the way my dog tends to hunt I generally get more than my fair share of opportunities and we can usually place people according to wind direction so that the dog unknowingly hunts better for the whole group thus increasing everyone's chances.
Matt D
Matt D
Respect
To me it is all about respect. The first years we went out to SD I didn't have a dog, but my buddies I went with tried the best to get everyone shots to the point they felt guilty at times. I have always told them and will continue to do so to not worry about us without dogs or those that don't get chances. I like shooting, but if the opportunities present to only certain hunters that is just the day afield. I enjoy watching the dogs and hunters do their thing. There were days I didn't shoot...I still had JUST AS MUCH FUN! It's a plus if I get my chances.
I now have my own dog, and due to time etc my dog isn't as good as the others. It is what it is -Ii get my chances but I won't fault others for getting more and shooting more.
Happy Hunting!
To me it is all about respect. The first years we went out to SD I didn't have a dog, but my buddies I went with tried the best to get everyone shots to the point they felt guilty at times. I have always told them and will continue to do so to not worry about us without dogs or those that don't get chances. I like shooting, but if the opportunities present to only certain hunters that is just the day afield. I enjoy watching the dogs and hunters do their thing. There were days I didn't shoot...I still had JUST AS MUCH FUN! It's a plus if I get my chances.
I now have my own dog, and due to time etc my dog isn't as good as the others. It is what it is -Ii get my chances but I won't fault others for getting more and shooting more.
Happy Hunting!
Couldn't say it better. Surely any analysis of this issue has been flogged to death. There are a number of such issues,which keep getting dusted off and recycled here. It's exhausting. Legal some places, not in others, undetermined and unpublished in some. Totally impractical in any group hunting excercise like pheasant hunting, impossible to enforce, and likewise enforced almost nowhere.
Rick is right this topic has been beaten to death. However it might not be a bad reminder going into the season.
I don't get what the big issue is that this has been talked about before....don't you guys talk about same thing with your buddies from time to time or every season!?!?! If you don't think of you do, just remember that next time you bring a topic up ;-)
Plus, there are sometimes new people on these forums...to me it is nice to talk about things such as this...and I am not going to go digging in the archives to read old opinions/thoughts!
Just my opinion and think this is a great forum for talks like this...if you don't want to rehash it then don't reply.
Let's have some fun and good 'conversation'!
Plus, there are sometimes new people on these forums...to me it is nice to talk about things such as this...and I am not going to go digging in the archives to read old opinions/thoughts!
Just my opinion and think this is a great forum for talks like this...if you don't want to rehash it then don't reply.
Let's have some fun and good 'conversation'!
Downtown Bang!
Member
I didn't get any sense that the discussion was intended to be about the legality of group hunting & personal limits but more a rant about individiual ethics and people being selfish when shots are not presented equally within the group.
Not a totally fresh take on the group hunting subject but not sure it's been beaten to death here either.
Oregonbirdguy
New member
Well, here in oregon shooting more then your limit, or "group" huntin is illegal so i pretty much stay away from it and have never had a problem with anyone i am hunting with...
The only i have run into a issue is duck hunting where a couple of us have shot at a group of birds, and multiple birds drop from one shot type of a deal.
The only i have run into a issue is duck hunting where a couple of us have shot at a group of birds, and multiple birds drop from one shot type of a deal.
henhenROOSTER!!!
New member
Did it quite a bit in much younger days, but nowadays just put the gun away & work the dog for everybody else whenever my limit happens to be reached. In addition to legal issues, EVERYBODY I hunt with wants to shoot their own birds! :thumbsup: Who wants to spend the day watching somebody else intentionally shoot their birds for them, really???
Only time it ever happens in my circles is just like O-birdguy says: when a boatload of mallards or huge flock of B-52 canadas come sailing in tightly-knitted together & everybody in the blind/spread empties on 'em (how do you ever sort out that mess) or late in the season on a planned wild-rooster pinch with a big group of guys & all hell breaks loose (a bit dangerous & not exactly my personal style of hunting these days). Even then we usually pre-school everybody in the group to deliberately pick out birds on their particular side or in middle according to where they are stationed for safety, knowing pretty much whether each person came up with "their own targeted birds" or not (partly for sheer banter & ribbing reasons ), and also for much heightened efficiency (often doubling or tripling the "harvest" & dropping 'em like flies )!
No matter how hard anybody tries, there will always be a few instances where no one will ever know who really got the bird or one particular close & tantalizing floater winds up eating too much lead from multiple shooters enough to almost render it inedible - but I don't think anybody should make a deliberate habit of it. Just my measly two cents worth on a worn out subject, because people are pretty much gonna do what they're gonna do at the end of the day anyway... :cheers:
Only time it ever happens in my circles is just like O-birdguy says: when a boatload of mallards or huge flock of B-52 canadas come sailing in tightly-knitted together & everybody in the blind/spread empties on 'em (how do you ever sort out that mess) or late in the season on a planned wild-rooster pinch with a big group of guys & all hell breaks loose (a bit dangerous & not exactly my personal style of hunting these days). Even then we usually pre-school everybody in the group to deliberately pick out birds on their particular side or in middle according to where they are stationed for safety, knowing pretty much whether each person came up with "their own targeted birds" or not (partly for sheer banter & ribbing reasons
), and also for much heightened efficiency (often doubling or tripling the "harvest" & dropping 'em like flies )!No matter how hard anybody tries, there will always be a few instances where no one will ever know who really got the bird or one particular close & tantalizing floater winds up eating too much lead from multiple shooters enough to almost render it inedible - but I don't think anybody should make a deliberate habit of it. Just my measly two cents worth on a worn out subject, because people are pretty much gonna do what they're gonna do at the end of the day anyway... :cheers: