As I read through this thread I have learned that I am an ***hole for the following reasons!
I am really glad this thread is out here because it does make a person think about their "normal" actions/routines that may be causing others skin to crawl and until now, I didn't know it was so taboo. Here is my list of offenses, followed by my pet peeves!
1) I talk when walking in a line with friends and family that we only see on opening weekend. (I am not sure how much I agree with less talk equating to more birds. We have always been noisy, and we have always had birds flush out in front of us....we have also had more than I can count that flush in range or worse yet, BEHIND us! I will admit, I do have my best luck hunting alone, with my dog, in silence, so there may be something to this also.)
2) Reverse bird hogging - Man, this makes me feel terrible. I apologize to anyone that by me not taking birds home has offended or put into an uncomfortable possession limit predicament. I will always help clean birds to meet transportation standards, provide ziplock packaging and gather feathers for their wives or kids to have when they get home, but I never take birds when hunting with groups...especially if they are from out of town. I hunt in my backyard anytime I want, I struggle eating my possessions. Before today, I thought this was a curtesy, but I now know that more of discussion should be had instead of "refusing" to take birds.
Pet Peeves - I feel so much better after getting these off my chest!!
1) Hunting without having the safety on. They say they hate having it on, because they forget to take it off or thinks it makes them "quicker"
2) When people constantly are yelling at their dogs when hunting in a group. Have control of you dog or leave it in the truck.
3) Line sprinters ... Come on man! Look around. I think it is always better to walk to slow than 2 fast, besides the fact that you are putting your life in danger. I prefer to walk and stop in heavy cover....I struggle convincing people that this IS effective.
I am sure there are others!
Happy hunting, and again, sorry that I am/was an ***hole!