opinions needed please.

Capt. John

Capt. John

Active member
Hey guys, I'm just back from a charter I did this morning and need some advice on an issue that happened during the hunt. Let me set the day first. My guys met me at the boat ramp at 4:30, it was pea soup fog. The run to the spot I wanted to hunt was only about 1.3 miles and I had good gps markings so we took off and made about 4 knots all the way. We got there and started to set up about 9 dozen decoys and then popped up the blind and were ready 20 minutes before legal time. I was shooting the breeze with my clients when I heard something behind us and turned to see headlights on the private property we were about 20 yards off of in PUBLIC water. The truck drove down about 75 yards and stopped, I guessed it at that range because I could still see head lights in the fog. It stayed for a bit so I flashed my million candlepower at him and blew really hard on my duck call. The light looked like a light saber so I know he saw it. A few minutes later I heard the sound of plastic deeks hitting the water by the bank just down from us. This guy then started to sky bust everything that came down the bank and never let them get to us. He shot a shoveler that actually landed in my spread. Being a smartass I asked if he would like my dog to get it for him and he said YES! Earl got it and brought it to me so I took it over to him and say WTF. First thing, he was about 22 or so guessing and then the first words he said were " I didnt know you guys were there" He then told me that his aunt owns the property hes hunting and proceded to tell me he would let some pintails by so we could have a shot! We decoyed a nice pintail and my clients 13 year old son got him with a nice shot and then a bit later I heard a shot coming from my new friend and two very alive pintails came out of the stratosphere and landed by my boat. My dog got one and then the next after a brief chase so I took them over and he told me to keep one cause the limit is only one person and we only shot one duck so we needed it more than him. I was pissed but kept my composure. I took the duck and the kid ended up shooting a sea gull a miute later packed up and left.
Here is where I need the help, Do I hope karma kicks his butt for being an idiot or do I call the GW on him and turn him in for the sea gull and shooting two pins? He obviously had no care about us and I realize that public water brings that sometimes but dang, my guys were mad and so was I. I always abide by at least 500 yards when put in that spot.
On a good note after the kid left we shot a nice pair of widgeon and two fat redhead drakes.
Thanks, John
 
He's 22 and he needs his comeupance now. Turn him in as fast as you can before you forget the facts. Did you get his plate number?

He'll see you again and avoid you like the plague. People who are that brazen are usually cowards.
 
I'm sure someone else is goin to tell you to hold junior's hand and be his mentor or something but I'd call the GW. It will be a good life lesson for the dumbass.
 
Too late. You colluded with him when you accepted the Pintail and now you would have to drag your clients to court as witness' on the gull. If you have an in with the CO, tell him who to watch out for. If you know the "aunt", tell her you met her nephew duck hunting and forgot his name...if she really is his "aunt"....you may get the name for the CO.
 
Too late. You colluded with him when you accepted the Pintail and now you would have to drag your clients to court as witness' on the gull. If you have an in with the CO, tell him who to watch out for. If you know the "aunt", tell her you met her nephew duck hunting and forgot his name...if she really is his "aunt"....you may get the name for the CO.
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Sticky situation...best thing is at least the clients had a decent hunt after he left. How bent out of shape were they over the ordeal? The thing is with that pintail is, if you didn't accept it, he would have likely stomped it rather than risk getting caught.

Chuck
 
Hey guys, I stewed on this all afternoon and I just got off the phone with the warden. I new when the situation arose that taking the pintail was gonna free the kid from any wrong doing but like Chuck said, he would have thrown it away and my guys like pintails so I opted for taking it. The wardens here are pretty cool guys and he gave me his cell number and said to call him when I see this guy out there again and he will go screw with him. I'm not looking to get the guy thrown in jail for shooting a sky rat but that just gives the warden a reason to go mess with the guy. We have some old school wardens down here and he said he had no problem going and "having a talk" with the guy when I see him again. And really thats all I want. He just needs to know theres someone watching and he cant get away with that crap all the time. My hunters were upset a bit but as a guide I would rather they be mad at that dude than at me for loosing my temper and throwing a fit out on the water. Believe me if I was hunting for fun I would have flipped my lid but theres a time and place for everything in my mind. At the end of the day, my clients got ducks and I feel better by putting this guy on the wardens radar. Sometimes it really feels crappy beeing the better man in a situation
Thanks guys, John
 
If I was your guest, I'd probably be a little more pissed at you for lossing your cool. Composure is what we are graded on by our clients, patients ect.

I am sure that your clients were ticked as well, but now that they are reflecting back on it, they are probably happy that you handled it the way that you did. Especially with a young hunter aboard.

Sounds like this guy is a bit of a punk and I wouldn't go out of my way, but I'd make sure that he learned a lesson. You will kick yourself later if he gets you again and you didn't handle it the first time like you should have.

Thanks for showing a young gun how to handle these guys
 
Hey Cap'n John,

I thought all the A holes like that youngster hunted in NC. Frosts my tail for you and have had similar incedences many times myself especially when hunting public waters or land.

Shame you couldn't open up a can of whup ass on him.

Best,
Harry
 
The telephone number of a local warden you know is a good thing to have.

Here in Rhode Island Sunday hunting is legal. But, a few towns, & counties have their own more restrictive rules that some local law enforcement types try to apply on state game lands. At a public hearing state officials advised a bunch of us attendees to always have the local GM's business card in our pocket.
 
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