There is no reason to leave ducks in a pile.

If you've got a dog, don't pile up the ducks next to you when the dog does a retrieve. Throw the bird to the hunter who shot it or most likely shot it or distribute immediately.

Can anyone post the link of the law stating they have to be in separate piles. I can't find it.

He was actually checking to make sure we had the empty hulls and weren't littering. I cant recall why he was busting our chops about the ones that were different. He was checking because the guys before us had left theirs out there. He sent em' packing back in to pick them up. He was checking all of our stuff, killing time, waiting for another warden who was escorting some poachers out who'd been busted shooting shore birds and mottled ducks (was early teal). These guys see all kinds out there in the marsh. It is a tough job yes, but i will say most of the times i've been checked, it's been a less than pleasurable experience even though i have never been cited for any violations.

"After leaving the field, a person must have a WRD for any migratory game bird not in the immediate possession of the person who killed them."

That aint it.

That's as close as it gets to it. There is no law that explictly forbids one to group his kill with another. But it's always at the GW's discretion how to interpret the law. Shame, really.

With that said, I don't go to any extra effort to make the GW happy if it's only for his convenience and not my abiding with the law.

I have never read where the birds have to be separated. In years past it was the GWs themselves that liked it that way. But if there are 4 people in a blind, all 4 are in possession of the ducks. As the law reads, if there was a bail of marijuana in the blind all 4 would be in possession. So this year I am reading here where it says it is a law to keep them separate. I can't find it. Laws change and maybe I missed it. So before I press the BS button I wanted to ask for a link to the specific law. You know, before I insert my foot in my mouth.

so, its not really a law?
thats even more stupid.

I understand being able to tell them which ones you shot as different species would put you over or under the limit. But if I have two guys in the boat and we have them in a line across the front of the boat, they are not separated. If I tell him the ones on the left are mine and the ones on the right are my brother's. Am I really in violation of any law?

Haha, when I posted that quote, I was agreeing with you, not disagreeing. I can't find any verbatim in the current law either.

Just look at offshore fishing on big charter boats. The bag limits are enforced per the entire group, not per person. If one person catches double his bag limit, and the guy next to him catches none, they can legally split the catch because it applies to the entire group.

It falls under the daily bag limit:

"No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit of freshly killed birds while in the field or while returning from the field to one's hunting camp, automobile or temporary lodging facility (see General Rules - Donation or Gift). For the first day of any season the possession limit is the daily bag limit."

As for the live bird:

"A reasonable effort must be made to retrieve any killed or wounded birds and any wounded bird retrieved must be immediately killed and made a part of the bag limit. After retention, the birds must be kept in an edible condition."


Why do we all have to strictly follow all regulations but you get a break? Lots of people complain about the regulations, but we proved (way back in the day) that we are not capable of ethically harvesting ducks, so the state had to step in and tell us what to do. Bottom line; he let you off of 2 violations. Did you thank him for only giving you a warning??

I agree it's a stupid law and enables GW to pick on people who otherwise hunt in good faith, but I wouldn't tell him to split them himself or shove it unless I had a lot of time to kill.

Game Wardens along with all LE have a tough job..

They are also people that have good days and bad days. Just remember you are talking to a guy just trying to a job that is some what thank less but, is very necessary to protect and enforce the rules that allow us to do our hobby.

You should thank a game warden for what they do...

Can somebody show me the specific law where they have to be separated? You don't have to have something in your hand to be in possession. Link please, because I am about to press the BS button.

Pretty sure this is as close as it gets Wal.

they want them seperated to show you are not in possesion over the limit. its all splitting hairs and double talk. Its a work, a rib, antics, and shennanigins with a blind side willy.

You are right, it doesn't have to be in your hand to be in your possession, but it must be separated to show possession. Not specifically spelled out, but it looks to be written in such a way to blanket the trip out of the field, in your truck, etc. Sort of like group limits I guess.

I work with one of the areas top GW's. I also hunt on a regular basis with him. Treat him with respect and follow thhe law he is your best friend. Hell, he even understands things happen. But cop an attitude and he will make it real uncomfortable for you. These guys approach evryone they encounter with the same respect that they would like to be showed. They also know that we are all armed, heavily. To say a few bad apples have ruined it for everyone with persuading their attitude would be an understatement.

Alright then I guess we need to push the BS button if nobody can post up the law where the ducks must be separated.

I don't believe it is a violation of law to pile the birds. If I can specifically tell the warden I shot this one, that one ect. Then I don't believe a law has been broken.

When guiding I used wire ties to tie the limits for each hunter. I would ask them to put them next to them in the boat. I got stopped twice and the warden stated "We like it when you do that, it makes it easy for us". He didn't say "I am glad you followed the law".

So until the link to that specific law is posted I am going with "Not against tthe law".

"They want" and law are two different things.

It seems pretty clear to me. If you are hunting with 3 people and there are 10 birds in a pile, the GW pulling up can not tell who is in possession of which bird. Maybe someone shot a mottled duck and it's opening morning. The burden of proof is on you to show that you are in compliance with the regulations, not the GW to figure out who has what. Maybe I'm missing something?

so you believe in guilty until proven innocent. Nice.

thats the american way isnt it?

Then go about your business. It won't pizz any of us off just because you're hard headed. If you want to possess your limit and someone elses at the same time, then more power to you.



We got ourselves a bad arse here folks, watch out

me too

I too allow the other person's demeanor to control my level of professionalism when doing my job.