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Attracting ducks with gravel
#6400891
08/09/16 09:48 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
dockhigh
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18 |
Had and old Outfitter from Louisiana tell me today that the secret 2 attracting ducks legally is to put a load gravel or coarse sand into your pond. Is this something anybody has ever tried. I know I have shot hundreds of ducks in gravel pits over the years so it kind of makes sense.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6400904
08/09/16 09:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
dockhigh
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18 |
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6401380
08/10/16 02:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037
Greekangler
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Few hundred pounds of corn works much better
Take a kid Huntin
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6401441
08/10/16 03:27 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
woodduckhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447 |
have shot a lot of specks and snows in a gravel pit with no water in Louisiana, found white creek bed type sand in the gizzard of a lot of woodducks, a lot of small pebbles in other ducks. have also drove up on 200+ mallards lined up on a gravel road in north Dakota not anywhere close to a feeding field or water(only thing I can think of that theyd be doing). would it work? maybe. for what it would cost and what not, why not just grow grain?
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6401443
08/10/16 03:28 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
woodduckhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447 |
birds do have to have "grit" or small rocks in their gizzard to digest food, but it can be found too easy in MOST places for them to be that attracted to it IMO
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6401915
08/10/16 03:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849
Boudreaux
Tracker
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Tracker
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Posts: 849 |
Be careful how you place the gravel for waterfowl. It can be considered as baiting depending on how it is set.
For instance, there is a piece of property that I hunted a lot when I was younger. It has a flooded gravel pad that was placed there to draw in ducks and geese. They came in there every year. Per the GW, we were not allowed to hunt within a certain distance of the pit because it was considered baiting. But, it was strategically placed so that the birds would fly from the roost to the pit and give the hunters the best shot.
Stickin' gills and Stackin' bills
In a world of compromise..... some dont....
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6401970
08/10/16 03:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 246
dune2218
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 246 |
I tried that same theory on dove,, since they were always on the road eating gravel, spent $500 on 2 trucks loads of gravel --------------------- it was a great theory, but it didnt work,,,,, they are still on the road, but not on the gravel I put down. beats me.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Boudreaux]
#6401984
08/10/16 03:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,067
mattyg06
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Be careful how you place the gravel for waterfowl. It can be considered as baiting depending on how it is set.
For instance, there is a piece of property that I hunted a lot when I was younger. It has a flooded gravel pad that was placed there to draw in ducks and geese. They came in there every year. Per the GW, we were not allowed to hunt within a certain distance of the pit because it was considered baiting. But, it was strategically placed so that the birds would fly from the roost to the pit and give the hunters the best shot. I would have to hear this one from a GW personally or see something official in writing. I have a hard time believing gravel is considered 'feed'.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: mattyg06]
#6402104
08/10/16 05:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
grit/gravel, etc is right there under baiting rules.... maybe harder to prove, but still considered baiting.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: kweber]
#6402174
08/10/16 05:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
grit/gravel, etc is right there under baiting rules.... maybe harder to prove, but still considered baiting. Along with salt
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6402197
08/10/16 05:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,067
mattyg06
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I stand corrected. I actually just by coincidence ate with a game warden and asked him. He said yes gravel is considered bait. But I looked again at the definition on the TPWD and it refers to salt but I didn't see anywhere it says grit/gravel
Bait Salt, grain or other feed, directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6402204
08/10/16 06:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
woodduckhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447 |
I've never heard of anyone getting ticket for anything ridiculous pertaining to gravel/grit. pretty difficult one to prove, especially since all birds have to gave grit or pebbles in their gizzard to digest food and live. Not like busting a craw open and finding hen scratch in one. And for the time being, here in the United States, we are still innocent until PROVEN beyond doubt that you are guilty.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: woodduckhunter]
#6402723
08/10/16 10:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
key word is "attraction"... and Fed GWs, US Fish and Wildlife guys are probably not your friends when you meet them in the field.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: kweber]
#6402866
08/11/16 12:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933 |
See page 4, first paragraph. https://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.pdfProblem Areas Feeding Waterfowl and Other Wildlife Many people feed waterfowl for the pleasure of bird watching. It is illegal to hunt waterfowl in an area where such feeding has occurred that could lure or attract migratory game birds to, on, or over any area where hunters are attempting to take them. The 10-day rule applies to such areas, and any salt, grain, or feed must be gone 10 days before hunting. The use of sand and shell grit is not prohibited.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Sniper John]
#6402909
08/11/16 01:05 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
SJ, hey go for it... we've had the Fed guys roll up and they treated us like Crips and Bloods... we don't need that drama... USFW are not hunter friendly....
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: kweber]
#6403678
08/11/16 05:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,146
Matpk
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,146 |
SJ, hey go for it... we've had the Fed guys roll up and they treated us like Crips and Bloods... we don't need that drama... USFW are not hunter friendly.... Such posts and threads always confuse me.Do the authorities abide by the law..Or their word of the mouth is law...
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Matpk]
#6403917
08/11/16 08:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
when the Fed guys hand out tickets (w/gusto) its you and the judge to finish it off... SO.. unless yer cuz is DA in such and such Co. they'll lighten yer back pocket... feed,seed,gravel/grit and salt(what?)(birds go for salt?)is baiting... period.... if the local judge is lieniant on out-of-town hunters(fat chance)there ya go...
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Sniper John]
#6404014
08/11/16 09:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,067
mattyg06
Veteran Tracker
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See page 4, first paragraph. https://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.pdfProblem Areas Feeding Waterfowl and Other Wildlife Many people feed waterfowl for the pleasure of bird watching. It is illegal to hunt waterfowl in an area where such feeding has occurred that could lure or attract migratory game birds to, on, or over any area where hunters are attempting to take them. The 10-day rule applies to such areas, and any salt, grain, or feed must be gone 10 days before hunting. The use of sand and shell grit is not prohibited. That make's it clear as snot doesn't it? The words grit/gravel aren't listed anywhere in any publication I can find that states that is illegal. I know the below articles are for dove and not duck... but I couldn't find anything specific on duck and gravel. Here is an article that advocates a good 'gravel shoot' http://www.chron.com/sports/outdoors/article/Doggett-Dove-hunting-over-sand-or-gravel-2071744.phpAnd here is an excerpt from a TPWD publication The ideal food plot is a 10- to 30-acre field that is located within a natural flyway and that has trees along each border, a water source near one of the sides and a graveled rock road next to one side Although this ideal situation may not be possible for every field, many of the attributes of an ideal food plot can be provided through proper construction and careful site selection. https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/dove_management/dove_management_texas.pdf
Last edited by mattyg06; 08/11/16 09:29 PM.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6404042
08/11/16 09:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849
Boudreaux
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849 |
I still think it goes back to the attraction part. I interpret that anything you introduce to an area intended for birds to eat, placed there to attract them, is considered baiting. Food plots don't fall under this unless they are altered by means other than standard agricultural practices such as shredding or discing.
Below is copied straight from TPWD, I bolded some areas. Notice where is says could . I interpret that as saying if they think its attracting the birds and you put it out, its baited. Up to interpretation from the GW
Bait-Salt, grain or other feed, directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.
Baited Area- Any area where salt, grain or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, if that salt, grain or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them. Any such areas will remain a baited area for ten days following the complete removal of all such salt, grain or other feed.
Baiting -The direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them.
Last edited by Boudreaux; 08/11/16 10:01 PM.
Stickin' gills and Stackin' bills
In a world of compromise..... some dont....
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6404084
08/11/16 10:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933 |
The "use of sand and shell grit is not prohibited" is a direct quote from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife document found on page 4, first paragraph. It was not my opinion. Not my words. I only highlighted and underlined it in my original post because that was the topic of the discussion. https://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.pdf"Many people feed waterfowl for the pleasure of bird watching. It is illegal to hunt waterfowl in an area where such feeding has occurred that could lure or attract migratory game birds to, on, or over any area where hunters are attempting to take them. The 10-day rule applies to such areas, and any salt, grain, or feed must be gone 10 days before hunting. The use of sand and shell grit is not prohibited. "It is also mentioned on this website with the same wording. https://www.fws.gov/le/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.html
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Sniper John]
#6404092
08/11/16 10:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485 |
See page 4, first paragraph. https://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.pdfProblem Areas Feeding Waterfowl and Other Wildlife Many people feed waterfowl for the pleasure of bird watching. It is illegal to hunt waterfowl in an area where such feeding has occurred that could lure or attract migratory game birds to, on, or over any area where hunters are attempting to take them. The 10-day rule applies to such areas, and any salt, grain, or feed must be gone 10 days before hunting. The use of sand and shell grit is not prohibited. That settles that.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: mattyg06]
#6404105
08/11/16 10:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,485
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 35,485 |
I stand corrected. I actually just by coincidence ate with a game warden and asked him. He said yes gravel is considered bait. It's amazing how much they are wrong.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6404157
08/11/16 11:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933 |
In Federal Waterfowl regs "Sand and Shell Grit" is clearly stated to be legal to hunt over. Salt is clearly stated to not be legal. If you buy Grit to put out and hunt over, look at the ingredients. It may have halite or Sodium Chloride aka Salt in it. If you use cheap Road Grit it is going to have some form of salt in the mix. Not all grit is "sand or shell grit" either. Lets look at one storebought grit product. http://www.morningbirdproducts.com/product_pigeongrit.html INGREDIENTS: Limestone Oyster Shell Salt Zinc Oxide Iron Oxide Monocalcium Phosphate Dicalcium Phosphate Calcium Carbonate Sodium Chloride Mineral Oil Sodium Selenite Zinc Oxide Manganous Oxide Ethylemerdiamine Dihygrodide Ferrous Carbonate Copper Oxide Cobalt Carbonate Calcium Periodate ANALYSIS: High in mineral content. It does contain Salt, but also note the words "high in mineral content" Another commonly used name for grit is "mineral grit". From TPWD Annual Public Hunting Lands definitions. http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/annual_public_hunting/need-to-know/#definitionsBaiting - The placement of minerals, vegetative materials, or other food substances used as an attractant for wildlife. Though the wording was likely put in place related to Deer hunting, placement of minerals on APH public hunting lands is clearly stated to be Baiting on state APHP units. Most grit could be called a mineral or containing minerals. So lets look now at the statewide migratory game bird regulations. http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/migratory-game-bird-regulations/If you open the links for Definitions and Methods, TPWD migratory game bird regulations mirror Federal regulations therefore does not define grit as bait or hunting over grit as prohibited. So private land, you may or may not be able to use grit that is free of salt because you can't always use common sense with Hunting regulations. I would suggest writing the appropriate authority for where and what you want to do regarding setting up a bird grit area and get it in writing or printable email first.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: dockhigh]
#6404175
08/11/16 11:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,933 |
Then there is the topic of using yellow painted gravel. Or fake ears of corn. Or a big photo silhouette of a pile of corn placed on the ground.
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Re: Attracting ducks with gravel
[Re: Sniper John]
#6405228
08/12/16 04:44 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,932
RLoving1
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How about if a place was baited so you stayed away from it but does it state how far you have to stay clear of baited area? I like flyways and natural water sources for dove myself.
Brayden (Lazy L's Southern Comfort) you will be missed! You were more than a pet you were my reason to rise and return for many days! You were my rock! 12/26/03-10/25/13
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