Texas Hunting Forum

Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night

Posted By: Guy

Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:11 AM

New to the forum, my 1st post, my gut tells me it will be a controversial one.

Is it just me, or is anyone else out there tired of duck hunters leaving their decoys out over night to reserve a hunting spot on PUBLIC LAND? Wouldn’t Texas be better off with a law against this? Many states have already passed states wide laws on this, and serious, well managed Texas public hunting spots in Texas have done the same, and for good reasons.

I have seen where hunters have left their decoys out all week reserving their spot, and without a law against it, why not, many hunters obviously ask? I have gotten to spots with decoys there and passed over it thinking someone would show up, and they never did. A couple of weeks ago, a bud and I went out early morning, looked at a spot, no flashing lights, looked opened, so we tracked there unloaded our stuff, just to look up after throwing out a few decoys only to see other decoys everywhere. We said the heck with it, we are setting our decoys out anyway. After all, we have seen many hunters leaving there decoys there all week, how are we to know someone would show up? We flashed off 3 hunting groups that morning, before the last group that came strolling in 15 minutes before legal shoot claiming that was their spot, that’s their decoys. Is that right? Our law says it is. The little research I have done says I’m legal to set my decoys out in my favorite spot all season on public land that does not state otherwise, which is the case in most places. Not right in my book. What do you think about this matter?

Guy

Posted By: fowlplayr

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:35 AM

I have never heard of anyone doing this, especially in what sounds like a high pressure area. I definitely agree with you that it's not morally right to do something like that. I guess there IS a turd in every sandbox.

As for them pulling up 15 mins. before legal shooting and claiming that is "THEIR" spot....I would probably tell them that's too bad and that they can pick up their dekes and go somewhere else, and advise them not to be so lazy as to leave their decoys out overnight just so they can sleep in a few extra minutes.

Don't worry, sooner or later they'll pull up and their decoys will be gone. I would imagine the only reason they haven't been taken so far is because the majority of us hunters are responsible and respectable enough not to do this, but eventually, one of their own kind stroll along. Bad thing is, they probably won't even leave a Thank You note for the free decoys.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 04:10 AM

I agree, there should be a law against it. Unfortunately in TX there is no state wide law prohibiting the practice unless you consider it littering. Some of the Texas WMA's have adopted regulations prohibiting the practice because of the number of conflicts that have arisen, I am not aware of any Corps of Engineer lands that prohibit the practice.

Welcome to the forum green horn guy, you will probably get a lot of feedback on this one.

Posted By: wal1809

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 07:46 AM

He is right. When they loose $200.00 bucks in decoys you won't have to worry about it.

Posted By: sig1921

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 01:36 PM

IMO, they are free game if no one shows up to claim them. .....I got zzbutler interested in duck hunting last year, and lo' and behold one morning at a public spot there were a dozen dekes, bag, and chair already there covered in ice from the previous night. When no one showed up by 10am to claim them, he became proud owner of his first dozen dekes and a bag to carry them out, and i took the chair.


One of the WMA i hunted in OK, had a rule that you could not leave out decoys or put decoys in at night for a morning hunt. If you did, they were free game.

Posted By: Skybuster05

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 02:35 PM

I actually had the same thing happen to me, with the exception that when the guy got there we just paired up and hunted the same spot. I understand it does'nt allways work out that way but sometimes it does. Oh and yes I had my eyes set on gathering some extra decoys. haha

Posted By: bownut

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 02:54 PM

It's not right to expect your public spot to be held just because you leave your decoys out over night. I don't have a problem hunting over somebody's spread. but to pick there decoys up and claim them makes you a common theif. 90% of the time they left their stuff out to claim the spot, but there is that other 10%. example. Last year when we had that cold weather around thanksgiving my partner fell in. we hunted the rest of the morning. around 10 a.m. when he turned blue and started slurring his words it was time to go. we didn't realize what shape he was in till we got him in the boat. We took of for the ramp and truck and left all our stuff out there. I went back the next day to pick up. If I were to arrive and my stuff was gone or somebody was picking it there might have been a six foot hole dug. food for thought when your picking up somebody's decoys.
mike

Posted By: txwinghunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:36 PM

Guy, I completely agree with you on this!! Last year a cousin and I pulled in to this cove and we never flashed off. we continued to this high grass area right at the waters edge and stopped the boat. We get out and spotlight arounf to double check things. Everything looked ok as we were throwing our deeks. After all this work and getting the boat pulled into the grass, we're just about to pull the blind over and here comes this idiot blowing in with his airboat and his clients (damn guides). We flash him repeatedly and he continues to run in our path. He gets right on our deeks and just runs them over (purposefully) and fantails us with water. He dropped of his clients about a 50 yds directly behind us and tore ass out again down shore. As he is walking up the shore we ask what his problem was. He asked us the same, we get into this argument as to why he just acted like a total ass. He said we are a bunch f-ing idiots to not see his deeks in the water. When we asked where they were, he started mouthing even more. So we spot where he dropped his clients and there they were, sitting in some small grass. We told him this was public land and its first to position,first to hunt. He seen it differently. He told us he was out at 2 that morning putting out deeks. He had just went back home to eat breakfast (yeah right) It looked like they had been "left" during the week. Well he was not going to pick up and it started to get heated so we turned a cheek and picked up. That "guide" told us the birds weren't going to even come where we were anyway. So why in the hell is he only a 50 yds behind us then. Go figure. Sorry for the long post, but thought I would just share a little.

Posted By: Luke SkyBlaster

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:41 PM

Total Total BS! Do what I do. Take the decoys, find the tallest tree and start chunking. Makes a great holiday picture. Nice tall pine tree with decoy ornaments hanging, that will get you in the holiday spirit. Leaving decoys out on public land marking territory is just plain lazyness and these people need to learn a lesson. Also the best time to duck hunt is usally right at shooting time. Why would you want to come in just 15 minutes before. I wish there could be some laws added for duck hunters hunting public lands.

1. No leaving decoys out over night!
2. Try to be in your hunting spot atleast 30 minutes before shooting time! I remeber 2 years ago hunting and some dick heads in an air boat came flying in 10 minutes before shooting time and went through the guys decoys down from me and I heard him yelling and screaming and actually shot at them. I personally think air boats on small lakes scares all the ducks away. Why would a duck want to stay there when these load noise makers come flying through every morning.
3. You must be atleast 200 yards from the hunters around you. This one really pisses me off! Last year no joke we had guys hunting 80yards from us. And they came in just 15minutes before shooting time. At one time I had a mallard drake come in that I couldn't shoot at because they were dead on my sights. People hunting close happened many of times to us on public lands. Where I hunt you can only come in by boat and everytime we have to sit there and flag people away trying to hunt close to us. Takes the fun out of hunting.
4. No shooting at ducks 100yards away. Opening day the people just down from me must have been on there first hunt. It didn't matter how far away the ducks were, they were shooting at them.

Maybe they need to teach this stuff in the hunter education coarse.

Posted By: Skybuster05

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:42 PM

Never thought of it that way, In my situation it worked out fine but I will definatley think about it next time. Maybe pull them up and leave on the ramp?

Posted By: 1187 supermag

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:45 PM

I don't think it's right to do this on public land. Heck even if it was I would be leary to leave my expensive equipment out for the taken. However, I've heard of people hiding their dekes in the bushes, etc. several yards away from the area they intended to hunt just to make the haul in a little easier. That to me is a little bit better of an idea.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:50 PM

The one situation I describe above started out very confrontational, I told the guy to pick-up his decoys and take them somewhere else, this is public property, and he can’t reserve his spot by leaving his decoys out over night. He refused to leave, said he has been leaving decoys out over night in that spot for 20 years and hunting guides do it all the time too, I said didn’t give a flying $%@!, I told him if I see his decoys out again I’m taking them. Then my buddy cooled me down and said let’s just all have a good hunt, so that is what we did. 11:00am, they pick-up their decoys and left, and I was just daring them to leave them there. This was the day after Thanksgiving, and guarantee you their intention was to leave them out over the whole holiday, reserving that spot. Another time, same area, about 2 weeks before, we walked in and saw decoys out and we passed up that spot and set-up about 300 yards away. This was a Friday afternoon hunt. These guys did show up, and after their hunt, they left their decoys there again. We were done hunting too and walked back with them and we asked them if they were worried about someone taking their decoys, and they said nope, they have been out there all week.

My point is that this is not right, and I sure wish Texas would pass a state wide law to ban this behavior like some other states have done. Taking their decoys is not the solution, Game Wardens writing tickets is. I was hoping this post would plant a seed that would grow into a law to ban this behavior.

Guy

Posted By: Luke SkyBlaster

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 03:59 PM

Who would you write on something like this to get a law passed? I can garranty you some day it would save a life and would be worth putting it as a law.

Posted By: 3ShotRock

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 04:19 PM

Sig1921,

Can I get my chair back, please!!

I agree if you leave them out you ar asking for trouble, I have never had this happen yet but when it does I don't think it's going to be pretty. We do need a law!!

Posted By: JohnWester

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 04:23 PM

I called Austin this morning to find out the laws reguarding this topic. Since I've never bought the $48.00 permit I was going in somewhat blind. The Law Enforcement individual I spoke with this morning was very helpful and interested herself as to the exact laws and regulations governing decoys left out overnight. Well come to find out the MAP BOOK that is handed out to you when you purchase the permit, states on the Map Page the laws that pertain to the area you are hunting. If it doesn't state, mention, describle in detail about decoys being left out on the body of land your hunting "IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL". As far as Corp. Lake are concerned you'll have to check with them to find out what there particular laws state. I think all Game Wardens will tell you "DUCKHUNTERS ARE THE MOST EXTREME HUNTERS THERE ARE" Up at 3:00 am, 19 degrees, sleet/snow, 25-30 MPH winds etc to do what most would consider insane. And some of these hunters would just assume kick your butt as to listen to you. I mentioned to the Warden this could and does pose a possible threat and is an incident waiting to happen. The Warden I spoke with this morning said that TPW is now working on the Laws and Regulations for next year and is going to bring this to the forefront for discussion for a possible change in the future. Hopefully the laws will change in the furture and put this monster to rest.


Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 04:52 PM

Good job John! See if you can use your contacts to get an e-mail address so we can flood their inbox demanding this new law. I feel like it is 3rd and goal, and we need to punch this in for a score. This will save lives, crazy duck hunters arguing 5:00 in the morning with loaded shotguns is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night *DELETED* - 12/09/05 05:16 PM

Post deleted by Sniper John

Posted By: zzbutler

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 05:40 PM

At least if there was a law it would be clear in a dispute of who was in the wrong.

Posted By: JohnWester

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 05:43 PM

John, well said. It takes the Wardens to do there part to make it work. The last time we saw a Game Warden in our area was when he took that district over and thats been years ago. That law would just keep the honest man honest.

Posted By: Quacker Attacker

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 06:01 PM

What about this - if you get to the spot and decoys are already out with no-one around then when it's shooting time --- target practice!!! Just kidding. There is a law on the books dealing with harrassing hunters. Coming from a law enforcement official (me) if I were called to the boat ramp and told about an air-boat driving thru a duck hunters decoy spread then I would charge the driver with harrassing hunters. Just make sure you get the registration number off the side of the boat or some other identifing marks. If you have a hand-held spot light, use it to light him up and get the numbers.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 06:04 PM

One thing my Dad always said, a lock just keeps the honest people out. But I’m sure glad we have locks. I agree with the comments above, especially zzbutler. The guy I was arguing with was insisting it was legal, I was arguing it wasn’t using my common sense of what is right and wrong, and I was shocked afterwards to find out he was right. There is a bunch of honest, rude people out there. I think a law would help big time.

Posted By: forthebirds

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 06:09 PM

Quote:

but to pick there decoys up and claim them makes you a common theif.



i am just cleaning the lake of trash left by other hunters, i also pick up hulls, zip locks, cell phones and tons of everything else. if i drive by a spot or i am out scouting and i run arcoss some decs i dont care but when i come back a few days later and thier still out thier trash but i still wait to see if sombodys going to claim them. now i dont pick up decs that much but if i see them out there for a week or two that is when i move them. when hunting public water your there first you win that spot, i have been flashed out of some of my holes that i was going to hunt but i was there on the water 2 hrs before light, so i just move to the next choice, you cant just hope that the one spot you found is going to be empty.

Posted By: Perkjerker

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/09/05 10:35 PM

I have had my fair share of run ins at WMA's and Texoma. While 90% of the hunters out there are law abiding ethical citizens the 10% are bad news and dont pay any attention to game laws or state laws. You best bet is to avoid the 10% if you confront them and move on. Get a good desciption of them and their mode of transportation and let the authorities handle the issue.

I ran across a old boy in Oklahoma that was an unsavory character while I was trying to teach a 11 year old to hunt ducks. Always takes a bigger man to walk away and that is great lesson to teach younger hunters.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/10/05 01:32 AM

Amen PerkJerker. Could not agree with you more. The 11 yr old learned an important lesson that day.

Posted By: fishon1017

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/10/05 09:23 AM

If hunters finish their hunt and leave without picking up their decoys, I wonder if a warden could get them on a "litering charge" Don't Mess with Texas. It should be the law that all decoy spreads have to be attended before sunrise. If you leave them out your just asking for trouble.

Posted By: JohnWester

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/14/05 02:56 PM

On the lakes that allow a temporary blind there is a 72 hour rule. In other words after 72 hours it has to be removed. I'm not sure why that rule would not apply to decoys. I'm sure a friendly letter,email, a copy of this post to Austin would not hurt and might give them a better understanding there is a need for a change in the rules/regulations reguarding this matter.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/14/05 05:58 PM

The process by the book is to send a letter to your state senator with your support for such a law. You can look up your state senator for your area at the following web site:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm, key in your address and select Senator from the drop down menu. It is important that ALL send a letter that believes in this, the idea is that they hear from all supporters.

I’m researching this and will follow up with the information when I have all the answers. I want to make it easy for everyone to send an e-mail to their Senator, so I’m trying to find one Senator we can send to. I have called my state senator’s office on this issue, and they said we all could send to my state senator’s office and they would forward on. However, each Senator typically specializes on certain issues, and I have requested for them to tell me which one handles Hunting issues. They though we should send our e-mails to the Senator Natural Resource Committee, I have a call into them and waiting to hear back. Also, earlier this week I send an e-mail to the TPWD. I wanted to get their thoughts on this, that we want to show our support as they are bring this issue to forefront for discussion of changes next year etc…My thought is that we send to the appropriate senator’s office, with a copy to the appropriate TPWD contact.

When I get more information, I will let you know. Let me know if you have a better idea, I’m no expert at this.

Posted By: nature boy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 02:19 AM

You should be able to tell if someone was there before you by the color of the water. If the water is muddy, chances are they where there, (if it was a guide who said he was there at first) Other than that i would say to bad.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 02:42 AM

You could start a PAC and a hire a couple of lobbyists to take the VP and a Supreme Court Justice on a duck hunting trip...never mind, that one has been done before.

But wait ! What if Tony & Dick had arrived at their favorite honey hole only to find someone else's dekes scattered all over the place. Then we would get that law passed

Posted By: nature boy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 02:56 AM

You know, i never though of that. Damn you are the brighest person i know.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 03:12 AM

I undertsand that the "Hammer" has some extra time on his hands, maybe we could enlist his help with funding the PAC

Posted By: nature boy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 03:18 AM

I have no idea who or what the "hammer" is. Please tell me so i can make sense of what you are talking about

Posted By: txcornhusker

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 03:23 AM

Ndhunter-You have to spell everything out for this cat. No joke! Hooked on phonics still isn't working for him!!!!

Posted By: nature boy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 03:27 AM

My friend, where have you been and thanks for the help.

Posted By: txcornhusker

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 03:31 AM

I've just been waiting around here for you to show back up! How have you been? See you haven't put a bullet in the brain pan yet(all the CU stuff)!

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/15/05 04:04 PM

"The Hammer" = former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.)

Posted By: TPWD

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 12/21/05 03:57 PM

Hello Forum,

Guy gave me a call yesterday about this issue and brought it to my attention. I work for TPWD and manage their legislative program at the Capitol and serve as a liason between the department and the Legislature.

After speaking with Guy I started to do a little checking and we are in the process of trying to determine if this change could be achieved through an act of the Commission through a rules change or do we have to have a piece of legislation filed and passed by the Legislature.

When I was talking with Guy on the phone I was somewhat skeptical that the Department could achieve this fix on it's own without legislation, but now we may be able to submit a new rule or change in April for adoption in August and the prohibition on leaving decoys out overnight on public land could be in place for the 2006 season.

I would suggest that 1)you write your local senator and representive and ask them for their support in seeking a rules change from TPWD on this issue. Ask for a response, remember they work for you. If it is determined that we cannot do this by rules change, The Dept. will let your senator and rep know and we would suggest legislation that would accomplish this goal.

2) Copy your letter to the Senate Natural Resources Committee, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711 and the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768. These committees are the oversight committees in charge of TPWD. All legislation affecting TPWD usually goes through these two committees.

3) Send a copy to TPWD, Regulations Committee, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744

4) Stay up to date on the Commission's agenda in August and come by the commission meeting and testify in favor of the requested action you desire.

Hope this helps!

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 04:38 AM

I see that you still have the same strong feelings about leaving dekes out on public land

You need to resurrect your legislative agenda, you got my vote

Posted By: ducknbass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 12:43 PM

Are we beating a dead horse yet?

Posted By: Sethfish

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 01:59 PM

DECOYS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS YOU TO BE ON AND USE PUBLIC PROPERTY. YOU GUYS ARE ALL A BUNCH OF DECOY RACISTS. IT'S ABOUT TIME THE DECOYS WERE TREATED BETTER, NO MORE BEING CRAMPED IN A MESH BAG FOR MONTHS ON IN JUST TO BE TOSSED IN COLD WATER EARLY IN THE MORNING, HAVING WEIGHTS TIED TO THEM SO THEY CANNOT RUN FREE, TODAY I AM MAKING A STAND FOR THE RIGHTS OF PLASTIC WATERFOWL.

Posted By: birddog14

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 02:11 PM

try the Chewbacca defense that they used on South Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_Defense

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 02:43 PM

What memories, this was my first ever post on the THF!! I joined the THF just to make this post, in hopes of planting a seed that would grow into a ban of this practice. I sent my letter to my state rep, I should do some online petition like CHC did in the “open” forum.

Posted By: dogcatcher

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 03:04 PM

Quote:

What memories, this was my first ever post on the THF!! I joined the THF just to make this post, in hopes of planting a seed that would grow into a ban of this practice. I sent my letter to my state rep, I should do some online petition like CHC did in the “open” forum.




You did one heck of a great job on this one, you sure you are not a lobbyist? Just kidding, but you really got a ball rolling on this issue.

Posted By: Sethfish

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 03:18 PM

Quote:

Quote:

What memories, this was my first ever post on the THF!! I joined the THF just to make this post, in hopes of planting a seed that would grow into a ban of this practice. I sent my letter to my state rep, I should do some online petition like CHC did in the “open” forum.




You did one heck of a great job on this one, you sure you are not a lobbyist? Just kidding, but you really got a ball rolling on this issue.





the response should not surprise you as Duck Hunters we care more about the total sport, population number, whether to take only male birds, enviromental conditions, etc. We care a whole lot more than deer hunters, or turkey hunters, or quail hunters..

Posted By: chrisboc

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 04:35 PM

I just wanted to cover all the different places this is being discussed. I'm glad someone from TPWD has noticed it if that's for real.

If I show up and they are already out I will just add mine to the spread, wait for the confrontation, somebody will get pissed, somebody will get shot, etc..

Any of you guys that really think that this is ok on public waters are crazy. I know everyone of you would be pissed if you walked into this situation. Even the holier than thou group.

We should all know better.

Private pond yes. Public lake no.

We all know the rules. Whoever shows up first gets the spot. MAN LAW!!!!!!

I for one have really seen enough of this stupid conversation.

Posted By: Sethfish

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 04:57 PM

Easy there Chris. We have to set up our decoys the night before. It takes two or three hours to thether all those pen raised live mallards to the anchor posts. Check the knots so they don't fly away. It is really heartbreaking when you come the next morning and see Guy and TexasHeat walking out with all your decoys on the strap.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 05:13 PM

Quote:

I just wanted to cover all the different places this is being discussed. I'm glad someone from TPWD has noticed it if that's for real.



It is for real. Send me a PM and I will send you his contact info, you can talk to him yourself. I did a lot of networking to find him, and he spent a lot of time talking to me about it on the phone. He was very supportive, you could tell he really liked his job. He originally said I could post his name and contact info on the THF, and have people send him letters. But then the next day, he signed up to the THF and made his own post, to my surprise, he probably later thought it would be best to direct mail to our legislators vs him. I have yet to run into a situation where hunters leave their deeks out over night this year, when I do I will move on to the next spot and let the duck gods take care of them, which they will!

Quote:

If I show up and they are already out I will just add mine to the spread, wait for the confrontation, somebody will get pissed, somebody will get shot,



I hope you don't really mean that, it would be a good way to ruin your life over a duck. I got bent sideways over it, and realized after it was done that I was not smart. I leanred my lesson.

Posted By: TexasHeat

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 05:25 PM

F em......... I love confrontation!
You want to be a P R I C K and setup on top of me, sky bust and blow your kazoo or leave decoys out you can rest assured I will say something you might not want to hear! If said person wants to play Billy Jack............BRING IT!

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 05:45 PM

Playing Billy Jack is one thing, guns is another! Think about your kids and maybe you will realize I’m right. I think you should say something to these types, but it is just smart to avoid confrontation when guns are involved.

All you Deek-Leaver-Outers, see what you’re dealing with? Pick up your deeks man! While you're still alive!

Posted By: chrisboc

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 06:20 PM

It was a hypothetical story.

Basically describing how things get out of hand.

TH, me you and Seth have got to go hunting. We will have a blast!!

By the way, is anyone going to be leaving some Gadwall or Widgeon dekes out overnight. Seth shot all of mine thinking he had a good skillet shot lined up.

Posted By: Quackbangsplash

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 06:31 PM

Wow! Some of y'all need some anger management classes! Let's kill ducks and not each other. We'll need the votes come next election time!

Posted By: chrisboc

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 07:20 PM

I think the ones that are leaving the dekes out are the votes we don't need anyway.

I do not condone the senseless shooting of fellow duck hunters.

I was just stating that a few tend to take this sport very seriously and things can get silly really quick when guns come into the picture.

Posted By: Gdogg

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:13 PM

"While 90% of the hunters out there are law abiding ethical citizens the 10% are bad news and dont pay any attention to game laws or state laws."

The 10% that fall into this catgory are making things miserable for all others in many ways. I have been duck hunting public water for 15 years now and am blown away how things have changed. A duck hunt on public water now begins with "ramp rage", followed by an all out race to the hunting spot. During the race you get spotlighted by every hunter regardless of which direction your headed and then verbally assaulted even though you were the first one there. After that, all the hunters seem to migrate to the same spot until the entire area has a decoy spread every 50 yards. As legal shooting time approaches, the kazoos begin blowing in all directions, followed by the hunter who blasts three shots 5 minutes before shooting time. Then you get settled in, sit back and enjoy skyblast after skyblast. After you have seen enough, it's time to pickup the decoys and get ready for tomorrow's hunt. Sorry, after reading all this, the 10 years of public hunting frustration just came out. Damn I feel better!! See you on the water in the morning.

Posted By: TexasHeat

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:38 PM

I hear ya Gdogg

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:42 PM

Wow Gdogg, that kind of sounds depressing. You know, hunting public is really not that bad. I have been hunting a high pressure area this season, and it really has not been that bad. On opening day, there was a lot of hunters, but everybody kept their distance. And amazing, I did not even hear one person call on open day!

The following Sunday, a lot less hunters. I went on the next Wednesday, I was the only one there. I went the next Sunday, got there at 4:30, I was the only one there. Other hunters showed up later, but never saw them, just heard the gun shots.

Open day, there was some skybusting, but not to bad. Cheer up guys! Let’s have a nice and safe hunt this weekend!

Posted By: Quackbangsplash

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:46 PM

Quote:

A duck hunt on public water now begins with "ramp rage", followed by an all out race to the hunting spot. During the race you get spotlighted by every hunter regardless of which direction your headed and then verbally assaulted even though you were the first one there. After that, all the hunters seem to migrate to the same spot until the entire area has a decoy spread every 50 yards. As legal shooting time approaches, the kazoos begin blowing in all directions, followed by the hunter who blasts three shots 5 minutes before shooting time. Then you get settled in, sit back and enjoy skyblast after skyblast. After you have seen enough, it's time to pickup the decoys and get ready for tomorrow's hunt. Sorry, after reading all this, the 10 years of public hunting frustration just came out. Damn I feel better!! See you on the water in the morning.




Ahhh...Now that's what I call therapy! See you on the water!

Posted By: Quackbangsplash

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:47 PM

Quote:

Wow Gdogg, that kind of sounds depressing. You know, hunting public is really not that bad. I have been hunting a high pressure area this season, and it really has not been that bad. On opening day, there was a lot of hunters, but everybody kept their distance. And amazing, I did not even hear one person call on open day!

The following Sunday, a lot less hunters. I went on the next Wednesday, I was the only one there. I went the next Sunday, got there at 4:30, I was the only one there. Other hunters showed up later, but never saw them, just heard the gun shots.

Open day, there was some skybusting, but not to bad. Cheer up guys! Let’s have a nice and safe hunt this weekend!




Guy, that sounds like a great place! Can I get you GPS coord.?

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:52 PM

Quote:



Guy, that sounds like a great place! Can I get you GPS coord.?




Ok, here it is, don't tell anyone.
32_45’50.62N, 96_48’32.88W

Posted By: Gdogg

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 09:59 PM

Looks like Plan B!!

Posted By: Turtle

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 10:36 PM



Posted By: Sethfish

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/17/06 11:08 PM

Quote:

There is a very simple solution to all this, it had gone on for years and years with trot lines, duck blinds, and marked fishing holes. I do not leave things out but know guys who do at their own risk.

The solution came form a GW, get yourself a handfull of Bus. Cards for the local TPWD, write a note on the back that says Pick them up or I will, zip tie it to the head of a Deek....they will be gone the next time you go out.




I did that and then watched those jokers hunt the area, the ducks loved the zip ties and the TPWD card, a friend of mine who happens to be a mallard explained to me that they feel more comfortable coming into TPWD decoys than say some from Bass Pro or Cabelas.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:36 AM

Guy

I think TreeBass had a question about leaving decoys out.

Posted By: Team Hillbilly

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:43 AM

Hummm We diggin up old bones now

Posted By: TreeBass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:44 AM

Quote:

Guy

I think TreeBass had a question about leaving decoys out.




LOL, thanks for the thread...didn't mean to start anything

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:47 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Guy

I think TreeBass had a question about leaving decoys out.




LOL, thanks for the thread...didn't mean to start anything



You guys crack me up!

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:52 AM

I broke it out a little early this year

it is always a crowd pleaser

Posted By: Team Hillbilly

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:53 AM

Guy I wondor how often the deeks need painting after being left out day after day

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 01:08 PM

Maybe you could drop a line to your contact TPWD and see if he could post an update regarding status for proposed rule change. Have you talked to him recently?

Posted By: TreeBass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:11 PM

Interesting read...lots of good comments, and some that should not be voiced. Thanks for bringing this back up..

Posted By: WhiskeyandMe

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 02:26 PM

Decoys left out over night on lakes will be taken up....

They seem to disappear!

J.J.

Posted By: bhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 04:19 PM

question; do they sink when there full of holes?

Posted By: TreeBass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 04:28 PM

Quote:

question; do they sink when there full of holes?




Good question, might have to find out this year..on Aggiehunter00's of course

Posted By: Hopedale

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 05:54 PM

Quote:

Total Total BS! Do what I do. Take the decoys, find the tallest tree and start chunking. Makes a great holiday picture. Nice tall pine tree with decoy ornaments hanging, that will get you in the holiday spirit. Leaving decoys out on public land marking territory is just plain lazyness and these people need to learn a lesson. Also the best time to duck hunt is usally right at shooting time. Why would you want to come in just 15 minutes before. I wish there could be some laws added for duck hunters hunting public lands.

1. No leaving decoys out over night!
2. Try to be in your hunting spot atleast 30 minutes before shooting time! I remeber 2 years ago hunting and some dick heads in an air boat came flying in 10 minutes before shooting time and went through the guys decoys down from me and I heard him yelling and screaming and actually shot at them. I personally think air boats on small lakes scares all the ducks away. Why would a duck want to stay there when these load noise makers come flying through every morning.
3. You must be atleast 200 yards from the hunters around you. This one really pisses me off! Last year no joke we had guys hunting 80yards from us. And they came in just 15minutes before shooting time. At one time I had a mallard drake come in that I couldn't shoot at because they were dead on my sights. People hunting close happened many of times to us on public lands. Where I hunt you can only come in by boat and everytime we have to sit there and flag people away trying to hunt close to us. Takes the fun out of hunting.
4. No shooting at ducks 100yards away. Opening day the people just down from me must have been on there first hunt. It didn't matter how far away the ducks were, they were shooting at them.

Maybe they need to teach this stuff in the hunter education coarse.





Can't imagine leave equiment out in the field and expect to see it again. Are there any more rules of etiquette someone new the sport of duck hunting should know? I am new to the sport and don't want to mess with someone's hunt. Time to get in the field is to tough to come by.



Posted By: auto

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 08:21 PM

Texas wing, must have been talking about Dale BestWiener. Classic move from that no talent azz clown. My favorite is cut those decoy lines, at let them float.

Posted By: FamousAmos

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/07 08:56 PM

We don't need a law! Too many on the books already!

We need other hunters to pick them up when they see them left overnight as litter! Enough of that will stop anyone from leaving decoys out overnight!

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 12:31 AM

Quote:

We don't need a law!




I wish I could agree with you

It sure seems like the TP&WD should be able to deal with the issue without throwing it over the fence into the politicians lap...getting harder and harder to tell one from the other these days.

Posted By: Camoquackhead

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 01:10 PM

JMO--If you found, lets say their used soda bottles or water bottles floatin around, you could legally keep them on the presumption that they were discarded, right? Well, why don't you just pick em up & get you a few dozen freebies? "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought these were trash left behind." Worst case is the jerk off gets his dekes back, but now has to replace his spread elsewhere, best case, you just doubled your dekes!!!!

Posted By: FamousAmos

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 01:14 PM

Exactly! There are enough laws already on the books to take care of this problem!

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 01:40 PM

Quote:

JMO--If you found, lets say their used soda bottles or water bottles floatin around, you could legally keep them on the presumption that they were discarded, right? Well, why don't you just pick em up & get you a few dozen freebies? "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought these were trash left behind." Worst case is the jerk off gets his dekes back, but now has to replace his spread elsewhere, best case, you just doubled your dekes!!!!



Here is the problem, you make a long trek to your spot because no one flashes you off, only to find decoys in your spot, whether you shoot his decoys, throw them in the tree, take them or whatever, you hunt that spot and you run the very high risk of that guy coming in right before legal starting crap. I know we got a lot of Billy Jack tough guys on here that love confrontation 15 minutes before legal shoot time, but not me, I’m there to relax and shoot ducks, so I will move on for now on. Now if they make it a law, I will stay, and stand up for my legal right, even call the GW if needed. Otherwise, we are arguing about etiquette, I’ll do that here on the forum, but not 15 minutes before legal with some guy that most likely could care less about etiquette.

Posted By: Camoquackhead

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 01:52 PM

That's true, I guess I didn't think about it from that angle.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 02:02 PM

Quote:

Exactly! There are enough laws already on the books to take care of this problem!




I would think there is a better way to deal with the problem than new legislation. But all of the methods mentioned above have been available since the beginning of time and the problem persists. The risk of loss associated with a $30 set of dekes has not proven to be much of a deterrent. Kind of like the cost of traffic cones, they are expendable.

Some of the locations that I hunt require permits. Those permits are usually accompanied with a set of rules or restrictions, just another bullet point on the set of rules works for me. Maybe we need to work the issue from the bottom up. If enough of the individual entities started including the rule maybe it would become a standard after a while. Just doesn't seem like a very efficient approach.

I guess first step is to convince folks that it is a problem.

Posted By: Gary Willmann

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 02:18 PM

Quote:

question; do they sink when there full of holes?



Probably, but I know they will float away after the lines have been cut.

Posted By: bhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 02:20 PM

couple of suggestions

1) go further away from civilization, spend the extra cash on gas and go to places further away
2) if you are going to hunt the local lakes within an hour drive time do the same thing, put dekes out earlier. fight fire with fire, life is tough deal with it.
3) hunt weekdays, if dekes are out you dont have to put yours out, 99% of the time most people cant hunt weekdays.

Posted By: TPWD

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 04:13 PM

The hardest thing to do is pass legislation against bad etiquette. Nine times out of ten, it is a judgement call to the person in charge of enforcing the law.

Most of the GW I know would pick up the decoys and declare them litter. Of course, that wouldn't help the situation that Guy was in when he made the original post a couple of yeares ago.

If it continues to become a major problem, then we need to do what ndhunter said, convince people it is a problem. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease.

I'll check with our regulations guy and see if anyone has been "squeaking" lately.

Posted By: FamousAmos

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 05:07 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Exactly! There are enough laws already on the books to take care of this problem!




I would think there is a better way to deal with the problem than new legislation. But all of the methods mentioned above have been available since the beginning of time and the problem persists. The risk of loss associated with a $30 set of dekes has not proven to be much of a deterrent. Kind of like the cost of traffic cones, they are expendable.

Some of the locations that I hunt require permits. Those permits are usually accompanied with a set of rules or restrictions, just another bullet point on the set of rules works for me. Maybe we need to work the issue from the bottom up. If enough of the individual entities started including the rule maybe it would become a standard after a while. Just doesn't seem like a very efficient approach.

I guess first step is to convince folks that it is a problem.




Well said! Best post on the thread!

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 05:21 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Exactly! There are enough laws already on the books to take care of this problem!




I would think there is a better way to deal with the problem than new legislation. But all of the methods mentioned above have been available since the beginning of time and the problem persists. The risk of loss associated with a $30 set of dekes has not proven to be much of a deterrent. Kind of like the cost of traffic cones, they are expendable.

Some of the locations that I hunt require permits. Those permits are usually accompanied with a set of rules or restrictions, just another bullet point on the set of rules works for me. Maybe we need to work the issue from the bottom up. If enough of the individual entities started including the rule maybe it would become a standard after a while. Just doesn't seem like a very efficient approach.

I guess first step is to convince folks that it is a problem.




Well said! Best post on the thread!



Yep, I agree 100%, does not have to be a new law, another rule on the permit works for me, just so when donut walks up at league and says that spot is his, at least I can say “no, you broke the rules by leaving your decoys out, you are in the wrong”. Today there is nothing that says they are wrong, other than just opinion. Plus, many folks when they see the rule will not do it. . That works for me, that would be a step in the right direction.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 05:22 PM

Quote:

The hardest thing to do is pass legislation against bad etiquette. Nine times out of ten, it is a judgement call to the person in charge of enforcing the law.

Most of the GW I know would pick up the decoys and declare them litter. Of course, that wouldn't help the situation that Guy was in when he made the original post a couple of yeares ago.

If it continues to become a major problem, then we need to do what ndhunter said, convince people it is a problem. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease.

I'll check with our regulations guy and see if anyone has been "squeaking" lately.



Thanks for checking in with us.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 06:51 PM

Thanks for your reply TPWD

Quote:

The hardest thing to do is pass legislation against bad etiquette.



State of Minnesota did it but I doubt it was an easy process. Seems like there was one other state that passed legislation prohibiting the practice.

Quote:

Most of the GW I know would pick up the decoys and declare them litter.



I have met GW's that considered them litter but never actually seen a GW carrying decoys on his person or in his truck. The GW's that do collect the abandoned decoys should be commended. I have talked to a GW that was on his way to take care of a blind that was on public property.
Quote:

I'll check with our regulations guy and see if anyone has been "squeaking" lately.



It seems like rules prohibiting the practice are becoming more prevalent at WMA's, that is a start. It may be the GW's that wind up squeaking the loudest if they get tired of dealing with the complaints and confrontations that are inevitable.

I just hope it doesn't take an act of violence to initiate action.

Posted By: TexasHeat

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 07:04 PM

It;s real simple folks. Remember when you where in school; some bullies try to take your lunch money, pick on you whatever. You recall how your fathers told you to handle it? Thats right, stand up for yourself and do not be a victim. Sure you might get a black eye but you made a stand and proved your point.
Same goes for the guy that leaves his decoys out all night. Odds are he has done it for years, unless someone stand up and tells him that aint going to fly he will keep doing it. Some of you folks I swear. Good fist fight at dark thirty yo get the blood pumping can be great. Lord knows I am not a mountain of a man but whats right is right and I WILL stand up for what is right.

Posted By: fastliberator

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 07:36 PM

TexasHeat, I agree with you, what is right is right, but now a days there are too many guys out there with no sack, they don't want to get into a fist fight you because they are worried they might get whipped, so they pull a gun. That is the bad part, you cant have a heated disagreement with someone without worrying about getting shot or something else. It is a sad truth.

It is hard for me to back down when I feel I am right. I dont want to fight, but dont mind doing it either. Problem is, you never know about the other guy. I got a wife and 3 kids to worry about now. There future depends on me, and if I get hurt or killed over some stupid decoys, well that is not much consolation for them. But, my wife knew me before she married me, so it would probably not be a complete shock to her. Still doesn't make it any easier to walk away.

AAWWW to heck with it, whip his butt! What is right is right.

Gone are the days of men settling disputes like gentlemen.

Posted By: auto

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 10:33 PM

Be quick on the draw.

Posted By: playoholic

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/07 10:33 PM

I can promise you one thing, when I show up sat morning if there are decoys there but no one to claim them, I will stack them up on a bank somewhere and go on about my hunt. On public land its first come for people, plastic decoys ain't no place saver. JMO. Man i get all jittery just thinkin about it, C'mon saturday at 7:30 me and the dog are READY.

Posted By: Beretta390

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/05/07 05:12 AM

New User here! (Long-time reader)

I'm a reasonably experienced duck hunter/college student that hunts with a few guys that are far beyond my knowledge and abilities.

However, while out with them Sunday morning we had a similar circumstance occur.

Saturday morning my buddies and I shot limits on a piece of public property down on the coast. He has hunted this spot for years and scouted it earlier in the week, and KNEW it was holding ducks. We made a special effort to get up earlier than normal to make sure we got our spot Saturday morning. After the successful hunt, there was a group of "men" that seemed to be almost waiting to see where the all of our shots were coming from.

Well, the next morning we do the same thing. Up at 4:15, carry the decoys & equipment in (in a VERY dense fog), get set up with about 45min to go until shooting time. Then 4 lights show up right at shooting time. We tried to flash them on, but had no luck. Then a guy yells "WTF are you doing in OUR spot?" We totally kept our cool, thinking the men were simply turned around in the fog. We informed them that we had been there for nearly 45 min and we had hunted there the morning before, so we thought they were mistaken on "their" spot. At this point it was obvious the guys were hammered from the night before. They said that they had put decoys out the afternoon before and it was "theirs" now. They then shined their lights on a small spread of decoys that we never even saw in the thick fog. They became more and more aggressive and wanted to actually FIGHT.

Fearing that we were going to be one of those stories in the Houston Chronicle, we picked up the 75 decoys we had out and left. At that point it was too late to get to another spot without disturbing other hunters in the area. So, we headed home.

Posted By: KevinT.

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/05/07 08:38 PM

Quote:

New User here! (Long-time reader)


Fearing that we were going to be one of those stories in the Houston Chronicle, we picked up the 75 decoys we had out and left. At that point it was too late to get to another spot without disturbing other hunters in the area. So, we headed home.




Not to stir the pot, but if is as said you should have stayed and had it out, basics in life we all seem to forget in todays civilized lifestyles.
What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong, bully's are loudest but seldom win when stood up to however drunks can kill you.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/05/07 11:02 PM

Hey Beretta390, thanks for the post and welcome to the forum, sorry to hear your situation, sounds worse than mine. This has happen to me twice, first time, per this thread, we just paired up and hunted together, I tried to run them off, they would not leave. Second time, last year, the other guys spread was about 50 yards down wind from me, his spread sucked, as ducks decoyed my spread (because he was down wind), he took passing shots at my ducks, including hitting a banded gadwall. We had a big argument before sun up, I called him every low life name in the book, told him it is guys like him that give ducks hunters a bad name, etc...

But it sounds like you ran into some real wacko's, you did the right think walking away from trouble like that, I don’t care what the Billy Jack wanabes say on here. But you should have reported them to the GW, sounds like a case of hunter harassment to me. Guys need to pay for their actions, but there has got to be a legal way to deal with this, and if they threatened you, you can take legal action as well.

Posted By: KevinT.

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/05/07 11:09 PM

Guy, I wasnt saying jump into a battle, but nothing makes them as upset as ignoring them. no one wants to get into a fight with guns around but heck if you pull up and set up then it is your spot to hunt, if they have deeks out you can move them or remove them your choice, if they get loud mouthed and you can take it ignore them they will go away with time.
I guess you could give in and move but doesnt seem right to me.
I know we have pulled up to our spot on several ocassions and someone is already there, we just move on to the next spot with no animosity or trouble, seems it should be the same on the other side of the fence.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/05/07 11:17 PM

Quote:

I guess you could give in and move but doesnt seem right to me.



Yes, I agree, that is why I said to call the GW, and if they threatened, you should take legal action. They need to pay.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/21/08 01:33 AM

bump for billymac

Posted By: billymac

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/21/08 06:04 PM

It sucks that this is such a grey area. The 10% that dont want to take the extra steps to do it the right way really mess it up for the rest of us. Thanks for bringing this post up.

Posted By: reeltexan

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/21/08 07:31 PM

There is no etiquette anymore, hunting or otherwise. True sportsmanship is a thing of the past. The rule of the day is "it's all about me". Welcome to century 21 where anything goes.

Posted By: Hopedale

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/21/08 10:33 PM

I'm throwning out the BS Flag on this one.

At the start of this thread in 2005 JohnWester posted:

"I called Austin this morning to find out the laws reguarding this topic. Since I've never bought the $48.00 permit I was going in somewhat blind. The Law Enforcement individual I spoke with this morning was very helpful and interested herself as to the exact laws and regulations governing decoys left out overnight. Well come to find out the MAP BOOK that is handed out to you when you purchase the permit, states on the Map Page the laws that pertain to the area you are hunting. If it doesn't state, mention, describle in detail about decoys being left out on the body of land your hunting "IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL". As far as Corp. Lake are concerned you'll have to check with them to find out what there particular laws state. I think all Game Wardens will tell you "DUCKHUNTERS ARE THE MOST EXTREME HUNTERS THERE ARE" Up at 3:00 am, 19 degrees, sleet/snow, 25-30 MPH winds etc to do what most would consider insane. And some of these hunters would just assume kick your butt as to listen to you. I mentioned to the Warden this could and does pose a possible threat and is an incident waiting to happen. The Warden I spoke with this morning said that TPW is now working on the Laws and Regulations for next year and is going to bring this to the forefront for discussion for a possible change in the future. Hopefully the laws will change in the furture and put this monster to rest."

Did the State Legislature ever address this and if so what was the out come?

Posted By: TexasEd

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/08 04:06 PM

I found the federal regulation against leaving personal property on Corps of Engineers land unattended.

Title 36, Chapter 111, Section 127.15

Most of the public lakes in Texas are probably COE owned.

Quote:

327.15 Abandonment and impoundment of personal property.
(a) Personal property of any kind shall not be abandoned, stored or left unattended upon project lands or waters. After a period of 24 hours, or at any time after a posted closure hour in a public use area or for the purpose of providing public safety or resource protection, unattended personal property shall be presumed to be abandoned and may be impounded and stored at a storage point designated by the District Commander, who may assess a reasonable impoundment fee. Such fee shall be paid before the impounded property is returned to its owner.
(b) Personal property placed on Federal lands or waters adjacent to a private residence, facility and/or developments of any private nature for more than 24 hours without permission of the District Commander shall be presumed to have been abandoned and, unless proven otherwise, such presumption will be sufficient to impound the property and/or issue a citation as provided for in Sec. 327.25.
(c) The District Commander shall, by public or private sale or otherwise, dispose of all lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property that comes into Government custody or control. However, property may not be disposed of until diligent effort has been made to find the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s). If the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s) are determined but not found, the property may not be disposed of until the expiration of 120 days after the date when notice, giving the time and place of the intended sale or other disposition, has been sent by certified or registered mail to that person at the last known address. When diligent efforts to determine the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s) are unsuccessful, the property may be disposed of without delay except that if it has a fair market value of $100 or more the property may not be disposed of until 90 days after the date it is received at the storage point designated by the District Commander. The net proceeds from the sale of property shall be conveyed into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.




So don't look for a hunting regulation to address this. If you are on COE land cite this regulation.

Posted By: billymac

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/08 10:46 PM

The 24 hour clause is the catch. How can one tell how long the decoys have been out there if you arrive in the morning? The GW told me not to hunt the decoys and set up somewhere else. If the person doesnt show up then you are just out of luck.

Posted By: billymac

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/08 10:51 PM

You might be able to use the resource protection clause to say the decoys left unattended can be a danger to wildlife. They might get tangled in the strings and weights.

Thanks TexasEd for looking that up. Cam you post a link to the entire article?

Posted By: TexasEd

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 03:24 AM

Billy, re-read it. It says you cannot leave anything unattended. [period] It is subject to impoundment after 24 hours. I believe those are two independent statements and that you don't have to wait 24 hours for it to be considered unattended.

I would bet this applies to trot lines as well.

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/ops/recnres/title36.pdf

Posted By: cable

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 03:56 AM

I will shoot them if I come across them. Don't be an a-hole...pick up your %@#! Besides, it's fun to blast a hog load clean through a deke and just leave it there floating with a baseball size hole in it

Seriously...no place for reserving public land- get out of bed earlier. Laziness is self destructive. I have spent the night next to the fire in the sleet each of the past two years...a confrontation would result if some chach showed up 15 min b4 legal and tried to tell me I was in his spot.

I will shoot your dekes- Cable

Posted By: Sabrinavonbach

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 10:04 AM

You cannot take, destroy or place his decoys in places he can't reach without legal consequences for yourself. You can, however, take up his decoys and neatly put them on high ground. He can't hunt and you have plausible deniability in the process, plus he will get the message. People who do stuff like this already have a few screws loose and confrontration with a nutcase is the last thing you need.

Posted By: ishootspoonies

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 12:38 PM

well, that settles it. Theres no law against it, I'll be saving my spot with dekes this year. If ya cant beat em, join em...

Posted By: Sethfish

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 12:45 PM

the law states that decoys left out without supervision of the owner as referenced above on coe lakes become the same as plastic coke bottles or other debris. I suggest when you find them alone in the wilderness to place them all in a trash bag and discard accordingly. One's man trash is another man's treasure has a whole new meaning.

Posted By: Sabrinavonbach

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 01:02 PM

Didn't say that. I said remove them and stack them nicely. You can give him ANY story you want including that you saved them from someone trying to steal them which is technically kinda true. It's a simple and easy solution.

Posted By: duckaholic

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/08 03:43 PM

after reading this, im really glad i hunt private land only. that sounds like a complete disaster.

Posted By: sig1921

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/24/08 12:54 AM

I guess if LSU's peeing in his waders thread resurfaces every year so will this one.

Posted By: JohnWester

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/24/08 02:39 AM

Quote:

I found the federal regulation against leaving personal property on Corps of Engineers land unattended.

Title 36, Chapter 111, Section 127.15

Most of the public lakes in Texas are probably COE owned.

Quote:

327.15 Abandonment and impoundment of personal property.
(a) Personal property of any kind shall not be abandoned, stored or left unattended upon project lands or waters. After a period of 24 hours, or at any time after a posted closure hour in a public use area or for the purpose of providing public safety or resource protection, unattended personal property shall be presumed to be abandoned and may be impounded and stored at a storage point designated by the District Commander, who may assess a reasonable impoundment fee. Such fee shall be paid before the impounded property is returned to its owner.
(b) Personal property placed on Federal lands or waters adjacent to a private residence, facility and/or developments of any private nature for more than 24 hours without permission of the District Commander shall be presumed to have been abandoned and, unless proven otherwise, such presumption will be sufficient to impound the property and/or issue a citation as provided for in Sec. 327.25.
(c) The District Commander shall, by public or private sale or otherwise, dispose of all lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property that comes into Government custody or control. However, property may not be disposed of until diligent effort has been made to find the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s). If the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s) are determined but not found, the property may not be disposed of until the expiration of 120 days after the date when notice, giving the time and place of the intended sale or other disposition, has been sent by certified or registered mail to that person at the last known address. When diligent efforts to determine the owner, heirs, next of kin or legal representative(s) are unsuccessful, the property may be disposed of without delay except that if it has a fair market value of $100 or more the property may not be disposed of until 90 days after the date it is received at the storage point designated by the District Commander. The net proceeds from the sale of property shall be conveyed into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.




So don't look for a hunting regulation to address this. If you are on COE land cite this regulation.




Hopedale to answer your question No I did not hear back from them and really didn't expect to and besides I'm sure some THINGS have changed in 3 years since this original post. However, in this years 2008-2009 PHL Map Booklet on page IX under "Prohibited Acts" and referring to CAMPING: it is PROHIBITED to (Along with additional regulations)
1:) establish a camp and leave it UNATTENDED for a period longer than 24 hours.
2:) establishes a camp for more than 14 consecutive days on the same unit of Public Hunting Lands, or for more than 21 days in a 30-day period.

Does it really address decoys left out over night? Hell No! But couldn't you consider leaveing decoys out unattended for more than 24 hrs Prohibited (is a decoy spread NOT CAMPING OUT)? And without a DISTRICT COMMANDER (EWWWWW) getting off his donut laiden A S S and driving out to HIS REGION DAILY "INFORCING SAID LAWS" who's to say how long the deeks have been there RIGHT? Whens the last time you've heard "DUDE MY DEEKS HAVE BEEN IMPOUNDED FOR BEING ABANDONED" I suspect you'll never hear it and until the LAW is written in Black and White, the guidelines for DECOY DEPLOYMENT for said period of time, it will still remain a grey area for us to BITCH about.

Posted By: killintime

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/24/08 10:57 AM

Set the decoys free, they belong floating.

Posted By: drewskie211

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/24/08 01:01 PM

I know that around some of the areas I have hunted, the game wardens or who ever is responsible for regulatory action, don't do a very good job. At one spot I scouted on Ray Rob(off of Lois Rd. in Sanger), the maintenance access gate was busted open, and people had been obviously driving all through the area. There were practically roads going through this place. I started to follow where these "roads" went to, and came across some highschooler passed out in his truck. I think that a game warden would have done something about this whenever he first saw that the gate was opened, but I guess he/she doesn't care, or doesn't visit the area.

Posted By: roadgoeson20

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/24/08 01:45 PM

Geez, are we still on this topic? I think its safe to say that we have established that it's a gray area and it comes down to your own etiquette, ethics and sense of responsibility. Sadly, alot of hunters don't have much and everyone's is a little different so there are always gonna be ruffled feathers.

Quote:

I know that around some of the areas I have hunted, the game wardens or who ever is responsible for regulatory action, don't do a very good job. At one spot I scouted on Ray Rob(off of Lois Rd. in Sanger), the maintenance access gate was busted open, and people had been obviously driving all through the area. There were practically roads going through this place. I started to follow where these "roads" went to, and came across some highschooler passed out in his truck. I think that a game warden would have done something about this whenever he first saw that the gate was opened, but I guess he/she doesn't care, or doesn't visit the area.




I think this is like anything else. Gamewardens are stretched thin just like any other LEO. alot of terrain to cover and lots of calls to make. I don't think a gamewarden would just let this go, but catching em in the act and driving by the next day are two entirely different things.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 07:57 PM

Originally Posted By: Guy
New to the forum, my 1st post, my gut tells me it will be a controversial one.

Is it just me, or is anyone else out there tired of duck hunters leaving their decoys out over night to reserve a hunting spot on PUBLIC LAND? Wouldn’t Texas be better off with a law against this? Many states have already passed states wide laws on this, and serious, well managed Texas public hunting spots in Texas have done the same, and for good reasons.

I have seen where hunters have left their decoys out all week reserving their spot, and without a law against it, why not, many hunters obviously ask? I have gotten to spots with decoys there and passed over it thinking someone would show up, and they never did. A couple of weeks ago, a bud and I went out early morning, looked at a spot, no flashing lights, looked opened, so we tracked there unloaded our stuff, just to look up after throwing out a few decoys only to see other decoys everywhere. We said the heck with it, we are setting our decoys out anyway. After all, we have seen many hunters leaving there decoys there all week, how are we to know someone would show up? We flashed off 3 hunting groups that morning, before the last group that came strolling in 15 minutes before legal shoot claiming that was their spot, that’s their decoys. Is that right? Our law says it is. The little research I have done says I’m legal to set my decoys out in my favorite spot all season on public land that does not state otherwise, which is the case in most places. Not right in my book. What do you think about this matter?

Guy


4th Anniversary bump

Posted By: cable

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 07:59 PM

LOL

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 08:04 PM

I am waiting on a poll

Posted By: Is That Good?

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 08:06 PM

well considering there aren't that many lakes where you can do that by the lakes standards I'm not sure it would be a relevant poll. There would have to be many stipulations to the poll...i.e.
time limits, location, number of deeks, etc.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 09:37 PM

Originally Posted By: Is That Good?
well considering there aren't that many lakes where you can do that by the lakes standards I'm not sure it would be a relevant poll. There would have to be many stipulations to the poll...i.e.
time limits, location, number of deeks, etc.


I don't know, seems simple to me:

Decoys may be deployed and left unattended in areas designated for public hunting? Y/N

or

Decoys may not be deployed and left unattended in areas designated for public hunting? Y/N


If the state would adopt one or the other and include it in the regulations I think it would help.

Posted By: Is That Good?

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 10:15 PM

I just ment for a poll on the forum here...people would be making up their own conditions and whatnot

Posted By: D.D.

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 10:19 PM

Just take all the decoys and tie them in a huge knot and either throw them on the bank nearby for quick retrieval when those guys get there or let the big knot float. Either way you dont want those guys out in your spread picking up their decoys ruining your hunting. Generally Ive seen mostly lazy people leave out there decoys. Ive got too much damn money in them for me to be leaving mine out.

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/22/09 11:36 PM

Originally Posted By: ndhunter
I am waiting on a poll

My polls are awesome!
banana

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 09/23/09 02:06 AM

Originally Posted By: Guy
Originally Posted By: ndhunter
I am waiting on a poll

My polls are awesome!
banana


LMAO

with a margin of error plus or minus 50%

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/11/10 03:16 AM

Annual reminder the Duck Gods will put a curse on your public hunting spot if they find dekes unattended. They know who you are.

Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/11/10 03:32 AM

Man, you bumped up an old one.

You ain't kidding. Not public, but I have a decoy on the pond of my hunting lease I have left out overnight for about 5 years now. Guess what, someone finally shot it from the road sometime during the summer.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/11/10 03:48 AM

someone?

are you sure, check for the burnt spots from the lightning bolt?

those snipe hood ornaments don't count anyways, they are not big enough to hold "your" spot on public land

Posted By: TXPride

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/11/10 04:27 AM

Well after 5 years and 13 pages worth of information.... I wasted a lot of time reading.

Would be interesting to see if people have noticed a decreased amount of decoys left out? I know of one area that always has decoys out during the season and always has for as long as I can remember.

Anywhere make progress?

Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/11/10 05:01 AM

I have seen more than one public hunting area in recent years with an actual published rule stating that leaving decoys out overnight is not allowed. up

I would name those areas for trivia, but that would just create 13 pages of another debate. hammer

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:00 PM

Originally Posted By: Sniper John
I have seen more than one public hunting area in recent years with an actual published rule stating that leaving decoys out overnight is not allowed. up

I would name those areas for trivia, but that would just create 13 pages of another debate. hammer


That is good news, and to think it started as one man's crusade against evil

Posted By: JohnWester

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:04 PM

Talk about pulling skelatons out of the closet.....whoa! Where the heck did this come from?

Posted By: ducknbass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:05 PM

wow

This one is classic

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:35 PM

Originally Posted By: JohnWester
Talk about pulling skelatons out of the closet.....whoa! Where the heck did this come from?


I bump it on annual basis lest we forget.

Posted By: ducknbass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:37 PM

lol

Posted By: bjepsen85

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 02:51 PM

Originally Posted By: ndhunter
Originally Posted By: Sniper John
I have seen more than one public hunting area in recent years with an actual published rule stating that leaving decoys out overnight is not allowed. up

I would name those areas for trivia, but that would just create 13 pages of another debate. hammer


That is good news, and to think it started as one man's crusade against evil


Yeah i called lake W the other day to ask a question about access and the gentleman told me don't leave decoy's over night. So I think there is some progress being made on the subject!

Posted By: E_ROC

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 06:38 PM

Ok well almost every year my best hunting buddies and i go out the evening before opening morning and set our spread then cook dinner drink some beer and sleep in the boat in the middle of the spread or on the edge of the water if it is legal. How do yall feel about that?

Posted By: ducknbass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/12/10 06:48 PM

If your sleeping on em. You did not leave em.

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/13/10 03:32 AM

Originally Posted By: Lonestar Duck Hunter
Ok well almost every year my best hunting buddies and i go out the evening before opening morning and set our spread then cook dinner drink some beer and sleep in the boat in the middle of the spread or on the edge of the water if it is legal. How do yall feel about that?


As long as you are not leaving them unattended on a public spot

Posted By: Old_School

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 03:14 PM

Deeks left on AHP land...

"Daddy, I keep shooting them but they won't die!"

"Keep at it son, they'll sink eventually"
coach

Posted By: TreeBass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 06:16 PM

just look for the flashing strobe light roflmao

Posted By: sptaylor

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 08:25 PM

Originally Posted By: TreeBass
just look for the flashing strobe light roflmao

rofl

Posted By: Moose K

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 08:54 PM

If you are willing to put out decoys and sit on your spot all night long, more power to you.

I'm just not that mad at them anymore. If it was going to be a mallard swat on some refuge in Missouri, I'd do it.

Around here for grey ducks and teal, no way Jose.

Posted By: nogeese

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 09:03 PM

well we are headed out at 3... and have about 150 deeks and 4 mojos so I think we can take a fair amount of shoreline with that set up smile

May put out some canada floaters for good measure!

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 10:10 PM

Originally Posted By: Moose K
If you are willing to put out decoys and sit on your spot all night long, more power to you.

I'm just not that mad at them anymore. If it was going to be a mallard swat on some refuge in Missouri, I'd do it.

Around here for grey ducks and teal, no way Jose.

You’re just jealous because you have to stay home and change diapers. rofl

Posted By: kdub

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/29/10 11:07 PM

I'm putting out lanterns, does that count?

Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/10 12:06 AM

Originally Posted By: kdub
I'm putting out lanterns, does that count?

What do you mean "count"? You mean if you leave your deeks out over night, but put out lanterns, does that count as leaving them out over night? I say no if you are sleeping in your boat, or blind, next to the deeks. But if you put your deeks out over night with lanterns , and leave them unattended, then yeah that is not right, IMO! It is good you put out the lanterns at least, that way hunters know to stay away and will not have their hunt ruined by not seeing your deeks and setting up too close if not right on top of you.

And if you do it, don’t say “Oh man, we set out deeks early and just went to get some breakfast”

Just man up and tell the truth “Hey, I set my deeks out over night so I could sleep in and reserve my spot from those that got there before me.” grin

Posted By: No Choke

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/10 01:11 AM

Guy, I got back from scouting a few hours ago with a buddy. Some guy had his deeks out already in a cove. His boat was parked on the opposite shoreline.
That's crazy...

Posted By: viatordp

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/10 02:14 AM

i drove by the local check in station and they already had 4 trucks in line and that was at 4pm 12 hrs before they let people go check in

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/16/11 03:48 AM

Originally Posted By: Guy
New to the forum, my 1st post, my gut tells me it will be a controversial one.

Is it just me, or is anyone else out there tired of duck hunters leaving their decoys out over night to reserve a hunting spot on PUBLIC LAND? Wouldn’t Texas be better off with a law against this? Many states have already passed states wide laws on this, and serious, well managed Texas public hunting spots in Texas have done the same, and for good reasons.

I have seen where hunters have left their decoys out all week reserving their spot, and without a law against it, why not, many hunters obviously ask? I have gotten to spots with decoys there and passed over it thinking someone would show up, and they never did. A couple of weeks ago, a bud and I went out early morning, looked at a spot, no flashing lights, looked opened, so we tracked there unloaded our stuff, just to look up after throwing out a few decoys only to see other decoys everywhere. We said the heck with it, we are setting our decoys out anyway. After all, we have seen many hunters leaving there decoys there all week, how are we to know someone would show up? We flashed off 3 hunting groups that morning, before the last group that came strolling in 15 minutes before legal shoot claiming that was their spot, that’s their decoys. Is that right? Our law says it is. The little research I have done says I’m legal to set my decoys out in my favorite spot all season on public land that does not state otherwise, which is the case in most places. Not right in my book. What do you think about this matter?

Guy


6 years


how long must we wait before the Duck Gods punish the transgressors?

Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 01:50 PM

May as well get this one out of the way too. Leaving decoys out does not reserve the spot on public hunting lands.
Posted By: phat694

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 02:02 PM

Originally Posted By: ducknbass
wow

This one is classic
Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 02:07 PM

It's an annual reminder

It is a problem that never seems to go away
Posted By: 8pointdrop

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 02:10 PM

roflmao
Guy's first post ever. My my how far you have come Guy....
Posted By: Duck_Hunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 02:11 PM

Originally Posted By: phat694
Originally Posted By: ducknbass
wow

This one is classic


Heck of a first post, Guy. I'm going to read this whole thing. Looks like most everyone agreed through the first page of posts, but since it's six pages now, I'm interested to see everyone's opinions through the years.

Good reminder!
Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 03:24 PM

Wow, y'all dug up an old one.

Though it was not unlawful to leave decoys out on type II hunting areas in 2005, it was addressed eventually. It is now in the APHP regs.

"leaves personal gear, equipment (including decoys), or floating conveyances unattended for more than one hour following the close of legal shooting hours.

Note: this does not apply to gear or equipment left within a designated camping area or for specific activities scheduled by the department."
Posted By: ndhunter

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 03:27 PM

It was a good first post John. Still serves as a reminder.
Posted By: beaversnipe

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 07:03 PM

One dollar was worth 3$ when this post was first written

Time flies
Posted By: Guy

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/30/15 10:07 PM

Originally Posted By: 8pointdrop
roflmao
Guy's first post ever. My my how far you have come Guy....

Ha ha. grin
Posted By: ducknbass

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/15 01:54 AM

Me and my buddies just put out a couple decoys at the end of each boat launch. That way they known the lakes mine before wasting they're time.
Posted By: Greekangler

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/15 02:55 AM

Public blows- sorry guys, and Guy- had to chime in
Posted By: aerangis

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 10/31/15 08:17 AM

Leaving gear sitting out in plain view unattended overnight on pub with the expectation of it being there when you go back the next day is silly. if you found a $100 bill laying on the ground while hunting, I doubt you'd leave it there.

There's a few public spots I hunt way off the beaten path and rarely (if ever) hunted by anyone else other than the same few guys year after year. Most of those spots are walk-in and a long haul in and out, but well worth the effort. If I'm gonna hunt that same spot again the next day, I bag my dekes and hide them and anything else I don't want to hump out and the other guys that hunt those spots do it as well. I've come across stashes of dekes, chars, shotshells, etc many times but we have a gentlemans agreement to watch each other's backs.

The increase in the number of hunters on pub over the last few years has increased the amount ()and quality:) of stuff I find when I'm hunting. I've found some cool stuff, quite a bit the last 2 years. Expensive calls, boxes of shells, dekes (thanks for the bag of Avian-X!:) to a nice $300 Leatherman. Makes up for the stuff I've lost over the years.
Posted By: Trout-killer

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/01/15 01:08 AM

I carry a bottle of lighter fluid and set fire to all the deks I find on public water..... Kinda like a little Viking ceremony
Posted By: Flock Knocker

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 05:00 PM

I've showed up to public hunting areas before and seen that people have forgot to pick up their decoys. So being the etiquette hunter I am, I kindly picked up all of their decoys for them and put them on the bank in a safe spot. I will be happy to do it for any hunter that forgets his decoys over night. Decoys are expensive and leaving them in the water over night can cause unnecessary wear and tear, plus they may get hit by a boat, or even float off.
Posted By: kdub

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 05:10 PM

Free Decoys!!! banana2
Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 06:02 PM

Someone on here once said they carried a can of florescent orange spray paint in their blind bag and would hit a few decoys with it if he came up on unattended decoys.
Posted By: Judd

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 06:19 PM

All this post proves is the folks who were DB's 10 years ago still are rofl
Posted By: garrett

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 07:07 PM

Originally Posted By: Judd
All this post proves is the folks who were DB's 10 years ago still are rofl


up

please note this is my first post in 5 years on this thread
Posted By: LarryCopper

Re: Hunting Etiquette - Decoys Left Out Over Night - 11/02/15 10:19 PM

69,000+ views! eeks333

Luckily I've never run into this situation. I'm not sure what I'd do, I guess it would depend on a lot of things at the time. But... I don't think I'd do any damage to left out dekes or take them. 25 years ago might be a different story.
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum