Remi (in vest) and I gave Cappy and Rusty a post-hunt blow by blow of what happened.



We hunted the SE corner deep water dawg training pond here at the home property. It's a real challenge because Carol drives us to the blind about 5 mins before LST. I later use the Talk-About when we're ready to be picked back up because it's only 450 yards from the house.

Incoming ... overhead!



A view to the west showing some of the fingers of the pond's technical water the dawgs train in during the off-season. Notice the barn in the background? That's how close we are.





At 8:15 I called Carol and told her we were ready to be picked up. She brought Rusty along for the "long ride."



As we pulled up at home I noticed some visitors on the drive out towards the highway maybe all of 125 yards from us. They apparently came to get gravel.



By the way ... Guy if you see this post ... the entire blind is made of formed cattle panels. The top rail is two seasons old and was covered with 1/2" foam pipe insulation then wrapped with camo tape.

Also ... for those of you who are really observant ... look at my shell belt in pic #2. See there's FIVE shells missing? See the FOUR ducks? He he ... The old man still shoots fairly well.

Sounds like a tough day. Chauferred to the blind both ways, smacked a few ducks and were done pretty early. Only thing better is if Carol had brought you a hot breakfast to eat!

Well, first things first.

Remi got washed off with 100 degree water in the wash station behind us in pic 1. Then I took a hot shower (indoors) and we all sat down for a hot brunch.

Things don't just happen that way ... it's a life long plan with lots of efforts that made it all come together like that.

Cappy,

Can you start a new thread titled "Words of Wisdom by Cappy". That way you can post once a week words of Wisdom on what/how you have done to get it to all come together over all the years.

It will be good for the younger crowd.

We have a guy down the road from us that has rasied about 13 Canadian geese since they were little and they always fly around and land on our tank I just love it cuz they help out so much and they dont fly away when a shot rings off! Looks like you had a good hunt!

With all due respect Cappy, aren't you concerned that the new Fannin County Game Warden might interpret that as hunting over a baited area? It is my understanding that you feed the birds on the pond directly adjacent to your home. If you have removed that food source, then this is a moot point. Just thought I would help those less experienced hunters, that frequent this site, to insure that they don't get themselves into a situation that might regret. Afterall, this might really be a incident left to the judgement of local law enforcement.

It's all about distance. How do you think people dove hunt their deer leases?

In the case of deer leases, it boils down to "normal agricultural practices". As you can see by reading the overview on USFW's site, http://www.fws.gov/le/HuntFish/waterfowl_baiting.htm, not all deer leases would be legal.

Wildlife Food Plots
You cannot legally hunt waterfowl over freshly planted wildlife food plots where grain or seed has been distributed, scattered, or exposed because these plots are not normal agricultural plantings or normal soil stabilization practices. Wildlife food plots may be considered a normal agricultural practice, but they do not meet the definition of a normal agricultural planting, harvest, post-harvest manipulation, or a normal soil stabilization practice.


You are right about distance, but as you can see, there is no set distance.

Problem 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.

In some areas, it is a legal hunting practice to place grain to attract some State-protected game species (i.e., white-tailed deer). But these areas would be illegal for waterfowl hunting, and the 10-day rule would apply.

Distance
How close to bait can you hunt without breaking the law? There is no set distance. The law prohibits hunting if bait is present that could lure or attract birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them. Distance will vary depending on the circumstances and such factors as topography, weather, and waterfowl flight patterns. Therefore, this question can only be answered on a case-by-case basis.

I think this is the point Mule Head was trying to make. It is open to interpretation on a "case-by-case basis". I'm not sure I would take that chance on something not spelled out. From the photo's presented, it is my opinion that topography would be a mute issue.

I would be concerned that a food pond in the flight path, "over areas", of a hunted pond could be trouble.

I'm not calling Cappy illegal either, because my "case-by-case basis" doesn't matter here. The question was if the new Game Warden of Fannin County would think that.

Niether my opinion, Mule Head's opinion, not R.T.'s opinion plays a factor in determining the case-by case basis.

Completely different body of water from the stories he tells...not sure how anyone could interpret that as baiting. If anything it would make that tank harder to hunt because he is competing against the tank with real ducks and food.

No way in the world would I even consider or think it was baiting.

On a serious note, congrats Cappy....another great morning in the books with your buddy

Thanks Judd. However, I accept the questions/comments Muleman and a few others have raised about hunting on our home property being considered baiting.

The deep water dawg training pond where we hunted yesterday morning (2nd time this season) is over 500 yards from the deer feeder at the pond adjacent to our home. More importantly ... WE DON'T SHOOT HONKERS, MALLARDS, WOODIES OR ANY OTHER PUDDLE DUCKS at home. If you look at my last two posts about hunting here, you will see (below) that I shot RINGERS ONLY.





They feed exclusively by diving and eating aquatic plants as well as some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They do NOT feed on surface grains or other food sources away from the water.

For those interested, here's the layout of the property ...

Cappy congrats on your hunt. I would have to say, you don't have anything to worry about. I agree with the poster that would like for you to create a advise column.

That's pretty cool that you only shoot divers there because of the feeder at the lake.

Merry Christmas Cap!

Your dog training pond looks like a big hand in that pic.