don't let my first ever throw you. I just like to play by the rules to keep it fair for everybody, so here's my question:

my brother and I were on an un named lake in central texas today hoping to bust some blue wings. two guys were set up across the water on the opposite bank, maybe 200 yards away. we watched them shoot at a few groups of teal that had buzzed in from their direction, no big deal. It's frustrating but hey, they got there first and had the better spot. After it got decent light, a group of 5 or so pintails decoyed. Of course, we had to pass but it got the adrenaline going. Several minutes later another group of sprigs, same story. They flared off of us and circled our "neighbors" once and got too close. We heard shots and saw two birds fall. Minutes later, one of the hunters was walking from the shore back towards the brush, no doubt to stash the birds. Thought about calling the GW, but didn't.

What would you have done?

sorry about the novel.

Operation Game Thief

Dial toll-free, 1-800-792-GAME (4263), any time, day or night and provide the following information to the Texas Parks and Wildlife police communications officer:

* the nature of the violation
* the location of the violation
* the name and/or description of the violator
* a description of any vehicle or boat involved in the violation
* any other important information which will assist in apprehending the violator

Call the Texas game watch number immediantly. (if you hunt public land, you should have this number programmed in your phone)
Do not confront the other hunters.

If you get back to the ramp before they do, note their license tag number. Write down the time, date, description of boat and vehicle, number of hunters and any other info that might help get them "a visit" by TPWD.

These are the same goofs that will ruin your future hunts.
This was your chance to nip it in the bud.
Dont be surprised in the future when they:
1. set up to close to you.
2. shoot over their limits.
3. shoot to early.
4. trash "the good spot".
5. sky bust birds that are headed your way.

It is still not to late to advise the game warder on what you saw.
This will usually get the GW to atleast do a drive by next weekend and highlight that this lake needs to be patrolled.

Did i mention DO NOT - confront, harass, or yell at the other hunters.

Enforcing game laws in not your responsibility (only reporting violations of them).

To many Texas red necks out there that think their 10 feet tall when they have a gun in their hands.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give the number a call. I wasn't able to get a tag # or anything as they were using a boat and we had walked in.

Deffanently call operation game thief!

Your question leads me to another question: So I joined the forum as a dove hunter, but bought a duck stamp this year and am interested in trying it out. Not having duck hunted before I'm trying to understand your complaint against your "neighbors". My assumption is that "sprigs" are not teal and thus are not in season yet. Is that right? My biggest concern with starting out duck hunting is getting correct IDs on the birds so I figure my best bet is to head out with someone experienced. I'd hate to have someone call the GW on me for an innocent mistake.

Jeremy...duck hunting isnt dove hunting...there is a lot more that goes into duck hunting. Your best bet is to link up with a duck hunter and tag along with them. While hunting try to learn as much as you can...not too many duck hunters that don't like talking about duck hunting. Or go on some guided hunts.

Call the game warden for sure.

Lots of big ducks down right now. Folks need to be real careful before they call the shot. We had over 200 pintails on one pond this weekend. Saw a couple groups of gadwall as well.

This ^^

That's exactly right. Sprigs are just a nick name for the northern pintail, a "big duck" that falls under the regular duck season only, which starts Nov. 5 this year for first split. Watch out though, duck hunting is probably the most addictive thing in the world

update on my original post, I called operation game thief yesterday and gave as much information as I could and was told it would be passed along to the GW. I told the lady on the phone to pass along my # as well, just in case.