I would like to know what is y'alls definition of sky blasting is. does everybody do it at some time because I would like to tell myself that I did not do that. but I do know that when the birds are not working I may take shots that I do not prefer. I understand that feet down and in the face is the best way but if I go out to public land and wait for that scenario to happen I may make a lot of trips out and never pulled the trigger. if I see a lot of birds my patients would be a lot better but if I only see a handful of birds I'm going to want to shoot without the perfect scenario. so I guess I'm asking what is reasonable when making a shot at a duck mainly I guess range might be the main factor.

ducks that are out of range but people shoot anyway

To me the definition of sky blasting would be a zero chance shot. I hear you on the public shooting and not taking shots you are comfortable with. I do the same thing, but the shots that I would rather not take still have a chance at a downed bird. Its those guys that are shooting at birds that are so high they havent even looked at your decoys. I remember when I first started and had trouble figuring out the distance of that duck flying over, so I can kind of understand when people do it. I still don't like it though because its usually when I have birds working my decoys.

I don't always wait for the landing gear to drop to shoot. Feet down, in your face is cool and that's what I hope for, but if a duck is circling me and I don't think he will committ, if I'm confident in the range I shoot him.

Shooting at ducks that are way out of range and you're just hoping for a hail mary, is what I consider sky busting.

According to my definition the previous 4 posters have sky blasting tendencies. Shoot ducks that are working the decoys. If you shoot them the first chance you get them inside 50 yards you are not working birds and you are by definition a sky blaster. Give the birds a chance to work. 30 yards is a good rule of thumb.

If you are wondering if you are sky busting...rest assured you are!

Sky busting is selfish, greedy, and disrespectful to the birds and other hunters.

My hunting partner has been doing this for 50 + years and he will not pull the trigger till they are almost touching the water in the spread. He said anybody can shoot at a duck passing by but true hunting is when they are so convinced you are real and they want to be in your spread no matter what.

That being said I will (especially on public lands) take a shot at a circling bird only if I’m confident I will get a kill shot. I hate with a passion hearing people talk about loosing cripples. If most of your ducks are cripples and require a follow up shot I consider this sky blasting. IMO

It's only skyblasting if you miss. That being said, I saw some newbs trying to pull off 150+ yard shots the other week. Definately skyblasters!

Well for the most part this sounds like I thought. If birds are passing at 40yrds not showing intrest I'm going to shoot. I'm a bowhunter and judge distance pretty well. With that said I'm not experienced enough to set by myself and watch the few groups that i do see circle and leave. This is from some one who hasn't shot a limit of big ducks yet. If someone wants to help teach Id be happy to go with them. Thanks.

Is it sky-blasting if you never miss at that range? Why wait until they're full-on committed when you can drop them on the first low pass? Now I understand if the hunter can't shoot, but I don't miss at 50 yards.

I just like watching birds work... making them commit to a spread is an awsome reward imo.... not on another note we all know there are plenty of mornings that the birds are just not wanting to work be whatever reason change up your spread do whatever you want some hunts they just wont cooperate... then all you can do is hope your in a good enough spot and make ethical shots.... it is called hunting having them in close enough to make a good clean kill is not skyblasting imo

U are only allowed to skyblast crows, ask jj

Skyblasting 1 or 2 ducks is fine i think, but a group of 20...u will educated them

Huh? WTH are you talking about?

A black bird that goes caw caw lol

In my opinion, if you are shooting birds over 50 yards high and are not a seasoned hunter or skilled shooter, you are sky blasting. Also, if you are hunting public land and are shooting at ducks that you have no chance at just because some hunters down the way from you are having more success, then that goes beyond sky blasting. Just my opinion.

I know what a Corvus brachyrhynchos is. I'm just not sure what his point was or who we're all supposed to ask.

I believe he's referencing crow hunting with JJ Kent of Kent Outdoors.

Crow hunting? I didn't know there was such a thing. Why would anyone hunt crows since you can't eat them? Or can you?

JJ does guided crow hunts. I have never been on a crow hunt myself, but have seen it done. It is entertaining to watch, but I really don't shoot things I don't eat. I'm not sure if you can literally eat crow or not.

If you skybust its telling me you aint to good of a caller and your deks aint working for ya . Its also telling me your into #'s for a pic and not a true sportsmans

Yes. Shooting ducks at 50 yards results in a lot of crips. While I have no doubt you can hit ducks at that range 9 times out of 10 you are not killing them dead.

If people weren't so worried about "killing" ducks...they might actually learn how to work ducks.

If you have to shoot ducks at 50 yards...you don't know what you are doing.

The replies to this thread are shocking.

I have maybe 1 cripple out of 50 birds at that range. I guess that's not good enough to not be considered "sky-blasting"? And just so you know, it's pretty hard for me to get them any closer. I don't use decoys or anything, and you can only get them so close just by calling.

I shoot IC #4s, so this really will not allow me to shoot anything over 40 yards, I try to keep at 30 yards or closer. But a duck does not have to be cupped up with feet down for me to shoot, my preference is to shoot them that way, but if they are circling and buzzing my spread and I’m bringing them in close, I’ll pull the trigger.

I will say this as well though, if I’m hunting public and there are other hunters in the area, I’m more careful about this, especially if I was not the first one into the area. There have been times I felt like I set-up to close to another group, in that case I for sure do not pull trigger until they are right in my face.

Sweet guy according to duckkiller, we're sky busters. Which is fine with me, if I'm duck hunting and I'm confident in the range and my ability, guess what I'll shoot the ducks.

Wow... even if I hunt private?
I didn't think I could Barney myself on private