Who is as excited as I am for the shotgun opener?

[Parker 213]

I'm pretty sure shooting birds on the ground or in the water is unethical.

At first glance, I would agree with you and wholeheartedly say "yes."

 

But there are some caveats to this scenario. If you are a New Jersey hunter, who now has a hunting license AND has also procured the additional $40 Pheasant & Quail stamp to hunt pheasant on state game lands, you might think differently. You may feel entitled that you should get your fair share of birds that you've paid the luxury to hunt for. And many feel this way. Especially those that don't hunt with a dog. Hunting pheasant in this manner is a bit harder. Chances are you may not get a bird to flush and fly in front of you.

 

In the scenario of a wingshot pheasant that goes down and runs......should one shoot it again? Chances are that without a dog, it will never be found once it gets into heavy cover. The pheasant will always win in this situation. And pheasants can run for more than a few cornfields, hedgerows and thick woods with a broken wing. Only a good dog will find them. Is one unethical for letting this game animal get away in the interest of fairness? Most pheasants would rather run than fly anyway. Flight is a last resort for them. One should never shoot at pheasants on the ground, especially when there are dogs in the area. But there may be an exception to this rule in the context I described. This is a judgement call you must make for yourself.

 

If one downs a duck while in their blind, but it's not a killing shot and one doesn't have a retriever, what does one do when that wounded duck starts swimming for the reeds to the opposite shoreline? Does one shoot again or let it get into the reeds and later take their boat to the other side, hoping they can find it? Again, another sensible judgement call should be made in the interests of what is ethical game-taking vs. what is ethical for the game that's being harvested.

 

If you ever go to Maine, many locals up there hunt grouse by driving the logging roads in the early mornings and afternoons. They think nothing of shooting them out of trees while eating pople leaves or thornapples or while they are picking gravel. Getting out of the truck and resting their elbows on the hood for a steady shot is a common reliable means for a Mainer to ensure steady shot placement. For some, this is how they take their small game. To them, grouse represents an easy food source and shells cost money. Grouse on the wing are a lot harder to hit than ones sitting still. Maybe "unethical" to a seasoned bird hunter who hunts over dogs, but for those who don't; perfectly within the boundries of ethical for the situation and the locale.

 

Taking shots at game that are marginal at best that would only wound is considered unethical. If you are unsure of your capabilities; don't shoot. Unethical can also pertain to how to treat your fellow hunter in the field. You don't encroach on his space or ruin his hunt. There are enough woods for everyone. A modicum of respect is all it takes. If a hunter's dog is on point, the bird that dog is pointing is technically the dog's and his owner. You are not obligated to flush the bird and shoot it before the hunter gets there. Sounds strange but I've seen it happen. This would be considered unethical. Being safe and courteous is what we should always strive to achieve when afield.