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  #1  
Old 02-07-2024, 3:16 AM
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Question Is it legal to shoot a floating duck in California?

I understand that shooting a sitting duck on the water isn't considered sportsmanlike, but I'm curious about the legality of shooting a floating duck. I couldn't find any relevant information in California regulations.
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Old 02-07-2024, 4:36 AM
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It's legal but it's frowned upon by waterfowlers.
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  #3  
Old 02-07-2024, 6:59 AM
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It's certainly a subject that will get passionate response, on both sides. But absolutely legal.
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Old 02-07-2024, 9:06 AM
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Wait until 3 of them swim in a line. I like to get my ducks in a row!
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Old 02-07-2024, 10:52 AM
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Norman Rockwell approves.
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File Type: jpg first_duck.jpg (71.6 KB, 82 views)
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  #6  
Old 02-07-2024, 1:16 PM
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If it floats, it's a witch.
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Old 02-07-2024, 3:57 PM
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it may be legal but it's not as effective as shooting them on the wing. half the body is protected by the water.

much better to get them to jump up before the shot.
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Old 02-07-2024, 4:16 PM
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As long as it is not swimming in my decoys. There are some ft bliss twits that owe me for decoys they borrowed that were shot.
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  #9  
Old 02-07-2024, 7:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2761377 View Post
it may be legal but it's not as effective as shooting them on the wing. half the body is protected by the water.

much better to get them to jump up before the shot.
Yup!

I don't disapprove of water swatting ducks, but I don't like it because they're really not that easy to kill on the water. Aim above them so the bottom of your pattern hits them in the head. If you center them in your pattern the bottom of the pattern will hit the water a few yards in front of them and a) you're losing half your pattern, and b) they'll start a dive that puts their head out of harms way.
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Old 02-07-2024, 8:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbossman View Post
If it floats, it's a witch.
Thats a fact, after all they are made of wood, and wood floats
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Old 02-08-2024, 3:17 PM
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Ask the same question to those deer/pig hunters.
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Old 02-08-2024, 3:51 PM
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You always shoot the covey of quail on the ground to break up the covey. After that then you can call ands locate
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Old 02-08-2024, 6:35 PM
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Can I use a speargun?
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  #14  
Old 02-10-2024, 1:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deckhandmike View Post
Can I use a speargun?
Applicable CA laws/regulations...

Fish and Game Code 355
(a) The commission may annually adopt regulations pertaining to migratory birds to conform with or to further restrict the rules and regulations prescribed pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
(b) Regulations adopted under this section are not subject to Sections 11343.4, 11346.1, 11346.4, and 11346.8 of the Government Code.
(c) Every regulation of the commission adopted pursuant to this article shall become effective upon filing unless otherwise specified in the regulations.

Fish and Game Code 356
(a) Migratory game birds may be taken in conformity with federal laws and regulations and the regulations of the commission adopted pursuant to this article.
(b) In the event no regulations are prescribed by the proper federal agency, the commission may determine and fix the area or areas, the seasons and hours, the species, the bag and possession limits, and the total number that may be taken during any open season for the taking of migratory game birds, under rules and regulations adopted by the commission. The rules and regulations shall have the same effect as if enacted by the Legislature.

California Code of Regulations Title 14 Division 1 Subdivision 2 Chapter 7 Section 507
Provisions Related to the Taking of Migratory Game Birds.
(a) Authorized Methods. Only the following methods may be used to take migratory game birds:
(1) Falconry.
(2) Bow and Arrows or Crossbows. Only arrows or crossbow bolts with flu- flu fletching may be used except that conventionally fletched arrows may be used to take waterfowl sitting on the water from scullboats or similar watercraft.
(3) Muzzle-loading Shotguns.
(4) Shotguns 10 Gauge or Smaller. Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller using shot shells only and incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined may be used, except no shotgun larger than 12 gauge shall be used in areas open to hunting on, over or adjacent to the waters of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County. If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the requirements of this section, the plug must be of one-piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun. Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than T shot in steel or other nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All shot shall be loose in the shell.
(b) Use of Dogs. Dogs may be used to take and retrieve migratory game birds.
(c) Prohibition on Electronically or Mechanically-operated Devices. Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices are prohibited when attempting to take migratory game birds. It is unlawful to use devices that are either electronically-powered, or activated by anything other than natural wind, to directly or indirectly cause rotation of decoy wings or blades that simulate wings, when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of the waterfowl season and November 30.
(d) Live Decoy Prohibition. The use of live decoys is prohibited when attempting to take migratory game birds.
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  #15  
Old 02-10-2024, 1:48 PM
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Ah bummer, lol. I was watching meat eater where they snuck up on the black bears on the beach using freediving gear.
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  #16  
Old 02-10-2024, 3:51 PM
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It is legal but depending on location it might have some pretty serious safety concerns.

To not sluice a cripple on the water greatly increases the chance of it getting away. (dog or no)

To sluice a cripple in gray light on a refuge greatly increases the chance of skipping a load of shot onto another hunter or his dog.
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Old 02-10-2024, 5:14 PM
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Legal and sometimes necessary to prevent cripples from getting away.
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Old 02-10-2024, 5:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stonefly-2 View Post
It is legal but depending on location it might have some pretty serious safety concerns.

To not sluice a cripple on the water greatly increases the chance of it getting away. (dog or no)

To sluice a cripple in gray light on a refuge greatly increases the chance of skipping a load of shot onto another hunter or his dog.

Agree ^

Only shoot on the water after knocking them down from the sky. Be positive about what?s behind the duck!
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Old 02-11-2024, 8:37 AM
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Clearly no one here runs a scull boat
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Old 02-11-2024, 9:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yoteassasin View Post
Clearly no one here runs a scull boat
Or "T" buck lead anymore because (I'm told) folded wings with their layers of feather take some punching through.
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  #21  
Old 02-11-2024, 6:34 PM
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I sure hope so because I've done it a bunch! Usually with my bow though.
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  #22  
Old 02-11-2024, 6:46 PM
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It's unsportsmanlike. Feel free to sluice all the costs you want if you must shoot something sitting on the water.......
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Old 02-11-2024, 6:47 PM
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^^^coots not costs^^^^
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Old 02-11-2024, 9:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NATEWA View Post
Agree ^

Only shoot on the water after knocking them down from the sky. Be positive about what?s behind the duck!
Bah, no one thinks twice about shooting decoying ducks 3 feet off the water; but talking about sluicing ducks and suddenly "oh no, it's a safety concern".
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Old 02-11-2024, 9:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yoteassasin View Post
Clearly no one here runs a scull boat
I have sculled up on ducks in the salt ponds; but by the time I sat up they were off the water and I shot them on the wing.
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Old 02-14-2024, 10:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shengyli View Post
Ask the same question to those deer/pig hunters.
But neither deer nor pigs fly. They’re not germane to the topic at hand.

Personally, I don’t care if the ducks are fly’n or float’n. I’ll take them when they’re within range, period. I also dont hunt them with a dog, so I like many others, must go out into the water either by canoe or in waders to retrieve my own ducks. It’s a lot more work without having the luxury of a retriever. Therefore, shooting them on the water if they won’t get up and fly is a green light in my opinion.
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Last edited by TrailerparkTrash; 02-14-2024 at 10:46 AM..
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Old 02-14-2024, 7:16 PM
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Scull boat sounds interesting. Wish there was some way to try sculling without shelling out for the boat to see if I like it.
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Old 02-14-2024, 9:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Imageview View Post
Scull boat sounds interesting. Wish there was some way to try sculling without shelling out for the boat to see if I like it.
Build your own out of plywood.

Or just use a non-scull boat and retrofit what you can to make it work.

I did both with the same boat. I built a "hybrid" duck boat (it's a plywood 8 foot john boat with cockpit coming that rides pretty low) and retrofit a transom plate that let me scull. If I were to do it again I'd put some stringers on the bottom to help it track and protect the fiberglass. I might do that anyway, I still have the boat but mostly hunt out of a 12 foot john with a mud motor these days.

The trick is less about being invisible, and more about being a big, slow moving, object that isn't a hunter.
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Old 02-15-2024, 6:57 AM
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I've considered the plywood and fiberglass route, but still a pretty big commitment of time and a fair amount of cash. Will stick with the kayak I have for now, it's not as neat as a scull boat but it's plenty functional.
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Old 02-15-2024, 2:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imageview View Post
Scull boat sounds interesting. Wish there was some way to try sculling without shelling out for the boat to see if I like it.

There are any number of non tippy Kayak models these days that would do double duty as a stealth fishing machine in the summer.

A couple of cans of camo spray paint and a bundle of Tules and you're all set to learn that rafted up ducks are pretty spooky about floating objects too.
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