Dove opener?

[EricM]

I was out early Monday afternoon washing my boat (yea, it happens) and from the number of gunshots in the fields west of my subdivision, there should have been 2,000 or so birds killed if they were fairly good wingshooters. In reality, I couldn't believe the amount of shooting. The fields must have been perfect!

 

[bigfish21]

Only one of the fields in the area of cottonport had a good shoot. there was a total of 4 fields with in about a mile and the one that was about 200 yards from us had all the birds. they had wheat in their field and the birds wouldnt leave their field. every now and then we would get a few fly to us. we were hunting over a watermelon field. all together we ended up with about 60 birds for 10 people.

 

[rsimms]

A few folks had good shoots for the wrong reason, and got caught:
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_134344.asp

 

[SpurHunter]

Thanks for the link Richard! I qoute from your article: </p>

<font color="#ff0000">"Hamilton County authorities said they also received complaints of people hunting geese on the Tennessee River, inside the Chattanooga city limits. However Tennessee Wildlife officials say that as long as hunters are on public land, hunting in a safe area in accordance with state law, it is perfectly legal. The Tennessee State Attorney General has issued a formal opinion which says that local law cannot supersede state law, and the parameters above apply. TWRA officials however emphasize that hunters should always be sure they are hunting in a safe manner and means."</font></p>

I can tell you this is a case-by-case basis as the officer that catches you interprets it. </p>

Several years ago, I was with a buddy in WT creek, I had a range finder with me to make sure we were the required 100 yards from any dwelling. When the warden asked us if we killed any...we did not, but told him where we had tried, he said, <font color="#0000cc">"I would have written you a ticket if I caught you hunting there".</font> I said, but we were legal, he says it would be a judgement call, he felt it was not a safe area to be hunting. Just an FYI guys.</p>

 

[rsimms]

That's what Judges are for....

 

[Guest]

Was that you up there by the aquirium RSimms shootin all those geese? emoPoke emoLaugh

 

[rsimms]

Nope... I'm always VERY tempted. And it is perfectly legal. But I have purposely chosen to stay away from such areas. Legal or not, with lots of non-hunters in easy watching or listening range, it can create a negative impression on hunters everywhere.

I certainly don't think any less of those who do chose to do it however.

#1 - The geese really do need "thinnin' out" in such areas.

#2 - It's perfectly legal provided you think "safety first."

But I leave those geese to others.

 

[Guest]

I absolutley agree Richard on all three notes>

 

[little fisherman]

Went shootin Monday afternoon for about 3 hours, there were 5 people. I got 10, my cousin got 15, and my papaw got 15. All five people shot a total of 47. I shot 3 boxes worth of 12 and 20 gauge shells, so I need some more practice.

 

[rsimms]

little fisherman - 9/3/2008 5:29 PM

Went shootin Monday afternoon for about 3 hours, there were 5 people. I got 10, my cousin got 15, and my papaw got 15. All five people shot a total of 47. I shot 3 boxes worth of 12 and 20 gauge shells, so I need some more practice.

Don't feel bad.... manufacturer surveys say that nationally, there are an average of seven shotgun shells expended for every dove killed. If true, you were right on par with the national average. emoThumbsup

 

[fishmedic]

We went to a field in Meigs county and hunted from noon till around 7. Had a few birds all day but about 4:30 they turned on and it was constant shooting. The field was crowded and not a lot of birds got from one side to the other. Im sure alot of them got limits. I think most of the birds I shot at were made of kevlar, but I did take a few home.