Rich~
I was not going to jump into this interesting discussion until you took the words right out of my mouth. When I try to explain to my deer hunting friends why I do not enjoy hunting deer as much as duck shooting, they now know it is "because deer (and turkeys) do not fall out of the sky". (I feel like an assassin when I shoot deer or gobblers - because I will not shoot either if they are moving.)
On the other hand, I believe each hunter's decisions and practices are personal on this matter - as well as many other aspects of this grand pastime of ours. So, I pass no judgments on others. The bottom line is that we always strive for quick clean kills and pursue and dispatch cripples relentlessly. Beyond that, it's a matter of complex thoughts, values and emotions. For me, much of this sport is about aesthetics - personal aesthetics - and, when it comes to the actual shooting - "it's all about the shot" (a quote from a long-time friend and gunning partner).
I shot my first duck - at my Dad's direction - on the water. But, he was very proud the next morning when I dropped a Black Duck out of the sky. After my first season, I can only recall taking a bird or 2 on the water. Nowadays, I will commonly pass up shots that are the so-called "skillet shots" - feet down, almost on the water. I look, instead, for shots with some element of challenge - or potential drama. In fact, my Model 12 still has its full choke - because I know it can take that occasional "long one" and still wrap the bird up, "dead in the air", with the classic fold. I want to see the bird "fall out of the sky" - it is a key part of what I call "memorable hunts".
I appreciate the really easy shots in the decoys because they do, indeed, attest to the fact that everything has worked as planned. But, especially when I am gunning by myself, I may elect to simply say "Bang, I could have gotten you". I rack it up as "counting coup" - as the Indian warriors did. It helps that I hunt where there are lots of Black Ducks but only a 1-bird bag - so I want my one Black Duck shot to be a memorable one.
As an aside, I do think there is a reason that the term "duck shooting" is frequently used instead of "duck hunting" in our tradition (Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater, A Book on Duck Shooting, Shotgunning in the Lowlands, De Shootinest Gent'man, etc). Connecting with an object hurtling through space as fast as many of us drive our cars is an accomplishment that requires skill borne of practice, experience and focus - and, more important to me - it is an exciting, graceful and elegant painting/poem/ballet/symphony that has no equal.
Another tip (I agree with your ideas about #7s for cripples): If a bird sneaks into the decoys (by air or sea) and will not jump immediately - after the usual shouting and waving - invest (waste) a shell and shoot the water a yard to either side. In my experience, that'll always get them up - and give a better, taller opportunity than if they skulk out long and low. (BTW: I usually do this for others - and so announce what I am doing before I do it.)
Neal - Thanks for starting this thread!
All the best,
SJS
