Shotgun plug ticket.

[12 Volt Man]

I got invited late last night to go out on a duck hunt. This was my first time. I was going out with a couple of guys who really know their stuff. They had decoys, waders, a nice duck boat etc..... I got up early and headed out to the local Wal-Mart for some steel shot and a duck stamp.

I got home and quickly just grabbed my Benelli Nova. I thought this would be the best gun for the muddy, wet conditions. Having hunted only upland birds, and dog field trials, I took my plug out when I first got the gun. I didn't even think about not having it in there. Sad part is, my other two twelve guages still have their plugs in them.

On our way out, we got stopped by the fish and game. They checked our ducks and then wanted to see our guns. Then proceeded to issue me a ticket for not having the plug in.

I was kind of pissed, but that is the law. Seems a little silly because there is no way I could get off more than two shots at a duck before it went out of range anyway. So what if I had two more left to rack in. I can kind of understand the law for auto loaders, but in a pump gun it is a little ridiculous.

Anyway, I had a great time on my first duck hunt. I hope the ticket doesn't cost me too much.

Here are some pics from the day.


What is this riding in a boat stuff? A few minutes after this Cooper jumped out of the boat. We turned around and picked him up. Pretty funny.

Waiting in the blind.

Cooper finishes off a retrieve of a nice Green Head.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Nice pics. A couple things...

In the early 1900s, the Migratory Bird Act mandated the 3 shot limit, and for good reason. Technology gave us the 97 Winchester with its 7 shot capacity, and the A-5/Model 11 which could be fitted with an extended mag giving it up to 11 shots. Later the Model 12 helped decimate wildfowl populations.

Some of the old timers could take a bird a shot if they let them land and then started shooting.

You may be an ethical hunter, but there are those who would gladly bring back the old days and ways. The plug is needed. Sorry you got caught, but the onus does fall on you.

More happily, you got some ducks, and you got in some quality time with your pointer.

Did he point the ducks or just retrieve them?....

 

[roo_ster]

What a handsome dog!

 

[foghornl]

Stinks to get cited for an un-plugged shotty, but "them's the rules". Mr. McCracken nailed it on the reasons for the rules, though.....a lot of ...well let's say less than straightforward [ahem] 'hunters' would just blaze away, taking waterfowl by the bushel-basket full, and almost exterminated certain species.

Had a hunting buddy that got cited by an over-zealous "Game & Fish Cop" on a somewhat questionable call. He had lost his plug, so he made one himself for his shotty. It limited the mag to 2 rounds with the 3" shells, but with the 2-3/4" inchers, you could put 3 in the mag if ya pressed REAL hard, probably compressing those rounds a fraction...just enough to latch the 3rd round in the mag. But the rounds the Game & Fish Cop had were the shortest 2-3/4" rounds I have ever seen.

So, he got busted on the un-plugged gun issue.

p.s. Great looking "hounds"

 

[mcooper]

Well, since we have bag limits these days, what is the point of the Plugged shotgun rule? If one violates the limit, they aren't going to care about a plugged shotgun I would think.

And those are very nice pictures, I'm glad you had fun.

 

[No_Brakes23]

I think the rule is vague and stupid.

2 x 3.5 equals 7, 3 x really short 2.75 rounds equals just under 8" Not a whole lot of room for error.

I couldn't get more than 2-3 shots off at a bird anyway.

Even dumber is the super vague "dusk" half hour rule for deer. I had a buddy get busted for this in NorCarolina, and I know this guy wouldn't have purposely violated the rules. Thrown on the ground, gun to his head, Marlin confiscated, treated like a criminal, for what? A game warden set up long before the end of the day with a fast clock and an ego problem.

Lame.

 

[12 Volt Man]

Everyone is right. Stupid law, especially with bag limits. I had only shot one duck and my buddy another. We certainly weren't out there slaying flocks of them. The law is the law. I will let you guys know how much the ticket is as soon as I find out. I have to wait 5 days before going to the court.

On a more positive note. Duck hunting was a blast. Just what I need..... another hobby I already stopped by the local shop to look for some waders and decoys. I just have to wait and see if I can afford anything after I pay for the ticket.

 

[berettashotgun]

Not trying to be a smart~A, but a 3.5 shell (LOADED) isn't much more than 3" long, length is from a fired hull. Great pics of the duck hunt. But, I think your hunting buddy is in love with ya.

 

[Tom Held]

Couda Been Worse

Could have been worse. If you had been hunting in Maryland during the early teal/woodduck season that Mallard would have cost you your boat and shotgun.

I had a friend in Cambridge who used to carry a wood pencil in his game bag. When the wardens approached (they were after him for years) he would unscrew the cap on his old Browning A-5 and slip in the pencil. They finally got fed up and ticketed him for an "illegal plug device" and it held up in court. Cost him about $250 and loss of his hunting license for the rest of the year.

Tom

 

[huntsman]

Is that E P really retrieving or just posing?

Sorry about your ticket but I always thought the plug rule was a good one. The swamp we hunted always had city guys hunting the first couple Saturdays of the season. These guys were real sky-busters as soon as a flock came into view they'd cut loose, some times I'd swear they would rip off 3 reload and give the ducks another 3 shot volley as they flew away.

Ohio now requires a plug in pumps and autos for deer season also.