Does the government really need to tell us how many shotshells we can take into a duck blind?
An increasing number of waterfowlers don’t seem to think so.
A rule limiting waterfowl hunters to 25 shells is in effect on some national wildlife refuges and many state wildlife management areas. (There is no way to tell a total number without checking every refuge and WMA.)
Here’s a typical comment about the rule we heard recently from a hunter in Lakeland, Florida:
“The 25-shell limit at Merritt Island on the Atlantic Coast of Florida? I have hunted at MINWR for now over three decades. The non-toxic rule was hard to swallow at the time, but we lived through it, and now I wouldn't have it any other way. But a shell limit?
“Although I am a practiced shot now, it may always take some additional shots to kill a cripple. This also limits me to only one gauge or gun. I often hunt teal early with a smaller shot size, then may go heavier, and until this year always kept my 10 gauge handy for the added punch needed to get them when they only work the edges of the decoys.”
“Another thought: How is law enforcement supposed to enforce the rule? Sit in the marsh with a tally counter and try to count your shots? Maybe search your boat and find a couple extra empties? The empties might be from another hunt that haven't been cleaned out before season’s end. How about the rule at MINWR that you are not even allowed to have any other ammo in your truck? What if I go to MINWR for the weekend? I told a staffer in jest that I would have to trade trucks to make sure I didn't have any extra ammo. With trap and skeet league, sporting clays, doves, ducks, etc. I always have ammo rolling around. The shell limit is at the least a hindrance and is potential for an overzealous officer to abuse a law-abiding citizen.”
Another hunter from California wrote: “The limit for ducks here in California is seven per day. The goose limit is four with some restrictions. That being said, I consider myself a true sportsman and a pretty good shot. However, I still only hit about one out of every three ducks/geese I shoot at. You don't need to be a math wiz to figure out I will run out of shells before I get my limit of ducks/geese.”
Both these gentlemen make good points. I’ve only ever heard two reasons supporting the 25-shell rule: One, it’s supposed to discourage sky-busting, or shooting at birds out of range. Doing so often cripples birds without hope of retrieving them. It can also spook them away from other hunters in nearby blinds who might have had a chance at them.
For the record, sky-busting is deplorable. Learning to wait until a bird is in range is one of the fundamental challenges of waterfowling. It can be difficult at first, but with practice anyone can master it. NRA has always encouraged hunters—all hunters, not just waterfowlers—to develop marksmanship skills that ensure game is dispatched quickly and surely.
However, there seems to be no research at all proving that a 25-shell limit discourages sky-busting. My feeling is that imposition of the rule affects all of us when only a fraction of yahoos are guilty in the first place.
I have also heard the argument that one box of shells “ought to be enough” for any competent marksman to limit out. Well, maybe so. Yes, competent hunters ought to be able to down a duck with a minimum of shots. But particularly with young hunters or adults new to hunting, it can take some time to become competent.
Regardless, should a 26th shell on your person, or left in your truck from a previous hunt really make you a criminal? Other than creating another nit-picking rule that can turn an inadvertent mistake into a crime, I fail to see what this regulation does. Already, waterfowlers may be checked by game wardens for licenses, stamps, permits, non-toxic shot and HIP numbers. Forcing them to count how many shotshells we have on us--which really requires a personal search--is a waste of their time, an affront to us, and does nothing for game management.
Isn’t education a better answer than legislation? More and more states are now offering waterfowl clinics. Range estimation is, or should be, part of those classes. And if you’re new to waterfowling and not sure about estimating distance, you can always hunt with a guide who can help you. You can also practice in your backyard, just by hanging a decoy in a tree and stepping off various distances.
A few years ago, it was brought to NRA's attention that the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was planning to impose a 25-shotshell restriction. NRA weighed in on that issue, rasing concerns similar to those expressed in this article. As of result of opposition by NRA and local hunters, the restriction was withdrawn from the management plan for the refuge.
The important point is that hunter involvement in refuge management plans can make a difference in whether a shotshell restriction is imposed or not.
We’d like to know of other areas where this rule is in effect, and how you feel about it. Let us know by sending a message to us at: huntersrights@nrahq.org.
