I am all about ethical hunting. I have never had a game violation and I never plan to get one. There are a few areas where normally good sportsmen can get themselves into a little trouble. I am not talking about a three-state poaching ring; rather, I’m talking about the most common situations in which some folks might be tempted into crossing the line.
The most common one is shooting just a bit before the legal shooting time or just a little after. There is no doubt that the best time to shoot a rooster is 10 minutes after legal shooting time. These birds will move out to feed in the afternoon, and many of them will not return to the grass cover until just at dark.
I have been sitting on the tailgate of my truck over 100 times with no birds in the bag as I watch the roosters fly back to cover just after legal shooting time. Staying out just a little longer would net more birds but is not legal.
The same can be said for shooting just a little too early. This happens most of the time when deer or waterfowl hunting. This happens at sunrise and many ducks will move before the sun actually comes up.
The next way to get in lots of trouble fast, but very easily, is to just step over that fence just a little bit. I hunt public lands and there are many areas where the habitat continues past the public land boundary even if it’s only 30 more yards. Pheasants will often run ahead of the hunter and hold up in the very last few feet of cover.
My dog might work on a running bird for a half mile only to be shut down when the grass continues past the fence. There is a ton of temptation to traverse that last 30 yards and come home successful instead of skunked.
Trespassing is an absolute NO-NO. All agricultural lands are considered posted even if there are no signs indicating no trespassing. Hunting permission is a must, and it’s even better if you get it in writing.
Some unintentional trespassing does happen, but there is really no excuse for that anymore.
There is a phone app called ON-X. This is a digital plat map that shows all of the owners’ names and shows the exact boundaries of where you can and cannot go. You show up as a blue dot on the app so you always know exactly where you are.
Parcels of land that are not posted can be entered only to retrieve downed game. Under no circumstances can you enter posted land to retrieve your game and need the landowner’s permission before doing so.
Trespassing comes with fines and other punitive measures. If you are a landowner, you want to be sure your no trespassing signs have your name on them. Violations for trespassing on properly signed property are much higher than lands with no signs or signs without the owner’s name on them.
As a public land hunter, I often hunt areas where lead shot is allowed, and they often bump against other lands where steel shot or other non-toxic shot is required.
For now, Minnesota State Wildlife Management areas allow for the use of lead shot unless you are hunting waterfowl. Federal Waterfowl Production areas require non-toxic shot all the time.
I have just too many folks who get checked and have lead shot where prohibited or have both lead and steel in their vests at the same time. It is illegal to have lead shot on your person while hunting in a non-toxic shot area.
Many hunters still think non-toxic shot does not work as well, but it is not worth the headache for trying to prove the point to a conservation officer.
When it comes to game rules and regulations, it is a matter of ethics for me. If a participant breaks the rules and takes game illegally, that is stealing from the other law-abiding hunters.
Breaches of the rules are actually poaching. Seems like a pretty big word for shooting a little too early or using lead where steel is required, but it is poaching nonetheless. The old saying I adhere to is, “Sportsmanship is doing the right thing, regardless if anyone is watching or not.”
Be safe, be ethical and ensure that all members of your party do the same.
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.