Duck hunters are subject to Federal Game laws much more than other hunters and should be well aware of the rules in order to avoid COSTLY MISTAKES! These regulations are plentiful and they change from year to year, so a guy has to really stay on top of them if he wants to stay out of trouble.

A good source of info on these rules is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's website. They have all the info and links to sites that give you what you need to do it right.

Once you start to learn the rules, you'll soon discover the need to be able to identify the different species of ducks BEFORE you pull the trigger on 'em. This is many times a difficult task, given the conditions: low light, fast flying birds and for the new guys unfamiliarity with the various species. Even those of us who have lots of time in the blind can easily make a mistake.

I can tell you for sure that I have and, as hard as I try not to, I'm sure I will again. My suggestion to you if you do ACCIDENTLY take a prohibited bird would be to "eat your mistake". Hiding and wasting a bird to me is a much greater sin than simply misidentifying one. If it happens the Game Warden is sitting in camp when you return, then take your medicine like a man. The best thing of course would be to avoid that scenerio completely by making SURE that you know the rules and what you are shooting at.

I would suggest that the guys new to duck hunting get themselves a good waterfowl identification guide book and spend some time reading it. There are pocket size guides that are perfect for carrying in your blind bag. Video's are also helpful. The TPWD website has a good duck ID section, too.

Experience is the best teacher though it won't take too long before you learn to recognize the different species by their shape, flight characteristics, and the sounds they make. If you're in the blind with me, another good indicator would be that I'm shooting at it! That would signal that you should start pulling the trigger before I either shoot them all or scare 'em off trying!...lol...

I mentioned the TPWD website as a good source of info and I want you to know that there are other sites on the web that can be very helpful to new duck hunters and old mossbacks as well.

The site I find to be the best right now is http://www.refugeforums.com. They too have a good duck ID section as well as discussion forums.

I will suggest that if you're looking for some specific info, you do a search for posts relating to that issue before you start posting questions. Some of the guys on those forums are not as kind to new guys as they should be and not as family oriented as the guys in the hunting club, so I don't suggest that youngsters visit these sites without dad along to supervise.

That's pretty much it for now, but I'll be getting back with you all to talk about other subjects, calling, decoys, blinds, dogs, etc. Please feel free to email me anytime with any questions or ideas.

I love email! Email can be sent to me at capt.red@Pintailmail.com.

B.C.

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