Unspoken rules

[Dukelane]

When going by a small to medium style twig that comes across the face or chest, hold it for the guy behind you or warn him of the possible whiplash smack to the face.

[msdeltadawg]

1.My boat, we hunt my way.
2.Don't offer advice if none is asked for.
3.Don't bring your call in my boat if you haven't learned to blow it, it took me 20 years to get pretty good, you aren't, after you just pulled your first one out of the box.
4.If I say we leave the bank at said time be there 30 minutes early or get left at the bank.
5.If my rules aren't to your liking, buy your own boat, decoys, etc. and go enjoy yourself without me.

[MSDawg870]

Limit your gadgets brought to the blind to a gun and some shells.

If you frequently have a morning gas issue please request a seat at the downwind side of the boat and/or blind.

[southernvaughan]

if you get to the slough or break late be quiet and stealthy coming in.

[rebels19]

I think it goes with out saying that common sense and courtesy are the main aspects of being a guest or invitee on a hunt. Everything mentioned in this thread goes along with those two things. If you invite me to your house, that means I follow the rules you have in place, and I'm damn sure not going to try and force my ways on you even I think you may be a little out of place in your ways. If you were invited for a specific reason other than to come and enjoy a hunt with friends more often than not you would be made privy to that before hand, whether it is your calling ability or your dog or whatever. Otherwise you should take a back seat and enjoy the outing for what it is, a chance for you to enjoy the outdoors and the company you are with and maybe even a chance to learn something from the people you are with. Most of my hunting is done guiding other people so I am used to accommodating peoples different desires for their hunt, but it seems to never fail that if I am invited somewhere I always find someone else that has been invited that thinks his way is the best or just has to be outspoken about his "way" of doing things and you spend all morning listening to said person bellyache about how the hunting should be done or what is being done wrong. If you want to be in charge or have a hunt be set up to be the way you want it, you should buy into a club and if you don't like carrying decoys then pay for a guided hunt. Bottom line if you're a guest, you are probably very fortunate to have that opportunity, and it is not something to be squandered especially if you want to be invited back.

[jwz4]

Rule #5 - Shining your Q-beam in other hunters' eyes is the universal greeting among waterfowlers......it means, "Hey fellas, we're duck hunting, too......Happy Hunting!" The brighter the light and the longer you leave it on your subject, the more sincere the greeting.

This reminds me of a hunt 2 years back over in east MS where we were set up decoys out and everything with about an hour till day light when a boat pulls up and shines out decoys and quickly stops. Before they decide to shoot I shine a light over there way from our boat blind and the shine their light back and ask "yall doing any good?" my buddy and I just died out laughing till they left. I guess we were not doing the same kind of duck hunting that they were doing? They prolly just got tired of spotlighting deer...

But seriously if I invite you on a hunt and it turns out to be a bust don't complain and tell me you could have been sleeping, because I guarantee you that you will be sleeping next time!

[pntailhntr]

MY boat, MY dog!! If you just HAVE to bring yours, DO NOT bich when MY dog retrieves YOUR duck when he sees it hit the water!! He's in HIS BOAT, he knows what HIS JOB is.

If I say 4 you better be ready at 3:45, cause I promise, I'll be early!!!

PLEASE leave your calls in the truck or better yet, at home, unless I've heard you call and tell you to bring them!!

If the hunting is bad and I invited you and we both shoot at the only duck that passes by, It's ALWAYS MY BIRD!!, My hole, My boat, better be my bird!!!

[jwz4]

If I say 4 you better be ready at 3:45, cause I promise, I'll be early!!!

X2 there is no bigger slap in the face then someone showing up late when you have invited them.

[Anatidae]

Shoot your own ducks - let others shoot theirs
Keep-up with your own limit
Stay in your own shooting lane

'Sometimes hard to keep-up with in the heat of the moment even if you've hunted together a good bit. Everyone slips-up now and then (myself included), but it's something to strive for. It makes better hunts and hunting partners if everyone shows genuine consideration for others. Communication is important.......not just verbal. Nobody's perfect - if you enjoy each other's company and have a similar approach to duck hunting, then occassional infractions are quickly forgotten (except when your hunting partner that day is your wife).