va swan?

[skimerhorn]

Finally applied for a swan permit in va this year, to try to take it off my bucket list. Now the question is what to do if I get drawn. I've never hunted them, only seen them a few times. I have a few months to do my homework, does anyone have any advice? Has anybody hunted them here in va? I'm in the central part of the state but will travel to wherever. Some advice would be great.

 

[1_pointer]

I killed a swan in UT, but there the hunting area is very small. I just sat up between a feeding and loafing area and shot one as it flew over. No calling or decoys. I guess my only real advice is to spring from some of the 'super' waterfowl shells. I used Heavy Shot, but there are other of it's ilk on the market. My one regret is not looking closer at the one I shot before shooting as I ended up shooting a juvenile. Looks at lots of pics and you may even want to log on to UT DWR and take their swan ID course. Once you've seen a few it's not horribly difficult to tell and adult from a juvenile.

 

[mtmiller]

Pass shooting swans.

Must be a UT thing.

I use decoys and they come in on a string.

 

[1_pointer]

It probably is. On that refuge it's kinda like fishing from a pier. Folks aver 30ft or so just waiting for their 'turn'. 'Twas fun watching it's legs pinwheel until the sudden stop on the ice.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

DAMN!!! Gotta have me one of them suckers....full body mounted swooping down from ceiling!

 

[skimerhorn]

Yep hopefully I can cross it off my list if I get drawn