Duck hunting season begins at Shoreline Around Town, posted by Editor, Mountain View Voice Online, on Nov 4, 2011 at 2:38 pm
As duck hunting season begins for a second year since the opening of the nearby Bay Trail, trail users will again hear shotgun blasts from surprisingly close range.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, November 4, 2011, 1:37 PM
Posted by pedestrian, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Nov 4, 2011 at 2:38 pm
The park has posted large "hunting going on here" signs and walkers have learned to just visit other parks during hunting season. You should ask the park rangers (or employees in the park cafe) about visitor counts during the hunting season vs. the rest of the year.
Posted by Andy, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on Nov 4, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I didn't even know this existed in MV! Now I'll start looking into a shotgun for my next purchase instead of a pistol. Is there a special place we need to go to get the hunting license for Shoreline!?!
Posted by USA, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2011 at 12:29 am
Steve is misinformed. Bird shot (small pellets used for duck hunting) go maybe 100 yards. Buck shot (large pellets) can go up to 500 yards under optimal conditions.
Posted by Kevlar, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2011 at 6:43 am
That's great that shotgun pellets can only go a relatively short distance, but some of those hunters are real yahoos who like to bring out their handguns as well. I had someone take a pot shot at me w/ a large caliber hand gun (heard the familiar report followed by the ricochet). I've also heard 2 other similar stories over the years. I believe this to be a very rare occurance but I encourage anyone who experiences anything like this to call 911 immediately. Weather you know it or not, your are being shot at.
Posted by ElmerFudd, a resident of the Willowgate neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Kevlar... seriously doubt that... not only would they have to be a yahoo, they'd have to be incredibly stupid. Just because someone may be a yahoo, does not mean they'd be willing to endanger lives and be subject to felony charges for sh!ts & grins. In all likelihood, you heard the echo of the shotgun off the levee.
Posted by mvresident, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 7:48 am
poor duckies! :( i dont get how this habitat or wildlife preserve for them costs them their own life. the $ made from the hunting licenses helps restoration for the habitat..i see the logic in it, its just sad.
Posted by Steve, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 8:43 am
In earlier, pre-environmentally conscious times, the hunter's group 'Ducks Unlimited' was instrumental in preserving and restoring wetland areas. Recognizing that their sport was threatened, they endevored to maintain critical environments used by migratory waterfowl of all kinds. Ironic, isn't it? those bloodthirsty killers were also among the first environmental activists. Thank a duck hunter next time you're out walking Shoreline.
Posted by Steve, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 9:00 am
@USA - #2 is birdshot. Regular #2 is traveling at 333 fps at 100 yards. That'll leave a mark - or take out an eye. NSCA calls for a 300 yard (900 feet) "safety zone". The statment that birdshot "goes maybe 100 yards" inconsistent with the facts. The statement that 100 feet is safe is irresponsible.
The statment that shotgun pellets can travel 1500 yards comes from Winchester - I'm pretty sure they know how far their shot travels. None of the statements in the article, nor the statement from Winchester, nor my statement indicated birdshot or buckshot.
Posted by Kevlar, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 2:54 pm
ElmerFudd...do you have an explanation for the single slug ricochet that occurred right after I heard the direct report of a large caliber handgun? I've been around guns and hunting all my life and I know what happened that day. Its wasn't an echo and there was a slug ricochet complete with the "zzzzzzz" as the slug spun off the rip rap (I assume) it hit.