Local Duck Hunting - at 1am Around Town, posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 2, 2012 at 3:58 pm
A neighbor told me they called the police approx 1am this morning to report numerous gunshots, likely from the west side of 101. They followed up today w/email to the police asking what had happened, because it sounded so close but they didn't hear any ambulances. Apparently, someone was *duck hunting* at 1am, but their phone call helped alert park rangers, who were ensuring that the hunters were in compliance w/laws. What? Does that even make sense? I can't find anything indicating it's legal to hunt at that time in the Bay Area.
Maybe the shots came from the east side, but in the creek and traveled up the creek in such a way as to sound very close by? Did anyone else hear these shots? Does the police dept's explanation sound like it's only a partial explanation?
Posted by Henry, a resident of the Charleston Gardens neighborhood, on Nov 2, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open for waterfowl hunting from October to January. It's part of the core mission of National Wildlife Refuges.
"The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge contains 10,285 acres of tidal areas and salt ponds that are open to waterfowl hunting every October - January. Waterfowl hunting season opening and closing dates are determined by the State of California. Check the California Waterfowl Regulations each season for these dates. See our hunt webpage for specific information on permits, locations, access, and hunting days on the refuge."
Posted by Ducatigirl, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 2, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Years ago I boarded horses in a pasture on the eastern edge of the Don Edwards Refuge. Some other boarders used to brag that at Thanksgiving, they would walk up to the migratory geese and wring their necks...and have goose for Turkey Day!! EWWWWW!!!
Indeed, what kind of people do things like that? The same people who shoot ducks at 1:00 am.
Posted by some guy, a resident of another community, on Nov 5, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Duck hunting after sundown is not legal. The ducks don't fly at 1 am, and you wouldn't be able to see them anyway. The story from the police doesn't make sense.
Posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 5, 2012 at 7:28 pm
None of us who looked into this found ANYTHING to suggest that it was legal to duck hunt at 1am. My neighbor has written to the DFG to see if she can get more info. Apparently, it sounded so close that they woke up & hit the ground - truly awful. They are also Stanford folks who've lived there for quite awhile & it's rare to have gunfire these days from the west side. Why the police can't just say that some losers lied about their activities is beyond me...or that losers thought that duck hunting at 1am was fine, & got arrested for it.
Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2012 at 12:00 am
Fish & Game seems to prohibit waterfowl hunting sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. Web Link\
I'm no hunter but I've seen geese fly at all hours of the night. And while night hunting would be challenging for shooter and dog, a full moon really lights up the baylands (as several hundred observed on the Sept 28 Moonlight Run).
I too have found that the police are not very informative regarding specific calls or incidents. I suspect it's a behavior and policy learned through decades of dealing with an often-hostile public as well as defense lawyers.
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