Hunters in Chatham County were caught shooting ducks illegally from a moving vessel on Wednesday, violating state hunting laws.
A game warden stopped the group after observing the activity and issued multiple charges, including hunting from a powered vessel and using an unplugged shotgun.
Just the Facts:
• What Happened: Department of Natural Resources officials say hunters were caught shooting ducks from a moving boat, a violation of Georgia hunting regulations.
• Charges: The group was cited for hunting from a powered vessel, using an unplugged shotgun, and other licensing violations.
• Location: The incident occurred on Chatham County waters during a water patrol.
• Outcome: The illegally harvested birds were donated to the Old Savannah City Mission.
The Details: Georgia law prohibits hunting waterfowl from a powered boat to ensure fair chase and ethical hunting practices. Unplugged shotguns, which allow hunters to load more than three shells, are also against federal and state waterfowl hunting regulations. These restrictions are in place to conserve wildlife populations and ensure safety.
How You Can Help: Hunters can avoid violations by reviewing the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ hunting guidelines. Report suspected illegal hunting activities to the agency’s tip line to help protect the state’s wildlife resources.
