[fabsroman]

That was my first year of waterfowling and I cannot say that I knew the laws back then. However, ignorance of the law is no excuse. The tame mallards usually stayed by a pond most of the time. The farm is about 200 acres and we were hunting at least 250 yards away from the pond. I don't know what the exact "proximity" is required to be guilty of hunting over live birds, but I think I could have made an argument on it.

The only thing I can say is that it was really foggy that day. I mean really foggy, especially down in the meadow part of the farm which was pretty well flooded. My buddy and I were hunting in different spots and he saw me shoot at a pair of mallards, a drake and hen, flying into the meadow. I missed on both shots and they entered the fog. Exactly what he was thinking I have no idea, but will guess that he thought they landed in the meadow. He disappeared into the fog and I heard three quick shots, then another two. He came to me with the ducks, two drake mallards the size of canada geese. I knew we were in trouble then.

That was about 9 years ago. Just this summer, the farm owner bought another 6 mallards, but they are on a pond at a different farm that is only 40 acres. We used to hunt that pond, but are not able to do so anymore.

I am surprised that a federal warden let you off of something. Most of the time, tickets are dolled out and you have to prove your innocense in court. That wouldn't have been a hard one to win, but usually they are a huge inconvenience. You got lucky and got one of the good wardens. By the way, how do they distinguish what a "hunting vehicle" is?