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I've reached a point where I can no longer justify shooting wild birds. I just train the dogs for others (mostly my lazy brother)and campaign them in field competition (our newest dog already has close to 200 waterfowl retrieves this season). But I have no problems or issues with those who do.
However, I have absolutely no problem shooting pen raised birds such as those at Yankee Slough or most other clubs. Those birds were raised for one single purpose, much like a Foster Farms chicken, so you might take that approach in your discussions. I think there are clubs like Camanche Hills that do also pass shoots of pen raised ducks.
This is just my personal thought, but without groups such as DU and CWA, which are primarily comprised of hunters, there would be significantly less habitat for waterfowl and other species, so the benefit from conservation taught through hunting probably outweighs habitat benefits from "other" sources. As with anglers, many hunters become actively involved with conservation programs, that often results in far more benefit than what is taken.
A way you might get actively involved is to get a well-bred pup, then work with a pro or other knowledgeable person & train it - then handle the dog when going out with your son. But you'll also need a hunting license for that (at least that's how I interpret the regs). After watching the dogs in competition and in training, it's certainly helped my wife's perspectives on hunting and conservation.
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