Do you know your ducks?

[Kola16]

I know that there is always new duck hunters every year. It is VERY important that you know your ducks. There is a limit on some, and some that you can't shoot period. Some new waterfowlers will go out, and shoot at anything, even swans    http://www.hunter-ed.com/wildlife/waterfowl.htm

[Atroxus]

Well I can tell the difference between a swan, a goose and a duck, and I could recognize a mallard on my own. Apparently I need to do some more studying before our hunt though to figure out which ducks are illegal to shoot and what they look like.

[pjb3]

Very good topic

[windygorge]

i wished they would freeze frame like those in the picture.  the only way i can tell is how they fly.  or if the sun is just right.  early morning, forget color identification.  they all have a distinct way they fly.  but you won't know that until your out in the field and learnin.   the way i identify, is .....flight, sound (if any), then color.   

[Hilltop123]

Ya I know my ducks.....

[Kola16]

i wished they would freeze frame like those in the picture.  the only way i can tell is how they fly.  or if the sun is just right.  early morning, forget color identification.  they all have a distinct way they fly.  but you won't know that until your out in the field and learnin.   the way i identify, is .....flight, sound (if any), then color.   

90% of the time, I can see color. But yes, that is a good/best way. Also body shape, and size.

[runamuk]

Ya I know my ducks.....

[windygorge]

i wished they would freeze frame like those in the picture.  the only way i can tell is how they fly.  or if the sun is just right.  early morning, forget color identification.  they all have a distinct way they fly.  but you won't know that until your out in the field and learnin.   the way i identify, is .....flight, sound (if any), then color.   

90% of the time, I can see color. But yes, that is a good/best way. Also body shape, and size.

yea, body shape is in there to.  forgot to mention that. 

[quackattack90]

And to all the new guys out there, MAKE SURE you know the difference betweent a SWAN and a SNOW GOOSE!!!! I've seen it happen twice in the past three years of new people shooting swans and getting all excited because they think they have shot the worlds biggest snow goose.
KNOW YOUR BIRDS!

[Kola16]

  but you won't know that until your out in the field and learnin.   

My first year of duck hunting was interesting  It took me a little before I could tell if it was a duck, or a cormorant  (Before I had decoys) I would hide from those stupid cormorants for a minute, and they would get about 80 yards from me, and I would finally figure out that it wasn't what I wanted 

Don't get frustrated, you'll get it eventually  

[windygorge]

  but you won't know that until your out in the field and learnin.   

My first year of duck hunting was interesting  It took me a little before I could tell if it was a duck, or a cormorant  (Before I had decoys) I would hide from those stupid cormorants for a minute, and they would get about 80 yards from me, and I would finally figure out that it wasn't what I wanted 

Don't get frustrated, you'll get it eventually  

    I KNOW!!    i can't tell you how many times i tried calling comorants in.   

[Skagit_Hunter]

And to all the new guys out there, MAKE SURE you know the difference betweent a SWAN and a SNOW GOOSE!!!! I've seen it happen twice in the past three years of new people shooting swans and getting all excited because they think they have shot the worlds biggest snow goose.
KNOW YOUR BIRDS!

When you carry your snows out swung over your shoulder.....And their butts are dragging on the ground. You might have a problem....

[Kola16]

And to all the new guys out there, MAKE SURE you know the difference betweent a SWAN and a SNOW GOOSE!!!! I've seen it happen twice in the past three years of new people shooting swans and getting all excited because they think they have shot the worlds biggest snow goose.
KNOW YOUR BIRDS!

When you carry your snows out swung over your shoulder.....And their butts are dragging on the ground. You might have a problem....

 

[h2ofowlr]

You will see swans that get shot this year on Fir Island due to people not knowing how to identify them.

[runamuk]

And to all the new guys out there, MAKE SURE you know the difference betweent a SWAN and a SNOW GOOSE!!!! I've seen it happen twice in the past three years of new people shooting swans and getting all excited because they think they have shot the worlds biggest snow goose.
KNOW YOUR BIRDS!

When you carry your snows out swung over your shoulder.....And their butts are dragging on the ground. You might have a problem....

 

  agree and if you can't tell a snow from a swan please put your gun down...they are vastly different birds even at great distance

[windygorge]

we had a swan come into our decoys.  at first i thought it was a 747 gettin ready to crash, but then realized it was a swan.  those are some big ol birds for sure..

[Kola16]

There is a lot of uneducated people when it comes to swans. It is pretty sad 

ANOTHER thing that a lot of guys do not know is that you may not hunt snow geese in Snohomish, or Skagit County without a special permit. Sea ducks also throughout the state.

[TheSkyBuster]

You will see swans that get shot this year on Fir Island due to people not knowing how to identify them.

It can be petty tough to tell the difference between a Tundra Swan and a Trumpeter Swan when they're dropping into your snow goose decoys,  actually I can't even tell the diffeence between the 2 when there laying dead on the road by my house after they flew into the power lines.   But to get those monsters confused with a snow goose?  WTH?  Hunting on "The Island" must have gone down hill fast since I swore it off a couple years ago. 

[bagmNtagm]

Ducks Unlimited has a waterfowl id app that you can download to any ipod/iphone or andriod...its very useful when on the field. sometimes you get some ducks that are not in full plumage and you have to look very closly at them but over the years you will start to figure it out. every duck has a certain shape to it and certian style of flying so watch closely and listen to the vetran duck hunters cause you will learn alot on what to shoot and what not to shoot...one day you'll even be able to just pick out the drakes and just shoot them while letting the hens pass for another year of breeding.

[Skagit_Hunter]

If it looks like a white 5 gallon bucket with a 4 ft fire hose neck. and black bill, eyes, feet. You might be in trouble.
When you feel the ground move when it hits the ground. You might be in trouble.
When it takes out half your decoy spread on crash landing..... You might be in trouble.
When it flies over 6 other groups of people at 20 ft without a shot. And you shoot 3 times and miss then reload and drop it on the 6th shot...... You might be in trouble.

[Atroxus]

So far from what I am reading it seems like for Ducks that the only ones illegal are sea ducks and that can be addressed by getting a harvest card. If this is the case, are sea ducks a concern where we plan to hunt? If so I will see if I can get a sea duck card so I don't have to worry about it, and just not shoot at anything other than ducks.

[Kola16]

So far from what I am reading it seems like for Ducks that the only ones illegal are sea ducks and that can be addressed by getting a harvest card. If this is the case, are sea ducks a concern where we plan to hunt? If so I will see if I can get a sea duck card so I don't have to worry about it, and just not shoot at anything other than ducks.

We have a 1-3% chance that we will "see" a "sea" duck  They are very easy to pick out also. I won't let you shoot anything that you wouldn't want too (coots, mergansers, some random duck thing etc.)I have never hunted sea ducks. I heard they taste like 

[Atroxus]

So far from what I am reading it seems like for Ducks that the only ones illegal are sea ducks and that can be addressed by getting a harvest card. If this is the case, are sea ducks a concern where we plan to hunt? If so I will see if I can get a sea duck card so I don't have to worry about it, and just not shoot at anything other than ducks.

We have a 1-3% chance that we will "see" a "sea" duck  They are very easy to pick out also. I won't let you shoot anything that you wouldn't want too (coots, mergansers, some random duck thing etc.)I have never hunted sea ducks. I heard they taste like 

Cool, I downloaded that ducks unlimited app someone mentioned too. It's only 99 cents, and so far looks to be well worth the cost. My only complaint is they don't have in-flight photos for all of the birds in the bird ID section of the app.

[Skagit_Hunter]

I never get a sea duck card. I would rather eat a azz out of a skunk that shoot a sea duck.

[windygorge]

I never get a sea duck card. I would rather eat a azz out of a skunk that shoot a sea duck.

    i have never hunted sea ducks, but i have been told the same thing. 

[BiggLuke]

Wow. awesome hyperlink. thanks man.
Yeah I've got some newbies here at work, this is just what they need.

[TheSkyBuster]

We have a 1-3% chance that we will "see" a "sea" duck 


Pretty slim odds. 

Remember that in Western Washington a Golden Eye is considered a "sea" duck.

[Kola16]

We have a 1-3% chance that we will "see" a "sea" duck 

Pretty slim odds. 


Remember that in Western Washington a Golden Eye is considered a "sea" duck.

I know. But I have never seen any in this area. If I go west then yes. I am talking to Atroxus about a specific spot 

[Atroxus]

We have a 1-3% chance that we will "see" a "sea" duck 

Pretty slim odds. 


Remember that in Western Washington a Golden Eye is considered a "sea" duck.

I know. But I have never seen any in this area. If I go west then yes. I am talking to Atroxus about a specific spot 

I think I may get a sea duck card that way if I do see a sea duck I can just blast it...or try to at least. I also know my luck well enough that if I don't we will get swarmed by the worlds only directionally challenged flock of sea ducks.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[wraithen]

Atroxus you're in for a blast. My first year two and I am lucky enough to have someone showing me all the ropes. He's still trying to figure out how to get these WA birds to respond but I'm still learning how to shoot a duck. Apparently the lead is not really the same as the skeet range 

[Atroxus]

Atroxus you're in for a blast. My first year two and I am lucky enough to have someone showing me all the ropes. He's still trying to figure out how to get these WA birds to respond but I'm still learning how to shoot a duck. Apparently the lead is not really the same as the skeet range 

I been practicing at granite falls sportsman club, shooting clays. Been there 2 times now, so far my best is 20/25 hits. This Sunday I am also going on my first pheasant hunt with another forum member.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2