Spoonbills

[AWS]

I don't get very many opportunities to shoot spoonies out here on the coast, most I've shot were over on the eastside.  There they just got mixed in with all the others and mostly canned for burritos and hot-dishes.  I picked up one out here the other day here on the coast and decided after hearing all the comments over the year on what a poor table duck they were to give them a fair test.

This morning I sliced the breasts cross-ways about a 1/4" thick and sauted them with some thin sliced onions, salt &pepper.   Sliding them to the edges of the pan and breaking a couple eggs in the center and frying until the yokes were still runny.  They were delicious, as good as any of the top table fare ducks.  Looks like I won't pass on them when they come in.

How have you found them, was this one an anomaly?

[Bill W]

My first two had issues. They were wetside spoonies and that was close to 40 years ago.  Since then I've steered clear of them.  Now opening weekend we shot 9 spoonies as my hunting partner said he'd take all we got.   He likes them and says he can't tell the difference between them an any other puddle duck.

[Duckgtr]

I put them in with stir fry or I make little duck poppers. Marinade in Italian dressing over night, cut breast into strips, wrap in bacon and jalapeno, BBQ till bacon is crispy. I also do that with all ducks. Or make jerky.

[vandeman17]

I have had no issues with smilers on the east side tasting bad. I think a large reason that some ducks on the west side taste bad is based on where and what they are feeding on.

[Stein]

I think it is hard to make generalizations about west side ducks due to the huge variety in feed they may be on.  On the opener, I shot a couple of mallards that were very skinny and had just a small amount of orange fat.  They were ok, but certainly not mallard quality.  Many of the varieties will get on food that doesn't make for great table fare, or they could be on all grain and be excellent.

Either way, they aren't horrible.  I wouldn't pass up a shot.