Merganzer research thread Possiblity of a seperate bag limit.

[Special T]

I am creating this thread as a place to organize my thoughts  and reading of research on the possibility of having a separate bag limit for these fish eaters. Ive been told that there were previous separate bag limits in other flyways but it has been abandoned. perehaps others on here have more specific knowledge and can share. My first post will be a series of links for me to read at a later time.

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/f/fishery/aag2862.1661.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/z85-189#.W8eAgvkh1YI

http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.2981/0909-6396-14.4.395

[knighttime25]

It would of been nice to have a separate limit of lawn darts on opener, we could of shot a pile of them. It would be good to thin them out a bit and save some salmon 

[lokidog]

There are separate limits in many states back east.

North Carolina
Texas
+More

Until the 1980s, Pacific Flyway waterfowlers were allowed to shoot mergansers under their own daily bag limits in addition to those for other more desirable dabblers and divers.

It would likely save some juvenile salmon, though they probably eat a lot more juvenile surf perch than anything else.

[WSU]

In lots of places it would save salmon and steelhead.  I'd bet the ones I kill on the coastal rivers aren't eating surf perch!

[DOUBLELUNG]

There are separate limits in many states back east.

North Carolina
Texas
+More

Until the 1980s, Pacific Flyway waterfowlers were allowed to shoot mergansers under their own daily bag limits in addition to those for other more desirable dabblers and divers.

It would likely save some juvenile salmon, though they probably eat a lot more juvenile surf perch than anything else.

In the Columbia, Chelan PUD research found they eat large numbers of juvenile salmon, both parr and smolts

[Special T]

There are separate limits in many states back east.

North Carolina
Texas
+More

Until the 1980s, Pacific Flyway waterfowlers were allowed to shoot mergansers under their own daily bag limits in addition to those for other more desirable dabblers and divers.

It would likely save some juvenile salmon, though they probably eat a lot more juvenile surf perch than anything else.

In the Columbia, Chelan PUD research found they eat large numbers of juvenile salmon, both parr and smolts

If there is a link or pdf please post or shoot me a pm

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[northwesthunter84]

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf page 28

Daily Limit
6 Ducks
5 Mergansers

[Special T]

Covers hooded Merganser
https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/2008/2008-sept_waterfowl.pdf

https://seaduckjv.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/come_sppfactsheet.pdf

[NWR]

Special T ... good luck. I tried this about 10 years ago I think.  I though I had a chance but in the end I didn’t have the support of the WDFW Migratory Bird Bio in Olympia so the other Bio’s from the Western States voted it down. You have to go through the Pacific Flyway Council.  It meets several times a year.  A long process.  If the Duck guy in Olympia (new guy since I tried) is on board you might have a chance. 

For your info the separate Merg limit was removed from the Pacific FW regs by the request of the Oregon Bio in that group. That was in the 80’s I think. That guy has retired.

[NWR]

Yes I hunt Mergs. Cork and wood decoys and it’s a hoot.  Several things you have to battle.  #1 Most people don’t eat them so public opinion is against shooting them due to wastage. #2 You can shoot 7 now if you want to hunt them and 12 ducks is an obscene number of ducks to kill in be day ..... if you shoot a limit of each. I have a couple of places where I could kill my 5 ducks, Cans-Redheads and/or Scaup, and shoot 5 Mergs also. Many people see this as being greedy.  #3 if you are trying to sell this as a way to save salmon you are going to lose. These Bios didn’t buy that back when I tried.  Maybe times have changed.

Trying to post a pic. Can’t figure out how to add it to the post. I can load it to attachments but can’t get it added to the post text.   I’ll post this and do some research

Oops it’s there?

[NWR]

One more picture. I shot a slam on Mergs....drakes of each specie, Common, Red Breasted and Hoodie... over my decoy rig during one hunt. Rather difficult to do I think ?   I had a second slam in the bag and choked on the RB drake.

[NWR]

One more thing. There is a WAG = Waterfowl Advisory Group of sportsman that meet with WDFW Bio at least once a year on Duck/goose stuff.  I think you need to be in contact with that group if you are to move forward.

[Special T]

The Washington Waterfowlers Association have members on the Wag...

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[lokidog]

In lots of places it would save salmon and steelhead.  I'd bet the ones I kill on the coastal rivers aren't eating surf perch!

I was talking about the ones here swimming through the muddy bays where juvenile salmon don't really hang out much.

[Dan-o]

I know someone is going to say they have a recipe or they make really good duck pepperoni, or some such.....

But the thought of eating Merganzers..............     EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!   

[lokidog]

I know someone is going to say they have a recipe or they make really good duck pepperoni, or some such.....

But the thought of eating Merganzers..............     EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!   

 

We eat them all of the time. My wife, who does not like strong tasting meat, eats them with my awesome cooking abilities.    

[Dan-o]

I know someone is going to say they have a recipe or they make really good duck pepperoni, or some such.....

But the thought of eating Merganzers..............     EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!   

 

We eat them all of the time. My wife, who does not like strong tasting meat, eats them with my awesome cooking abilities.    

#


Sorry, but I've been fooled by too many people who said they knew how to make mud ducks taste good..   

I've got a bad taste in my mouth just reading about Merganzers.......

[EWUeagles]

I know someone is going to say they have a recipe or they make really good duck pepperoni, or some such.....

But the thought of eating Merganzers..............     EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!   

You eat mallards right? Want me to show you a picture of mallards feeding out of poop ponds?

I throw any mergs in my pepperoni and no way you could pick out what duck it is in there. My buddy said if you eat a hoody the same day you shoot it it's just as good as any duck out there but if it sits for a couple days he throws it in the pepperoni pile.

[northwesthunter84]

I make poppers and people can't tell the differance (teal, mergs, buffleheads, golden eye and scoter).  Never had a complaint even from non hunters but I do use Allegro marinade prior to wrapping.  Plus bacon makes everything a little better.  I tried seared merg breasts and they tasted just fine, the legs tasted like a light salmon (my wifes discription, not mine). Dont over cook it like any other duck/game animial is my opinion.

[lokidog]

I make poppers and people can't tell the differance (teal, mergs, buffleheads, golden eye and scoter).  Never had a complaint even from non hunters but I do use Allegro marinade prior to wrapping.  Plus bacon makes everything a little better.  I tried seared merg breasts and they tasted just fine, the legs tasted like a light salmon (my wifes discription, not mine). Dont over cook it like any other duck/game animial is my opinion.

Yeah, they taste the same as any other diver I have eaten.  I cook the legs together with all of my divers and puddle ducks, can't tell the difference besides the merg leg/thighs have twice as much meat. 

I would love to see a separate limit as I do pass on them occasionally in the hopes of getting something else if there are mallards and wigeon around. Usually I just toast them when they swim into my decoys, the dog doesn't care what she fetches as long as she gets to do it.

[Stein]

I shot something last year that looked like a cross between a snow goose and a pterodactyl, is that what you guys are talking about?

[Night goat]

I know someone is going to say they have a recipe or they make really good duck pepperoni, or some such.....

But the thought of eating Merganzers..............     EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!   

 

There is always that time honored recipe involving a rock

[Bill W]

used to be a separate mergie limit up to the late 80's.   About the time the duck limit changed from 7 to 5 the separate mergie limit was eliminated.

[Special T]

I had a tip PMed to me. Unlike other birds breast out asap dont age them like you do puddle ducks. This falls in line with an invitation for fresh liver. I was told it was only fit for fresh  consumption 3 days or less Medium rare. I was pleasantly surprised and will always cook it on the kill day in the future.

I believe this is why i have had 1 coot that tasted great and others that did not. Im uncertain about how quickly i had boned them out, but i will be giving this a second try.

[duckmen1]

I shot something last year that looked like a cross between a snow goose and a pterodactyl, is that what you guys are talking about?

That's funny right there.