What kind of duck is this?

[Karl Blanchard]

[ghosthunter]

Yeah shoot all those you can. They make ok pepperoni sticks. Butcher will make pepperoni sticks if you bring in 20 lbs of meat.

They destroy duck nests, so shoot away. Good practice for the dog too.

I didn’t know they were predators for duck nests. Thanks for the heads up on that.

Interactions between American Coots (Fulica americana) and water-fowl during the breeding season are well-documented (Ryder 1959, Nudds 1981). Ducks and coots use similar nesting, feeding, brooding, and loafing sites during the breeding season (Munro 1939, Sooter 1945, Ryder 1959). Coots create potential nest sites, repulse predators, provide predation buffers for ducks (Sooter 1945; Ryder 1958, 1959), and may also destroy eggs and young of other marsh-nesting birds (Munro 1937, Burger 1973, McNicholl 1975). Coots, ducks, and swans often feed cooperatively (Ryder 1959, Anderson 1974, Ryan 1981); and American Wigeon (Anas americana) and Gadwell () may rob feeding coots (Knapton and Knudsen 1978, Ryan 1981). Interspecies aggression between coots and waterfowl usually occurs when ducks approach coot nests or broods (Ryan and Dinsmore 1979). Despite these interactions, the numbers of duck broods produced in areas in Utah with nesting coots and in areas where coots have been removed were similar (Ryder 1958, 1961). Densities of coots and ducks, and brood counts of coots and ducks for a 26-year period in Saskatchewan also indicated no significant relationship between numbers of coots and waterfowl (Nudds 1981).


Coots and waterfowl from large areas of breeding habitat concentrate on smaller areas during the nonbreeding season (Weller 1975:102). These species may also change diets and habitats during migration and while wintering (Weller 1975). This study documents associations between waterfowl and coots during fall migration and examines feeding and behavioral interactions between coots and waterfowl in mixed flocks. Specifically, we (1) describe temporal and spatial overlap among migrations of coots and waterfowl, (2) present behavioral interactions among species, and (3) document food habits of birds feeding sympatrically during fall migration in Oklahoma.

[follow maggie]

I’ve shot & ate a few of them. Anything is good with the proper ratio of cream cheese & jalapeños

[PsoasHunter]

A buddy and I shot a handful when we were trying to figure out big water. We'd only hunted fields before and weren't having any luck.  We were bored and didn't want to get skunked. I'll try anything once and am not going to kill something I'm not willing to eat, but expectations were low given what I'd heard.

They were actually delicious! I cooked them like any other duck, pan seared on high with olive oil, steak seasoning, and salt,  leaving it medium rate like a steak.  We seasoned them petty generosity but I didn't think they were gamey or muddy at all. I was pleasantly surprised. They were petty tough buggers to clean and very little meat per bird, so haven't made a habit of killing them since. 

[Smokeploe]

Coots can be fine eating if they ar prepared right.  We would just skin the breast and cut the thighs off and skin.  When we got home we would soak all the meat in either milk or buttermilk for 24 hours.  Then coat in your best seasoned flour, then brown in oil, your favorite.  Set on plate when browned, when  all are browned used the leftover flour and make a good thick gravy add one bay leaf, sone rosemary, garlic, 1 rough cut onion, and the secret 1/2+- of brandy.  Put meat in a cast iron Dutch oven pour in the gravy put lid on and into the 350 oven for 1 hour, cook till tender.  Mash potatoes are great with this dish.

Smokeploe

[lokidog]

A buddy and I shot a handful when we were trying to figure out big water. We'd only hunted fields before and weren't having any luck.  We were bored and didn't want to get skunked. I'll try anything once and am not going to kill something I'm not willing to eat, but expectations were low given what I'd heard.

They were actually delicious! I cooked them like any other duck, pan seared on high with olive oil, steak seasoning, and salt,  leaving it medium rate like a steak.  We seasoned them petty generosity but I didn't think they were gamey or muddy at all. I was pleasantly surprised. They were petty tough buggers to clean and very little meat per bird, so haven't made a habit of killing them since.

It's been a long time... but I recall that Coots have really big gizzards for their body size. So, if you are a gizzard fan, then 

[85yota]

Ate same for the first time this weekend.. marinated in all sorts of thick sugary sauces and cooked in butter and bacon grease..honestly wasn't bad and all 4 breasts got eaten wonder if its like a bear depends on what there eating.. stalecracker on YouTube has a video.cooking the breasts and the gizzards..worth the watch

[Kola16]

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn't shoot something you are not sure of. Too many ducks or species that look like ducks that could get you in some trouble....

[pickardjw]

Also, fun fact, they are not ducks. They are Rails. And I believe Ryan Callaghan said it best on that Pardon My Plate..."feet only a mother could love"

[follow maggie]

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn't shoot something you are not sure of. Too many ducks or species that look like ducks that could get you in some trouble....

Come on Debby downer!  Just kidding, this is solid advice.

[h2ofowlr]

You can have a lot of fun chasing those as most people let them go.  At 25 per day, you will get some good shooting.

[Kola16]

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn't shoot something you are not sure of. Too many ducks or species that look like ducks that could get you in some trouble....

Come on Debby downer!

Ya I know I would just hate for a new hunter to shoot a swan, comorant, grebe, dusky, or sea duck without their sea duck permit and get stuck with a hefty fine or something. That wouldn't be a fun time for a new hunter.

[TheYoungSelfStarter]

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn't shoot something you are not sure of. Too many ducks or species that look like ducks that could get you in some trouble....

Come on Debby downer!

Ya I know I would just hate for a new hunter to shoot a swan, comorant, grebe, dusky, or sea duck without their sea duck permit and get stuck with a hefty fine or something. That wouldn't be a fun time for a new hunter.

You're exactly right right, thank you for the reminder not only to me but other who will read this post

[TheYoungSelfStarter]

Buddy of mine shot this bird the other day, he's new to waterfowl and asked me if I knew because I hunt more than him, but I'm more of a deer hunter and don't know myself. Any of you guys know what it is? Thanks!

Wanted to give you guys an update;

I used some duck and this coot (some chicken thigh as well) to make some chimichangas (basically burritos with cheese and peppers) the other night. The majority of the meat tasted really good, however, there were a few pieces that definitely tasted gamey. Would I shot some myself? Probably not. Are they terrible eating birds? I wouldn't say say.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

[pickardjw]

A buttermilk soak will definitely help. I also find with any waterfowl that a brown sugar heavy brine helps mellow out the gamey flavor. Light on the salt since they're typically already kind of salty.