Ive always wanted a Wood Duck

[hornhunter]

Ive never shot a woody.  If anyone has a private ditch where I could jumpshoot a pair that would be pretty cool.  Really that would be the only waterfowling I would even want to do this whole winter.  (well maybe a goose hunt or a Sea Duck hunt)  Looking for some taxidermy birds!

Im sure we could come up with a fair trade.

Thanks

Mike

[Dustin07]

Ive never shot a woody.  If anyone has a private ditch where I could jumpshoot a pair that would be pretty cool.  Really that would be the only waterfowling I would even want to do this whole winter.  (well maybe a goose hunt or a Sea Duck hunt)  Looking for some taxidermy birds!

Im sure we could come up with a fair trade.

Thanks

Mike

where are you located?

[h2ofowlr]

I would get into some marsh lands, they usually hold a few wood ducks.  Used to shoot a bunch.  There are a lot to shoot if you are located in SW Washington.

[boneaddict]

Satus unit is your best bet. 

[Dustin07]

I would get into some marsh lands, they usually hold a few wood ducks.  Used to shoot a bunch.  There are a lot to shoot if you are located in SW Washington.

that's why I was wondering where he was located. I was looking at a migration pattern of the wood duck and it looks like they centralize in the south-central WA area and head southwest to the west coast of Cali (typically). The only wood ducks I've seen in WA were at Kapowsin. Just a pair, and since we don't see them often, we opted not to shoot them. I would like to get into a heavier wood duck population myself though, what a great mount!

[General Disarray]

We've got some spots that produce pretty regulary around here.  Water + Russian Olive trees = Wood ducks....

[teal101]

We've got some spots that produce pretty regulary around here.  Water + Russian Olive trees = Wood ducks....

This.  I shot one on my last youth hunt.  my brother has shot one to on a youth hunt.  Seen plenty during the opener.  On the Eastside they're here for a short time before booking it south.  Yakima has some.  Find water and thick trees.  They will be there.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Water + Russian Olive trees = Wood ducks....

That is 100% correct.  

[Coho]

Try and find a spot for mid season so you get full color and minimal pinfeathers.

[WCTaxidermy]

Coho hit the nail on the head.  Early season birds are loaded with pin feathers.  Most bird Taxidermists won't even touch an early season bird because of that reason.  If your putting all your effort into a Wood Duck hunt for mounting purposes, try to plan the hunt around late October on.  Wood Ducks are fun to hunt and they sure do make a beautiful mount!!!!!!   Good luck on the hunt   John   

[alecvg]

My second duck ever was a Drake Woodie!  I am luckey!  Up here though, it seems to be luck to find them, we happened to jump one spot in the creek that had 4 or 5 of them mixed in with the mallards.   

[hornhunter]

Coho hit the nail on the head.  Early season birds are loaded with pin feathers.  Most bird Taxidermists won't even touch an early season bird because of that reason.  If your putting all your effort into a Wood Duck hunt for mounting purposes, try to plan the hunt around late October on.  Wood Ducks are fun to hunt and they sure do make a beautiful mount!!!!!!   Good luck on the hunt   John   

WOW! Thanks for the replys guys!   I havnt checked back in this post for a bit.......Ive been a little pre occupied with Renting our house out, finding and moving to temporary housing and finally looking at 50+ houses over the last 6 weeks.  We found a house made a offer and it was accepted!  So other than keeping up with the meat and potato forums Elk Deer and Genral Diss.  I havnt been back here to waterfowl.  I am for sure interested in a late season bird or pair.  The plumage is ideal on all waterfowl later in the season. 

[Whitenuckles]

Coho knows whats up!!!

Heres what they look like in mid November..

[teal101]

I took mine on Sep 25th during the youth hunt.  It was surprisingly 90-95% plumage.  THe Taxi didn't mention anything about pin feathers either.  I think it depends on age of bird as well.

[Gobble]

I shot one quite a few years ago in Enumclaw. Got it mounted