Aging Ducks???

[LittleJohn]

I am not much of a duck hunter, but manage to get out if all my big game tags are full. I took a friend from out of town out last weekend and managed a limit of widgion and teel. He told he he lets his duck hang outside whole for 3-5 days if it is cold to age them. He says they taste allot better. Anyone else do this?

[CP]

No.  I clean them as quickly as possible, I like them fresh not gamey.

[Rowdy]

I come from a very serious hard core Duck hunting family and I some how didn't get the gene needed to trick my taste buds into thinking duck tastes good.  My dad, uncles, and cousins like to do all kinds of things with them as far as cooking them but the one thing they all religously do and claim is, clean the birds right away for the best taste.  For me it doesn't matter, can't stand 'em but they have always sworn by it.  However my family's favorite way to eat duck is a quick sear and eat raw.    Go figure 

Jake

[LittleJohn]

I have always cleaned mine as soon as I get home also. I buddy says it is normal in Wisconsin (his home) to age them.

[dontgetcrabs]

My dad told me a story about a sheep herder my grandpa hired that would hang them by their necks until the heads fell off.    

[LittleJohn]

  No thanks

[ducksdoom12]

widgeon clean asap. any thing else ill let hang overnight. never 3-5 days though thats WAY to long

[boots]

do you gut them before you let them hang?

i clean them right away usually just to get it out of the way

[lokidog]

I have always cleaned mine as soon as I get home also. I buddy says it is normal in Wisconsin (his home) to age them.

I am originally from WI and grew up duck hunting.  Noone in our circle of hunting friends let them hang.  I'll maybe go overnight if it is cold and I am exhausted after coming in.

[jordano]

have always at least dropped the guts the day of. most of the time do the whole bird

[skybuster]

pluck there breast feathers and get them to cool quick has been my trick, they will stay warm for 5 hours or more if you dont. Try and burry feathers thought or it can be messy

[AKBowman]

We used to hang them by their bills on the side of the duck shack back in Susitna flats. Nails run through 2X2's. I remember having 3 sides of the cabin full of ducks by day 2. Limit was 10 ducks, 5 geese, 2 cranes. I think I have pictures somewhere...

[h2ofowlr]

My great grandfather used to do that as well with the pheasants and ducks.  He would pull the guts out, then hang them by the head.  He would hang them for several days or up to a week if it was cold.