Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: krout81 on July 25, 2015, 06:10:17 PM

Title: 200 hen mallards
Post by: krout81 on July 25, 2015, 06:10:17 PM

I did a round of golf at North shore golf course and at the 12th hole there was a large water hazard.  On the side of the water and in the fairway there was at least 200 mallard hens.  I did not see any ducklings or a single greenhead.  any thoughts as to why they are still here?  I was thinking mates all got killed so strength in numbers.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: HunterDan3 on July 25, 2015, 06:44:14 PM

More than likely there were drakes in the flock. In the summer time drake mallards go through a process called molting, this process leaves the drake mallard with little resemblance to the male details... like green head. In other words the molting makes them look like a hen

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: Colin on July 25, 2015, 07:59:10 PM

My understanding was that they are immature birds that haven't come into their first color. I think one of the only ways to tell them apart is from the white wing stripes. I never can though.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 25, 2015, 08:20:13 PM

Probably still not starting to color up yet.  Usually takes place August & Sept.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: krout81 on July 25, 2015, 08:21:16 PM

Nope they all had the hen mallard blue on the wings.  So do they mold the gray too?

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: Bigshooter on July 25, 2015, 08:23:14 PM

Lesbians

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: krout81 on July 25, 2015, 08:26:41 PM

Lol.  I looked at em all pretty close,  I have seen pairs with ducklings all over just thought it was weird.  Maybe they are all pairs with no babies

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 25, 2015, 08:38:04 PM

 :tup:

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: bowtechian on July 26, 2015, 03:33:43 PM

Any chance they may have been gadwal ??

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: wa_archer on July 26, 2015, 04:59:33 PM

most likely molting and juvenile drakes, have to pay attention to the bills, hens orange, drakes yellow that doesn't change.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: krout81 on September 02, 2015, 01:22:29 PM

Went back to course and they are starting to change.... Guess its a bunch of hold over pairs that didn't have any ducklings.   Maybe they will be inclined to come visit my decoys opening day :-) :chuckle:

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: 270Shooter on September 02, 2015, 06:48:07 PM

I'm sure they were just a bunch of juveniles with se mature hens mixed in.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: McCRIZZLEY on September 22, 2015, 10:36:43 AM

The juvenile male in the image above has a pretty orange beak...

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: wadu1 on September 22, 2015, 12:44:25 PM

Quote from: krout81 on July 25, 2015, 06:10:17 PM

I did a round of golf at North shore golf course and at the 12th hole there was a large water hazard.  On the side of the water and in the fairway there was at least 200 mallard hens.  I did not see any ducklings or a single greenhead.  any thoughts as to why they are still here?  I was thinking mates all got killed so strength in numbers.

I'll check them out and see, it's only 5  minutes away from me. Yesterday at about 1500 (4:00) I saw about 75+ geese near the pond and on the fairway.

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: jkononen on September 26, 2015, 04:29:18 PM

I thought 1500 was 3:00?

Title: Re: 200 hen mallards
Post by: Commando on September 26, 2015, 08:21:04 PM

Quote from: jkononen on September 26, 2015, 04:29:18 PM

I thought 1500 was 3:00?

You are correct