Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: jordano on November 16, 2010, 08:27:26 AM

Title: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 16, 2010, 08:27:26 AM
After cleaning some ducks last night it got me to the question of... What duck tastes the best? Out of every species which tastes "THE BEST"! Share in YOUR opinion the best, along with best tasting goose!

I think GWT is the best tasting duck and I would have to say a Honker because that is all I have ever had!
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: WSU on November 16, 2010, 08:34:33 AM
Teal for sure.  Only had honkers as far as geese goes so I can't comment there.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Special T on November 16, 2010, 08:40:17 AM
I normally separate my ducks into 2 categories, so my wife will eat them... Mallard, Pin-tail, and Teal go in one zip-lock and everything else in another.. I think those "puddler" ducks tend to eat more grain and have more of a steak taste and less game... :twocents: My wife notices the difference more than i do i think...
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: CP on November 16, 2010, 08:41:35 AM
Canvasback – but a lot depends on what they’ve been feeding on and their physical condition.  Pintail & Mallards are up there as well.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Stickerbush on November 16, 2010, 08:45:03 AM
Merganser  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: CP on November 16, 2010, 08:45:46 AM
Merganser  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:

 :drool: :EAT:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: ducksdoom12 on November 16, 2010, 08:47:34 AM
i used to say GWT, but have recently changed my opinion to gadwall after having eatin the first 4 that I have ever shot! :drool:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 16, 2010, 08:48:09 AM
Merganser  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Don't quit your day time job just yet... I don't think you'll make it as a comedian just yet...  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Stickerbush on November 16, 2010, 08:57:16 AM
Actually shot a merg a couple years ago and dressed it out. Was going to eat it but everyone I talked to told me not too, wish I would have though. Try everything once right? :drool:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on November 16, 2010, 09:02:17 AM
Concur with Teal, Mallard and Pintail.... 
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Special T on November 16, 2010, 09:08:39 AM
what is GWT? Green head widgon teal?
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: h2ofowlr on November 16, 2010, 09:30:27 AM
Teal and mallards hands down.  Some of the guys I know will only shoot mallards or teal.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: MP123 on November 16, 2010, 09:36:56 AM
Teal and Mallards for sure.

Bufflehead is one of the worst.  I tried a Coot one time that wasn't half bad.  I guess it depends on what they're eating.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: T-Rip on November 16, 2010, 09:44:04 AM
Teal, Mallards, woodies..... as far as Geese, the best is a Speck.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Skillet on November 16, 2010, 09:59:03 AM
I used to hunt a farm pond that was close to a commercial feed lot.  The mallards would come in to the dekes with craws FULL of cow*censored*, corn and barley.  The cow crap would be all over their bills.  Best eating ducks ever.  Just had to be real careful when you cleaned them  :chuckle:
Worst I ever ate was a rank, nasty goldeneye I shot in the saltchuck.  Reminded me of cod liver oil.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Dadbear on November 16, 2010, 10:42:25 AM
Greenwing Teal and Mallard. All subspecies of Canada Geese. We just had Goose-a-dillas last night.   :EAT:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jbeaumont21 on November 16, 2010, 10:46:51 AM
All puddleducks (mallard, teal, pintail, wigeon, gadwall) East of the Rockies that eat corn and beans are delicious... not like the fishy livery tasting ducks we have here in Western WA.  Wood ducks are a bitch to clean but very tasty too.  They have a nice nutty flavor from all the acorns they eat.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: upwind on November 16, 2010, 01:40:47 PM
All the sea ducks taste good to me.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Whitenuckles on November 16, 2010, 02:35:01 PM
You guys are crazy... Bufflehead are the only way to go!! :chuckle: :P
http://www.23mm.com/image/duck/bufflehead.jpg (http://www.23mm.com/image/duck/bufflehead.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: 270Shooter on November 16, 2010, 02:48:24 PM
All puddlers taste very similar to me. I can't say that I didn't like mallards, teal, widgeon, or wood ducks ive eaten. Never eaten divers or geese
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Curly on November 16, 2010, 02:55:17 PM
I've never eaten divers either.  I suspect there is a reason why I was taught to call them "*censored* ducks"......... ;)
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: haulinbass on November 16, 2010, 04:40:26 PM
Wood Duck all the way :drool:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Fishnclifff on November 16, 2010, 04:53:14 PM
Concur with Teal, Mallard and Pintail.... 

 :tup: :yeah:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: dawei on November 16, 2010, 05:54:01 PM
what is GWT? Green head widgon teal?
Green Winged Teal; which is also my vote for best tasting duck.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: singleshot12 on November 16, 2010, 06:02:45 PM
The best eating duck on the west side is Gadwall, and all the ducks on the east side taste good

Best goose is Brant or Speckle bellies any where you find them
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 16, 2010, 06:52:40 PM
what is GWT? Green head widgon teal?

Greenwing Teal!
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: fast60eddie on November 16, 2010, 06:57:40 PM
Merganser  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Don't quit your day time job just yet... I don't think you'll make it as a comedian just yet...  :chuckle:  :chuckle:

I sure had a good laugh DOH!!
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: gadwall on November 16, 2010, 06:59:10 PM
Teal for sure.  Only had honkers as far as geese goes so I can't comment there.

I agree 100%.  Hard to beat teal for quality eating.

Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 16, 2010, 06:59:33 PM
Merganser  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Don't quit your day time job just yet... I don't think you'll make it as a comedian just yet...  :chuckle:  :chuckle:

I sure had a good laugh DOH!!
:chuckle:  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: lokidog on November 16, 2010, 08:19:52 PM
Wood Duck all the way :drool:

Widgeon taste like crap on the OR coast after the second week of season, I think they start eating eal grass or something nasty.  Grainfed widgeon are better than mallard, IMO.

Mergansers taste fine, just have to cook them the right way, with a very flavorful sauce.  I do apple/onion curry with the divers.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Black Plague on November 17, 2010, 10:57:04 AM
I think that the east side ducks all taste pretty good...the biggest difference to me is that some of the divers have a thick layer of fat that can make cleaning a pain...but the wheat/corn fed birds here taste similar to me
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: seth30 on November 17, 2010, 11:19:12 AM
What about coots?
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: ducksdoom12 on November 17, 2010, 04:08:14 PM
well, I actually do know a pretty good recipe for coots,
what you do is skin them out, then nail them to a peice of wood, (apple wood works well, puts some flavor in) then you put it on the barbaque with lower heat for about 3 hours
then you take it off the barbaque, rub what ever spices on it that you like, and finish it off in the oven at 425 for 1.5 hours
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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after that, you take it off the bord,
throw away the bird,
and eat the wood :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :drool: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 17, 2010, 05:24:02 PM
well, I actually do know a pretty good recipe for coots,
what you do is skin them out, then nail them to a peice of wood, (apple wood works well, puts some flavor in) then you put it on the barbaque with lower heat for about 3 hours
then you take it off the barbaque, rub what ever spices on it that you like, and finish it off in the oven at 425 for 1.5 hours
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
after that, you take it off the bord,
throw away the bird,
and eat the wood :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :drool: :IBCOOL:

oldest one in the book....dude....
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: gaddy on November 17, 2010, 05:28:36 PM
guy i know shoots the crap out of them,uses them in homemade chilie. not partial to it but he loves it.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Special T on November 17, 2010, 06:26:06 PM
I've has Coot 3 times in E Wa.. The first time the damn thing was corn fed...  :EAT:  The 2nd and 3rd one... :puke: tasted like Liver If you feed anything enough corn it tastes awesome!
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Curly on November 17, 2010, 06:39:38 PM
When I was in college, my roommates and I shot the hell out of a bunch of coots since the hunting was a little slow that day.  I think we ended up with 28 birds.  We cooked a couple and couldn't stand the taste.   :puke:  We ended up burying the rest out back in the yard.  (I hope the landlord didn't find all those coots buried out there after we moved out). :)    No more mudhens for me.......... :puke:

I felt bad for wasting the birds and I hope the statute of limitations is up now since its been over 20 years ago now......so hopefully I can admit it on the internet now. :)
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: 270Shooter on November 17, 2010, 06:43:01 PM
well, I actually do know a pretty good recipe for coots,
what you do is skin them out, then nail them to a peice of wood, (apple wood works well, puts some flavor in) then you put it on the barbaque with lower heat for about 3 hours
then you take it off the barbaque, rub what ever spices on it that you like, and finish it off in the oven at 425 for 1.5 hours
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
after that, you take it off the bord,
throw away the bird,
and eat the wood :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :drool: :IBCOOL:

oldest one in the book....dude....
i know seriously
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: lokidog on November 17, 2010, 08:21:06 PM
My mom loves coots, always asked us to shoot a few for her.  Coots are great 1. if you like gizzards, they have huge ones and 2.  If you filet the meat off the breast, soak it overnight, then fry it up in hot oil with garlic and spices like a steak.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jordano on November 17, 2010, 08:54:36 PM
well, I actually do know a pretty good recipe for coots,
what you do is skin them out, then nail them to a peice of wood, (apple wood works well, puts some flavor in) then you put it on the barbaque with lower heat for about 3 hours
then you take it off the barbaque, rub what ever spices on it that you like, and finish it off in the oven at 425 for 1.5 hours
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
after that, you take it off the bord,
throw away the bird,
and eat the wood :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :drool: :IBCOOL:

oldest one in the book....dude....
i know seriously
:chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: seth30 on November 18, 2010, 06:39:57 AM
Yeah I was just going to say that, they are always around on slow days, and in huge flocks.  They also either are very stupid or very brave to swim in front of me and my dogs.  :chuckle: I wouldnt mind blasting one for taxi purposes though.  Thanks for the intel on the taste of them.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jbeaumont21 on November 18, 2010, 08:54:53 AM
A good friend of mine in highschool that was from Laos used to limit out on coot every weekend to share with the family.  He would say "its all in how you prepare it buddy."  I tried it once it and wasn't half bad. Not to say I would ever shoot and cook them myself.  Mallards and teal are too good to pass up on.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: ducksdoom12 on November 18, 2010, 09:29:25 AM
well, I actually do know a pretty good recipe for coots,
what you do is skin them out, then nail them to a peice of wood, (apple wood works well, puts some flavor in) then you put it on the barbaque with lower heat for about 3 hours
then you take it off the barbaque, rub what ever spices on it that you like, and finish it off in the oven at 425 for 1.5 hours
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
after that, you take it off the bord,
throw away the bird,
and eat the wood :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :drool: :IBCOOL:

oldest one in the book....dude....
i know seriously
:chuckle:
ya, but its still funny :chuckle:
and it was too easy to pass up :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Open-sights on November 18, 2010, 10:53:32 AM
I've eaten a few ringnecks and thought they tasted good; they ain't mallards or teal, but i thought they were good.  Any of you guys like the Ring necks, too?
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: fast60eddie on November 18, 2010, 07:33:13 PM
I've eaten a few ringnecks and thought they tasted good; they ain't mallards or teal, but i thought they were good.  Any of you guys like the Ring necks, too?

I eat the ringnecks i get
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: HereDuckyDucky on November 18, 2010, 08:04:57 PM
Canvasback first.

Wood duck a distant second.

GWT and mallards after that...

RW
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Quackwhacker on November 18, 2010, 10:09:22 PM
Corn fed greenheads!
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Bharlan on February 02, 2011, 10:39:52 PM
I shot some brant and buffleheads last month for the first time.  After searching the interweb for whether folks ate them, I ran across this thread and became very apprehensive.  Then I ran across the link below that said that you can make meatballs out of "junk" ducks.  Just finished my SECOND plate of spaghetti and thought I'd share the link.  They are good!  I no longer fear the taste of any "bad" waterfowl, and will take whatever my buddies don't want. Heck, this treatment might make polecat taste palatable. 

http://honest-food.net/wild-game/goose-recipes/breasts/wild-duck-meatballs/ (http://honest-food.net/wild-game/goose-recipes/breasts/wild-duck-meatballs/)

BTW, the meat department at the grocery store gave me the pork fat for free when I asked if they had any for sale.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Blacktail135 on February 03, 2011, 12:30:07 AM
 Thanks for posting Bharlan. Will have to make some of those.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: Madison on February 03, 2011, 07:46:43 AM
I'll take a corn fed mallard over anything.
The Cans I have heard are the best but in a side by side comparison with a mallard, the can was 3rd.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: dirty24d on February 03, 2011, 08:05:24 AM
I shot some brant and buffleheads last month for the first time.  After searching the interweb for whether folks ate them, I ran across this thread and became very apprehensive.  Then I ran across the link below that said that you can make meatballs out of "junk" ducks.  Just finished my SECOND plate of spaghetti and thought I'd share the link.  They are good!  I no longer fear the taste of any "bad" waterfowl, and will take whatever my buddies don't want. Heck, this treatment might make polecat taste palatable. 

http://honest-food.net/wild-game/goose-recipes/breasts/wild-duck-meatballs/ (http://honest-food.net/wild-game/goose-recipes/breasts/wild-duck-meatballs/)

BTW, the meat department at the grocery store gave me the pork fat for free when I asked if they had any for sale.


Good first post. Welcome to the site!  :)
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: MP123 on February 03, 2011, 08:51:05 AM
That sounds like a good recipe and I've got some bluebills to try it with.  :EAT: Thanks!

ANd welcome to the site
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: sakoshooter on February 03, 2011, 01:58:28 PM
Actually shot a merg a couple years ago and dressed it out. Was going to eat it but everyone I talked to told me not too, wish I would have though. Try everything once right? :drool:

I shoot quite a few Mergie's. Most just get breasted and into the bulk bag for sausage but I have eaten my share and so have my hunting partners. One even commented that after I talked him into trying it, he couldn't tell the difference between it and the mallard he cooked with it.
Teal are my fav
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: jason4429 on February 03, 2011, 03:00:05 PM
I have eaten almost all kinds of ducks.I've only had one duck that tasted bad and it was a shoveler.It wasn't taken care of properly,so that may have been the problem.
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: 1morebuck on February 03, 2011, 08:44:05 PM
Here on the salt, I seem to have good eats with the Widgeon. Stripped and cracker crum fried. YUM! :drool:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: GoldTip on February 03, 2011, 08:45:55 PM
Best eating duck is farm raised...... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Eating Duck?
Post by: lokidog on February 03, 2011, 11:23:19 PM
Here on the salt, I seem to have good eats with the Widgeon. Stripped and cracker crum fried. YUM! :drool:

That's funny, the only duck I have ever thrown away was widgeon, from the salt....  I even quit shooting them when they would land in my decoys.  I was down in Coos Bay and after about the third week of the season they started tasting nasty whereas they were quite good to begin with.  All I could figure was they started eating something in the bay that made them taste bad after they had been there  a while.

I liked the widgeon I shot down by Chehalis better than the mallards, though they were good too.
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