King of Ducks

[jbeaumont21]

I grew up in the Midwest shooting mallards in cornfields and wood ducks in river bottoms, and always dreamed of one day shooting a canvasback to put on the wall.  It was my top bucket list duck! I have hunted ducks for over 30 years (20 years in Oregon & Washington) and have never even seen a canvasback during the season let alone have a shot at one. That was until the last two weeks.

Last Friday I took a new hunter out for his first time and when asked if it was legal to shoot ducks on the water my response was yes, but that I typically give them a sporting chance and try and shoot them in the air as they are landing or spook them back up into the air if they land in the decoys. Well not 5 minutes after those words left my mouth a drake can lands in the decoys and I immediately pull up and swat him on the water. My friend looks over at me and says "you're a real sportsman I see." I quickly explain to him that it was a drake canvasback and the king of ducks. His response was a who what? Nervously I made my way out into the water to retrieve my prize, my golden ticket, my bucket list duck for the wall, only to discover it was a young immature drake and in my opinion not worthy of getting mounted.  I was still very excited and it felt like an accomplishment, but it was bitter sweet.

[jbeaumont21]

Yesterday I went back at it again for some more ducks, in an area that you would not typically ever think of seeing a canvasback. The morning started with lots of action. Tons of widgeon and teal flying by with a few mallards and pintails buzzing over.  7am finally came and it was on! First group of ducks was a nice flock of widgeon that came in on the left side, I was sitting to the right of two good hunting buddies, so I let them take the first crack. They both dropped a bird from the flock with one sailing out a ways. I sat tight in my spot as they both waded off behind us to retrieve their birds. Just as they were getting back to the blind a pair of ducks came in low left to right. I quickly noticed the red head and white body on the lead duck, about the same time the pair of cans noticed my friends dashing to hide in the weeds.  The drake quickly banked a hard left away from us as I instantly shouldered my gun, took the shot and connected. Canvasback down!  As I waded out to retrieve my bird I couldn't help but worry if he was going to be a nice mature drake or another immature bird. To my surprise he was a beauty! Finally I got my bucket list bird for the wall, and to do it in front of my buddies, and to make a clean shot in the air all topped it off for me.  2020 has been a terrible year but this is one small highlight that will keep me smiling through the holidays. 

[jbeaumont21]

Lots of season left so was hoping others could share stories/pics of their success shooting their bucketlist duck.

[Wolfdog2314]

Very pretty bird. Who do u have do your bird taxidermy near Vancouver? And going rate?

[jbeaumont21]

Not sure yet.  One of my buddies has used a guy up in Woodland for a few mounts so I may look into him.  The guy who did my bear rug a few years ago I guess went to prison so I can rule him out.  Its been a long time since I had a bird mounted so I'm guessing it'll cost around $300-400, maybe more? 

[Widgeondeke]

Congrats on fulfilling your dream. 
Hopefully your taxi does it justice for many more years of enjoyment

[callturner]

I use Cheri's Taxidermy in Idaho. The absolute best I have ever seen. http://www.cheristaxidermy.com/index.html

[3dvapor]

Also nw wings in venetta, oregon.  He knows birds as well.

[jbeaumont21]

Thanks for the taxi recommendations.  Anyone have one closer to Vancouver?  Maybe within an hour drive?

[Dukalr]

I had a canvasback done by NW Wings down near Eugene, he did an ok job but honestly I wasn’t as impressed as I was with others, I consider the job he did as average. Advanced Wildlife Taxidermy in Moses Lake or Leon Matthew’s in the Tri Cities gets my vote.

[jagermiester]

Well kids it was the year 2020 I’m sure you have read about it in your history books. But that duck that duck right there that turned it all around for me. So there I was..........

This is the story you are going to tell your grandkids someday.  Congratulations buddy!!!!!

[tank21]

Nice job!  Man, I bet you just kept staring at and thought “Damn. Sweet.”

[L8NITE]

Congrats on a beautiful bird!!!

[JTSmith3]

Much like your introductory story. On opening day I had a bucket list bird show up in my decoys and I water swatted him. A beautiful drake wood duck. And I blew his head clean off. The wad must have hit his head... D'oh!
Congrats on your Can!

[follow maggie]

Nice looking bird!