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Author Topic: Young drake or hen?  (Read 2763 times)

Offline Kain

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Young drake or hen?
« on: January 24, 2021, 03:39:25 PM »
Went out yesterday for a solo kayak hunt.  Saw a lot of bird but they were skitish.  Circle 8-9 times then bug out or land way far out and swim away. I got a few groups and singles to commit.  Got about 6 shots and came home with these three.  The middle one has a lot of green on the top of its head but an orangish bill.  It seems pretty late to see a younger drake but what do I know, Im new to this.   :chuckle:



Offline full choke

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2021, 03:44:13 PM »
From what I have gathered over the years- the bill doesn't lie. The consensus would be that is an old hen mallard. Very common. I guess the hormones go wonky when they get up there in age.
"If you think our wars over oil are bad, wait until we are fighting over water..."

Offline Kain

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2021, 03:50:35 PM »
From what I have gathered over the years- the bill doesn't lie. The consensus would be that is an old hen mallard. Very common. I guess the hormones go wonky when they get up there in age.

Thank you. I posted on a facebook group and two others said the same.  Old hen.  Thats cool.  She came in alone.  Dont know if that matters. 

Offline Mfowl

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2021, 04:02:49 PM »
The only time I shoot a hen is when I'm certain it's a drake!  :tup:
Fish hard, hunt harder!

Offline Kain

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2021, 04:07:03 PM »
The only time I shoot a hen is when I'm certain it's a drake!  :tup:
:chuckle:  Yeah I really thought it was a drake.  The green on the top of the head was pretty bright in the sun light.  When I picked it up I was confused. 

Offline str8meat

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2021, 04:30:52 PM »
Due to the current trans gender rage I would say very confused on what it identifies as  :chuckle:
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Offline wadu1

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2021, 06:01:23 PM »
It looks like a eclipse phase mallard drake. I've seen them in the early season, but you never know what strange things that happen in nature.
"a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi"

Offline Sneaky

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2021, 06:39:57 PM »

Offline Kain

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2021, 06:57:24 PM »

Thank you.  I have not seen that before.

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2021, 01:50:47 PM »
Most likely a hermaphrodite (both sex reproductive organs).  Other possibilities are an anatomical female with testosterone overproduction, or an anatomical male with overproduction of female hormones.  I don't think it is an eclipse drake with its seasons messed up because the bill color, head plumage and top white line of the wing patch all show female traits.
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline huntindoc

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Re: Young drake or hen?
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2021, 04:45:30 PM »
Gad mallard?  Aka brewers duck?

 


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