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A "Wazzit" diver...

3K views 18 replies 16 participants last post by  hankrt 
#1 ·
Opening day of our late season, and we had a great day. We shot one bird that we aren't quite sure what it is... I have a suspicion, but I'd like to hear your thoughts...

Top of wing


Side of head


Top of head


Breast and underside of wing


Huge feet... this is compared to a Canada.

 
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#4 ·
REALLY? We're a long way from the ocean... the closest salt water is about 180 miles from where this duck was shot today.

Also spooked a raft of at least 500 Ringnecks with the boat on our way to our blind (about 90 minutes before legal shooting time). They were pretty uncommon here just a few years ago, but we've been seening some for the last few years. This was by far the largest group we've seen.
 
#5 ·
WW scoter.

Blacks & Surfs don't have any white on the wings.

You seem surprised at the ID, what did you think it was??
 
#8 ·
xtrema2shooter said:
REALLY? We're a long way from the ocean... the closest salt water is about 180 miles from where this duck was shot today.

Also spooked a raft of at least 500 Ringnecks with the boat on our way to our blind (about 90 minutes before legal shooting time). They were pretty uncommon here just a few years ago, but we've been seening some for the last few years. This was by far the largest group we've seen.
New York isn't very far from the sea. We got an occasional scoter on Lake of the Woods in MN. Now that's far.
 
#9 ·
Yup, that's exactly what it is. I shot one about 5 years ago here in Iowa on the mississippi river. It was confirmed by a DNR conservation officer and a wildlife biologist. Dropped it off at the taxidermist to be mounted and he lost it. go figure

The way it was explained to me was that somewhere down the line in the wintering grounds in the gulf it got in with a bunch of divers and migrated up north during the spring. Then come fall it worked its way down the river and made the mistake of flying into my spread (was a loner)
 
#11 ·
Hmm, with all the trade mark hen canvasback markings like white wing patches, white patch on the head, dark brown body and orange feet, I'd have also thought hen canvasback :umm:

:biggrin:

In all seriousness if you don't shoot a lot, I can see how you might not know what it is, but do find the hen can ID a bit funny :)

DU has a duck ID app for phones now, that you can load.
 
#14 ·
Haha a few years ago i was hunting on back lake here in michigan that is known for woodies and a duck flew into my goose decoys i shot it and when i picked it up i had no idea what it was. It ended up being a hen surf scoter. I have since seen them on lake mchigan but it just goes to show you, you can really shoot anything anywhere
 
#15 ·
W've killed scoter in central arkansas before so it does'nt suprise me.CONGRATS ON THE KILL THOUGH.
 
#19 ·
We shoot Scoters on the Great Lakes pretty often now, 10 years ago you didn't see them. As a matter of fact, sea ducks on the Great Lakes are what we primarily shoot in the late season now. I also recall a guy in Arizona that picked up an Old Squaw! Got to love those sea ducks!!
 
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