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...
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.
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.
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)
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.
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
we actually shoot quite a few sea ducks here in western ny on lake ontario. not sure where exactly you were at but the white wings are becoming more common around here especially late season. we shoot plenty of oldsquaw here too.
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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