QUESTION??

[waterfowler44]

Hey guys! i was out fly fishing today and saw a large amount of goldeneye swimming in front of my blind i have set up! along with the goldeneye were some widgeon, wood duck, and green wing teal. just curious why I never see these birds when I am hunting??? I tried to get close to get pictures but they all spooked. does ghg make decoys for goldeneyes?

[Rusty Hallock]

Joshua,

GHG is currently working on adding Goldeneye decoys to their line of decoys. That is a shame you could not get close enough to get a picture. The ducks should be in full plumage this time of year and their colors should be brilliant.

[Allan Stanley]

waterfowler44,

One reason you MIGHT see ducks there that you don't see during hunting season is ducks have different dietary requirements in the spring than they do in the fall. For instance, hens need calcium for egg laying, so they will concentrate in areas where aquatic snails or other sources of calcium exist. And, of course, the drakes will follow the hens wherever they go in the spring.

Hunting pressure during the fall could be another explanation.

It always seems like more ducks migrate through here in the spring than came through in the fall, and they often use areas in the spring they never seemed to use in the fall.

Allan Stanley
Avery Pro-Staff

[Mark Brendemuehl]

waterfowler- I think Allan hit it on the head. My favorite pond to take pictures on in the spring is loaded with Ringbills, Cans and Geese. In the fall you will never see anything on there but an occasional Teal. In the fall we rarely see a Snow goose or Specklebelly, but in the spring we see them by the thousands. If you want to have some fun, leave the fishing pole at home and sit in your blind with a camera. If it's legal where you are at, throw out some decoys and get some pictures.
Mark

[JEDJR]

Mark, I am glad you are shooting specks with your camera and not a gun! :D
You and Brett save that kind of speck shooting for me!! :D

[Mark Brendemuehl]

JED- If anyone should be saving Specks, its YOU! You hammer them for monthes! I want a Speck in Sasketchewan this year in a bad way! We are seeing them right now as thick as flies. I am going to try and get out this weekend and take some pics. Swans are moving in thick too, and we see them with collars every spring. Never know when you will get lucky and get pics of one.
Mark