Duck ID

[Mike Adams]

I need some help IDing ducks! I made a post called bad hunt and I have found out I need help :o

Any Basics?

[duckman07]

this site will help you once you have the duck in your hand. a ducks wing will never change at any point in the year. just click on the different types of ducks and it will show the wings.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/duckplum/index.htm

[Mike Adams]

I ment like in flight before I shoot it :p

[duckman07]

how about this one then


http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowlgallery.aspx?poe=hunthomeicon

[duckman07]

my advice is to just look at alot of pictures and then go out into the wild with the binoculars and relate the pictures to the actual duck

[Mike Adams]

ok thanks

[CREW1]

if you're not sure wait.. the fine for too many hens or too many of 1 species is more than it's worth just to shoot.

[nickday]

I agree. It's not worth a fine. Be patient, take your time and know your target. If you're not sure, let it pass and just watch the bird for future reference. Or hunt with someone that can help you with identifing the birds. I had some trouble with that when i started out, found it pretty helpful to hunt with a friend that was willing to take his time and help me. If your in the area i'm more than willing to help.

[Wingman]

A couple years ago I was hunting a public wildlife management area. Not something I love to do but I do still go on occasion. Anyway while I was checking out another guy came up to the check station. He was asked what he got to which he replied "5 wigeon and 1 teal, I think" Had he never said "I think" no one would have ever been the wiser and he would have gone on his marry way. But as a response to the comment the Wildlife agent said "Let's go ahead ID those birds for ya..." His 5 wigeon and 1 teal turned out to be 5 pintail (all hens) and one hen wigeon. That is learning the hard way! He got a huge ticket and rightfully so.

IMHO you can not learn to accurately ID birds by reading a book. There is only 1 way to learn birds and that way is to spend time watching the real thing.. I don't care if you go to the local city park or a Wildlife refuge. Spend as much time as you can watching waterfowl. Birds on the ground. Birds on the water.... And most importantly birds in the air. Get a cheep digital camera or borrow you parents and if/when you see a bird you can't id take a picture and when you get back home research it.

When I was growing up I was very fortunate to live less than a mile away from a 13 acre wetland (basically in the middle of town) that no one really knew about. I literally spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours there over the years watching birds and learning as much as I could about ducks & geese. Trust me when I say when you get to the point that you can start constantly IDing birds at 1/2 mile out you will be a better (more successful) hunter. As said before.... If you don't know don't shoot. ;)

Good Luck....



Cheers,

Adam

[PEI Duck Guy]

Just a thought, but you may want to pick up a copy of the LeMaster Method waterfowl identification book avaible at cabelas. There are other books out there but this the only one that comes to mind right now. DU used to have a pocket book which helped you identify birds in flight and of course up close. Hope this helps.

[Hoot]

A couple years ago I was hunting a public wildlife management area. Not something I love to do but I do still go on occasion. Anyway while I was checking out another guy came up to the check station. He was asked what he got to which he replied "5 wigeon and 1 teal, I think" Had he never said "I think" no one would have ever been the wiser and he would have gone on his marry way. But as a response to the comment the Wildlife agent said "Let's go ahead ID those birds for ya..." His 5 wigeon and 1 teal turned out to be 5 pintail (all hens) and one hen wigeon. That is learning the hard way! He got a huge ticket and rightfully so.

IMHO you can not learn to accurately ID birds by reading a book. There is only 1 way to learn birds and that way is to spend time watching the real thing.. I don't care if you go to the local city park or a Wildlife refuge. Spend as much time as you can watching waterfowl. Birds on the ground. Birds on the water.... And most importantly birds in the air. Get a cheep digital camera or borrow you parents and if/when you see a bird you can't id take a picture and when you get back home research it.

When I was growing up I was very fortunate to live less than a mile away from a 13 acre wetland (basically in the middle of town) that no one really knew about. I literally spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours there over the years watching birds and learning as much as I could about ducks & geese. Trust me when I say when you get to the point that you can start constantly IDing birds at 1/2 mile out you will be a better (more successful) hunter. As said before.... If you don't know don't shoot. ;)

Good Luck....



Cheers,

Adam

Best advice I have read on here in quite some time!

[CRIPLE CUTTER]

drive up to the Saginaw by at ice out in the spring every thing is in full plumage and you will find all species of birds. set out on a point and watch your butt off.:D

[jester]

Another suggestion is to watch some waterfowl videos. You can see the ducks in flight and kind of test your self buy trying to guess what they are. Usually once they are shot the guys on the video will say what they are. This could give you something to do at home or while your watching the video.
Obviously seeing the bird in the wild is the best way to learn, but this could help as well.