2023 waterfowl.

[dlbleak]

This pond usually only produces scaups and spoonies. Only thing we saw this morning was mallards. And we didn’t see many of those. One hen and one drake got away. Great morning hunting with my son. It’s nice to have him put the waders on and do all the calling. I was dragging him with me when he was 7 or 8 and had to do all the work.
Ah, one of the benefits of aging!

 

[retrieverman]

Salt Plains Refuge Survey
Weekly Waterfowl Survey: 5,895 Ducks, 116,194 Geese, 60,884 Sandhill Cranes and 15 Eagles.

 

[dlbleak]

Those are decent goose numbers but horrible duck numbers. I’m sure it’s been higher but the biggest goose number I can remember was 205,000

 

[kirk1978]

Got invited to go duck hunting this morning (my first time ever). Man that's a good time!

 

[dlbleak]

@kirk1978, widgeon is one of my favorite eating ducks. They eat a lot a grains.

 

[Hangfire]

My buddy and I have been twice so far this season and stopped hunting each time after we both had a couple and then just sat in the blind, drank coffee and shot the bull for an hour or so.....we both enjoy duck hunting but neither one of us is super crazy about eating ducks and for us a little bit goes a long way so there's no reason for us to stack em deep.

We get a lot of GWT, Gadwall and Widgeon on the pond we hunt but hardly ever see any Mallards.....we plan on going a couple more times after Christmas before the season closes on Jan. 28th.

 

[LittleLoggie]

My buddy and I have been twice so far this season and stopped hunting each time after we both had a couple and then just sat in the blind, drank coffee and shot the bull for an hour or so.....we both enjoy duck hunting but neither one of us is super crazy about eating ducks and for us a little bit goes a long way so there's no reason for us to stack em deep.

We get a lot of GWT, Gadwall and Widgeon on the pond we hunt but hardly ever see any Mallards.....we plan on going a couple more times after Christmas before the season closes on Jan. 28th.

View attachment 439798

“Something in the orange.”

I’d definitely have that photo blown up and on the wall.

 

[Dorkus]

Got invited to go duck hunting this morning (my first time ever). Man that's a good time!

View attachment 439773

I got a boot lip this morning too. The last few days have been slow but should pick up with this new front.

Congratulations on your hunt.

 

[kirk1978]

@kirk1978, widgeon is one of my favorite eating ducks. They eat a lot a grains

I'm gonna have to figure out the best way to eat these dudes. I sliced these 3 for jerky, the buddy that took me said that's what he does with most of his.

 

[dlbleak]

Lots of good recipes for pan seared or baked on the web. In order for it to taste anything worth eating, it has to be pretty pink inside.