To Help You ID Ducks

[Steve W]

There is nothing better than hunting with an experienced duck hunter, but maybe you have only started duck hunting or just need to brush up before the season.

Here are three resources I have used to help me ID ducks.

Waterfowl Identification: The Lemaster Method (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0811729826.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg) (you can buy them at Amazon.com)

Ducks At A Distance (http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/duckdist/duckdist.htm)

Duck Identification Using Wing Plumage (http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/duckplum/duckplum.htm)

DU also has an old video that shows birds, in flight, but I do not know where you could buy it. I remember renting it from Blockbuster a long time ago. It was kind of boring so don't watch it after a long day of work.

If any of you have others resources, post it up.

[uncle D]

Spend a day scouting and once ya find 'em, get up in a bush and watch 'em.

Seems like puddlers will wistle and quack, eat and occasionally lift just to flap their wings. Sometimes they'll jump just to fly to the front of the feeding flock.

Watch 'em as they trade in and out of the scouted marsh.

Keep in mind not to spook them with engine noises or loud voices.

When ya do this, listen to their calls.
Look at their colors and match to decoys.

Notice their posture how they feed and rest. See how they group to feed or rest.

Notice where they are in the marsh as they feed or rest.

I've seen Pintail favor grass clumps to sun on and I've seen mottles use mangrove stumps to stand on.

No book will teach it all.

...but those are good sources.

Duke

[RutnNStrutn]

I use Ducks at a Distance, and a waterfowl guide by the FFWCC. But, nothing beats time on the water, watching the birds. You can learn a lot by watching. Sometimes you can tell what kind of bird it is by the way they fly, the size of the bird, and the call they make. Past that, learn the colors.

[Reddfin]

Great topic gentlemen. We spend so much effort on guns, loads ,boats, decoys that this topic gets lost in the shuffle until its time to put it all together and pull the trigger. Time on the water is the best but the more ducks you see even if its in mags/dvd or the zoo the more you will learn about how to ID them correctly.

Tony

[Randy Clark]

identifying the birds in flight was one of the things that amazed the bunch of bird watchers we met in the stas during a scouting trip last year i guess alot of them still think we just ground check everything when my sons started nameing ducks in flight these ladies started realizing that hunters do care about the birds they shoot

[Wilbur]

Identifying ducks in flight is a tool that can only be learned with time and experience. With todays laws and bag limits it's something we all must use, and it makes for some great fun in the field. Good job Randy on helping the boys to learn this, teaching our youth is what it's all about. :icon_salu

[ALW]

Steve,

Which book is best and id the video very good or will the book suffice?

That said is the video good for kids that like nature good to watch?

Adam W

[Kevin Hall]

Adam,

First ... Welcome to UW-F!

Second ... I have a spare copy of Richard LeMaster's book on waterfowl ID that I'll gladly give to you ... and I have a copy of 3M's Waterfowl Identification video (VHS -- narrated by Grits Gresham) that I will loan out (along with another VHS tape on Intro. to (Florida) duck calling by Flip Pallot ... if you want it) All that I ask is to return the tape(s) when you're through with them. No time limit ...

Just PM your full name and address ... I'll get them right out. :D

[DUCKWHACKER]

Very commendable Kevin. :icon_salu

[D Duck]

Other than being the resident 'perv' of AWF, he's really not such a bad guy.... :smileinbo

[Randy Clark]

if thats the laminated copy id borrow it for a very long time not stealling just borrowing he showed it to my son and i at lake jessup it was really nice havent found a laminated copy yet

[Kevin Hall]

Randy,

Amazon has them ... http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0811729826/qid=1126927349/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5955667-8700623?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

They are printed on a water resistent paper ... not water proof. ;)


Don ... thanks a lot. :rolleyes: ;)