Publications

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

HuntingTip #169

TIP:Identifying Waterfowl Easier for Legal Hunting
By: Justin Morrissey
 
In order to stay legal while waterfowl hunting, and not shoot waterfowl that aren't legal, you need to practice identifying ducks in the off season.  It is your responsibility as a hunter to stay legal and follow DNR management plans.  Here is a great way to help you learn your waterfowl.

Over the last several years, me and my brother have gone out and and set up on popular duck ponds in the off season.  What we do is find out where the ducks are going and then grab our camo and a cameras.  We set up on them early in the morning as if hunting during the regular season, but with out calls and weapons.  Our weapon is a video camera and a digital camera.  We sit for hours upon hours getting awesome shots of waterfowl in action.  These shots help us identify ducks at home after the day, if we don't know what they already are.   We have gone out enough that we know about 95% of our waterfowl at first glimpse.  "It is really fun to quiz yourself on waterfowl, there are so many different species that it is really a blast." Josh (my brother) says.  I totally agree with him, there are some awesome looking waterfowl out there and it is fun to see new species.

Even though we know our waterfowl great, we are addicted to watching them and getting awesome shots.  Me and my brother encourage everyone to go out and use this method.  It works better than any other, we found.  I know this will help you and hopefully bring easier waterfowling to your doorstep.  Good luck hunting and enjoy!