Once you’ve found where the wood ducks are, the hunting is easy. Be on time, be still, and be ready. “Being there on time is important, because it’s going to be the first 15 minutes of shooting light, if that,” Rud said. “The guns are loaded and shouldered at shooting time, no joke.
What is the hardest duck to hunt?
But ultimately, greenwings are probably a bit more agile, and they’re smaller, which — at least for many people — makes them a tougher target. These tiny, colorful ducks win the crown.
What size shot is best for wood ducks?
Wood Duck Guns and Loads
In reality, most shots at wood ducks are at close range if you’re set up right. A 12- or 20-gauge loaded with steel 4 shot and an improved cylinder or light-modified choke is all the gun you need. Test your gun at 20 and 25 yards to be sure your pattern is wide enough at close range.
What state has the best wood duck hunting?
Louisiana
No wonder it is the best waterfowl state on this list. The Bayou State is home to pretty much every species of duck that a hunter could want to chase at one time or another. Whether your interest is in pintails, gadwalls, wigeons, wood ducks, or canvasbacks, there is something for every waterfowler.
What state shoots the most wood ducks?
Although Arkansas hunters have harvested almost 19,000 more wood ducks in each of the last four years, individual hunters in Alabama may have the edge. Based on state duck stamp sales during the last 10 years, there is only one duck hunter in Alabama for every four in Arkansas.
What is the rarest duck to shoot?
The Madagascar Pochard | The world’s rarest duck – The WAR ON WILDLIFE Project.
What is the most sought after duck?
Mallard – The drake mallard is the most sought-after duck in North America. He’s simple, yet elegant. The heft of a limit of greenheads hanging from a game tote is a great feeling on a cold morning. Pintail – The sprig on a mature bull pintail is so easy to spot even newbies can pick out this duck flying.
Will mallards land in wood duck decoys?
However, do ensure your spread consists mostly or entirely of wood duck decoys. While most dabblers will decoy to mallards, wood ducks much prefer to flock to their own species. I like to place a dozen woodie decoys upwind of the blind, with a spinning-wing decoy or small jerk rig in between.
Where do wood ducks go during the day?
Woodies like to roost on ponds, and in corners of wetlands large and small, usually where there is some cover. They leave at first light to spend the day in ponds, wet cornfields, and creeks, but pinning down their exact spot is rarely easy.
How do you target wood ducks?
For water hunts, I throw out six to 12 wood duck decoys to attract the attention of birds and perhaps slow them down for a split second. Spinning-wing decoys work sometimes, especially early in the season. During field hunts, I leave the duck decoys at home and use all full-body goose decoys.
Where is the duck capital of the world?
Stuttgart
Stephens is a world duck calling champion who grew up on a rice farm near Stuttgart, long known as the “Rice and Duck Capital of the World.” A town of about 10,000 residents, Stuttgart is a six-hour drive from Oklahoma City and is hallowed ground to duck hunters.
Do wood ducks fly south for the winter?
Migrating and Wintering
The western migratory birds use the Pacific Flyway from British Columbia to the Central Valley of California. Both populations winter over southern portions of their respective breeding ranges, with small numbers south to central Mexico.
Can you decoy wood ducks?
Decoys and Calling
Yes, you can actually decoy wood ducks . These quirky birds are notorious for snubbing decoys and calling, but that’s often the result of where, rather than how, you’re hunting.
Do wood ducks and mallards get along?
The Wood Duck stuck out from the larger Mallards, but seemed comfortable within the flock. The Mallards, likewise, seemed to have no problem with the Wood Duck. Wood Ducks and Mallards sometime cross breed and have hybrid Mallard X Wood Duck offspring.
Can you call in wood ducks?
Many hunters are familiar with the traditional “wheet-wheet” squeal that a woodie makes in flight, and most call manufactures produce these types of calls. Because they are fairly loud, these calls are effective in getting the attention of most wood ducks.
Where is the best duck hunting in the world?
Topping the list of sites for waterfowl hunters to visit is the South American country of Argentina. Renowned for shoulder-breaking limits of doves, Argentina duck hunting is just as popular and birds proliferate.
What is the coolest looking duck?
The 11 Colorful and Beautiful Duck Breeds
- The Mandarin Duck.
- The Knob-Billed Duck.
- The Spectacled Eider Duck.
- The King Eider Duck.
- The Ruddy Duck.
- The White-Headed Duck.
- The Long-Tailed Duck.
- The Northern Shoveler Duck.
What is the prettiest duck?
Here are eight of the most beautiful ducks.
- Mandarin Duck.
- King Eider.
- Northern Shoveler.
- Spectacled Eider.
- Mallard.
- White-Headed Duck.
- Surf Scoter.
- Smew.
What is the rarest duck in the United States?
| American black duck | |
|---|---|
| Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
Does wood duck taste good?
In the early season we shoot a lot of woodies, which really are a wonderful eating duck. They don’t require a lot of extra seasoning—just a little salt and pepper, a hot oven to roast a whole duck, and you’re good to go.
What state is known for ducks?
Eastern Arkansas
Known as the Duck Capital of the World, Stuttgart, Arkansas, has long been a favorite destination for waterfowl hunters from near and far-and for good reason.