Blackducks

[DCICE]

I was wondering how many of these buggers ya'll have seen in the recent years? I've seen only two both in the last two years. One was banded that we got at Marsh. He went on the wall.(not mine unfortunatly) Any thoughts??
DC

[Sartell Angler]

I've never seen a single black duck while duck hunting, but I have seen quite a few while up in the Boundary Waters over the last few summers. It'd be pretty cool to get my first one this year, as well as my first drake pinner, and maybe even a can ( shot one last year, lost it on the big water, but thats a whole 'nother story).

S.A.

[Duck-o-holic]

DC--

I have not personally seen any in recent years... but a friend of mine really got into them near Duluth over opener this year. The last time I have seen any during hunting season was probably in the late 80's near Brooten. I do have one mounted from when I was in highschool-- which is the only one I've ever shot.

Typically, Blacks are found more to the east of us in the Atlantic flyway and eastern Mississippi flyways. They use saltwater tidal marshes a lot on the east coast, and in the late 80's-early 90's there was a big concern with the numbers dropping, and the DNR was seeing a trend of blacks cross-breeding with mallards. I haven't heard anything much about this topic since, but would imagine that the problem still exists!

Blacks are known as the wariest of ducks... so should be considered a true trophy!!

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

[This message has been edited by Duck-o-holic (edited 02-25-2002).]

[Guest]

Ive seen lots of them up on Superior. They hang out with the mallards on the shore. They are pretty much all that I have seen cept for a flock of 4 that we saw while hunting rice patties up near Red Lake. Yes, they are a real trophy, I wish I had one on my wall......

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[GullGuide]

I have seen quite a few (relitively speaking) on Mud over the years. Last year we had a flock swing us but they did not commit. It is usually good for at least a glimpse every season.

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Bemidji-Ottertail

[Ely Lake Expert]

I have never seen a blackduck that I know of.
Sartell, I can say I have shot a canvasback, actually six, we got one flock to commit straight from the front of us. The guys hunting shack I was at was amazed though, he said it was a rarity around there.

Ely lake expert

[Guest]

I also shot my first black duck last year. It wasn't with any other birds, just a single. I shot it down on the mississippi river bottoms.

[Guest]

Shot quite a few of them over the years - my grandpa always favored them over the standard mallard. They tend to run a bit larger - like a late season mallard, but are also more apt to be found in smaller groups, mostly pairs.
They decoy far better than your standard mallard in late season, and we consistently have them coming into diver decoys.
Got some great video of the dogs retrieving them, and my favorite duck hunting photo is one my buddy shot of my (now deceased) chocolate lab coming through the shore ice with a black hanging out of his mouth, and the eyes twinkling. It was late October in far northern Minnesota on a little no-name river. They are a great duck, tougher than heck to sneak up on, and certainly good on the table, stuffed with wild rice. Don't know as I would be able to part with one for mounting purposes, and give up the meal.

[EW6]

I have only seen one Blackduck in the years that I have been hunting. I was looking over Mud Lake with my binoculars sometime two years ago, and out in the middle of a large raft of mallards was one duck with orange legs and that yellow bill, standing on a bit of ice that had formed around some rice. At first I thought it was a hen mallard, but it was a lot darker, and that was when I realized what it was....of course I never got a chance at it though. I really wanted to get one though, would complete my species harvested list. I think that the Blackduck is about the only birdthat frequents Minnesota that I am missing. The other that I had a chance at, and screwed up on was a Surf Scooter, but that is another story completely. About half way to a new season...at least it feels like that,
Eric

[smallies24]

I've only seen one black duck, that I know of for sure. And my biggest regret was not putting it on the wall after I got it. I shot it relatively close to the cities two years ago, and it was a gorgeous bird. Everything you guys have said is right, their a true trophy.