Do you shoot hens?

[deets22]

I only shoot hens drakes are too pretty to kill. I killed a drake woody once and felt like I robbed the world of the most beautiful treasure. I heckle drake murderers!!!!!

[walleye18]

I shoot hens and have been known to "arkansas" birds too....

Like its been said prior - if it flies it dies...and if it sits, it dies too!

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

if it flies it dies...and if it sits, it dies too!

We at least upduck them before we cut 'em.

[wally243]

No

[CANOPY SAM]

I don't have any birds on my wall. Fish and deer only!

A good ole' college buddy of mine and I were jump-shooting ducks many years ago in NoDak. We were scouting around and watched a small group of ducks drop into a nearby pond, so we stealthily made our way over there to see if we could get a couple.

When we finally made it close enough to see what was there he turns to me and quietly says, "They're all hens!" I whispered back, "Yea, so!?!" I stood up, shouldered my gun, and said loudly, "Get up ladies!" and proceeded to drop two hen mallards as they rose up off the water.

I turn back to my buddy and smile and he's looking at me like I just mowed down a jungle village of women and children. He never let me forget it. He is a waterfowl hunting guide in southern Minnesota, and I actually do have a lot of respect for his hunting and fishing ethic.

There really wasn't anything wrong with taking a couple hens, and please don't get me wrong, I still do take a hen or two from time to time. But I guess that little field lesson so many years ago kind of stuck with me.

I try not to shoot hens for two primary reasons;

1) The DNR, or scientific community, or perhaps both, discourage the taking of too many hens, and encourage the taking of more drakes. This does make sense, and has worked very well for many, many years.

2) I'm at a stage in my "hunting and fishing" life where I'm more then happy to bring home just a couple birds. Last Sat morning I could have easily filled my limit with various species of ducks (and hens), as well as geese, but I'm just not interested in taking that many birds.

I too enjoy eating a few wild birds and fish from time to time, and yes, you can't tell a hen from a drake on the dinner plate. I just don't eat that many, so I like to just watch a lot of them fly.

Matt, you doubt virtually everything I say. That's fine. I've been truly blessed with incredible eyesight, and I'm very thankful for it. Anyone that's ever hunted with me is amazed at how I can pick out a group of birds from miles away, and if you simply slow down, and don't rush your shots when the birds are cupped and committed, you'd be amazed at what you can see when quickly scanning thru the flock before pulling the trigger.

By the way B-man, no offense taken. I drink coffee in the blind, and my calls are typically full of chew spit by the end of each trip. If you really knew me you'd know, in almost every way, I'm a lot more like Willie Robertson then Thurston Howell III! Ha ha ha...

[Basseyes]

When we finally made it close enough to see what was there he turns to me and quietly says, "They're all hens!" I whispered back, "Yea, so!?!" I stood up, shouldered my gun, and said loudly, "Get up ladies!" and proceeded to drop two hen mallards as they rose up off the water.

I turn back to my buddy and smile and he's looking at me like I just mowed down a jungle village of women and children. He never let me forget it. He is a waterfowl hunting guide in southern Minnesota, and I actually do have a lot of respect for his hunting and fishing ethic.

I drink coffee in the blind, and my calls are typically full of chew spit by the end of each trip. If you really knew me you'd know, in almost every way, I'm a lot more like Willie Robertson then Thurston Howell III! Ha ha ha...

That's some of the funniest stuff I've ever read. A+! Thanks man, that made my day.

[Gordie]

Canopy Sam I defiantly would share a blind or boat with you any time anywhere!

[CANOPY SAM]

Hey Gordie! We talked about you coming up my way last year. Any chance you might be headed up this way (TRF) this fall?

I'd be more than happy to take you and your boys out for a couple days of waterfowling and grouse hunting.

[paceman]

I shoot whatever flies by.....

[Musky Buck]

No hens in 20 years, I let the kids hammer away at whatever but encourage them to take drakes or have that be their next challenge in waterfowling. When you hang woody boxes and that's the best challenge during the lowlight they often fly shoot the largest of them and 9 times out 10 they're drakes, put mallard nesting platforms, kinda tough to dust the hens you hope return the next year, drakes pluck easier generally, don't care what one does though shoot if it makes you happy. I also only hunt Mallards and Woodies, divers at times would be tough to identify quickly enough.

[Matt Breuer]

I don't doubt everything you say, Matthew! I am just amazed at your eyesight. Remember, I wear glasses! No idea how you do it!

[fishersofmen]

my calls are typically full of chew spit by the end of each trip.

Glad I'm not the only one Canopy Lol

[benbosh]

Glad I'm not the only one Canopy Lol

That makes 3 of us. Nothing better than a duck call that smells of wintergreen.

[Gordie]

divers at times would be tough to identify quickly enough.

Easier that woodies and mallards at certain times of the day.

Look for the white bellies.

Canopy Sam By the time I get up that way the season will most like be closed this season, but anything could happen. second weekend of deer hunting would be the soonest.

[CANOPY SAM]

Well Gordie, you never know! I typically have my venison in the freezer by the second weekend so I can get back to walleyes, grouse, and waterfowl!

The way our weather systems are shaping up I wouldn't be surprised to see the big push wait till November.

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous up here, and today I believe the temps are expected to get up in the high 70's!!!

Next week it's gonna cool off, but not much. Temps in the mid-50's during the day, and I didn't see any "tough" weather at all.

Should be a decent MEA weekend of hunting for deer with my kids, but I'm not expecting much for birds out of Canada.

Just keep it in mind Gordie. The invite is always open.

[Gordie]

Thanks Canopy Sam,

I think your right about the late push and the early start will most likely hurt the north zone as it will be closed when the major migration is about to hit. It just a gut feeling. That I have had well before the season started.

I will try my hardest to make it that way .but I also am trying to meet up with Muths goose and Tyler too. Season is way to short to do it all.

[Kettle]

Was north of the border this past week saw number of ducks that I couldnt even fathom. They will be here soon!!!

Kettle

[Quackaddict9]

Love it with guys razz on people who look for leg iron...I am one of them I look for them all the time, don't always see them but I do sometimes. Although most of my bands I've shot or been part of, didn't know they had a band. Say all you want... it is not going to affect me. G' day.

as to the answer to the original question, yes I shoot hens at times but always look for drakes first.