Waterfowl Photos

[Bryce]

[monstermoose78]

Getting a few snows eh

[Bryce]

[Bryce]

We're not setting any records but managing to decoy a few. Struggling with a new gun that I'm too stubborn to set aside. Just happy to be out at all with what I've been through. 

[monstermoose78]

Ducks so far this season 

[paceman]

My son with a couple mallards he dropped this Saturday.

 

[monstermoose78]

I quick hunt before I head over the NWTF B.B. gun shoot at Sherburne Wildlife Refuge yesterday. Finn did not like that duck moving when brought it to me. 

[monstermoose78]

[Wanderer]

Got a first ever and possibly last ever for the wall.  1 bird limit per year.  Harlequin for those who will ask what it is.  I wouldn’t have known it a year ago myself.  Washington state.

[leech~~]

Dang, here I thought you were pulling my leg just to get my Ice spot!   

 

Nice bird. 

Edited January 6, 2020 by leech~~

[Mike89]

now that is a good lookin bird!!!

[Wanderer]

Old man of a surf scoter this afternoon.  They don’t get cool looking until they get old.  My buddy called him grandpa.

 

And if only the Brant season was open where were...  These came by close.  Perfect shots.

[leech~~]

Are you going to mount some of these? 

[Wanderer]

Yesser!  I’d like to think I’ll make a return trip some time but this could be the only time.  I’m not here to shoot limits; I’m here to experience this process and place with a good friend and take some prime samples home.  We both have some boxes to check yet but it’s been good so far!

[chaffmj]

17 hours ago, Wanderer said:

Old man of a surf scoter this afternoon.  They don’t get cool looking until they get old.  My buddy called him grandpa.

 

Don't you wish that would happen to us!

Looks like you are having a great trip Tracy! Thanks for posting the pics.

[Wanderer]

Thanks guys.  Tried for puddlers this morning.  Nice widgeon and pintails but we couldn’t get any bulls close enough to shoot.  Scouting for tomorrow’s hunt since it’s super windy and rainy.  Just sat and watched a dandy Barrow’s goldeneye for a while at tomorrow’s access point.  We want two drakes and one hen. Heading to check out another access point.

 

Enjoy the snow! 
 

Edited January 7, 2020 by Wanderer

[Wanderer]

First sprig, and a GOOD one.

 

And we got into some variety with our check box Barrow’s goldeneyes for each of us.  The one I’m holding is an old, old bird.  His white is straight across his back, not like a V on the other one that is still a fantastic bird in his own right.

 

 

Edited January 9, 2020 by Wanderer

[leech~~]

How many of them you going to mount?  Or that your wife will let you? 

[Wanderer]

6-8 depending on if I get a good widgeon and long tail.  It’s a good thing the taxidermist takes over a year to get them done!

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, Wanderer said:

6-8 depending on if I get a good widgeon and long tail.  It’s a good thing the taxidermist takes over a year to get them done!

 

I don't know if you have a really really good guy, but this guy has won a lot of awards for Waterfowl.  He's done a lot of fish and a Deer head for me. He's a Master World Competition Winner- Waterfowl.  You can see him on FB.

 

Edited January 9, 2020 by leech~~

[IceHawk]

Nice Job Wanderer excellent specimens and looks like a trip of a lifetime. Will make some good mounts for sure! really enjoy looking at and reading this,  avid waterfowler here. 

[Wanderer]

Thanks Leech.  I have a guy lined up that specializes in ducks and has done a bunch of great sea duck work for my buddy. 
 

Punched the widgeon card with a few this morning.  My best one was a decent one but not quite 100% plumed out.  

 

Just had to show off the amazing head color of another fantastic Barrow’s goldeneye.  This is the ONE my buddy wanted.

 

Rough weather expected for the next couple days so spots we can reach will be limited but we have some more to scope out.  Our one day of the open Brant season is covered in gale warnings so our chances are really slim there.  
 

I still love buffies for table fare and the goldeneye have been decent.  The scoters have been better than expected.  Widgeon are on the marinade now along with a mallard.  With most of my boxes checked I might just load up on some of those tasty little buffleheads one day.

 

Peace

 

 

[leech~~]

24 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Thanks Leech.  I have a guy lined up that specializes in ducks and has done a bunch of great sea duck work for my buddy. 
 

 

How long are you there for?  Did your taxidermist give you some ideas on the best way to keep the birds and get them home without damage or spoilage?  I know for fish I found the best way was to lay them out and wrap them on a wet towel and freeze it to keep the fins from getting damaged since they will have them in their freezer for half a year before they can get to mounting it.  Birds, I have no idea the best way to handle them? 

[Wanderer]

We brought a small chest freezer with.  The mounters are all individually bagged and labeled.  Stacked carefully.  We’ll pack everything better for the trip home.  A single plastic bag is sufficient to get them to the taxidermist but if they’re going to be kept for an extended period, double and triple bagged with heavy duty bags works.

 

The parts that can get freezer burned easiest are the bills and later, the feet.  Most duck heads these days are completely replaced with artificials and then painted by the taxidermist.  The skin is pretty well protected by the feathers.

Edited January 10, 2020 by Wanderer

[Wanderer]

A couple to catch up.  
 

My best gadwall ever!

 

Starting to get a nice a group.

 

 

End of today.  Buffleheads, wigeon, gadwalls, and GREATER scaup.  5 of these birds are mount worthy.  

And let’s not forget the heyday pic.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Wanderer