Wood Duck Houses

[pikeprowler]

Anyone who is an avid duck hunter like myself knows how important it is to keep and preserve the habitat of these birds. One way we all can take part in doing this is to build wood duck houses. I have about seven houses set out along some river bottom that my dad owns. I just checked them over the easter weekend and six of the seven houses had broken shells in them. This was pretty awesome for me because I love wood ducks. So just take an afternoon and build a couple of these houses. But get them out soon because the hens will be laying there eggs real soon. There easy to make and it's pretty gratifying to know that you're doing something to help the habitat of these wooducks.

[Eric Wettschreck]

amen brotha. I have some out myself. Last time I looked most of them were nested, but no eggs yet.

[mnmuzzleloader]

My two boys and I have 15 houses between scott and lesueur county, last week I finished putting the new cedar chips in them. the two year old and I went through the ice on the last one which is alittle ways out on a slew but we had a blast now just waiting for a few day and go and watch the swamps!!!

It has been a good excuse to get out and burn off some of that cabin fever!!

the MWA scott lesueur puts on an awesome house day in feb every year!!

[Mark Christianson]

Let me add, that if you dont get them out right now, no big deal.

Build a few, regardless of the time of year, and put em up.

Next year they will get used if you dont get em up in time this year for nesting.

I had horrible success last year. 5 out of 20 with broken egg shells when I refilled them a couple weeks ago. But this year is a new year, and I feel success already.

I also added another 8 mallard tubes to the existing 8 tubes, and helped fellow FM'er Gissert with his newly installed 8 tubes. Spend some time to better the odds for the future.

[Nova]

Have you had any luck with the mallard tubes? I have 3 in my pond and can't get anything but target wings(red wing blackbirds) to use them. I just put 4 new ones up at duck camp, hope they work better up there.

[Mark Christianson]

This will be my second year with tubes. I personally have 16 out now, and no, I did not find any evidence of use in my first 8 last spring....

I'm willing to try though. I am hoping its a matter of time before a bird sees that palace, just waiting for a resident.