17 replies to this topic

[stevowpappas]

Please help. You guys probably think im an idiot but where i hunt im not used to a big diversity of ducks. I guess you have to learn somewhere and here is a good place. I cant find my bird identifier book either.

[bzzrd feedr]

You got to be kidding! Right? Well I'll bite to save typing a response again. That is a Great Northern Shoveler a.k.a as a Spoony, and it's a Hen or as some duck hunters call them Suzies. Not the greatest to eat.

[stevowpappas]

unfortunately im not kidding. I duck hunt by myself. Im 23 years old and this is my first year out of college and able to actually hunt. My dad lives close by but he has never duck hunted. So im left to figuring it all out by myself. Ive killed a lot of ducks this year and so far those are the only two i couldnt identify. I feel like im starting to figure it out pretty well and able to notice and identify the majority of the ducks in the air.ive heard of spoonies but never killed one. I guess i will make jerky out of this one.Thanks for the help.

[Soreloser]

New of the year Shoveler.Just as a precaution and I'm not trying to pick on you or anything. But going over the bag limit on some ducks carries a pretty hefty fine and with not being able to identify ducks, especially in flight you might want to invest in a Identification book or something.Edited: I was typing the same time you were I guess. Glad you are picking up on birds in flight a little better. None the less be careful.

[stevowpappas]

ive got a real nice book but cant find it. Whenever i shoot a bird i cant identify i pick up and go home. I live about 5 minutes from where i hunt so its not a big deal to leave and i dont want to kill over the limit. I know the limits of all the birds and im pretty sure i know them all now. Where i hunt 99 percent of the birds i kill are ring necks, mallards, teal, scaup, and bufflehead.

[bzzrd feedr]

Tim's advice is sound, a good identification book would be a very good idea. It can be very expensive if you don't know what you have on your strap. Case in point was the hen pintail you asked about before, that one and a bull pintail and you are over the limit for sprig. Also Canvasbacks and Redheads can mess you up. Be careful is all we are saying cause the warden's don't have a great sense of humor when it comes to identification problems. Good luck and have fun, it's a great sport and given me 40+years of enjoyment.

[.243Win]

yepa hen spoonyI'd pass on shooting any spoonythe old saying is the same with whitewing doves:if you shoot and miss, they'll come back to see what all the noise was about

[Arise]

"Hollywood Mallard" - AKA - #### Eater or Shoveler in the flesh!

[Soreloser]

Hey now. You guys are doggin the Spoonie Eats without justice.. You might need to learn how to cook duck a little better.

[Arise]

Oh I eat them. Just after a beer or nine w/ my buddys special spooney sausage.

[Soreloser]

nice

[bzzrd feedr]

I don't shoot spoonies either but one of the guys in our duck club has a friend that has a Chinese Restaurant that can make a spoony taste like a sprig. I've been to the gamefeeds where he serves them and I do have to say they are fine. I've never thought that about whitewing doves though, maybe cause I'm not around them much up north. I've shot them alot and eaten them, but didn't think there was any difference from mourning dove. Those big blue pidgeon in argentina eat good too.

[SpotandStalk]

unfortunately im not kidding. I duck hunt by myself. Im 23 years old and this is my first year out of college and able to actually hunt.

stevo,Keep up the good work! I think it's great you're 23, asking questions, and hunting regularly. It sounds like you're self taught in the Waterfowl realm...so keep going. When you're 43 I'm sure you'll be able to identify all the ducks you shoot with your eyes closed and with gloves on. Keep hunting and asking questions, S&S

[JimT.]

I know, I know,-it's a DEAD DUCK!

[peeker seeker]

Hunters that dont eat spoonies cant cook. The ones later in the year are better. Im a self taught duck hunter too ben doing it for 30 yrs you will get it wait tell you call in your first goose. I peed all over mayself. just kidding sort of. stay with it and have a blast. Take that book out in the field with you thats what I did when I started. Dont feel stupid, stupid peaple dont ask for help . Us old farts are here to help

[Augnmike]

I don't prefer to shoot spoonies but frankly in the Wister area sometimes you either shoot a few "Hollywoods" or you might as well leave the shotgun in the truck. For you Northern Cal guys who are always worried about how many mallards we're gonna get in the bag limit the spoonie situation is hard to understand. The solution is for you guys to get five or six mallards and down south we should get 3 or four Sprig. Now that oughta start some caca flyin'.

[Shoot-it]

I new that was a spooney by the spoon shaped bill... I haven't been duck hunting long and still learning I laminated the back pages of ny hunters safety book they have all duck and geese in color. I use to hunt keterson and they check you bag limit on the way out if you shoot the wrong duck they call in the warden and you get a ticket.

[bzzrd feedr]

That's the guys name that has the Chinese Restaurant, Duk Wong, do you know him? He says two Wongs don't make a Right.