7 replies to this topic

[kook]

Can anyone recommend a excellent book to identify ducks? Looking to really get into duck hunting this year and hope to get better at identifying birds in the air and the ground. Thanks!

[True2ThySelf]

I'm not sure if you've checked this out but go to a local library and see if they have an Audubon bird field guide. I'll see if I can find mine and scan a few pages.

[bzzrd feedr]

Google duck indent there is a ton of stuff available. DU has a decent one, but to identify ducks takes many years to be good at. I've found that wing beat and wing shape helps the most. Still pics help somewhat but when ducks are coming in early in low light situations it is a challenge.

[gsummers]

Duck shooting has always been my favorite hunting. I mainly use the "The Lemaster Method: Waterfowl Identification" book. It is Spiral bound and has a chapter to identify on duck bills, than each bird respecitvly on the male and female, and lastly a chapter on duck feet. Below is a link to the book; however, you can find other ones available on Amazon. I recomend putting it in your pack while hunting in a ziplock bag. My specific edition is ISBN: 978-0-8117-29826

http://www.amazon.co...lemaster method

This book "Field Guide to Upland Birds and Waterfowl" is also another I use. It is not as good as the first one, though it does give a light amount of info about the bird and covers more than duck.
http://www.amazon.co... identification

I personally think if you get these two books you will be set in the field; furthermore, I would also recomend a hard cover large book for home. This is not for identification, just simply to make your mouth water in the off season.

[clampdaddy]

Google duck indent there is a ton of stuff available. DU has a decent one, but to identify ducks takes many years to be good at. I've found that wing beat and wing shape helps the most. Still pics help somewhat but when ducks are coming in early in low light situations it is a challenge.

Yep. Eventually you will find little tell tales that will let you know what kind of ducks are coming in and those tell tales will be different from one hunter to the next. To me widgeon look like they have a chubby rear end when they fly, canvasbacks are long and kind of hang their heads low, sprig use short rapid wing beats. I have a tough time with gadwall and mallards when I can't see their colors. With teal and ringneck they are both small and run at wide open throttle most of the time so once in a whileI still get surprises after the retrieve.

[Toxic Shot]

Handbook of Waterfowl behavior by Paul Johnsgard.

[kook]

Thanks guys! Good info im sure will help more than just me.

[Chrispphotog]

I have been using the Ducks Unlimited App which is pretty cool with multiple photos, descriptions and Sounds.