Another waterfowl question

[bluesclues]

In my quest to become a more knowledgeable waterfowl hunter, I have been reading alot of stuff on the internet lately. And a common goose/duck theme seems to be the excitement over getting birds that have been banded. Was just curious if that really is a big thing or if many of the waterfowl hunters here on CGN have collected many bands. In my short experience hunting ducks/geese I haven't got any banded birds yet and neither has any of the hunters I know.

Would be a nice reminder, I guess, of a successful hunt though.

 

[glang1]

We got a few banded birds over the years. They are not common in my hunting areas, & are considered trophies by most waterfowlers. Be sure & call in the bands with info on where you harvested the birds. Good luck with your hunting.

George

 

[Thinking]

Bands are great souvenirs when you get them, and have interesting info linked to them but they are tough to eat.

But that might be sour grapes, as they have been few and far between for me.

 

[brybenn]

I have got a few over the years some old geese have the info worn off. I've writen in and they send you a package saying when and whare the bird was banded

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

We have collected 2 bands in 6 years of Waterfowling, I don't have my records close by but I believe that we took in the neighbhourhood of 800 birds so 1 in 400 is rare for sure.

 

[dannymat]

3rd year goose hunting
0 bands in my group

We're waiting for our turn, but you don't see too many bands in my parts

 

[Brucecounty]

getting a banded bird is sorta like gettin that monster rack on a whitetail , but i know a group of guys that ended up with a band a peice ( 5 of them ) and the ultra rare neck band

 

[bearkilr]

I've gotten 4 or so with bands in all the years, one with the orange neck band(all were Canada geese). This is after about 25 years + of bird hunting.

To be honest, I've never considered it much of a trophy or keepsake. I did phone/write in the info, but didn't keep any of the bands or info about the birds.

If I remember correctly, the birds were in the 2-4 year age group.

 

[sjemac]

I used to get 5 or 6 a year on PEI when I only shot 50 or 60 birds a year. I've hunted 14 years in AB and have shot a few thousand birds and got my first and only band last year and have only ever seen one other banded bird shot. And yes, I was excited about that band (Banded in Sacramento, California in 2005 -- Killed east of Olds, Alberta in 2009).

Some areas band lots of birds and you get a lot of bands shot. Others don't, so you don't.

 

[M12shooter]

There was a time when almost every other redhead was banded it seemed. My family has taken many of the aforementioned with bands during the 60's and 70's. I myself have shot one banded Canada, two redheads, and a mallard hen that I shot not five miles from where it was banded the year before. This is in the 37 seasons that I have hunted waterfowl.

 

[bluesclues]

Thanks for the info, some interesting stories for sure. It would seem with the apparent rarity of these bands, that getting one, would be very cool indeed.

I read on IronBands.com that there are even "reward bands" that are worth money. Apparently, there are $25 and $100 bands out there that are redeemable when you call them in.

I wonder just how many banded birds are in my neck of the woods?

Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[sjemac]

Thanks for the info, some interesting stories for sure. It would seem with the apparent rarity of these bands, that getting one, would be very cool indeed.

I read on IronBands.com that there are even "reward bands" that are worth money. Apparently, there are $25 and $100 bands out there that are redeemable when you call them in.

I wonder just how many banded birds are in my neck of the woods?

Thanks again for all the replies.

If you ever see a green band don't call it in. Send it to me. I'll take care of that sensitive situation.