Foray into duck hunting!

The duck hitch looks interesting. I have just breasted the few ducks that I have got. Something to look into for sure.

Any other reviews of gear? I have learned quite a bit so far.
 
bluesclues said:
The duck hitch looks interesting. I have just breasted the few ducks that I have got. Something to look into for sure.

Any other reviews of gear? I have learned quite a bit so far.
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Canvasback legs are the only ones worth saving. Large, tender and very tasty. I save them up throughout the season and slow cook them with chicken stock, celery, onions and old bay seasoning. A family favorite.:)
 
M12shooter said:
Canvasback legs are the only ones worth saving. Large, tender and very tasty. I save them up throughout the season and slow cook them with chicken stock, celery, onions and old bay seasoning. A family favorite.:)
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I pluck most of my ducks with a motorized plucker. Does a bird in 30 seconds. That way I can save all the legs with the skin on. You braise them until tender and then brush with a mixture of butter, hot sauce and cayenne and crisp them under the broiler. Better than any damn chicken wing.

Speaking of canvasbacks -- on of my favorite combos: braised canvasback legs with very light seared canvasback sashimi.
canvasbackmeal1.jpg
 
sjemac said:
I pluck most of my ducks with a motorized plucker. Does a bird in 30 seconds. That way I can save all the legs with the skin on. You braise them until tender and then brush with a mixture of butter, hot sauce and cayenne and crisp them under the broiler. Better than any damn chicken wing.

Speaking of canvasbacks -- on of my favorite combos: braised canvasback legs with very light seared canvasback sashimi.
canvasbackmeal1.jpg
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Finally, someone that knows how to prepare and plate wild duck. Most just cook the things until tough as shoe leather and then complain much they taste like liver. Or else just fill the freezer with improperly dressed birds and throw the lot out in the spring.
 
sealhunter said:
did you hear why they sold them??

I know of a few guys who have them and love them.

In particular a few snow geese hunters in Sask..
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Ironically the guys I knew that sold their bird hitches were also sngo hunters that come out to SK for a month each fall/spring. They sold them for the same reasons, not worth the +$200 price, just as fast with a sharp knife, and neither were really impressed with quality of the finished bird.

Nice plate sjemac!!!
 
Sjemac, that plate looks delicious! I am going to have to try that this year.

Another question for the experienced here. A duck boat. How necessary is one? In the marsh that I hunted, chest waders was all that was needed to retrieve downed birds. However, looking on kijiji, there are some pretty good deals on used alum boats with motors and trailers.

How many of you use a boat? Are you hunting from the boat? Just using it to retrieve ducks/geese? Or using it to travel lakes or rivers?

Thanks for your responses, as all I need is an excuse to buy a little boat next season.
 
bluesclues said:
Sjemac, that plate looks delicious! I am going to have to try that this year.

Another question for the experienced here. A duck boat. How necessary is one? In the marsh that I hunted, chest waders was all that was needed to retrieve downed birds. However, looking on kijiji, there are some pretty good deals on used alum boats with motors and trailers.

How many of you use a boat? Are you hunting from the boat? Just using it to retrieve ducks/geese? Or using it to travel lakes or rivers?

Thanks for your responses, as all I need is an excuse to buy a little boat next season.
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All of the above.

I use a flat bottom boat with a shallow trolling motor to move me into most marshes. If I'm taking a really big spread, I tow a 16ft canoe behind me for the dekes. The flat bottom lets me stand in it while I distribute the dekes (most are set up in a Texas rig format -- 7 dozen dekes can be put out in 10 minutes http://www.txwaterfowler.com/html_pages/duck_hunting/texas_rigged_decoys/texas_rigged.htm).

I hide the boat in the reeds using camo netting and poles if needed. The dog does the vast majority of the retrieves but the boat and motor are kept ready to chase down lively crips or help the dog when the guys take down a whole whack of birds at one go (the big fella is 8 and has some arthritis in his legs due to a car accident).

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bluesclues said:
Sjemac, that plate looks delicious! I am going to have to try that this year.

Another question for the experienced here. A duck boat. How necessary is one? In the marsh that I hunted, chest waders was all that was needed to retrieve downed birds. However, looking on kijiji, there are some pretty good deals on used alum boats with motors and trailers.

How many of you use a boat? Are you hunting from the boat? Just using it to retrieve ducks/geese? Or using it to travel lakes or rivers?

Thanks for your responses, as all I need is an excuse to buy a little boat next season.
Click to expand...

I use a Flatbottom with a 2.2 merc kicker and sometimes a troller..

It used to fit fine in the little hunting Dakota I had for a while..

The one boat I wish I had never gotten rid of was a Scanoe...with the 2.2 merc..

I'd take that out on calm days on the ocean or sown a river without a second thought...

it was great on lakes..

light as could be and was pulled over read like a sleigh on snow..


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those are some really nice huntin' boats! I can see how they would come in handy... that is just the excuse I need to get one (not this year) next year.

Good looking dog too.
 
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