Waterfowl: drakes or hens?

[Silverado]

I see in a lot of pics a high number of hens in the mix; from a conservation standpoint, I'm not familiar with the stats on removing hens vs. drakes, but in my limited waterfowling experiences, the general rule was 'try for drakes only... you know... if you can'.

What are your thoughts?

 

[gth]

I only shoot a couple limits of ducks a year so I dont feel to bad taking some hens. If I can, I will shoot greenheads first, but if I have a better shot at a hen she is coming down.

Now the guys that hunt 50 days a year and bag hundreds of Waterfowl per year definetly should be targeting drakes..

 

[sjemac]

I see in a lot of pics a high number of hens in the mix; from a conservation standpoint, I'm not familiar with the stats on removing hens vs. drakes, but in my limited waterfowling experiences, the general rule was 'try for drakes only... you know... if you can'.

What are your thoughts?

Most of the "hens" are actually eclipse or immature drakes. In teal I defy you to pick out the drakes on the wing in the early season. Same with gadwall and wigeon at first light.

If a flock comes in I target the drakes. Singles get shot regardless of their ###. Pintails and Canvasbacks I shoot any ### too because they are just so damned tasty. They all taste the same on the grill.

But I will crack drakes only too.

 

[dave_t73]

I'll do my best to target the drakes, but most of the time, I find it hard to distinguish them in the moment, particularly early in the season. However, I've never refused to take a shot at all based on the ### of the bird.