ok, im new to all this duck huntin lingo and whatnot, but im seein how strict they are on these limits, and wanna know- HOW THE HELL CAN YOU GUYS TELL WTF KINDA DUCK IT IS WHEN THEY FLYIN SO DAMN FAST? because im sure the WLF aint gonna excuse you for havin too many of one species if you tell him "sorry sir, i thought he was a _____." it may really be easier than im thinkin, just because Ive never done it before. at least with deer, you can look in a scope and tell if it got horns/enough of em or not. I dunno, yall please enlighten me on this matter.

sincerely,
The Gate Keeper
Rod

You have to be careful. Once you have been hunting for quite a while you get pretty good at picking out different species even from a far, but def when they're in shooting range. If you shoot something at first light that you can't have more than one or two of, you just better pay closer attention for the rest of the morning.

During teal season, there are def some accidents, and the gw WILL give you a ticket if you get caught. During big duck season, you shouldn't have too much of an issue identifying birds.

the only ones that are hard to tell what they are when flyin are ringnecks and scuap..

all the other ducks you can pretty much tell

Yeah, I'd second that. I don't even shoot at em anymore unless nothing else is flying, just cause I don't like cleanin em.

Early teal season in a small cove just before day break. I had a woody come in and I dumped him at 40 yrds it was the money shot! folded him up and cart-wheeled down. By far the my best shot ever! under further inspection it was a woody the game warden came from around the corner. 530$ he said its small pre-mature and doesn't have all its plumage but its still 530 bucks and he kept my bird and let the prison make gumbo out of it!

I figure it out when I pick it up. It then has two options : in boat, or in mud.

I didn't have a dog and IT WAS OPENING DAY. so I let it sit out there for a few. the warden was posted up in the bushes saw it was a woody with his binocs I was screwed. pay the man. But I've wanted to mount a woody ever since and ain't got one! I don't like goin opening day any more its like the nature swat team out there!

swamphonkey u must have hunted lake o the pines, them wardens was thick out there opening weekend. we got checked 3 different times and each boat had 3 wardens in it. whats bad is they wont even let you finish your hunt they roll up while your still shooting and give ya the full shakedown. i talked to one of the wardens i know pretty well and he said they rolled up to some guys that this was the first year they hunted teal season and they had some woodducks and some tree ducks still laying in the decoys that they shot and didnt have a clue that it was even illegal......said the ticket would be well over 1k a piece 3 guys.

It's not hard once you get used to them, they all fly and act different. It's a little hard to tell the divers apart sometimes when they are far away, but you can definitely break it down into probabilities after you watch them for a second.

I've only been duck hunting for about 5 seasons so I know how you feel. At first they all looked the same to me and the guy that got me into the sport would be able to tell them all apart and I had no idea how. Now I pretty much know what I'm shooting at by the way they fly. It'll take some time but you'll get it.

Another way is the by the different sounds that make while flying past you while you were looking the other way. (or maybe that's just me)

It will take you awhile, but you will get it. First look for size, then color, then speculum or specific color markings. You will get a flash of their markings, and you will learn once you see enough of them. If you really care grab a duck ID book and study the colors, the wing shape, their beaks, etc. You pick out the key identifying mark and look for it in the air. It takes some time, but soon enough you will be able to know what it is by just how it is flying.

If you are nervous, go make a few hunts w/ an experienced duck hunter.

start paying attention to their shape and wing location. and sounds they're making in the air.

This thread makes me laugh !!!!

Mines brother ... BigCatDaddy .. he is 58 years old .. You ask him .. "What kind of DuckByrd is that BigCat"??? His reply is always ..... "Common" !!!!

from a distance wing speed is the first thing you will notice. as they get closer, shape, size and the sounds they make when they fly come into play. you should be able to identify the type of duck before it gets into range. once in range start looking at the markings/colors to tell if its drake or hen.

go hunting with someone that knows how, they can explain to you what they are looking at while the birds are comming in, that will make it much easier on you to learn what to look for.

if your not sure what you just shot, dont leave it on the water, go see what it is, cause you may need to do what uncle-j does. stompin can save you lots of money.

Easy,when theyre flyin they is all greenheads to me.

"Shot first ask questions later"

Idk it shows up on here.

Hook it up with another one

text me the login info

At least you guys know I'm not making this junk up! For the record I didn't shoot the tree duck! Dude did! But it has been a learning experience and If I can't make fun of myself than life would suck! As for the gateman don't go hunting with me unless you got x-tra cash cuz obviousely I don't know!