Year of the band (Updated)

[Anatidae]

I always check up on the upper part of the leg in the feathers after that one.

As you might already know - that's not TYPICALLY where you would find one - nor would a FWS bander put one there. So, I don't really understand that comment unless it was not a federal band.

[sab316]

I always check up on the upper part of the leg in the feathers after that one.

As you might already know - that's not TYPICALLY where you would find one - nor would a FWS bander put one there. So, I don't really understand that comment unless it was not a federal band.

Oh I know they don't put it there. But it clearly wasn't on the bottom half of the leg, we check every bird for bands and thats not something you miss. I don't know if it somehow was too loose and slid up the leg, or something. I dunno. Definitely wasn't there when we picked her up.

[GET-N-RITE]

I do not think that it's intentional, but they do slid up on the leg sometimes. This was found after the hunt when we were cleaning ducks.

[Anatidae]

Thanks - I guarantee I'll pay more attention hereafter to make sure a band didn't slide 'up' over the knuckle.

[Caller1]

Killed drake mallard Dec 15th, that was banded in 2003. It looked like an old band. Been waiting on a banded shoveler or Gadwal! Anyone ever seen a banded Gadwal? As many as get killed I haven't heard of one.

[GET-N-RITE]

Anatidae the possibilities of it happening again are probably slim to none of finding a band that high on the leg, but you never know. PS I always enjoy your waterfowl knowledge and Canada trips and reports.

I have never been on a special gadwall, but I know of one killed about 3 years ago around Leflore county.

[Anatidae]

Anatidae the possibilities of it happening again are probably slim to none of finding a band that high on the leg, but you never know. PS I always enjoy your waterfowl knowledge and Canada trips and reports.

Thanks for the kind words. You've had an exceptional year on the bands, for sure. As hard as ducks (banded or not) are to come by down here, it never hurts to check thoroughly for jewelry.

We had a season about like yours back in 2000-01 season where Anne and I killed 5 banded birds in 15 days. There's 2 amazing things about this......1) the first and last mallard she killed one day were banded, then her first duck of the next morning's hunt was banded. 3 banded birds in 5 shots. 2) One of her band #'s and one of mine had the same prefix. We shot them 8 days apart about 1/4 mile from each other. Here's the amazing part - 1255 digits separated our band numbers - they were banded at the same location (Plumas, MB) 8 days apart..........6 years prior to their recovery. Makes you wonder if they traveled together those 6 years, doesn't it. Hardin Phillips ('Webfoot' - RIP) urged me to write a story about it - which he published on his website.

I've had a dry spell on banded mallards - 'been since the 2004-05 season. 'Killed a couple of banded wood ducks since then, but my last one was last day of the 2011-12 season. My wife is due for a band - she killed banded mallards on the last day of the 2009-10 season and one in SK in 2005.

It's always special when you get one. Congrats to all you guys (and gals) that have ended the 'drought' this year.

[GET-N-RITE]

That is an awesome story for sure. I have no idea why some people kill bands and some don't. I hunt directly across from a refuge a federal refuge at that, and I think that plays a big part in it, but the majority of mine have came off public land.

Bands are a special thing, but I think they have lost a lot of the luster so to speak. I know they haven't for me whether I get the band or not, its great to be apart of it. I will never forgot this and I have remembered it to this day. I was hunting with a group of guys, and I was maybe 15. Anyway I was hunting the left end, beside some big wig / expert / duck hunter ( the term waterfowler is only used on people I admire and respect) anyway he had a lanyard absolutely full of bands. We weren't killing much and I thought I would call at some high ducks. Well the man knocked my call out of my mouth and said " I run the show here. Do you see this (points at his bands) Don't call anymore." We killed like 2 ducks and I told my dad and here is one of my favorite quotes.

"Don't judge a man by how many bands he has on his lanyard. Look at his game strap and that should be a good indication on his capabilities."

As I was typing the post one of my good friends who I am going to hunt with in the delta killed a banded Susie. Must be luck.

[teul2]

Well the man knocked my call out of my mouth and said " I run the show here. Do you see this (points at his bands) Don't call anymore."

15 years old or not, that SOB would have gotten an ear full. If not from me, my dad would have ate his rear up.

[Anatidae]

I have no idea why some people kill bands and some don't.

Yeah.......especially if they "number in the thousands".........

I hunt directly across from a refuge a federal refuge at that, and I think that plays a big part in it, but the majority of mine have came off public land.

Ours have, too. It's obviously a product of opportunity, being able to hunt often, and having a fair amount of success when you go.........and access to good (traditional) Wintering grounds.

Bands are a special thing, but I think they have lost a lot of the luster so to speak. I know they haven't for me whether I get the band or not, its great to be apart of it.

I agree.......and, Likewise.

I will never forgot this and I have remembered it to this day. I was hunting with a group of guys, and I was maybe 15. Anyway I was hunting the left end, beside some big wig / expert / duck hunter ( the term waterfowler is only used on people I admire and respect) ..........

........rightly so........

.......anyway he had a lanyard absolutely full of bands. We weren't killing much and I thought I would call at some high ducks. Well the man knocked my call out of my mouth and said " I run the show here. Do you see this (points at his bands) Don't call anymore." We killed like 2 ducks and I told my dad and here is one of my favorite quotes.

"Don't judge a man by how many bands he has on his lanyard. Look at his game strap and that should be a good indication on his capabilities."

Yeah, character is built from experiences with people......both from admirable ladies and gentlemen ........and from jackasps. We've all been the latter on occassion.

I'd rather have the skills required to be mobile, meeting and overcoming a myriad of variables - even if the net result is killing fewer ducks than the pompass jackasp sitting in the same awesome spot day after day. Typically, you take that guy and challenge him to hunt public land.......and he probably wouldn't know where to start.

If I keep at it, maybe I'll have those skills one day.

As I was typing the post one of my good friends who I am going to hunt with in the delta killed a banded Susie. Must be luck.

Congrats to your buddy.......it's THAT time of year. 10 days left.

Happy Hunting everyone.

[Hambone]

Killed drake mallard Dec 15th, that was banded in 2003. It looked like an old band. Been waiting on a banded shoveler or Gadwal! Anyone ever seen a banded Gadwal? As many as get killed I haven't heard of one.

I killed a banded gadwall last season and my wife killed one six or seven years ago. Those are the only two I have ever seen in person.

[davidees]

Yeah.......especially if they "number in the thousands".........

Man, I hope you didn't intend that as a stab at me. If so, I didn't do anything to deserve that, I was just being honest with y'all. Just bad luck, I guess...but 20 years of hunting and averaging as few as 50 ducks a year....it ain't that hard to reach that number. I'd say I've averaged 75 or so a year.

[Anatidae]

Yeah.......especially if they "number in the thousands".........

Man, I hope you didn't intend that as a stab at me. If so, I didn't do anything to deserve that, I was just being honest with y'all.

Not intended as a 'stab' by any means........and I agree with you, i.e. only pointing-out.......

Just bad luck, I guess...

..........and I think everyone will appreciate the benefit of your clarification on the "thousands" claim as follows:

.........but 20 years of hunting and averaging as few as 50 ducks a year....it ain't that hard to reach that number. I'd say I've averaged 75 or so a year.

So, that's actually around 1500. I can relate with that much better. I think everybody's numbers fluctuate too, depending on how often they are able to get out.....and what kind of weather we get (that's conducive to bird concentrations - or lack, thereof)........oppoortunity. Consequently, we really haven't seen those concentrations (down here) since '97-'01.

I hope your luck changes in the next 10 days - Happy Hunting!

[davidees]

Thanks. I will say that back in '96 I took my best friend on the first duck hunt of his life and the very first duck he ever killed was a banded greenhead. He lost that band somewhere before we even made it home that day. I didn't really think much of it then because I figured I'd kill many over the years. Just hasn't happened for me yet. As long as I see and work birds I'm always happy though.

P.S.- that friend is still my best friend today and we've had many great hunts together and he hasn't killed a banded bird since.

[420 racin]

Only band I ever killed was in Padre Island, TX hunting the Laguna Madre,,,banded wigieon...band was so old all the numbers were worn off except one number, and it was so thin it was about to break apart. Still have that band, never seen another one. Always hunt public land....i don't know what a "duck lease" looks like..