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I feel incredibly fortunate with this bird. The biologist who actually banded the bird replied to my post on a FB group I'm a member of. He remembered the very specific group of birds he banded this one in.

This bird actually decoyed very well. I'm used to their normal antics: getting up over top and flaring, coming in hot and then putting the brakes on, and of course their signature landing just out of range outside the decoys. The ones I have had the most luck with are those that come in hot...

Very nice Jode. You've always given great respect to those green wings. I am jealous of you guys picking away at them right till the last day. They usually leave us in numbers sometimes as early as November in the northern part of the state. One day I'll make it down that way.

Spoke to a client in San Antonio TX on Monday and it was 19F there. That is absurd. We have a couple more days of cold left in the season it seems. Then it's all she wrote. I am giving it a go tomorrow. 30 degrees and 3-4" of snow on the coast.

No argument from me! Seems like a very logical explanation. Also seems to be consistent with what I've seen as well.

I'd for sure like to know what possibly causes it but I think the geographical debate could be put to rest. My theory? Water temperature. As the season gets colder, the ducks need more blood flow to their legs while roosting in the water. Seems like all the red/bright leg specimens I shot were...

Yes, I have heard "Nova Scotia Red Leggers" but have heard Maine as well. I thought for sure the band report would be from Nova Scotia. Was very surprised and actually pretty happy it ended up being a local bird.

It has been a pretty challenging season here in NJ for myself and a lot of folks. Lack of weather up north has lead to basically stale birds, the ones here seem to be pretty fat and happy, very content with their safe food sources. The running theme of the season seems to be "just 2 black...

Shoe Goo. Did it with the exact same pair of waders two years ago in the same spot. It only slowed me having to replace them. The leak which was sort of bad, became smaller. I managed to get another season out of them. Just know you will probably need to replace them soon. Make sure you clean...

This cannot be understated. Experienced this for the first time this season in NJ. There were actual trees floating downriver and birds were sitting on the tree. Slow down, especially in the dark, and take your time.

Carl, It always is a mixed-feeling shooting mallards here in NJ. On one hand they are beautiful and seem to decoy really well (compared to black ducks). On the other it feels odd knowing I basically shot a wild-farm-duck. It gets good for them here in the backwater swamps and sloughs. Coastal...

It takes a little getting used to the idea that people come from all over the country to NJ to bag them and Atlantic Brant. I have a buddy who guides and has a gentleman coming to cross the last 2 birds he needs off his 41: black duck and brant. He told me he's nervous because "stranger things...

This is exactly the exact podcast I was referring to. Couldn't remember the name. I remember him discussing that. I suppose I had it wrong. The retroactively hybridize but mostly with mallards.

Thank you for clarifying this. The first thing we always hear (here in NJ) is "white on trailing edge = hybrid." Maybe you can clarify this but I've also heard that hybrids are not as common as people think. With that, I also have heard that hybrid black x hybrids will only pair with other...