Alabama Mallards

Carl

Carl

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We must have had a bumper crop of Alabama mallards (AKA mottled duck, Florida mallard, summer mallard) this year. The Gulf Coast version of the Black duck.
After going 12 years without taking a single one, I've killed 4 so far this year. And I've never taken more than two in one season since moving to the coast in '97.
Here is the drake I shot today:
[inline MottledDuck12112016A.jpg ]

View attachment MottledDuck12112016A.jpg
 
Where I'm at in FL I try to kill one every hunt. Yesterday after I had my Drake I found a spot with a full-blown greenhead Mallard in the group. Been thinking about how to go back and bop that one along with my Florida next time.

Good for you. They're cool Ducks...
 
Yep, you need to cull that mallard out of the gene pool!
The mallard x mottle duck hybridization problem in peninsular FL is as bad or worse than the mallard x black duck problem.
 
Yup. Here's a hybrid typical Fish&Game LEOs would consider a Mottled in my area. Along the West coast we have all sorts of variations. Double-white wing bars is a dead giveaway. Interior waters in S FL are mostly pure birds yet. Up around Disney it's pretty bad, lots of hybrids...
Hybrid%20one_zpsjftefl1v.jpg

 
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That mottled is much like our Mexican duck, Carl. Sounds like your area has a lot of ducks this year. That makes you lucky!
Al
 
I don't think so, the drought didn't really impact the water levels in our coastal marshes.
I think we just hit an uptick in their population cycle. Back in the late 90s/early 2000s we had a 5 years streak when they were more abundant too.
 
Florida Peninsula or Texas is your best bet for a "sure" shot at mottled ducks..
I'd go for Florida so you could add whistling ducks and mature bluewings to the bag!
 
Mottled Duck has been on my wish list for awhile. Now that I'm older, the warm weather and hunting will suit me just fine. After picking up the decoys I may still have feeling left in my hands...

Thanks for the post Carl.
 
You're very welcome!
BTW, down here, most days I pick out and pick up the decoys with no gloves with no chilly hands!
 
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