Living in the Pacific Northwest, I always considered myself lucky to be able to hunt a variety of species of waterfowl... ducks and geese alike. I grew up hunting with my father, and even to this day, he is my tried and true hunting partner. It is a rare day when one of us can be found hunting without the other.
At some point in my waterfowling past, I made it a personal goal of mine to harvest every species of duck and goose that is possible in my home state of Oregon. Not many states offer the possibility of so many duck species.
Somehow I got it in my mind that accomplishing this goal would be the true mark of a Northwest wingshooter.
I know many have heard of the Northwest 27... and naturally this was the "duck" list I used when I originally set my sights on the goal. Obviously there are quite a few species on the list that came relatively easy, but there were several others that required quite a bit of scouting and persistence. One by one, year by year, I checked them off... and slowly crept closer to hitting the mark.
At a just shade over 30 years old, I had taken the all the species of geese and only had two ducks remaining on the list. The only problem is that in all my days afield, I had never actually seen either of these two species of duck during the hunting season.
About a week ago, on an absolutely beautiful January day on the Oregon coast, I finally happened upon a duck I had been searching for. With both the sun and wind at my back, I knew what it was immediately, and without any hesitation, one shot put it down on the water before me. Of course... my father was at my side.
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For some reason, this duck has a special significance in my quest. For the very first time, I can actually see the finish line. I truly believe that accomplishing my goal is a distinct possibility. The blue-wing teal is my final target, and I know it may take years to find… let alone kill. While I look forward to the day that happens… at least for now I can relish in success… the bird that make the season!
Oregon Duck and Goose List
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Wood Duck
Blue-Winged Teal
Green-Winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Canvasback
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Ring-Necked Duck
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Common Merganser
Red-Breasted Merganser
Hooded Merganser
White-Winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Oldsquaw
Harlequin
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Snow Goose
Greater White-Fronted Goose
Ross Goose
Brant
At some point in my waterfowling past, I made it a personal goal of mine to harvest every species of duck and goose that is possible in my home state of Oregon. Not many states offer the possibility of so many duck species.
Somehow I got it in my mind that accomplishing this goal would be the true mark of a Northwest wingshooter.
I know many have heard of the Northwest 27... and naturally this was the "duck" list I used when I originally set my sights on the goal. Obviously there are quite a few species on the list that came relatively easy, but there were several others that required quite a bit of scouting and persistence. One by one, year by year, I checked them off... and slowly crept closer to hitting the mark.
At a just shade over 30 years old, I had taken the all the species of geese and only had two ducks remaining on the list. The only problem is that in all my days afield, I had never actually seen either of these two species of duck during the hunting season.
About a week ago, on an absolutely beautiful January day on the Oregon coast, I finally happened upon a duck I had been searching for. With both the sun and wind at my back, I knew what it was immediately, and without any hesitation, one shot put it down on the water before me. Of course... my father was at my side.
For some reason, this duck has a special significance in my quest. For the very first time, I can actually see the finish line. I truly believe that accomplishing my goal is a distinct possibility. The blue-wing teal is my final target, and I know it may take years to find… let alone kill. While I look forward to the day that happens… at least for now I can relish in success… the bird that make the season!
Oregon Duck and Goose List
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Wood Duck
Blue-Winged Teal
Green-Winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Canvasback
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Ring-Necked Duck
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Common Merganser
Red-Breasted Merganser
Hooded Merganser
White-Winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Oldsquaw
Harlequin
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Snow Goose
Greater White-Fronted Goose
Ross Goose
Brant