They float

Hoodies are gorgeous birds, and I go out of my way to get a drake or two every year because the flank feathers are so nice for fly tying . But one or two is all I want to have to eat every year.

I have a spot that typically has good whistler shooting in early winter, and I can pretty much count on decoying the hoodies to my whistler rig.

Do you hunt them seriously?
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Hoodies are gorgeous birds, and I go out of my way to get a drake or two every year because the flank feathers are so nice for fly tying . But one or two is all I want to have to eat every year.

I have a spot that typically has good whistler shooting in early winter, and I can pretty much count on decoying the hoodies to my whistler rig.

Do you hunt them seriously?
Jeff
I don?t shoot them I just watch them
If I have any youth hunters with me I?ll let them shoot
It?s a trophy bird for them.
 
Same here, I've gotten where I don't shoot many. Maybe one a year.
Gorgeous decoys, very nice!

If anyone needs feathers, let me know!
 
Hey Patrick,

Your decoys look great. Phil was jabbing me over a story long ago when I mistakenly shot a red breasted merganser. Had to remove it from the oven due to the stench in the house. I told him the story after we'd put down a pretty drake hooded bird.
 
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[size 4] Nothin' wrong with good "confidence" decoys in the rig, Patrick. Matter of fact it's part of the fun that comes with "rolling your own."

But I'm with Jim in that mergie's always get a pass, and the only shots taken are with a camera. Brings to mind the merganser cooking story everyone tells about "bricken' 'em" [sly] [sly]
 
MLBob Furia said:
Nothin' wrong with good "confidence" decoys in the rig, Patrick. Matter of fact it's part of the fun that comes with "rolling your own."

But I'm with Jim in that mergie's always get a pass, and the only shots taken are with a camera. Brings to mind the merganser cooking story everyone tells about "bricken' 'em" [sly] [sly]



MLBob
I?m having fun carving decoys it?s very addictive


 
Patrick

Your rig looks animated and very good. Most ducks toll to black & white, and a little color (mostly to please the carver/maker). So your Mallards are no surprise.

Once in a great while, aka many years. I'll kill a drake Hooded Merganser for the reason already stated to tie flies, and will then eat the bird.

When Mallards, Blacks, and Canada geese feed on Gizzard Shad, late in the season, they are no better eating than USA Mergansers.

Your Applehead decoys look good. The birds themselves should be here soon, if not already on the lakes of western


Best regards
VP
 
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