Wait for it...wait for it...

[Doug Smith]

Thought this might interest you guys. I've been helping the local biologists capture and band ducks, and finally took some pictures today. Here's the setup - clear an area near a pothole, set it up with rockets and net, bait it with corn for a few days, hide in a blind, then wait for it... wait for it... bam! Gotcha! (hope the pictures come through)

View attachment Setup.jpg
View attachment Wait.jpg
View attachment for.jpg
View attachment it.jpg
View attachment Gotcha.jpg

 

[Rob Robertson]

Loved it. Thanks for posting.

 

[Bill Clark]

Doug,
That is neat,thanks for sharing. Had any been banded before?
Bill.

 

[Lou Tisch]

Very cool. Reminds me of the monkey catching by "Pockets" in the movie "Hatari".
Lou

 

[Doug Smith]

Bill,

On this particular 'shot', we captured 80 birds and 29 had bands that we'd put on earlier this year. I think they're addicted to the corn. For example, one young banded hen mallard, when released, just started walking over the net to the corn. We had to 'shoo' her away!

Yesterday at a different site we captured about 115 and 6 had bands, which is much closer to normal (if there is such a thing as normal).

 

[Eric Patterson]

Doug

Thanks for posting those. I bet you get a rush when the nets fly over their target and with each duck you band there is a sense of satisfaction.

While I'm thinking about it. Whatever became of your shipwrecked Brant? Were you guys able to put humpty dumpty back together? Did you have any pics of the damage it sustained?

Eric

 

[Doug Smith]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for asking about the wrecked Brant. Yep, it's back together. We used it last season and I've been out in it a couple times this summer. It's perfectly sound.

I wish I'd taken some pictures of the damage but didn't.

 

[Brad Bortner]

Doug

Say hi to Crenshaw for me. Are you down at Dead Creek? If you run in Bob Fuller please let me know.

 

[Kristan]

So a good setup this year would be a saw horse of pvc 60 feet long with two larger diameter PVC pipes protruding towards and open field and hand painted or yellow marbles thrown across the ground in front...Is that the technique for banded birds...They learn through imprinting don't they? LOL....

That is really a neat technique...I like the photos...And you can't be mad at the one hen...She is the smart one!

Regards,

Kristan

 

[Al Hansen]

Nice shots, Doug. Glad you were able to be part of the banding operation.
Al

 

[Chris S in MD]

I think they're addicted to the corn. For example, one young banded hen mallard, when released, just started walking over the net to the corn. We had to 'shoo' her away!

The magic of the 50 lb duck call.

 

[Doug Smith]

Hi Brad,

Crenshaw was with us Tuesday am. I'll make sure to say hi to him for you.

Yes, I took the pictures on the Dead Creek site.

Haven't seen Fuller in a long time.

 

[Terry Desilets]

There must have been duck poop all over the place! LOL

Cool post!

 

[Hank Fish]

A few more bands for the lanyard this year, got 4 of those DC birds last year.

 

[Bob B]

Doug,
great work with the camera. The series of shots pulls you right in.


I have a few "Pets" flying around here too. They go house to house to the neighbors feeding corn.

Last winter they were on my lawn and my kids went nuts in the car as we pulled in saying "Dad----- get um"

 

[Capt. Brian Rhodes]

Cool series of pics!

Thanks for sharing.