Puddle ducks or divers. What's your favorite?

Living in Michigan, we have the opportunity to hunt many species of ducks. What's your favorite?

[Zak]

Whatever I can get, is what I go for. I don't really have any preference, I just go and have fun if or if I don't get anything.. Zak

[Mr. 16 gauge]

My favorites are the ones that have thier wings cupped and are headed for my decoys! Seriously, I enjoy both.....I just started diver hunting (going specifically for divers) last year. However, my vote for the prettiest duck goes to the male pintail.

[Curdog]

Gotta be Woodies! They are beautiful, and the areas I hunt them in are as well. How many PETA members have ever stood in belly deep water in October and seen the sun come up over a foggy marsh!

[RealDcoy]

I too have caught the waterfowl bug. I had 3 days of wonderful duck hunts at Mullet lake this past season limiting out in no time. I had many other hunts that were not as productive, but just as memorable. I have a contact that is going to get me into some woodie spots this year.

I also want to figure out a productive way to hunt the Grand Traverse bays this year. I have heard about Power Island, however a 18ft bass boat is not the best choice to take out on this size water. I guess it is not too much different than the run I make across Mullet, but......

The mallards gotta be my favorite because of appearance and eating enjoyment, but I really dig the look of bufflehead. I plan to get a pair mounted this year if all works out. Last year I had a spread of 18 mallard dekes out (with no luck) right up to last shooting minute. As soon as I put my shotgun into the case I had 20-24 buffle head give me a flyby at about 3 feet off the deck while I was wading & picking up my dekes. I actually ducked (no pun intended) because they were moving so low and fast. I'm hooked.

I had to add that there have been 2 pair of canvasbacks here on the Boardman in Downtown T.C. the last few weeks. I think they are just as awesome as the wood ducks IMOH. I would like to see a harlequin duck sometime.



[This message has been edited by RealDcoy (edited 04-22-2000).]

[WEEZER]

I pretty much hunt puddle ducks and geese cause I don't have a good diver set up yet. I am fortunate enough to live in a good area for duck hunting, I have the Crow Island sga in my back yard and several other sga's within a 45 minute drive.
Curdog, I add to your post: How many 'sane' people have spent a cold, windy, snowy miserable day up to their wastes in cold water and LOVED IT!
Well if we keep on getting rain it'll be a great year, there are about a million ducks sitting in Crow Island and Nayanquing point right now!
Keep the wind to your back!
~Rick

[DuckMan]

I am mostly a puddle duck hunter and picking a favorite.....man....this is tough. Woodies are plentiful in the area I hunt and they are so pretty I guess they are my favorite. Mallards always seem to be the main goal, but let me tell you, nothing seems to humble us more than the Blue wing Teal that buzz by at what seems to be 100mph and 6" off the water like bogeys. I am lucky to get 1 Blue Wing a year....and I LOVE it. :)

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DuckMan

[dux43]

My favorites..Puddlers..no contest
My 2nd favorite puddle duck is the shoveler
(spoonie)...All the others are tied for first!