strangford wildfowler Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Just a random question to put there. How many pw members prefer to take a drake over a hen? (mallard) And how many pw members prefer to take a hen over a drake? (mallard) Personally I would rather to take a drake for the pot than a hen just because they taste better and I would like the hens to go on and reproduce. All replies welcome. Strangford wildfowler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 I guess most try to pick a drake if possible There are more males than females in most cases anyway due to losses of incubating females to predators. When flying as a pair the drake is normally flying behind the duck. Useful to know on the dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Always go for the drakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Another way to tell the difference is the drakes are bigger than hens another good one for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowlingmad Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 I all ways try and go for drakes if there is a choice, but normally I am happy to get any!! Last season I probably shot twice as many drakes as hens. It is a bit sexist though haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Same here wildfowling mad although won't ever take a hen unless I'm going to have a blank day. ATB strangford wildfowler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 If I can select, it is real hard when you cannot see colour. Pintail are so much easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Not many pintail about strangford lough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 I think most wildfowlers will always go for the drake given the chance , but in bad light at flight most of the time its not possible to tell what sex most duck are . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 This is a Big thing across the pond' Where most of the Duck shooting takes place in Broad daylight and it is easier to tell the difference in Sexes' and the duck numbers they have certainly tell there own Story. As already mentioned' with the bulk of shooting over here taking place at dawn and Dusk in poor light' it is near impossible to tell them apart most of the time. I wonder how many people Shoot "what they think are hen teal" in September..? And not realising that they could just be aswell drakes..!! And spare a thought for the Geese' Wouldnt it be great if we could tell them apart..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Drake or hen? I tend to go for both :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I cant tell the difference at 3000ft, I suppose if they ever dropped below the cloud cover of the wash I would choose the drake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Prefer a drake over a duck, usually more of them and they tend to be bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Drake or hen? I tend to go for both :yp: Man after my own heart, left and right every time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Man after my own heart, left and right every time... Has to be done Although I did sneak up on a group of mallard last year in the daytime. When I flushed them, I did pick out two drakes...that was my good deed for the year.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 If i could choose then it would be drakes, but i just take the shot that presents the best chance of a kill. Last season i shot a lot more drakes than hens though, a lot of them were single birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I'd just be happy to hit either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barls2-9-12 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Last season was my best for mallard. In past 5 seasons. Hope for the sane this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Not many pintail about strangford lough. tough luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Most animal (loose term) species produce more males than females as they have a higher attrition rate. I guess most try to pick a drake if possibleThere are more males than females in most cases anyway due to losses of incubating females to predators.When flying as a pair the drake is normally flying behind the duck. Useful to know on the dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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