ID, MT, WA common duck species

Graves14

WKR
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
Messages
853
Location
Idaho
Hey all,

For those living in the NW what are the most common species of ducks you regularly see and hunt? I'm FINALLY moving out that way and am trying to decide which decoys to keep and which to sell before I move.

Thanks,
Pat
 
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
471
Well... I live in Washington, and there is a huge variance depending on what side of the state you are in. On the westside of the cascades there are all of the common ducks (mallards, pintails, greenwing teal, wigeon) plus a mix of other species (ringnecks, goldeneye's, bufflehead) and you have the opportunity to hunt the sea ducks too (scoters, oldsquaws/longtailed, harlequins, mergansers, etc). I would say pintails and wigeon rule the westside, but there are plenty of mallards and teal too. Pretty much everything in North America can be hunted in Wa with the exception of Fulvous ducks and Cinnamon teal (though I know of a couple that have been shot). There is also some good Canada goose hunting to be had as well as a smattering of snows and specks. We even have some limited days of Brant hunting.
On the Eastside of the cascades, Mallards are king, but pintail, teal, gadwall, wigeon are all prevalent. You will see more bluebills, Cans, and Redheads on the eastside as well along the Columbia River. Canada geese are prevelant, might see a few snows and specks as well.
As far as I know- and depending on where you are in each state, ID and MT follow along with Eastern Washington as far as huntable species. You will see more snows and specks in those states as well.
 
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Messages
318
Location
Montana
Keep them all, the ducks don't care if they're landing in same species spreads...that has been my experience in the central flyway of Montana anyway. If you have to pare down for moving, keep your best looking decoys regardless of species and buy some goose decoys once you arrive at your destination...then you're set for whatever flys your way.
 

woodmoose

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 27, 2016
Messages
149
Location
North Carolina
Keep them all, the ducks don't care if they're landing in same species spreads...that has been my experience in the central flyway of Montana anyway. If you have to pare down for moving, keep your best looking decoys regardless of species and buy some goose decoys once you arrive at your destination...then you're set for whatever flys your way.

yeap,,,,,,that would be my plan,,,and travel safely
 

Stein

FNG
Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Messages
46
Location
PAC NW
Really depends on where you are going. Especially in the west, you can move one mile and get on a totally different mix. I wouldn't sell any decoys unless they were beat up and I didn't want to move them.
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
339
Well... I live in Washington, and there is a huge variance depending on what side of the state you are in. On the westside of the cascades there are all of the common ducks (mallards, pintails, greenwing teal, wigeon) plus a mix of other species (ringnecks, goldeneye's, bufflehead) and you have the opportunity to hunt the sea ducks too (scoters, oldsquaws/longtailed, harlequins, mergansers, etc). I would say pintails and wigeon rule the westside, but there are plenty of mallards and teal too. Pretty much everything in North America can be hunted in Wa with the exception of Fulvous ducks and Cinnamon teal (though I know of a couple that have been shot). There is also some good Canada goose hunting to be had as well as a smattering of snows and specks. We even have some limited days of Brant hunting.
On the Eastside of the cascades, Mallards are king, but pintail, teal, gadwall, wigeon are all prevalent. You will see more bluebills, Cans, and Redheads on the eastside as well along the Columbia River. Canada geese are prevelant, might see a few snows and specks as well.
As far as I know- and depending on where you are in each state, ID and MT follow along with Eastern Washington as far as huntable species. You will see more snows and specks in those states as well.

In between big game hunts and after big game season, I kill ducks and geese , lots of ducks and geese. I hunt Idaho mainly but also hunt WA, MT and Oregon and this post is pretty spot on. Others are offering very good advise as well, esp keeping all your best decoys. Cull your worst ones and bring the rest.
 

JLH208

WKR
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
308
Location
Southern Idaho
South Idaho, fields and creeks mostly mallards and wigeon, same with river but with the addition of golden eyes. Do you count coots? Haha


- Jesse
 
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