Duck hunting is as popular as ever, and as a result the duck is one of North America’s most commonly hunted species. In the US, the most common duck breeds are the mallard, teal, gadwall, and widgeon. Other ducks often hunted across the continent include the northern shoveler, the wood duck, the bufflehead, the ringneck and the bluebill.
The mallard is, according to scientists, the daddy of them all. His striking coloring and distinctive style makes him a favorite for trophy seekers as well. Mallards are omnivorous, eating everything from grains and insects to aquatic plants depending on what’s available. They make their homes near ponds, lakes and marshes as well as in ditches and urban water features.
The bluebill is also frequently the subject of duck hunting envy. Personally, it's my favorite bird. Given how exotic the bird's blue beak is, it's another potentially special duck hunting trophy. The bluebills themselves are quite rare, being most commonly found near Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Whatever the duck hunter's target, though, the birds' behaviors are bound to be similar. So, the best advice is to practice your calling techniques, dust off your decoys and find the best blind location you can. Be patient, think safe and take care of your bird dog while you’re waiting - the rewards are there for the taking.
For those duck hunters who might not be as experienced with the less common species of duck, the bluebill, ringneck, and bufflehead are pictured below (in that order).
