I was hunting in the snow near Monroe today and shot a banded drake mallard. I have shot quite a few ducks over the years and this is the first one I have got. I called in the band numbers, cant wait to see its story.

Nice. Congrats. I went a long time before I got one (maybe 10 uears). Now I have 4.

You can check it our online and get the results today. My guess is Aberta.

Really I called in the info today and they said it would be two to four weeks before they e mailed me the info.

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bBL/homepage/mailrecv.htm

CONGRATS

That's kewl...I loved getting "jewelry" when I was a duck hunter. I've got 25-30 bands on my lanyard. They all tell a story! Good for you!

for some reason after the first one they come easier at least for me. It took 6 years before I got one, now I have 21

It took me 20+ years to get my first.

I am pretty stoked about it, I spend more time in the fall upland hunting but I do spend a good amount of time duck hunting, and it has taken me exactly 12 years to get a banded bird.

I'm jealous. been hunting ducks for more than 40 years; obviously not with a ton of success, and have never gotten a banded one.

Did find a banded gull down on the Oregon coast. It had been banded up near our home in Sequim.

Piss on all you guys with bands.... Kidding, I've yet to get one... My hunting buddies have landed 3 this year with me in the same blind and 2 last year. One of these days I'll get one...

Keith

Awesome job.

I've been at it for 18 years and have never got one. Just guessing that is about 750 ducks and no bands yet.

As a matter of fact I have only seen one banded bird in my life. My hunting buddy and I both shot mallards on a mud puddle one day when we were kids, and his had a band.

I can't believe you've never hit a banded Mallard or Canadian Honker. I guess it's all about location.

Used to get quite a few bands (ducks and honkers) back in the Wally Word days of hunting.

I had a lanyard full of them. I should try to find it.....

Hmmmmm......

My dad and I each shot a banded mallard in one day about 15 years ago. Haven't gotten another one since. Then, this year I shoot a banded morning dove? Didn't even know they banded those things. It was only banded two months before I shot it and had only traveled about 10 miles, but still cool to get.

It is just that... LOCATION.. Of the 10 or so people I associate with that hunt around Vancouver and down to the Lower Columbia might get 5-8 bands total a year... Not even 1 per person on average per year. Go East and those Mallards over there have lots of bands... I don't know what the ratio is but I've had several freinds that have taken multiple bands over there....

It's to the point for me I don't even look anymore when I kill a bird...

Keith

You guys aren't gona belive it (dont get mad Keith). I got a drake mallard with some jewelry this morning. I was gonna make a new thread toninght but it dose not look like I'll have time. I'll start one tommorow, its a good hunting story. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone and happier hangover's.