WaterfowlForum.Net

So like I said, I haven't had much experience duck hunting, just out of curiosity how exactly does the migration work? What types of species are common in northern Indiana, I think Feelin Fowl may be able to give input, all I've ever seen at the place I hunt is wood and mallards, do some ducks not come to certain areas? Thanks for any input

I'm no expert on your side of the line (Or mine for that matter), but here's my $0.02.

I think that Geese, Mallards, and Woodies will dominate your area (As you have probably noticed). Just about everything will come through the state, but some of the species will come through in numbers that you won't notice.


This link shows a map of banded ducks that were harvested (and reported) in Indiana from 1937-2005. In 68 years only 20 pintails have been reported, while 1,806 Mallards have.

http://www.ducks.org/media/Indiana/IN%2 ... anding.pdf

This is a map of IL band returns for comparison.

http://www.ducks.org/media/Illinois/IL% ... MedRes.jpg

There is a huge difference in the ammount of bands reported, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. We would have to look at actual harvest reports. If we assume that the number of bands reported correlate to the numbers that are actually harvested, my guess is that there are a lot of the potential IN birds that find the Mississippi, and never make their way over to you. The "heart" of any flyway "should", in my opinion, see more birds than the outskirts of each flyway. This is will contribute to you seeing mostly local ducks (Mallards), and less of the others.

So, to answer your question after babling for a while, on any given day you will have the opportunity to most any bird that's out there, but the chances of seeing most of them are slim.

Count on Mallards, Woodies, and Geese. If or when something else comes along you'll be in for a pleasant surprise.

I appreciate it man! pm me with ur number id love to talk about waterfowl, like i said at the moment im just trying to learn all i can and it seems like ur the only guy around here thats from our region

You've got a couple of good dog breeders/trainers on each side of Indy on here too. I don't think that they come on daily, but if they see this, they'll probably be more than happy to help out where they can.

FF just wants in your pants. This'll be my first season in Illinois. If you find your way near St. Louis, let me know. I ain't to good at hunting, but it'll be fun in a no homo way.

DC727 wrote:FF just wants in your pants. This'll be my first season in Illinois. If you find your way near St. Louis, let me know. I ain't to good at hunting, but it'll be fun in a no homo way.

There's more than enough FF to go around PR, don't be jealous.

Huntall has the chops for IL. Blackcloud too, but he doesn't post much. Those guys might have some good insight for the IN question.

We might have to try for a group traveling decoy hunt...

I'm down, brother.

And I'm lost on the PR thing, I just roll with it. What's that stand for?

DC727 wrote:And I'm lost on the PR thing, I just roll with it. What's that stand for?

Phil Robertson homie!

Ah shit, I should've known that!

Sounds swell