A Realy Rookie Duck hunting question !!!!!!!

As far as I know there is no reward. The purpose of the bands is so that the fish and wildlife service can track the migration of certian species of fowl. By knowing this they can help preserve more of the critical habitat that they use during the year as they migrate across the nation. The reason that it is such a big deal is that they only band a small portion of the waterfowl (duck, geese, coots, and other types of fowl) so harvesting a bird that has a band can be a daunghting task. I've hunted waterfowl for ten years now and I've yet to pick up a band. I know that if you hunt in the marshes along the Wasatch front that you will have a little better chance of picking one up because they do some banding in that area during the summer.

Nothing wrong with asking questions. That's how you learn. :)

a_bow_nut

Thanks .

Can you get info on the bird from fish and Game ?

ok so he's definatly right in that i.d. banding is for tracking the migration of the ducks and a regular band is not worth any money--------- but they do have birds that have double bands that are worth any where from $100_ $500 thats tops as far as i know. I was with a buddy who shot a money band last year. for some reason that week was a real migration week and we were dropping bands like they were pop cans! in the 2 days of hunting we killed 5 banded ducks and 1 money band. it must have been the group that were migrating through.but a banded duck would be by far the greates " trophy" of duck hunting

I wasn't aware that they were putting money bands on ducks. Thats kinda cool. =D>

Rob,

If you get a bird that has a band on it you will find a number to call on the band. When you call in the band number they will tell you when and where they banded the duck. I've heard stories that the band was so old that most of the info was rubbed off. One day I hope to atleast pick up one band. [-o<

another buddy of mine has a band that he shot that is paper thin with edges sharp enough to cut you it was so worn down--- i've shot two bands myself both were just 2 yr old birds one was banded here in oregon the other from washington. have you ever seen the guys back east that have their calling lanyard just loaded with bands clear up to their neck? i think they just get a higher % of the banded birds on their flyways

I never knew there was money involved either, great idea actually.

How about 1 million bucks like the Striper contest they had at Lake Powell for a couple of years. :)

That would work for me. =D>

I was always impressed when I saw people that had that many bands on their lanyard until I saw somebody buying bands on ebay. I'm sure most people get their fair and square. The thing that I don't get is why would anyone want to seel them in the first place.