Know Your Species of Duck Hunting | Deer Hunting | Goose Hunting

Know your Duck Hunting Species (Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Canvasback, Gadwall)
Know your Deer Hunting Species (White-tailed and Mule Deer)
Know your Goose Hunting Species (Canada, Snow, Ross, Specklebelly)

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How to tell the difference between a Gadwall duck and a female Mallard.
How to tell the difference between a Snow Goose and a Ross Goose.

Know Your Deer Hunting Species

There are obvious differences between White-tailed Deer and Mule Deer. Mule Deer have a white rump patch surrounding a narrow black-tipped tail. They have large ears and, in adult bucks, branching or dichotomous antlers that divide and redivide into paired beams and points. The two species also have different ways of running, especially when they are alarmed. The smooth-flowing gallop of the White-tailed Deer contrasts sharply with the stifflegged, bounding gait of the Mule Deer. White-tailed deer may also be known as “Whitetail Deer” or “White Tail” Deer. Mule Deer are commonly called “Mulies”.

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White-tailed Deer	Mule Deer

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Know Your Goose Species

Canada Goose The Canada Goose is the true “honker” of all the Geese on the prairies. It is the largest, commonly weighing upwards of 10 pounds. It is a light brown color with a black head and neck and a distinctive white patch on the neck and cheeks.	Snow Goose The snow goose get’s it’s name from it’s mainly snow white body, wings and head. It’s wings are tipped in black. Snow Geese are also commonly found in a Blue Phase with a greyish blue color and a light grey head, sometimes known as “eagleheads”.
Specklebelly Goose The Specklebelly is listed in the hunting guides as a white-fronted goose but is actually more of a light brown with black patches or specles. This is the least common of the goose species found on the prairies. In flight, it will resemble a Canada goose.	Ross Goose The Ross Goose is easiest to tell in comparison to the true Snow Goose. The Ross is easily mistaken for a small snow goose but has a few distinguishing features. It has a smaller body, a shorter more pinkish bill and a shorter neck. The best way to tell a Snow Goose from a Ross Goose is to shoot one of each and compare on the ground. In the air, they are more difficult to tell apart. Look for a smaller body and a shorter neck to identify the Ross Goose.
Quill Lakes Goose The Quill Lakes Goose is a sub species of the Greater Canada goose. It has a white band across it’s chest and a white stripe down the underside of the neck and white feathers on the leading edge of the wings. It is named after the Quill Lakes region where it is believed the sub-species originated. The second picture below shows a Quill Lakes Goose (left) and a Canada Goose, side by side. Click for larger image	Canada Goose A “normal” greater Canada Goose. This is a very large bird. Usually weighing in excess of 8 pounds and some have been know to be up to 15 pounds. The bird in the picture was over 13 pounds.

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Know Your Duck Species

Mallard Duck Mallards are the largest of the prairie duck species. The males have a white neck ring and the distinctive “green head” which is a bright emerald green that can be seen in flight.	Pintail Duck Pintails can be distinguished by their pointed tail feathers. Male northern pintails have a chocolate-brown head with a white stripe on each side of the neck extending up from the white breast and belly. The back is blackish-grayish and the rump has a white patch on each side.
Blue Winged Teal Duck Male blue-winged teal have a slate gray head and neck, a black edged white crescent in front of the eyes and a blackish crown. The breast and sides are tan with dark brown speckles and there is a white spot on the side of the rump. Most of the upper wing coverts are blue-gray, the secondaries form an iridescent green speculum, and the underwing is whitish. The bill is black and the legs and feet are yellowish to orange. Female blue-winged teal have a brownish-gray head with a darker crown and eye-stripe. The breast and sides are brown, the upper parts are olive brown, and the upper wing coverts are bluish, but less vibrant than the drake. The bill is gray-black and the legs and feet are dull yellow-brown.	Green Winged Teal Duck These are the smallest of our North American ducks with a short neck and small bill. Male green-winged teal have a chestnut head with an iridescent green to purple patch extending from the eyes to the nape of the neck. The chest is pinkish-brown with black speckles, and the back, sides, and flanks are vermiculated gray, separated from the chest by a white bar.
Gadwalls Gadwalls are medium-sized ducks characterized by a general lack of bright coloration. Males are gray-brown, with a white belly, and a black rump.	Canvasback Male canvasbacks have a chestnut red head and neck, a black breast, grayish back, black rump, and blackish brown tail. The sides, flank, and belly are white while the wing coverts are grayish and vermiculated with black.

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