I dont know if you guys get Hoodys down south, but here in Utah they are a rarity. A buddy of mine from work took me to his hunting spot the other morning (at -11 degrees) and I ended up bagging this beauty! It came smokin through our dec's with a hen and I picked out the drake and dropped it, then the hen turned around and came and landed with the drake. My buddy tried to shoot the hen but his trigger was frozen so it got away untouched. anywho. I just thought I would share a neat experience I had.. I am curious to see if you get them down south and if they are a "prize" to you guys too or not.



This is what it should look like when its back from the taxidermist.

cool.... but I think your the first person to consider a merganser a trophy...]


we consider them trash and dont even shoot them

if it were a Common Merganser I would agree, but a hooded merganser is a much cooler bird! and MUCH more rare here.

Could shoot them all day If we wanted to

They aren't something we kill on every hunt in northeast Texas, but definately not rare.

The one that's successfully eluded me for my entire life is the cinamon teal.

Congrats on the kill. I know it's exciting to check another one off you list.

Want to kill cinnamon teal, red head, and male pintail.

Apparently there ain't none in LA either. Took a fella the other day from down there and he was amazed at a hood rat. Personally the only thing that gets them shot in my boat is a reallyyyyy itchy trigger finger on a very slow day. IF you ever want a world class hood rat/ wood duck shoot you just let me know and we'll swap out a hunt. Always wanted to get out to Utah and shoot some widgeons.

Ifin' he's a Trophy to you then he's a Trophy to me !!!

We calls 'em Choppers. We don't git just a whole bunch of 'em ... but I have put the shot on 'em in the timber bottoms as well as on the resovours.

Not that rare where we hunt in South La either. They are definitely a beautiful bird. They may not go good on a dinner plate, but will make a beautiful mount on the wall. Congrats.

he took a picture.....








oooooooooooh dam. I'm just messing with ya. I'm happy that you are happy. We're loaded with fishducks, I'll send you a box of 'em. They can't smell no worse after a week in a UPS truck.

I hate em! the only reason i let them in the decoys is hopefully some fat a$$ greenhead sees it fallin in and follows along! But if your happy im happy! But i dont think a mallard would wont to sit down with them!!

I find them pretty and unusual and I have never seen one upclose myself if he was in full plumage id mount him

after i tasted one, i want nothing to do with them, but grats!

Congrats, they are very rare here in Florida and I wouldn't hesitate to mount one.