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Where to target wigeon? #6975029 11/28/17 04:28 PM
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yakinthebox Offline OP
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I've been duck hunting since 09' and have only shot one wigeon.

I really want to put one on my wall! Where in general is a good region to target this species? I hunt in SE TX and we just don't see them regularly. The one I did get lucky enough to bag was a very immature drake who had only a tiny speck of green on his head.

I really want a nice cotton top for the wall!!!

No specific spots needed but just a general region to up my odds at one of these gorgeous birds please!!!


If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
-Anonymous
Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975033 11/28/17 04:31 PM
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The wigeon are definitely in SE Tex... my buddies have been shooting them pretty good this year, not like they were last year but they are getting good numbers in them....
You will have a better chance at shooting one during the split opener with this hard weather rolling in next week in the northern states.

Last edited by WreakinHavoc; 11/28/17 04:32 PM.
Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975040 11/28/17 04:38 PM
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Our place is out west and we've been loaded up with them. An outfitter would be able to hook you up on a pond.


Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975063 11/28/17 04:55 PM
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Central to West Tx. Those and Pintails are almost all I ever shoot out there. Hunted out near Stephenville over the weekend and got a 4 man limit with Wigeon making up about 1/3 of that.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975086 11/28/17 05:08 PM
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Silvercreek can probably put you on some.

https://www.silvercreekguideservice.com/


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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: WreakinHavoc] #6975181 11/28/17 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: WreakinHavoc
The wigeon are definitely in SE Tex... my buddies have been shooting them pretty good this year, not like they were last year but they are getting good numbers in them....
You will have a better chance at shooting one during the split opener with this hard weather rolling in next week in the northern states.


We have a lot in SETX but it seems to me they are much prettier in central and west Texas. I have killed a handful in central and west Texas and almost every drake has been mount worthy. I've killed a bunch here in SETX and never had one that I even considered mounting.


Originally Posted by garrett
I'm with GK because I like salty old dudes.
Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: john paul] #6975217 11/28/17 07:25 PM
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ahhhhh I gotcha now...

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975325 11/28/17 08:52 PM
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Shoot lots of widgeon in North-east & East Texas.


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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975364 11/28/17 09:18 PM
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I hunt coastal areas. Are they pretty much a freshwater species or what? I literally never see them where I hunt.

Also, I would be looking at doing a self guided trip. I'm not into paying hundreds of bucks to have someone tell me when to shoot. Lol.

I enjoy the process of setting up and researching/scouting an area.


If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: john paul] #6975466 11/28/17 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: john paul
Originally Posted By: WreakinHavoc
The wigeon are definitely in SE Tex... my buddies have been shooting them pretty good this year, not like they were last year but they are getting good numbers in them....
You will have a better chance at shooting one during the split opener with this hard weather rolling in next week in the northern states.


We have a lot in SETX but it seems to me they are much prettier in central and west Texas. I have killed a handful in central and west Texas and almost every drake has been mount worthy. I've killed a bunch here in SETX and never had one that I even considered mounting.


What do you suppose the difference is ? diet ? I've shot some beautiful green headed drake wigeon in central California .

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975617 11/29/17 12:49 AM
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We kill an in North Texas. Wheat fields.


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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975678 11/29/17 01:29 AM
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i see them in south texas around Zampata

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975684 11/29/17 01:33 AM
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We get a few around here.

Sure wish I would have had this one mounted.



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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: BradyBuck] #6975702 11/29/17 01:42 AM
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Large ponds and small lakes are best areas

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975803 11/29/17 02:47 AM
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I've killed them just about everywhere I've hunted in Texas.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6975959 11/29/17 07:44 AM
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Certain Texas rivers can be loaded with them, flooded AG fields. Others might have different experiences but they seem to be more elusive in high pressured areas. They do call it Widgeon grass for a reason..... Love me some cotton tops.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6976350 11/29/17 04:25 PM
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Appreciate all the input guys! Looks like I may be planning an out of town trip next season!


If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
-Anonymous
Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6976411 11/29/17 05:10 PM
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Farm ponds are a good place to find em if you know any land owners. Another option is the Coast. They are everywhere down there. Not like pintails and redheads, but there are plenty.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: Erichugh22] #6977570 11/30/17 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted By: Erichugh22
I've killed them just about everywhere I've hunted in Texas.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6977653 11/30/17 06:08 PM
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I've had good luck bagging some wigeon when we hunt over water

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6978982 12/01/17 06:59 PM
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There's plenty around where you are from.. start hunting new spots.


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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6979062 12/01/17 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: yakinthebox
I've been duck hunting since 09' and have only shot one wigeon.

I really want to put one on my wall! Where in general is a good region to target this species? I hunt in SE TX and we just don't see them regularly. The one I did get lucky enough to bag was a very immature drake who had only a tiny speck of green on his head.

I really want a nice cotton top for the wall!!!

No specific spots needed but just a general region to up my odds at one of these gorgeous birds please!!!


Find the rafts of Coots and your in the right area. Where I hunt in Oklahoma they are usually right in the middle of them. I kill more of them when running diver decoys than I do over mallard decoys.

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6979210 12/01/17 10:35 PM
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Try DNC headquarters. Widgeon are the democrats of the duck world, always feeding off the hard work of others wink

"Paradoxically, they also spend more time than other marsh ducks on deep water, where they get much of their food by stealing it from other birds such as coots or diving ducks." http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-wigeon

Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6982566 12/04/17 10:08 PM
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Thanks guys. I just started hunting on the bay a couple seasons ago and have yet to see one out there but I have heard others say they are common. I guess it's just been a wrong place wrong time coincidence for me. Mostly all I see on the bay is Redheads, but I've taken a couple pintail, bluebills and a buffie out there too.

Appreciate all the input, especially to Ramball36 for suggesting I hunt over water. That makes the most sense. Lol.


If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
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Re: Where to target wigeon? [Re: yakinthebox] #6982671 12/04/17 10:43 PM
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Online descriptions may talk about them stealing food from coots and divers, and that may be part of why I have seen them mixed in, but I have thought without a doubt the pattern I see them doing this some years in Oklahoma where I hunt is for protection from the great number of hawks and eagles that work the same shores. Anytime the prey birds where patrolling, I could always glass the coots in the coves and the canvasbacks grouped up on the leeward side of points and expect to see some white heads out there hanging in the middle of them.

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