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Where to target wigeon?
#6975029
11/28/17 04:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
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
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975033
11/28/17 04:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 190
WreakinHavoc
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 190 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975040
11/28/17 04:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,847
LarryCopper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,847 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975063
11/28/17 04:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 172
noname124398
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 172 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: WreakinHavoc]
#6975181
11/28/17 06:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,386
john paul
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,386 |
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.
I'm with GK because I like salty old dudes.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975325
11/28/17 08:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 80
Cole4544
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 80 |
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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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
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! -Anonymous
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: john paul]
#6975466
11/28/17 10:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 247
Ojai Hunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 247 |
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 .
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975617
11/29/17 12:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,203
Blake E.
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,203 |
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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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266
bass101
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266 |
i see them in south texas around Zampata
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975684
11/29/17 01:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268 |
We get a few around here. Sure wish I would have had this one mounted.
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: BradyBuck]
#6975702
11/29/17 01:42 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 949
MoTex
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 949 |
Large ponds and small lakes are best areas
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975803
11/29/17 02:47 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,626
Erichugh22
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,626 |
I've killed them just about everywhere I've hunted in Texas.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6975959
11/29/17 07:44 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 920
TrackQuack
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 920 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6976350
11/29/17 04:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
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
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6976411
11/29/17 05:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 87
Avian Assassins
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 87 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: Erichugh22]
#6977570
11/30/17 04:46 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,993
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,993 |
I've killed them just about everywhere I've hunted in Texas.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6977653
11/30/17 06:08 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,404
Ramball36
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,404 |
I've had good luck bagging some wigeon when we hunt over water
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6978982
12/01/17 06:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 22
Shinski
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 22 |
There's plenty around where you are from.. start hunting new spots.
My Bullet!
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6979062
12/01/17 08:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891 |
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.
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6979210
12/01/17 10:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 145
FeetDown
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 145 |
Try DNC headquarters. Widgeon are the democrats of the duck world, always feeding off the hard work of others "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
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6982566
12/04/17 10:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
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! -Anonymous
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Re: Where to target wigeon?
[Re: yakinthebox]
#6982671
12/04/17 10:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,891 |
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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