Going down to Port A in a couple weeks for my first time duck hunt. I’ve read about every article I can stomach about shot size, loads, chokes, etc. What I’m trying to figure out is at this time of year and in Port A, what duck I should expect to be shooting at. Based on that, what load/shot size would you recommend? Appreciate any input, thanks!

Teal, redheads, pintails 3” #4 as heavy as possible, whatever brand you want.

Great, thanks!

Are teal in season? Just did a quick look at the regs, and it just shows September for the season.

Yes. That is an early season for teal only.

Ok, see that. Why don’t I see teal listed under the bag limit for duck?

The species listed under the bag limits are ones that you can only bag a set number (not coming to a full count of 6 total birds) , so anything not listed that is a legal species, you can take 6 birds for your daily bag limit.

So if you shot 5 mallards, you are limited out on them for the day and you have to shoot another species to fill your 6.

And mergansers do not count against your 6 duck limit, but you can only kill 5 per day with only 2 being hooded. I would not suggest eating them either, but they make a beautiful mount.

Ok, gotcha. That makes sense. Thanks for the info!

You can eat mergansers, I like using them in gumbo. Only used the breast though.

Best way to cook Merganser and Ring Necks. Fillet Breast and wrap each fillet in bacon. Put on grill until bacon is crisp. Unwrap bacon, feed merganser/ringneck meat to dog, eat bacon.

Caution: Dog may throw up.