I’ll start off by saying I’m no duck hunter whatsoever. I’ve noticed a few duck on our ponds on our family ranch. I’ve got twin boys that are 7, and are ate up with hunting. They asked if we could try the ducks, and I said sure. Long story short, we sneak up on the pond, and I shot this duck. I’m 34 years old, and it is the first duck I have ever shot. I checked with my duck hunting buddies, and they told me it was a Hooded Merganser, and that it’s a pretty rare duck. My question is, how rare is this duck exactly? Especially as someone’s first ever duck.

Wouldn’t say they’re that rare, at least in my parts

Not rare to see at all, just rare that people shoot them because they are terrible table fare. Pretty birds though.

Not super rare, was my first duck as well.
They make great mounts!

I see them frequently here around Wichita Falls. I did shoot 2 cinnamons 2 weeks ago I am sending off to the taxi.

It’s pretty

I shot 1, and it went on the wall. I pass on them now. Also they are not ducks, separate bag limit.

I guess technically it is in the seaduck family, but does not count against your duck bag limit.

Wall. Best place for them. Although you can make sausage out of anything.

And congrats!

Took a pic of these while deer hunting this evening. Today was the first time I have ever seen them. I been hunting North Texas now for 40 years. Guess I never was in the right place at the right time.

I have shot a lot of them. Some places I hunt like western OK they are fairly plentiful. I even have the decoys. These days most all birds I shoot get made into sausage after the seasons are over so to me a bird is a bird. Well, except for Coots. Coots are bad for anything. Even for use in sausage. That is unless unless your name is Hopedale. Mergansers being bonus birds to the duck limit, I shoot em if I see them. The hooded drakes do make beautiful mounts. It is the only duck I have ever had mounted.

That is exactly what I told my boys in the blind with me. I said, "If I shot one of those I would have to get it mounted".

Yeah that’s the plan is to get it mounted. I actually shot a pair. Male and female. Any suggestions on how it should look?

Not that rare
Not good to eat
Very pretty
Makes a good mount

👍👍

I shot this one a few days back. He's going to the taxi for sure!

What county are you in?

Not sure if you mean Me or the OP, but Im hunting in Hopkins Co.

Milam County

Would let the twins pop a couple and have them mounted.

There’s 6-8 Red Heads hanging around now. Might try to see if I can get them on those.

I wouldn't say rare, we killed a pair of hooded drakes this past Sat morning.

First, it's not a duck. It is a merganser.

Second, not rare at all.

Not to rare just depends on location