The Accurate Reloading Forums
Which ducks taste best?
13 December 2006, 06:00
EterryWhich ducks taste best?
I know this is like asking if you prefer brunettes to blondes, but which ducks in your opinion taste good, which taste bad, and which taste just ugly? Opinions please.
Eterry
Good luck and good shooting.
In Memory of Officer Nik Green, #198, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop G...Murdered in the line of duty 12-26-03...A Good Man, A Good Officer, and A Good Friend gone too soon
15 December 2006, 06:08
thornellI think the best is probably mallards. I have heard that canvasback are good also. I have also eaten teal and gadwalls, and they arn't bad either. Most of the divers(fish eaters) are not good to eat IMHO.
15 December 2006, 06:15
Skinner.They all taste good in a properly made gumbo with a couple diced up andouille sausages thrown in.
Make good jerky too, and you can use a good marinade and a smoker to make any of them palatable.
15 December 2006, 06:40
Tex21My these are my favorites:
Roasted mallard
Roasted wood duck
fried teal
Gadwalls and pintails are pretty good too. I was underwhelmed by the one canvasback I got to try.
Jason
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
16 December 2006, 22:13
EterryThanks guys, I have a mallard in the fridge I plan on roasting this evening, and the breast of a few spoonbills I am going to do something with, but the spooners smell pretty fishy. Just wanted someone else's opinion of which ones to cook for the wife, as she doesnt prefer the strong wild taste.
Eterry
Good luck and good shooting.
In Memory of Officer Nik Green, #198, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop G...Murdered in the line of duty 12-26-03...A Good Man, A Good Officer, and A Good Friend gone too soon
16 December 2006, 22:40
SkyJackerIn order of preference:
Wood Ducks
Teal
Mallards
Grey ducks, Pintails, Widgeon etc. all taste pretty good too.
Cnavas backs ARE diver ducks and depending on where you shoot them can be pretty tasty. On the Atlantic flyway (what's left of it) all the diver ducks, blue bill, Canvasbacks, rudy ducks, red heads, etc. need LOTS of preparation (stewed with spices) before I will even think of eating them. They are still fun to shoot.
Diver Ducks in the Mississippi flyway all taste fine to me because their diet is so similar to a Mallard anyway. I ate a Canvas back shot in Arkansas and it tased the same as a Mallard. It just depends on what the duck has been eating. If its eating snails and fishy stuff its gonna taste that way.
17 December 2006, 06:50
Tex21You might try putting those spoonbill breasts on the grill wrapped in bacon. My dad cooked a few spoonbills and mergansers like that and its pretty good eating.
Then again, if you want to turn your wife onto wild duck, roast that mallard and share that with her along with a little wine and some wild rice.
That's good eatin'!
Jason
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
17 December 2006, 08:26
Snipe Hunterquote:
Diver Ducks in the Mississippi flyway all taste fine to me because their diet is so similar to a Mallard anyway. I ate a Canvas back shot in Arkansas and it tased the same as a Mallard. It just depends on what the duck has been eating. If its eating snails and fishy stuff its gonna taste that way.
That paragraph sums it up nicely. It all depends on the diet.
SH
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I admit there are advantages in game of every type;
But I've never heard of beast or bird to excel the twisting snipe.
Nicholas Kane, Louisiana, 1880
Got Snipe? 17 December 2006, 08:56
luv2safariPintail, gadwall, widgeon...in that order.This all has to do with where you hunt, by the way.
Snipe Hunter, I had a dog as a kid that would point and hold snipe...old Rip. He was a WPG and had the best nose I've ever encountered, plus he had bird sense.
I flood about 1/2 acre below my house just to attract Wilson Snipe...and TO HELL with steel shot! I use #9 target loads on my own land.
17 December 2006, 14:44
markhorteal,mallard...finally coot
ur 3 greatest hunts r ur first ur last and ur next
17 December 2006, 16:03
Snipe Hunterquote:
Snipe Hunter, I had a dog as a kid that would point and hold snipe...old Rip. He was a WPG and had the best nose I've ever encountered, plus he had bird sense.
I flood about 1/2 acre below my house just to attract Wilson Snipe...and TO HELL with steel shot! I use #9 target loads on my own land.
Luv2safari, I have never known anyone in Nevada that hunts snipe. At the snipe forum there is one guy from Oregon that is hardcore but most of the other members hail from the southeast. If you get a chance look at some of the snipe hunting pics I posted in this same section of the forum. The thread is titled "The 2006 season has been good". I don't here post often because of a general lack of interest in snipe hunting.
SH
------------------------------------
I admit there are advantages in game of every type;
But I've never heard of beast or bird to excel the twisting snipe.
Nicholas Kane, Louisiana, 1880
Got Snipe? 20 December 2008, 21:26
wfhCanvas Back cooked with a little barbecue sauce isvery good. Very mild compared to most ducks. I have a friend that shoots a very pretty old LC smith on ducks and he uses Federal #7 high speed steel target loads on ducks, very effective and legal. His back up gun is a elsie also.
20 December 2008, 21:51
Kamo GariTeal, mallard and wood duck are all delicious.
KG
______________________
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20 December 2008, 22:37
GraftonAcorn fat wood ducks get my vote for number 1.
21 December 2008, 19:55
adamhunterquote:
Originally posted by Grafton:
Acorn fat wood ducks get my vote for number 1.
Ditto that!
#2 Mallards
#3 is a tie between teal & widgeon
Never had canvasback, but have heard it is good
30+ years experience tells me that perfection hit at .264. Others are adequate but anything before or after is wishful thinking.
24 December 2008, 03:48
AbobTeal & mallard -- but any duck, cooked on the grill, wrapped in bacon with a slice of jalapeño is hard to pass down
Jim
fur, feathers, & meat in the freezer
"Pass it on to your kids"
24 December 2008, 17:46
dogcatTeal for me. I like them all, but teal are the best on my plate.
25 December 2008, 02:44
swampshooterI vote for teal.
velocity is like a new car, always losing value.
BC is like diamonds, holding value forever.
25 December 2008, 08:37
scr83jpAix sponsa
31 December 2008, 03:30
cable68Woodies, teal and mallards are my top 3.
On one of the Duck Commander DVD's, Phil Robertson laid out a bunch of ducks in what he considered his order of table fare, then at the end he held up a spoony and said "well when times are hard....."
Caleb
02 March 2009, 10:37
AzCondorteal is the meal
Vegetarian-A bad hunter. Someone who survives by consuming not food, but the stuff that food eats.
The vegetarian was forced to subsist on slower prey, such as the broccoli and carrot.
03 March 2009, 12:04
Futrdocadd cream cheese to the jalapenos in the bacon wrapped woody breast and you can get a finicky 9 year old girl to eat it (Taylor's Stamp of Approval).
Andy
03 March 2009, 12:43
AndersHaven't tasted a lot of different ducks, but mallards' great!
Tried a new recepie this weekend.
Roasted breasts, glas noodles, brown sugar, japanese soya, mushrooms and different vegetables.. Great!
11 March 2009, 02:26
AzCondorI would recommend picking up the book "Big December Canvasbacks" the author goes into how each duck tastes and all of that along with some great stories. Here is a link to what I think is a great duck recipe that everyone should try atleast once!
http://www.azsj.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16711
Vegetarian-A bad hunter. Someone who survives by consuming not food, but the stuff that food eats.
The vegetarian was forced to subsist on slower prey, such as the broccoli and carrot.
11 March 2009, 09:04
CRUSHERwoodreaux t. duck
woodies tast the best
VERITAS ODIUM PARIT
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12 March 2009, 19:10
tiggertateKroger ducks.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
15 March 2009, 05:47
J_ZolaWood ducks are number one by far.
21 March 2009, 05:23
Gun toterquote:
Originally posted by luv2safari:
Pintail, gadwall, widgeon...in that order.This all has to do with where you hunt, by the way.
Snipe Hunter, I had a dog as a kid that would point and hold snipe...old Rip. He was a WPG and had the best nose I've ever encountered, plus he had bird sense.
I flood about 1/2 acre below my house just to attract Wilson Snipe...and TO HELL with steel shot! I use #9 target loads on my own land.
Good job on your shot of choice.
I love my Avatar Too Fellas.
25 March 2009, 05:15
Niko62I like the green winged teal ! Taste very good !
25 March 2009, 14:52
docleeteal /wood duck
25 March 2009, 18:39
swampshooterTeal.
velocity is like a new car, always losing value.
BC is like diamonds, holding value forever.
02 May 2009, 10:58
L. David KeithIf one knows how to prepare duck, most are good. However, their recent diet can play a role in their table fare. My fav's are:
Puddle Ducks:
Mallard
Black Duck
Pintail
Wood Duck
all Teal
Gadwall
Widgeon
Yellow Bill & Knob Bill(africa)
Divers:
Redhead
Canvasback
Ring Neck Duck (Jacks)
Geese:
Most all of them, even Snow's (lesser)
Egyptian (africa)
I fillet the breast and remove the silver skin from the breast and tenderloins. Cut into strips and soak in cold water for 30 minutes (helps remove the blood, i.e., gamey flavor). Maranade in 1 tbsp Kikkoman Soy, 1/3 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki, 1/4 cup Tiger sauce for 1 hour in fridge. Dredge in flour and fry in Olive Oil. Be sure not to over cook. Excellent!
LDK
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02 May 2009, 15:57
daniel77quote:
Originally posted by Futrdoc:
add cream cheese to the jalapenos in the bacon wrapped woody breast and you can get a finicky 9 year old girl to eat it (Taylor's Stamp of Approval).
Was about to say the same when I read this one. I cut a pocket in the breast and place the cream cheese inside (melt in your mouth). I've only hunted the Mississippi flyway, and I agree totally about the diving ducks and their diet. If they've been eating fish and snails, serve them to a French guest, or marinate them in buttermilk and fry like chicken.
Teal, Mallards and Gadwall, Woodies
04 May 2009, 15:57
SIKA98KEarly season mallard would be my preference before they start heading out to sea for a bit of refuge.
What dont I like? Shoveller ! It was like eating a mud pie.
05 May 2009, 02:23
DuggaBoyePuddles Cooked FAST and HOT
One Version of Bloody Duck
* 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 8 skinned, boned duck breast halves
DIRECTIONS
1. Stir together the Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, hot sauce, garlic, and pepper. Add the duck breasts, and toss well to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to overnight.
2. Preheat a grill for medium-high to high heat.
3. Grill the duck to desired doneness, about 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-well, depending on the size of the breast, and the temperature of the grill.
I use HIGH heat about 3 min per side.
DuggaBoye-O
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05 May 2009, 20:52
Don SlaterCold Duck (wine)
Donald Duck (grapefruit juice)
09 May 2009, 03:24
Kamo Gariquote:
Originally posted by AzCondor:
I would recommend picking up the book "Big December Canvasbacks" the author goes into how each duck tastes and all of that along with some great stories. Here is a link to what I think is a great duck recipe that everyone should try atleast once!
http://www.azsj.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16711
I was right there with the guy, up until he wrote the words 'Rice-A-Roni'...
______________________
Hunting: I'd kill to participate.
My favorite are mergansers, with bufflehead being a close second.....yummy.
Blue wing teal (Sept hunting), green wing and mallard especially if they've been south long enuf to fatten up on rice and soybeans.
Now that we have that out of the way...
Coot ain't bad. Just remember you breast it out. Shred it with onions, spuds and tomatoes in a casserole with bread crumbs and parmesan on top.
Another REAL good recipe not used much in modern times is duck gumbo. You shred the duck and use it with or instead of cajun sausage. Add some shrimp and crabmeat. And here's another little tip you're gonna like - duck dressing - use duck in it with or instead of oysters.
As for Spoonies, I smell the mouth. If you don't smell anything, they are as good as any other duck. If they smell fishy, well then...guess who gets to eat them..
There's also what many of us call Sky Carp. IMO they're really OK. Kind of like a cross between duck and red meat. If you luck on to their cousins the Specks, then you have good eating ahead.