What Happened to this Mallard?

by
posted on December 15, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (41)

undefinedMy friends and I had a pretty good duck hunt last week, and all returned home with fat mallards to eat. However, as I was preparing to pluck one of the birds, I noticed something odd: Its left foot had a split running through a digit and extending partially into the webbing. At first I thought the injury had resulted from our shooting that morning, but closer examination revealed it to be an old, healed wound. Here's a photo:

So, question is, if one of my shotgun pellets didn't take a chunk out of the duck's foot, what did? Another hunter last season? A snapping turtle? I'd love to hear a few of your theories.

Latest

A Limit Of Shotgun Rabbits
A Limit Of Shotgun Rabbits

Hunting Small Game: An Overview

Curious how to get started in small game hunting? Red on as Tim Hovey reflects on how small-game hunting shaped his development as a hunter, taught him patience, stalking, shooting and fieldcraft. He describes hunting rabbits, squirrels, hares, and marmots in Idaho, highlighting the challenges unique to both rimfire and shotgun. He also recounts introducing his daughters to hunting, and encourages experienced hunters to revisit their small-game roots.

Whitetail Knowledge: Why So Many Late Fawns?

Here is the information I gleaned from an interview I conducted with a whitetail biologist to answer my whitetail question of the year. That question is: Why are we seeing so many new fawns in August and September?

Delisting of Wolves Addressed by President Trump

On Sept. 4 President Donald J. Trump issued “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” an executive order that addresses a variety of concerns in the domestic meat supply. Section 3, “Helping Ranchers Combat Predation” includes at least one directive of interest to hunters. It addresses the decades-old controversy over wolves and the Endangered Species Act status that too often hamstrings management.

Range Review: Leupold VX-Freedom Straight Wall 3-9x40

The Leupold VX-Freedom Straight Wall 3-9x40—making life easier for hunters since the day it was introduced. Learn more about it here in Phil Massaro's in depth review.

Field Review: Vortex Diamondback Rimfire

Crystal clear optics that function as advertised are critical whether you are trying to bag the buck of a lifetime, or burn a groundhog that is wreaking havoc on your garden. For the latter, enter the Vortex Diamondback Rimfire!

Hardware Review: Winchester Supreme Long Range

Winchester’s new Supreme Long Range ammo, loaded with the company’s new BC Max bullet, was built to drop game at distance. The BC Max bullet is a heavy-for-caliber, extended-boattail projectile with a high BC and a large-diameter, heat-resistant polymer tip to initiate devastating terminal performance at extended ranges. It’s a tack-driving combo.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.