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

LEDEYHEC
LEDEYHEC

NRA YHEC Nationals Happening in Arkansas

The NRA National Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) Nationals are currently in Bentonville, Ark., running from July 19 to 26, 2026.

Hardware Review: Leupold VX-4HD

Matt Foster reviews the Leupold VX-4HD 4-16x50mm CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illuminated FireDot Twilight Hunter.

First Look: ScentLok Savanna Fuse Warm Weather Quarter Zip

Early-season whitetail hunting is a mental and physical grind against the thermostat. ScentLok's Savanna series has long served as the blueprint for warm-weather concealment, and its latest iteration—the Savanna Fuse 1/4 Zip—continues that tradition.

HIVIZ Shooting Systems Celebrates 30 Years of Innovative Excellence

HIVIZ Shooting Systems, a leader in high-visibility sight solutions, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1996, the company has offered products that improve sight visibility and performance through cutting-edge fiber-optic and tritium-based systems.

Know How: Prairie Dogs for Practice

Use a dog town to warm up for big-game seasons, test gear and more.

Heritage Outdoor Group Acquires Badlands

Heritage Outdoor Group ("Heritage") has announced the acquisition of Badlands, a hunting backpack, gear and apparel brand, from W. C. Bradley Co. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.