I have never shot a banded duck. Almost everyone who has shot as a guest on my ranch has shot a banded bird. A buddy shot a goose with a neck band. The neighbor shot a bird with a band which resulted in a money reward when he sent it in, or so he claimed. Maybe it's true; no idea. The bird flew off my place and he shot it over his pond....one of his workers could not wait to tell me. It is mentioned every year. Have to admit, it was pretty funny.
Even one of my hispanic workers got a banded bird....a giant drake mallard. We were in the blind together on a slow afternoon when the drake came right in. I was up on that bird with the reflexes of a 25 year old, but forgot to load the gun (like a 61 year old). Click and click watching it fly off. The 25 year old mexican kid stood up and dropped it at 50 yards. He is a natural.
Three days later the kid and the local sheriff go out and the sheriff gets a banded snow goose. Bet he'll be patrolling extra this year. Like he says "we treat everyone equally when it comes to patrolling property....just some more equally." Both fish and game wardens and the local hi-way patrol guys are given free hunting.
Oh well, closing duck camp and migrating south to the beach for the balance of winter and spring. Better luck next year. I plan on living well over 100 years old and should be able to hunt till the end. There is no doubt I will shoot a banded bird one day. Just gotta remember to put shells in the gun.
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