Canvasback
Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) are the largest North American diving duck species. Oftentimes referred to as “the King,” of North American waterfowl, they are widely revered by American hunters. Their distinctive wedge-shaped head is formed by a long bill somewhat bulbous at the base and adjoined to a somewhat sloping forehead. Drakes readily identified by their white, lightly vermiculated “canvas-like” back and underbelly that contrasts with black chest and mantle on one end; black rump and tail feathers on the other end; chestnut colored head and neck, black bill. Drake’s bright red eyes boldly stand out. Drake’s upper wing coverts heavily vermiculated, oftentimes appearing pearly white. Canvasback primaries are relatively darker. Hen canvasbacks have a buffy, light brown head that trails down the chest with a white eye stripe and patch on the throat. Females have a mostly gray body with brown coverts with white dappling, and blue gray bill. Legs are blueish, appearing short and wide compared to the rest of the body. In flight, rapid wingbeats and v-formation flocks.
Available Hunts
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Louisiana Duck Hunting – Coastal Marsh at Venice
Never more than 3 steps away from the duck blind - Inclusive package for individuals, families, and corporate groups that want to cast or blast (or cast and blast) while living it up like cajun kings.
...read more- Coastal Louisiana duck hunting, inshore or offshore fishing, perfect Cast & Blast
- Premium lodging and excellent chef-prepared meals featuring regional specialties
- Spacious lodge sleeps up to 18
- Accepts booking 1-18+ (no mixed groups)
- Excellent early blue-winged teal hunting (September), regular duck season November-January)
- Plus inshore and offshore fishing
Rate: $500/day -
Manitoba Canada Duck and Goose Hunting
Birdtail Waterfowl has perfected the Manitoba Canada waterfowl hunting experience for ducks and geese. Highly organized, everything runs like clockwork.
...read more- Best total-package waterfowl hunt in Manitoba Canada. Period.
- Extremely large and productive hunting area, diverse habitats
- Mallards, pintails, Canada geese, cackling geese, snow geese, white-fronted geese, sandhill cranes–and unbelievably great diver hunts for those that choose
- Chef-prepared meals, private cottages, excellent attention to details
- Youth hunter discounts, non-hunting spouses welcomed
- September through early-November
Rate: $2,900-3900 -
Mexico Duck Hunting Obregon
Mexico duck hunt combo for real duck hunters. All-day hunts for broad variety of Central Flyway and Pacific Flyway duck species.
...read moreMexico duck hunting combo in Obregon is an action-packed “real duck hunters duck hunt” for ducks, doves, options for trophy bass fishing and quail.
- Trophy duck species for nearly all Central and Pacific flyway species to include cinnamon teal, Mexican mallard, more!
- Generous bag limits
- Elegant and Gambel’s quail, trophy largemouth bass fishing options
- Premium, 9-bedroom estancia and unequalled guest services
- Featured – Wildfowl, World of Beretta, MOJO TV, Outdoor Life, NRA Hunter, more
Rate: $4,880 (4-day hunt) -
Mexico Duck Hunting Sonora
Mexico Duck Hunt package is intended for private groups of 4-7 hunters.
...read moreMexico Duck Hunting Sonora Combo was developed at the request of many repeat clients who wanted to enjoy morning Mexican duck hunting, afternoon dove hunts, with their own exclusive groups.
- 4-night, 3-day packages, January-February
- For private groups of 4-6 hunters
- Morning duck hunts, afternoon dove hunts
- Premium, 4-bedroom estancia, all bedrooms with ensuite facilities
- Excellent waterfowl species selection
Rate: $4,080 (3-day hunts) -
Texas Waterfowl Hunt – Desert Paradise
Texas waterfowl hunt packages features relatively unpressured ducks, geese and sandhill cranes in an area so large it takes 3 lodges to cover and so ecologically diverse that most Central Flyway waterfowl species can be hunted!
...read more- Inclusive Texas waterfowl hunting packages for ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, doves, early blue-winged teal, spring turkeys, more.
- 3 lodges to cover vast, relatively undisturbed waterfowl hunting area and to offer flexibility for desired bucket-list species, amenity-level needs, or personal budget
- Central flyway puddle ducks to include prized mottled duck, Mexican duck, cinnamon teal, fulvous whistling duck, black-bellied whistling duck opportunities all right here in USA
- Sandhill crane hunting and white-fronted goose hunting are the Speck Ops Waterfowl house specialties
- Luxurious lodging with over-the-top and fun activities provide fun for bachelor or business hunting groups, entire families and non-hunters,
Rate: $2,000 to $2,900
Canvasbacks primarily live on the water, rarely coming ashore. Their nests are usually built in the shallow water close to the shore among the reeds, sedges, and cattails. Canvasback breeding distribution ranges from Alaska, into Canada, and the northwestern States in the U.S., with the highest population densities in central Canada and North Dakota. While hens often participate in intraspecific brood parasitism, other species such as redheads and ruddy ducks will also lay their eggs in empty canvasback’s nest.
Canvasbacks prefer deep waters year-round for foraging, as they can dive up to seven feet below the surface in search of seeds and tubers of aquatic plants, mussels, and insects. Their scientific species name is derived from water celery, which at one time was their preferred food material and imparted, it was thought, the unique flavor for which canvasbacks were famous during the North American market hunting era. Mark Twain considered wild canvasback among the most quintessentially American meals, and it’s been said that a wild-harvested canvasback dinner in New York City once cost a week’s worth of laborer wages!
During the wintering period, canvasbacks may be found in the majority of the United States and Mexico. The most concentrated densities are likely found on either side of the Mississippi River in the southern states. Louisiana’s Catahoula Lake reputedly overwinters one-third the continental population of canvasbacks at times. Some of the best canvasback hunting I’ve ever personally experienced was near the mouth of the Mississippi River.
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