Hooded Merganser Hunting
HOODED MERGANSER
Lophodytes Cucullatus
Lifespan: Up to 11 Years (Adult)
Higher Classification: Lophodytes
Wingspan: 23.6-26 in (Adult)
Length: 15.7-19.3 in (Adult)
Weight: M 1.6 lbs, F 1.5 lbs
RELATED NAMES
- Sawbills
- Hoodies
LOOKING TO BOOK A WORLD CLASS HOODED MERGANSER HUNTING ADVENTURE?
DESTINATION #2:
NORTH DAKOTA DECOYING SWANS
Location: DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA (WITH 2 SATELLITE CAMPS IN SOUTH CENTRAL ND)
Hunt Package: Click here for pricing
Featured Waterfowl Species: TUNDRA SWANS, DIVERS AND PUDDLERS
Possession Limits: 1 SWAN (BY PERMIT), 6 DUCKS, 8 CANADAS / POSS: 3 X’S DAILY
HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS
The drake Hooded Merganser is much better known for his good looks then his table fare. The adult males are a gorgeous little bird, although a fairly small bird, with a distinct black head and neck and white crest. They feed in small ponds and rivers on fish and crustaceans, which is the main reason their taste is less then desirable.
Most hunters who target the Hooded Merganser intentionally, do so in hopes of a trophy to put on the wall. Although mixing one or two of the little birds in with a mixed bag of other waterfowl species in a pot luck dinner or processing them into jerky or summer sausage with a large batch of other waterfowl is a great way to eat em up without too much trouble.
Since the Hooded Mergansers are commonly found feeding in the smaller, deeper waters of lakes and rivers, scouting is a very important tool in locating a decent sized flock to hunt. Setting up a decoy spread for the Hooded Merganser is probably not the best way to harvest the birds, although they have been known to swing through a decoy spread once in a while.
The Hooded merganser is known to arrive around freeze up. Being a late migrator, setting up on any late season open water area is a great way to pinpoint a specific drake or flock.
AFTER THE KILL
UWC OFFICIAL NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL SPECIES POSTER
$17.99
The UWC has put together a beautiful 19″ x 27″ Official North American Waterfowl Species laminated poster that showcases all 41 of the different waterfowl species that inhabit the lands and waters of North America!
Each waterfowl species listed in The UWC Waterfowl Species Poster comes with the common and scientific name for proper waterfowl identification.
RECOMMENDED DECOYS
UWC OFFICIAL SPECIES LIST
HOODED MERGANSER
Lophodytes Cucullatus
Lifespan: Up to 11 Years (Adult)
Higher Classification: Lophodytes
Wingspan: 23.6-26 in (Adult)
Length: 15.7-19.3 in (Adult)
Weight: M 1.6 lbs, F 1.5 lbs
RELATED NAMES
- Sawbills
- Hoodies
LOOKING TO BOOK A WORLD CLASS HOODED MERGANSER HUNTING ADVENTURE?
DESTINATION #2:
NORTH DAKOTA DECOYING SWANS
Location: DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA (WITH 2 SATELLITE CAMPS IN SOUTH CENTRAL ND)
Hunt Package: Click here for pricing
Featured Waterfowl Species: TUNDRA SWANS, DIVERS AND PUDDLERS
Possession Limits: 1 SWAN (BY PERMIT), 6 DUCKS, 8 CANADAS / POSS: 3 X’S DAILY
HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS
The drake Hooded Merganser is much better known for his good looks then his table fare. The adult males are a gorgeous little bird, although a fairly small bird, with a distinct black head and neck and white crest. They feed in small ponds and rivers on fish and crustaceans, which is the main reason their taste is less then desirable.
Most hunters who target the Hooded Merganser intentionally, do so in hopes of a trophy to put on the wall. Although mixing one or two of the little birds in with a mixed bag of other waterfowl species in a pot luck dinner or processing them into jerky or summer sausage with a large batch of other waterfowl is a great way to eat em up without too much trouble.
Since the Hooded Mergansers are commonly found feeding in the smaller, deeper waters of lakes and rivers, scouting is a very important tool in locating a decent sized flock to hunt. Setting up a decoy spread for the Hooded Merganser is probably not the best way to harvest the birds, although they have been known to swing through a decoy spread once in a while.
The Hooded merganser is known to arrive around freeze up. Being a late migrator, setting up on any late season open water area is a great way to pinpoint a specific drake or flock.
AFTER THE KILL
UWC OFFICIAL NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL SPECIES POSTER
$17.99
The UWC has put together a beautiful 19″ x 27″ Official North American Waterfowl Species laminated poster that showcases all 41 of the different waterfowl species that inhabit the lands and waters of North America!
Each waterfowl species listed in The UWC Waterfowl Species Poster comes with the common and scientific name for proper waterfowl identification.