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Know Your Species
Know your Deer (Whitetail and Mule Deer)
Know Your Geese (Canada, Snow, Ross, Specklebelly)
Know Your Ducks (Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Canvasback, Gadwall)
Know Your Deer Species
There are obvious differences between White-tailed
Deer and Mule Deer. Mule
Deer have a white rump patch surrounding a narrow
black-tipped tail. They have large ears and, in adult
bucks, branching or dichotomous antlers that divide
and redivide into paired beams and points. The two
species also have different ways of running, especially
when they are alarmed. The smooth-flowing gallop of
the White-tailed Deer contrasts sharply with the stifflegged,
bounding gait of
the Mule Deer. White-tailed deer may also be known as "Whitetail Deer" or "White Tail" Deer. Mule Deer are commonly called "Mulies".
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Know Your Geese Species
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Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is the true "honker" of all the Geese on the prairies. It is the largest, commonly weighing upwards of 10 pounds. It is a light brown color with a black head and neck and a distinctive white patch on the neck and cheeks.
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Snow Goose
The snow goose get's it's name from it's mainly snow white body, wings and head. It's wings are tipped in black. Snow Geese are also commonly found in a Blue Phase with a greyish blue color and a light grey head, sometimes known as "eagleheads".
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Specklebelly Goose
The Specklebelly is listed in the hunting guides as a white-fronted goose but is actually more of a light brown with black patches or specles. This is the least common of the goose species found on the prairies. In flight, it will resemble a Canada goose.
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Ross Goose
The Ross Goose is easiest to tell in comparison to the true Snow Goose. The Ross is easily mistaken for a small snow goose but has a few distinguishing features. It has a smaller body, a shorter more pinkish bill and a shorter neck. The best way to tell a Snow Goose from a Ross Goose is to shoot one of each and compare on the ground. In the air, they are almost impossible to tell apart.
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Know Your Duck Species
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Mallard Duck
Mallards are the largest of the prairie duck species. The males have a white neck ring and the distinctive "green head" which is a bright emerald green that can be seen in flight.
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Pintail Duck
Pintails can be distinguished by their pointed tail feathers. Male northern pintails have a chocolate-brown head with a white stripe on each side of the neck extending up from the white breast and belly. The back is blackish-grayish and the rump has a white patch on each side.
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Blue Winged Teal Duck
Male blue-winged teal have a slate gray head and neck, a black edged white crescent in front of the eyes and a blackish crown. The breast and sides are tan with dark brown speckles and there is a white spot on the side of the rump. Most of the upper wing coverts are blue-gray, the secondaries form an iridescent green speculum, and the underwing is whitish. The bill is black and the legs and feet are yellowish to orange. Female blue-winged teal have a brownish-gray head with a darker crown and eye-stripe. The breast and sides are brown, the upper parts are olive brown, and the upper wing coverts are bluish, but less vibrant than the drake. The bill is gray-black and the legs and feet are dull yellow-brown.
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Green Winged Teal Duck
These are the smallest of our North American ducks with a short neck and small bill. Male green-winged teal have a chestnut head with an iridescent green to purple patch extending from the eyes to the nape of the neck. The chest is pinkish-brown with black speckles, and the back, sides, and flanks are vermiculated gray, separated from the chest by a white bar.
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Gadwalls
Gadwalls are medium-sized ducks characterized by a general lack of bright coloration. Males are gray-brown, with a white belly, and a black rump.
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Canvasback
Male canvasbacks have a chestnut red head and neck, a black breast, grayish back, black rump, and blackish brown tail. The sides, flank, and belly are white while the wing coverts are grayish and vermiculated with black.
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