The Canvasback..."King of the Game Birds

The Canvasback is a royal bird! What a keen, racy-looking fellow he is! Every inch of him a thoroughbred!

It is undoubtedly the most wary of all our wild-fowl and his keenness of vision is only equalled by the goldeneye. His flesh depends for its flavor on the food that he eats, and since for so many years he fed in the localities where the so-called wild celery abounded, which is really a water grass, his reputation was gained as a fine-flavored bird. There is a doubt, however, whether he is any more, of a delicacy than other members of the duck family who have opportunities to feed on wild celery.

I always use canvasback decoys, with a few bluebills, for deep-water ducks, and have never owned a redhead decoy. Many times have I picked out a few from a large flock of bluebills when they would come into the decoys. I doubt whether they would have come in by themselves, but they came in with the bluebills.

This waterfowl is always uneasy and restless on rainy days, constantly flying about, and it is on these days that the best shooting is to be obtained.

The main body of birds will be always found well away from shore on some large lake or river. At intervals during the day, small parties of ducks, as if unable to withstand the temptation any longer, will leave the main body of birds and fly towards the shallower water near shore to feed. Then if the hunter has his decoys set in the right spot, he will have some fine sport.

When disturbed they become very cautious, remaining out in open water during the day and only approaching the shore at night to feed.

Back To Home Page

Top of Canvasback Page