The Redhead...Waterfowl At It's Best

Some hunters think the redhead is becoming more scarce.

Redheads have a habit of flying up and down the bodies of water which they frequent in large flocks mornings and evenings, generally well up in the air, and I have at times seen flocks of redheads that would extend across the entire main channel of the Illinois. I have also seen them in large numbers on the Missouri River.

Redheads fly closely together and generally in perfect alignment. When the hunter gets a cross-firing shot sometimes several are killed at a discharge.

In its habits the redhead greatly resembles the bluebill, and they associate together considerable. It decoys quite as well as the bluebill, especially on their feeding grounds. The flesh of the redhead is excellent.

The redhead has the habit of flying by just outside of your decoys, apparently not seeing them, and then after they have got just beyond you, suddenly turning back and coming into the decoys. They are not nearly so suspicious as canvasbacks.

This bird frequents salt water as well as fresh water and is greatly esteemed by Eastern and Southern gunners on the sea coasts.

Return to Duck Hunting Page

Top of Redhead Waterfowl Page