Moorhens ( Coots) are arriving.

[A Team]

So I've been trainnig at Prado and noticed the Coots are already showing up in substantial numbers , spent this morning down by Wister and noticed the same thing.

I don't recall seeing Coots in these numbers this early , it may be a good sign , the ducks are usually not far behind , we'll see.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

Coots are my weak point.. hate them. They mosey on through my decoys like no big deal. So when things get slow and they fly by I can't help but take a few down. Waste of expensive shells.

 

[Hunter527]

That is great news!! I've spent three duck seasons wondering what those plentiful birds taste like. I'm thinking this year I will shoot one and find out. If they are anywhere near as good as the Ruddy Ducks, San J will sound like Antietam this season. I can't tell the difference between Ruddies and Green-Wings, I'm hoping Coots are the same deal. If it is the case, slow mornings at the sweat-line blinds will be way more fun.

 

[dblsmk]

That is great news!! I've spent three duck seasons wondering what those plentiful birds taste like. I'm thinking this year I will shoot one and find out. If they are anywhere near as good as the Ruddy Ducks, San J will sound like Antietam this season. I can't tell the difference between Ruddies and Green-Wings, I'm hoping Coots are the same deal. If it is the case, slow mornings at the sweat-line blinds will be way more fun.

Wister use to (?) have a coot depredation hunt and a BBQ after the hunt. My dad went to it a couple of times and said they weren't bad eating. Now that I think on it, this was 50 yrs. ago. I don't know if they still have anything close to it.

 

[Hunter527]

Wister use to (?) have a coot depredation hunt and a BBQ after the hunt. My dad went to it a couple of times and said they weren't bad eating. Now that I think on it, this was 50 yrs. ago. I don't know if they still have anything close to it.

That sounds awesome, sounds like I was born about 50 years too late.

 

[ilovesprig]

Coot.….The other green meat.

 

[chessie]

Wister use to (?) have a coot depredation hunt and a BBQ after the hunt. My dad went to it a couple of times and said they weren't bad eating. Now that I think on it, this was 50 yrs. ago. I don't know if they still have anything close to it.

True story. Attached is a pic I took from a hunting book my dad had, I think it was call North American Hunting. They mention coot shoots.

 

[A Team]

A few years back i was a member at a duck club , on the last weekend of the season we would do a Coot shoot , it was a ton of fun and the pups loved it !

And the Coots that that had been sitting in the dekes all season long could not figure out what the hell they did wrong !

 

[sherpa]

So I've been trainnig at Prado and noticed the Coots are already showing up in substantial numbers , spent this morning down by Wister and noticed the same thing.

I don't recall seeing Coots in these numbers this early , it may be a good sign , the ducks are usually not far behind , we'll see.

I have noticed the increase in the coots when I’m fishing, the hearts and gizzards are great fried,

 

[msailor]

They make great duck chili!!


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[ilovesprig]

They make great duck chili!!


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This ^^^^....Matt's the ruddy king....

,

 

[garlicsalt]

Coot is fine eating, sear 1 minute on each side in hot skillet with a dash of garlicsalt leave bloody rare in the middle.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

This ^^^^....Matt's the ruddy king....

,View attachment 46223

Dang Matt are there any ruddies left at Barrett? Lol how many did you shoot?

 

[msailor]

This ^^^^....Matt's the ruddy king....

,View attachment 46223

Thanks Steve and Yes sir ruddies are good eats!


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[msailor]

Dang Matt are there any ruddies left at Barrett? Lol how many did you shoot?

Got our limit the on our last hunt last year but there are plenty to go around. No boat motors rentals this year so I may not go as much unless I can find a cheap motor!


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[Svenny]

The coot harvest at SJ is strong this year...

 

[Hunter527]

The coot harvest at SJ is strong this year...

And so is the ruddy harvest!! Number two duck on opening day!! Most were probably disappointed by the 1.5 average on the opener, but I was excited about all the Ruddies that got shot! Theres nothing like blasting a ruddy on a slow morning! This may be my best year yet, with a great sign like that!