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#05-239 November 7, 2005

New Waterfowl Guide Helps Identify Ducks

Differences in size, shape, plumage patterns and colors, wing beat, flocking behavior, voice, and habitat all help to distinguish one duck species from another, but knowing what to look for can be a challenge.

A new free waterfowl identification pocket guide will help hunters recognize birds on the wing, and it emphasizes their fall and winter plumage patterns as well as size, shape and flight characteristics.
"Ducks at a Distance" is now available free from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/duckdist/duckdist.htm.

Ducks at a Distance You can also request a copy free of charge by calling Stephanie Thompson in the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-4001 or writing to Ducks at a Distance, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202.

Hunters can contribute to their own sport by not firing at those species that are protected. It can also add to their daily limit by knowing when extra birds of certain species can be taken legally.

Duck season in South Carolina begins Nov. 23. The daily bag limit is six total, not to include more than two wood ducks, two redheads, one fulvous tree duck, one black-bellied whistling duck, two scaup, four mallards (not to include more than one female mallard or one black duck or one mottled duck). Find out more about duck season and regulations at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/MigratoryBirdRegs.pdf.

South Carolina waterfowl hunters 16 and older are required by state law to obtain a state migratory waterfowl stamp at a cost of $5.50 and a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) migratory bird permit. The stamp must be validated

Ducks at a Distance - illustration with the hunter's signature on the front. Both the stamp and HIP permit must be in the hunter's possession while hunting or transporting legal waterfowl. Licenses now available by phone 24 hours a day 1-866-714-3611.

This edition of "Ducks at a Distance" is a cooperative effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southwest Natural and Cultural Heritage Association. It is published by Outdoor Empire Publishing Inc. of Seattle, Wash.

The artwork of Robert "Bob" W. Hines (1912-94), of Columbus, Ohio, is featured in the guide. Over the years his work has appeared in many government-published books, pamphlets and posters and in national magazines such as Sports Afield and The New Yorker.