Greater Scaup Hunting

HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS

The Greater Scaup is extremely similar to the Lesser Scaup, but is slightly larger in size. The Lesser Scaup also has bump on back of head instead of a smoothly rounded head as found on the Greater Scaup. The Lesser Scaup also has a smaller black nail on the bill tip, and has white stripe extending only halfway across the wing, while the Greater Scaup has a white stripe extending the length of the wing.

In hunting both the Lesser and Greater Scaup, the use of long lines on deep lakes is the most common method of decoy hunting these little butterballs, as they are so often referred to.

In the air it is very hard to differentiate the two birds, in fact it is virtually impossible to tell the difference in flight. However once in had the differences are very evident, especially on the fully plumaged drakes.

When targeting the Greater Scaup specifically, the only consistent way to be sure you are setting up in a region that the Greater Scaup’s are utilizing is to know their annual migration routes. These areas can be identified by talking with local biologists, as well as patterning the birds season after season as their migration routes are very consistent each fall.

Both the Greater and Lesser Scaup are delicious little birds to eat and are a lot of fun to hunt, especially when the migration is in full swing.

RECOMMENDED DECOYS

HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS

The Greater Scaup is extremely similar to the Lesser Scaup, but is slightly larger in size. The Lesser Scaup also has bump on back of head instead of a smoothly rounded head as found on the Greater Scaup. The Lesser Scaup also has a smaller black nail on the bill tip, and has white stripe extending only halfway across the wing, while the Greater Scaup has a white stripe extending the length of the wing.

In hunting both the Lesser and Greater Scaup, the use of long lines on deep lakes is the most common method of decoy hunting these little butterballs, as they are so often referred to.

In the air it is very hard to differentiate the two birds, in fact it is virtually impossible to tell the difference in flight. However once in had the differences are very evident, especially on the fully plumaged drakes.

When targeting the Greater Scaup specifically, the only consistent way to be sure you are setting up in a region that the Greater Scaup’s are utilizing is to know their annual migration routes. These areas can be identified by talking with local biologists, as well as patterning the birds season after season as their migration routes are very consistent each fall.

Both the Greater and Lesser Scaup are delicious little birds to eat and are a lot of fun to hunt, especially when the migration is in full swing.

RECOMMENDED DECOYS