Bufflehead
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is coined from “buffalo-head,” comparing the small diving duck’s remarkably over-sized head to that of a bison. Bucephalas literally translates to “ox head,” implying that all 3 golden-eyed ducks within the genus have extraordinarily large heads. In the right light, the bufflehead drake’s black head shimmers like an oil slick, showing magnificent green to violet iridescent arrays.
Bufflehead drakes have a prominent white area surrounding the back of its head. Bills of both sexes are short and blunt, males and females both displaying bluish gray coloration. The hen bufflehead’s bill matches their legs and feet. Bufflehead drakes have large bubblegum-pink legs and feet, which are easily seen in flight along with their unusually long tail for divers. The drake’s wings have a unique white patch originating in the speculum and extending diagonally through the upperwing coverts. Females have plain brown heads with white streaks daintily painted on each cheek, and overall gray brown plumage.
Available Hunts
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Arkansas Duck Hunting
Arkansas duck hunting camp experience on one of the state's most coveted properties. Location, location, location - smack in the middle of a 6,000- acre federal sanctuary, the area literally swarms with ducks daily.
...read more- Exclusive property surrounded by federal sanctuary holds many ducks for the entire Arkansas duck hunting season.
- Predominately mallards, pintail, gadwalls, green-wings and more
- Spacious, covered blind holds up 8-10 guns is very easily accessed with short, dry walk. Leave the waders at home!
- Large, deluxe 4-suite lodging
- Excellent home-cooked meals provided
- Located 30 minutes from Bastrop, 1 hour from Monroe, LA
- Corporate group rates
Rate: $600 day -
Chesapeake Bay Maryland Duck Hunting
Guided Chesapeake Bay Duck Hunts in Maryland
...read moreThe Chesapeake Bay region Maryland duck hunting can be customized for guest preferences of sea duck hunts, diver duck hunts, puddle duck hunts and more.
- Traditional layout and long lines sets for divers and sea ducks
- Historic Chesapeake Bay area
- Over 10 years professional guide experience
- Large-group discounts available
- Fully customized intineraries per client objectives
- Excellent hotels, restaurants and area attractions
- Options forr sea ducks, diver ducks, puddle ducks, Canada geese, snow geese and Atlantic brant
Rate: $200-275 per hunter -
Delaware Duck Hunting
Delaware Sea Duck & Brant Hunting
...read moreDelaware sea duck and brant hunting package presents the perfect opportunity to collect scoters, Atlantic Brant, long-tailed ducks, and American black ducks. Low hunting pressure, dedicated guide and mobility ensure high-success hunts.
- Sea duck hunting from boat or layout
- Full-day hunting combo options
- Low-pressured hunting areas
- Plan B options during seaduck hunt weather-outs
- Hotel lodging, restaurant meals not included
- Nearby non-hunting activities
Rate: $200-225 Half-day -
Louisiana Duck Hunting – Coastal Marsh at Venice
Never more than 3 steps away from the duck blind - Inclusive package for individuals, families, and corporate groups that want to cast or blast (or cast and blast) while living it up like cajun kings.
...read more- Coastal Louisiana duck hunting, inshore or offshore fishing, perfect Cast & Blast
- Premium lodging and excellent chef-prepared meals featuring regional specialties
- Spacious lodge sleeps up to 18
- Accepts booking 1-18+ (no mixed groups)
- Excellent early blue-winged teal hunting (September), regular duck season November-January)
- Plus inshore and offshore fishing
Rate: $500/day -
Mexico Duck Hunting Obregon
Inclusive Mexico duck hunting combo for real duck hunters includes everything except ammo, minimal optional extras. Come see why clients LOVE it!
...read moreMexico duck hunting combo in Obregon is an action-packed “real duck hunters duck hunt” for ducks, doves, options for trophy bass fishing and quail.
- Inclusive package, no hidden fees
- Trophy duck species for nearly all Central and Pacific flyway species to include cinnamon teal, Mexican mallard, more!
- Generous bag limits
- Elegant and Gambel’s quail, trophy largemouth bass fishing options
- Premium, 9-bedroom estancia and unequalled guest services
- Featured – Wildfowl, World of Beretta, MOJO TV, Outdoor Life, NRA Hunter, more
Rate: $4,380 -
Mexico Duck Hunting Sonora
Mexico Duck Hunt package INCLUDES EVERYTHING but ammo and getting there, and is intended for private groups of 4-7 hunters.
...read moreMexico Duck Hunting Sonora Combo was developed at the request of many repeat clients who wanted to enjoy morning Mexican duck hunting, afternoon dove hunts, with their own exclusive groups. There are no other Mexico duck hunts like this.
- All-inclusive package, no hidden fees
- 4-night, 3-day packages, January-February
- For private groups of 4-7 hunters
- Morning duck hunts, afternoon dove hunts
- Premium, 4-bedroom estancia, all bedrooms with ensuite facilities
- Includes everything but the ammo you shoot and getting there
- Generous limits, excellent waterfowl species selection
Rate: $3,580 -
New England Sea Duck Hunting
World renown for its eider hunting, New England waterfowling offers an incredible change of scenery and is an excellent place to check off lots of North America waterfowl species. RPM Outdoors specializes in making your hunt priorities a reality.
...read more- 17+ years experience for eiders, other sea ducks, divers, dabblers, mergansers, geese
- Best place in US to harvest prime American black ducks
- Customized hunt plans reflect hunter priorities, not a “one size fits all” type 1/2-day hunt
- Includes hotel accommodations, full-day hunting, continental breakfasts, made-to-order lunches
- Recognized as foremost among US waterfowl collectors and taxidermists
- Nearby non-hunting spouse activities abound
Rate: $1,950 for 3-day inclusive package
One of the few times bufflehead are found outside of the water is during the breeding season. Their breeding zone encompasses most of Canada and Alaska, with a few breeding in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California, and Wisconsin. The majority are found in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, and Saskatchewan. Buffleheads will either nest in natural cavities made by woodpeckers or manmade nest boxes. Natural cavities in aspens are preferred, unless this species is found in California, in which case they are most often found using pine trees. Unlike many duck species, buffleheads are mostly monogamous, remaining with the same mate several years. Even though they are a diving species of duck, the ducklings are sometimes seen dabbling. After the breeding season, buffleheads migrate throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Highest concentrations are along both United States coasts. Their distribution is much more widespread than their goldeneye counterparts.
Bufflehead foraging sites are shallow waters with little to no vegetation, and food is usually consumed when they are still underwater. This species has also been observed foraging on mudflats. The bufflehead’s diet primarily consists of aquatic invertebrates such as shrimps, crabs, and snails. They also eat small fishes, pondweeds, and bulrushes. From New York finger lakes to Mississippi River oxbow lakes, sizable rafts can be encountered on large freshwater bodies where they respond readily to decoy spreads. A common hunting tactic is to place a single or couple bufflehead head decoys outside the pocket. Proving birds of a feather flock together, they nearly always seem to fly into these decoys. Have heard buffleheads called “butterballs” but don’t know how this nickname originated.
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