I have my first job today. I am tasked with removing to mallard hens from a resort pool. they are hand fed tame. I plan to catch one by hand. my partner can hopefully nab the shy one with a fish net. Does anyone have any advice to help a newbie out? I also have the opportunity to bid on removing about 100 Muscovy ducks. I'm thinking large pen traps and about $4000. any help would be appreciated. thanks

It's a time eater but if you construct a pen with top and pre bait until they are entering through a small opening you can then install a wire tube in the opening that the ducks have to squeeze through to get to the bait for the actual trapping.

If you relocate them, they will fly back. If you wack them, you need a special permit. What is your plan?

I have the Florida state and federal mallard permit. I shall eat them!

thanks for the pen idea. its what I had in mind. it will take a couple weeks I imagine but I will get the Muscovy flock.

I happen to be the foremost authority on the taste of waterfowl. The Muscovy and the roan mallard are two of the best tasting ducks that I've had. Both of these are commercially raised up here and beat anything that flies. ( They don't )

Now having said that, the best tasting wild duck I ever had, believe it or not, is the woodduck. And yes, I've had cans and redheads and pintails and mallards and just about everything else that migrates.

I hate to brag, ( That's a lie, I love it ) but I have had northern mallard, prepared by a cook in King Salmon, Alaska, in 1966. It would be only fair to tell you that the cook made a small fortune betting on the Packers that year.

Stay away from coot.

The Basics For WCO's For Nuisance Geese, Ducks and other Fowl
[Podcasts] http://www.uswildlifecontrol.com/2013/05/the-basics-for-wcos-for-nuisance-geese.html

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I may have a buyer for your LIVE birds? Have you talked to the biologist in your area at FWC?

Now that pile of spring geese in the above picture, represent, probably the toughest, worse eating leather you have ever tasted.

Paul, you are too much!! The voice I put to your writings has an old new york mobster sound to it. LOL...
Great story teller you are!

I caught the easy duck. The timid one flew off before I could even try catching him......dag nab it!!! I have not euthanized the mallard yet. If someone wants here they can have her. Robb, Who would I talk to when it comes time to get rid of the Muscovy flock? Thanks a lot for the links. I listen to your pod casts all the time. Great info.

If you keep the ducks in a row,,,,,,,things seem to go easier,,,,,,,,,..........

What happened with the shy ones? Did they duck and run?

Regarding the Muscovy Ducks -not protected can be removed from private property with property owners permission (contract in writing).

I have POC for Muskovy Ducks but need a day or two notice before you do the job. PM ME

Guys, thanks for the advice. I chased the 2nd duck out of the pool the next evening. The 3rd evening, she flew over and saw me and kept going. Hasnt been back for 6 days now. The customer is extremely happy!! For what its worth, it was VERY, difficult following the legal obligations regarding the captured duck. Broke my [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot] heart, but I knew what I was in for before starting the job. Thanks again, this forum is awesome.