whats so special about bagging one, not being a smartazz, really just curious. I have never duck hunted but am giving it a shot this year to see how I like it and just dont know.

you call in the info on the band, and you will get a check for whatever that bird is worth. Some of the rare ones are worth $1000.












I'm lying. They are just rare, that's all. Not worth money.

there are reward bands that are worth money

I don't think they pay you for a band

There are double banded birds out there

band on one leg and a reward band on the other.

OK, don't call in if you get a green one then

Deer hunters have horns, quail hunters have dogs, African big game hunters have trophy rooms. Duck hunters have bands.

FALSE! I've killed two double banded mallards each with $100 reward bands. I've gotten a check each time. Granted they do have an expiration date on the band, so if you kill the bird after that date all you get are two shiny bands and a certificate.

]
This one got me a check for $100. He flew all the way from Canada to Levelland, TX for me to shoot. Of course it cost more than $100 to have him mounted.

Ok thanks guys, I was just wondering. So what I'm understanding is that you can find out where the bird came from. Kinda cool

Bird bands are used for 2 things, migration routes and harvest/survival rates. If you shoot one and call in the info on the band, they will send you a certificate that tells you where and when the bird was banded, as well as it's approximate age. A small percentage of the bands are 'money bands', that have the amount written on the band. These bands are used to correct the non-money band return data (to calculate how many banded birds are killed, but not returned). Money bands range from $25 to $250 for ducks and geese, $100 for doves.