Wood duck box time

anthony m coons sr

Well-known member
This time of year after Christmas and New Years. I get my crew together and start building wood duck boxes. Or Start dealing with the State to give me some wood duck boxes. This year the State isn't building any boxes because of the virus. So we will be getting together after the new year to start getting everything together for the project. Over the last almost forty years we have placed well over a thousand boxes out in the Hudson Valley here in New York State. Last three years we have placed well over hundred twenty or so. Its hard work and we don't always do it by the book. We place them in trees and some on post. There is know doubt in my mind that we have helped the wood duck population in our area over all these years. You learn by your mistakes! your going to make many of them. But I'm here to tell you! Know matter how good your box is. Know matter if its got a guard. On a pole or in a tree. If its not in a spot where wood ducks go your wasting your time. Putting boxes together causes hen to dump eggs in other boxes. This is true and it does happen. But wood ducks like being around other wood ducks. Years ago we use to put three or four boxes on pole right next to each other and had bird in most of them. Other times we had nest fifty yards from the next box and had know birds. Remember wood ducks nested in holes in trees long before the first boxes were placed. Man has gave them better nesting and safer homes to nest in. You do make a difference if you try. If you fail try again and again. Nothing will make you happier then seeing those little ducks jump out of their nest . You will be hooked for ever. I know I was. View attachment 20190206_115332(0).jpgView attachment 20181201_110725.jpgView attachment 20181201_110739.jpgView attachment 20181201_112045.jpgView attachment 20200522_162830.jpgView attachment 20181201_130457.jpg
 
Thank you. I know I've come across some of your boxes and I always appreciate it. It's almost time to go take care of the boxes I look after.
 
J Overland

Thank you my friend, I know you get out there on the Hudson. There are tons of them up and down the rivers edge In many Bays ,swamps ,creeks, ponds wetland of any kinds. In place where it is safe for wood ducks. Opening day this year got into many teal and woodies on the river. Which most of the time doesn't happen. With out any rain all summer the river was the place to be. Last year we got into wood ducks all season and I know it has something to do with the work we all do. If we each placed one box out, We would help the wood duck and other cavity nesting ducks. We all know that lots of woodies get taken down by predators. But with more nest we stand a better chance of success. Last year it was hard to get out and check the nest. But the ones we did check had over a fifty percent success rate. Now just to be truthful. We could of check a heck of a lot more nest .And we might of found none in the other nest. Because of the virus we couldn't of done that. So fifty percent of anything is a great job. So with that we did a great job. Hope you got to bag some of our work. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I am gearing up to make wood duck boxes now that our season in Washington State has ended. Went into Home Depot today and sheets of plywood have gone through the roof along with other lumber.
 
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