August-September 2020 • Nebraskaland 33
Pay Attention to Cold Fronts
Teal migrate early and fast. Most blue-winged teal have
moved through the Central Flyway by the end of September.
One dip in temperature, followed by a northwest wind, can
send them packing in a hurry. Coupled with hunting pressure,
the teal season can be a short one. Time your hunts based on
temperature and fronts. However, green-winged teal can be
found as late as November. A smaller bird that tends to travel
in big bunches can provide some mid-season fun. I've found
them on larger bodies of water and river systems as late as
mid-December.
Great Table Fare
I love to eat wild game. That has always been a rule I
live by. If you are shooting the game, you are preparing the
game and you are eating the game. My 15-year-old daughter
understands this rule, too.
Not many ducks eat better then teal. If you've had it cooked
to perfection, you know what I'm talking about. Since most
of these birds are taken when the temperatures can be hot,
make sure you care for them in the right way after harvest.
Move them to a cool place as soon as possible. And because
they are such a small bird, overcooking can happen easily,
particularly when grilling.
My favorite recipe is quick and easy. Clean the birds and
remove the breast meat. Season them liberally with salt
and pepper, and then wrap with a thick piece of bacon and
jalapeño. Use a toothpick to keep the bacon attached to the
meat. The fat from the bacon helps protect the lean piece
ABOVE LEFT: Blake Steinke and Mitch Rother take advantage
of a fl ooded bottom of a cornfi eld in Hamilton County.
BELOW LEFT: A harvested drake blue-winged teal on Deep
Well Wildlife Management Area in Hamilton County.
BELOW RIGHT: Blue-winged teal bank in at Funk Lagoon
Waterfowl Production Area in Phelps County.
