The Cinnamon Teal is a small dabbling duck found primarily in western North America. As its name suggests, the male has reddish-brown plumage, while the female is mottled brown. Cinnamon Teals prefer shallow wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation, and they are often found in marshes, ponds, and flooded agricultural fields. So where are the best places to hunt this striking little duck?
Habitat and Range
Cinnamon Teals have a fairly widespread breeding range extending from British Columbia down through the western United States and into Mexico. Their wintering range stretches from the Pacific Northwest south along the coast into Mexico and Central America. During migration, they can be found throughout many wetland areas in the western half of North America.
Preferred cinnamon teal habitat includes:
- Shallow freshwater marshes and wetlands
- Edges of lakes and ponds
- Flooded agricultural fields
- Sloughs and oxbow lakes
- Slow moving streams and rivers
Vegetation is a key component of good Cinnamon Teal habitat. They favor areas with an abundance of cattails, bulrushes, pondweeds, and other aquatic plants. These provide food sources as well as cover from predators.
Best States and Provinces to Hunt Cinnamon Teal
Some of the top locations for hunting Cinnamon Teal due to their sizeable breeding populations include:
- Utah
- Nevada
- California
- Oregon
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Montana
- Wyoming
- Colorado
- Washington
- British Columbia
- Alberta
These states and provinces provide an abundance of wetland habitat preferred by breeding and migrating Cinnamon Teal. Areas such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah, Klamath Basin in Oregon and California, and prairie pothole region across the northern Great Plains tend to hold high concentrations of birds.
Best Times to Hunt Cinnamon Teal
Timing your Cinnamon Teal hunts according to their migration patterns is key:
- Early fall – Target local birds before migration kicks into high gear. Teal often raft up on productive waters through September.
- Mid to late fall – Focus on key migration corridors and staging areas as birds move south for winter. Hunting can be fantastic from October through early December.
- Winter – Southern wintering grounds hold huge numbers of teal through February/March before the return migration north.
- Spring – Birds on the move north can provide fast shooting in March and April as they pass through the central flyways.
Daily timing is also important. Cinnamon Teal are most active at dawn and dusk on their feeding flights. Shooting light early morning and late afternoon usually coincides with peak flight activity.
Locating Cinnamon Teal Hotspots
Finding areas holding Cinnamon Teal is the first step to success. Here are some scouting tips:
- Use aerial photos or maps to locate wetlands and flooded fields near other waterfowl habitat.
- Search for shallow ponds or sloughs with lots of emergent vegetation.
- Scan for rafts of ducks in open water areas early and late in the day.
- Listen for teal chatter and other duck noises which can reveal holding areas.
- Pay attention to recent water levels – fresh floods or precipitation can attract birds.
- Check reports from other hunters, biologists, and conservation officers.
Once potential spots are located, boots on the ground scouting will verify bird numbers, feeding patterns, and access options. Identifying quality cinnamon teal locations is key to setting up successful hunts.
Best Places to Set Up
Careful setup can mean the difference between shooting and watching when it comes to Cinnamon Teal:
- Conceal blinds in vegetation along feeding flight paths.
- Avoid setups that require birds to flare or circle, giving them a good look.
- Set decoys in open pockets near cover to draw birds in close.
- Give yourself enough shooting space for safe shot opportunities.
- Stay hidden and avoid unnecessary movement.
- Take weather conditions into account – play wind and sun to your advantage.
Having confidence that you’ve selected the best possible setup location, based on observed bird patterns, will lead to better shot opportunities.
Decoy Strategies
Proper decoy rigs can make a big impact on Cinnamon Teal:
- Use small spread sizes – 6-12 decoys is ideal for teal.
- Mix in both hen and drake decoys for realism.
- Anchor decoys to prevent birds from flaring.
- Add some motion using jerk strings and decoy movement.
- Avoid over-doing it – massive rigs can spook wary teal.
Keeping spreads small, natural, and anchored gives incoming teal a sense of safety. This allows them to set their wings and approach for closer, more rewarding shots.
Best Shot Opportunities
Making the most of shot opportunities is critical for Cinnamon Teal success:
- Focus on close-range shots under 30 yards.
- Wait for birds to fully commit over decoys before shooting.
- Resist tempting long shots which rarely connect.
- Be ready for fast action when flock shooting.
- Quickly single out drakes during mixed shooting.
- Take shooting time to pick safe opportunities.
The lightning-quick action when ducks are within range can test any hunter. Staying patient for quality chances results in better hits and fewer cripples.
Ideal Guns and Loads
Having proper firearms and ammunition is imperative:
- Use 12 or 20 gauge shotguns for versatility.
- Improved Cylinder or Modified choke patterns work best.
- Select softer lead or steel shot sized 6-7 1/2.
- Reduce velocity to 1,200-1,325 fps for shorter range shots.
- Pattern your gun and load at expected shooting distances.
The right loads pattern tighter and hit softer at close ranges. This helps avoid excessive meat damage on small-bodied birds like teal. Understanding your shotgun’s effective patterning is key.
Bringing Birds Into Range
With their wariness, enticing Cinnamon Teal into shooting range can be tricky:
- Use realistic decoy spreads in natural areas.
- Add subtle motion to help attract bird’s attention.
- Situate blinds downwind to carry calls and conceal movement.
- Use quacks, chatter calls, and feeding noises.
- Avoid over-calling – less is often more.
- Time calls for when birds first appear.
Savvy hunters will have teal decoys, duck calls, and know when to use them. A light calling touch to draw birds out of cover or away from rafts can make a hunt.
Retrieving Downed Birds
Quickly retrieving downed Cinnamon Teal is important:
- Watch closely where birds fall – use landmarks to mark spots.
- Send a capable retriever immediately to fallen birds.
- Keep birds from flushing again where possible.
- Use a small boat or marsh sled to access downed birds.
- Wade or swim to retrieve cripples moving away.
- Handle birds carefully to avoid damaging meat.
Losing birds is completely avoidable with attention to marks, prompt dog work, and quick action on swimming cripples. A hunt can be ruined by sloppy retrieves.
Field Care of Birds
Proper field care of harvested Cinnamon Teal ensures delicious table fare:
- Rinse mud and debris off birds with clean water.
- Pre-pluck heavily soiled feathers if time allows.
- Use a knife to remove breast meat high on the keel bone.
- Leave carcass intact and do not field dress.
- Place birds immediately on ice above water drainage.
- Use a cooler or wet sack to keep birds cold.
Quick cooling stops bacteria growth and wing feather quills from drying out. Take steps to keep your harvested teal in prime condition.
From Marsh to Table
Preparing Cinnamon Teal for a gourmet meal is satisfying after successful hunts. Key considerations include:
- Hang plucked birds in cheesecloth 1-3 days at 40 °F to age meat.
- Brine 4-12 hours in a salt-sugar-herb solution for moisture.
- Sear or roast over high heat to medium rare doneness.
- Substitute duck fat for oils/butter for richer flavor.
- Pair with fruit sauces and glazes or tangy chutneys.
- Slow smoke legs, thighs, and wings for appetizers.
With proper handling, preparing, and cooking, Cinnamon Teal provide wonderful culinary rewards after the effort successful hunts demand.
Summary – Where and How to Hunt Cinnamon Teal
In summary, key strategies for hunting Cinnamon Teal include:
- Seeking out their preferred shallow wetland habitats during migration and wintering periods.
- Timing hunts for early and late feeding flights during fall and spring migrations.
- Scouting to locate concentrations of birds near cover and food sources.
- Concealing blinds along flight paths between cover and feeding areas.
- Using small, lifelike decoy spreads to bring birds into close range.
- Waiting for quality shot opportunities and resisting long shots.
- Promptly retrieving all downed birds before they are lost.
- Caring for harvested birds immediately to preserve meat quality.
When done properly, hunting Cinnamon Teal offers exciting shooting opportunities, beautiful drakes for the wall, and fantastic eating – quite the triple threat for waterfowlers!
The gorgeous plumage and speedy flight of the Cinnamon Teal make this pint-sized duck a favorite among western waterfowlers. By hunting their migration patterns, scouting the best wetlands, and being ready when birds commit over the decoys, success is within reach. When a colorful green-headed drake sails into range, the stage is set for a memorable hunt. So grab your waders, pattern your gun, and head to the marsh. Adventure awaits!
