‘A true rarity’: Kansas duck hunter bags unusual prize

MCPHERSON COUNTY (KSNT) – A lucky Kansas duck hunter took home a rare trophy recently after a successful hunt near McPherson.

Kansas game wardens shared in a recent social media post that a hunter harvested “a true rarity” recently: a white-cheeked pintail duck. Also known as a Bahama pintail, the ducks are rarely seen in the Sunflower State and are more commonly found in the Caribbean or South America, according to eBird.

“Your guess is as good as ours on how this bird arrived at the state duck marsh. The excited hunter that harvested this beauty plans to take it to a taxidermist. Pretty neat to see!”
Kansas game wardens social media post excerpt

White-cheeked pintails are known for their distinctive white cheeks, throat and tail that contrast with their brown bodies. They are usually found in fresh and saline wetlands areas.

The hunter came across the duck during the youth/veteran/active military waterfowl weekend. The duck was harvested from the McPherson Valley Wetlands in central Kansas.

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