Look what I found at our lake. Should I do anything?

[azhenhouse]

My family and I went fishing for the first time this year, and as soon as we got to the lake these three ducks, a Mallard drake, Mallard hen, and Pekin mix come waddling up to us. What!? Obviously, they were pets because I have never had a wild duck come up to me and eat from my hands. Plus, the Pekin kind of gave that away. They all seem healthy, but my biggest concern isn't necessarily animal predators, but the human kind. These ducks could easily be grabbed by some showoff, and then what? They were eating out of my hands, and when I didn't have food they would peck at my fingers. I know for sure that the Mallard hen and Pekin are domesticated, but I am not sure about the Mallard drake. He was very cautious, and wouldn't eat from my hands. He stood back more than the other two. What should I do? Should I leave them be? I don't even know if I would be allowed to catch them. They are on a lake run by the Forest Service. This lake must be a common place for duck dumps, as there were three ducks that looked like a Black Swedish x Mallard mix swimming around. They wanted nothing to do with us. Here are pictures of the three we were feeding.

I had to keep the girl out of my tackle box. She was very nosy.

Here is the Mallard eating out of my hand. She is braver than my Harlequins.

**UPDATE**

Thanks everyone for the responses. This has been bugging me all weekend, as I just want to make the best decisions for these ducks. I contacted a duck rescue out of Phoenix to ask their opinion regarding the trio. I sent the pictures, and told them everything I told you. This is what they had to say...

"Thanks for contacting me. The position of (name of rescue group left out) is that if the ducks aren't either injured or in immediate danger they should be left where they are. The pictures you sent to me are wonderful, and show the type of ducks they are. I agree, it is hard to walk away from such friendly ducks and wonder whether or not some mean spirited person may harm them. But, it is hard on the ducks to take them out of the lake environment and force them into a lifestyle that would not make them happy. It would be next to impossible to capture the ducks that can fly, so the only thing it would do would break up the trio. Even though the mixed duck can't fly, it is best to leave it with the other ducks that it has formed a bond with. I hope this answers your questions. Thanks for your kindness. Many people just look the other way. It is nice to know that you don't. Have a great evening."

I have decided for now to leave the ducks at the lake, but will continue to monitor them. If at anytime I feel that they need to be removed I will not hesitate to do so, with permission only.

I really am grateful for all the responses, and hope you will accept my decision. Thank you.

 

[annie3001]

keep them if you want. however you can use the photos of them and place them around your area, perhaps they escaped from someones yard?

 

[veronicasmom]

I would definitely take them! People are so stupid

 

[chickensioux]

Take em. I took 3 call ducks off of a lake. One had an eye missing. They were discards I'm sure.

 

[Judy]

I have read (and don't doubt) that dumped domestic ducks have little chance of survival. I doubt a forest ranger would object if he happened to see you; they should know this.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would take them, someone dumped 4 ducks in the river below our home and they were starving, I tried to ignore it for a while but it was too much, I finally was able to rescue 3 of them, someone killed the other one before we could get it.

I found a home for one and a predator got another but I still have the Muscovy drake. They need a home! please rescue. These were all drakes that were dumped here.

 

[mandelyn]

The ones I see are pampered "pets" at a cemetery and I haven't felt temped to take them. But people feed them everyday, and the cemetery started grabbing them and wintering them over in one of the garden buildings. Nice set up for dumped ducks. But in the "wild", I think it's a different story. They won't know to migrate, even if they felt compelled to, that Pekin won't make it. I'd grab them.

 

[sheila3935]

Let officals know what you are doing first. I had a lady come into the store that rescued 2 runner ducks from a pond in our local park. The girl had a broken leg and eye infection. It is at the vet right now. The drake is at her home being feed and taken care of but because she didnt get ahold of the park district first she was fined for removing the ducks. She didnt care and paid the fine, but if she had contacted them first she was told she wouldnt have been fined.

 

[Ms.Frizzle]

There are some wild mallards that visit our college grounds but are tame enough that I've had a female eat out of my hands before. The male acted the same way as the one you described, hanging back a couple feet, watching me rather then eating.

 

[StevenW.]

I would take them! I don't think anyone would say anything about it.