A single ring-necked duck -- that's a "ringie" to Backman -- buzzes the decoys. The duck easily is within range for a few seconds, but Backman makes no move for his shotgun.

ON CASS LAKE -- The temperature hovers around 20. A northwest wind drives snow across a steel sky. And Gene Olson of Coleraine is right where he wants to be -- chest-deep in 35-degree water.

ring-necked duck (ring´nek´) Average length: male 17 inches, female 16.6 inches. Average weight: male 1.6 pounds, female 1.5 pounds. In the hand, and when fully plumed, ring-necked ducks have ...

I have always been fond of the ring-necked duck, which hunters call ringnecks for short. The nickname stems from a dark russet band around the black neck of the male.

The 2020 contest will be restricted to designs with ring-necked duck as the focal species. Artists are also reminded of the requirement for associated habitat.