Band Guide
The band database is for recreational purposes. It is the Official Unofficial Band Database™.
Many people over the course of decades have spent huge amounts of time and resources, banding birds, managing data, and making informed decisions to help ensure healthy waterfowl populations.
Please respect their outstanding work and do your part by submitting your harvested band information to the appropriate organization(s).
If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, give us a holler. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
IronBands.com thanks you in advance for your support and cooperation.
Band Database Summary
The band database is easy to use, but there is also an extensive guide to aid you if required. In addition, you will find immediate help available when entering your duck or goose band information. Just look for the blue Information Icons.
You may also find the example information, BirdBuster's Band Data, and related example record helpful, which can be found on the data entry page.
The band database fields are grouped into three primary areas which include Banding Data, Encountered Data, and Hunt / Band Data.
In each of these areas, you have the flexibility of entering as much or little information for each field as you desire. Besides standard waterfowl band data, you can also add personalized information, including photos.
You also have the power to edit your records at any time.
Now it is your turn. So get your bands and associated data together and start entering your own information. It's easy.
Band Database Guide
We have created a fairly extensive guide to aid you with the band database. Though the data entry, data management, and records search functions are straightforward, you will find this resource useful.
The guide includes the following sections:
- Example Record Number 999999999
- Example Information - BirdBuster's Band Data
- Entering Your Own Band Information
- Logging In / Session Length
- General Information - Entering Field Data
- Field Specific Information
- Agreement on Submit
- Editing Your Records
- Improving the IronBands.com Band Database
Details about each follow.
Example Record Number 999999999
An example record has been created to help you better understand how to enter your own information.
Search for fictitious band number, 999999999, which is nine 9s.Then review and compare the record to the example information listed below, BirdBuster's Band Data, which was used to create the example record.
By comparing the example record and example information, it should assist you in understanding how to add your own information.
Now let us review the example information used to create the example record.
Example Information - BirdBuster's Band Data
BirdBuster harvested the band.
Federal band number 999999999 was placed 08/13/2000 onto a male mallard which was two years old at the time. The bird was banded about five miles east of Walnut Grove, CA, United States in Smoke County by Dr Mike Hudson of the California Waterfowl Association.
The band was harvested on 11/15/2004 while on public land about 4 miles south of Colusa, California, United States in Sutter County, at Gold Hills National Wildlife Refuge, blind number 43.
The band has moderate wear and it was harvested from the last bird killed on a super windy hunt day.
BirdBuster uploaded a killer photo of two happy hunters with a fat strap of 13 greenheads, one with the band, and he titled the hunt, Killer Mallard Hunt.
Again, as suggested earlier, if you compare example record 999999999 to the example information above, you will recognize the record data came from this information.
Entering Your Band Information
Now it is your turn.
So get your bands and related data together and start entering your own information. It's quite easy.
If you have not done so already, you will need to first create an account, and then login before you can add or edit your own records.
Also, whether you are logged in or not, you can always search and view all records. check them out...
Want to login or create an account? click here...
Ready to add your own records? add data...
Logging In / Session Length
If you have not yet created an account and activated it, you will be required to do so before you can login.
Afterward, you will only need to login using your unique Username and Password.
If you are not active on the site for 30 minutes, your session will automatically time out, and you will need to login again. While you are in the process of entering your data, if your session does time out, then on submit, your data will not be captured and you will have to re-enter your information from scratch.
If you feel you may not have enough time to enter your data, you might consider gathering your information together before sitting down to type. Another option you may find workable is submitting your data after partially entered, and then adding the additional information afterward. In any case, do what works best for you.
General Information - Entering Field Data
You will discover as you enter your data that some fields are required and others are optional.
As you would expect, you are not required to enter information for optional fields, but you will probably want to complete these fields for accurate records.
Required Fields
Required fields on the other hand, are just that, required. If you try to submit your information, and have not provided data for a required field, the field border will change from a grey to a red color, and the phrase, "This field is required," or "Can't be empty." No worries. Enter the data and the field border will turn green in color, indicating data entry success.
Unknown or Not Applicable Entries
Also, when entering data for a required field, and you do not know the specific information, you have the option of entering and/or selecting "Unknown" for your entry. So for all required fields, you always have a way of completing the data.
In addition, you may discover a required field is not relevant to your situation. For example, not all countries have the equivalent of States or Counties. Again, no worries. Simply enter and/or select the option, "Not Applicable" for your entry.
The "Other" Option and Your Feedback
In addition, if the field has a drop down list, and none of the available selections meet your needs, you always have the option to indicate "Other."
If this is the case, and you want your non-listed selection added to the drop down list for the future, please email us after submitting your data, and we will investigate your request. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Also, since you have the option of editing your records at any time, if your selection is added to the drop down list, you will have the opportunity to update your records in the future.
Information Icon
Finally, to the left of most field labels you will find a blue Information Icon.
If you need help for a particular field, place your mouse cursor over the related Information Icon, and specific guidelines as well as an example about how to enter your data will appear. Most of the fields are self-explanatory, but you will find the Information Icon helpful in some instances.
Field Specific Information
The band database fields are grouped into three primary areas which include:
- Banding Data
- Encountered Data
- Hunt / Band Data
The fields within each group are discussed in this section. It should be a good source of helpful information.
Banding Data
Band Type - Select band type if known. Otherwise select Unknown.
Band Number - Enter band number, omitting hyphens and spaces. For example, 123455890.
Banding Date - Select date from calendar if known. Use white arrows to scroll to correct month and year. Then click on day to enter. Otherwise leave blank.
Species - Self explanatory.
Sex - Self explanatory.
Age of Bird - Enter age of bird if known. For example, Too young to fly when banded in 2006. Otherwise enter Unknown.
Country - Self explanatory.
State / Province - Self explanatory.
County - Enter the county if known. For example, Sacramento. Otherwise leave blank.
Nearest City - Enter the nearest city from where the bird was banded if known. For example, Stuttgart. Otherwise leave blank.
Bearing - Enter the approximate distance, unit of measurement (mi=miles or km=kilometers), and direction (N,S,E, or W) from the nearest city above if known. For example, 10 mi N, which would mean 10 miles North of Stuttgart. Otherwise leave blank.
Bander- Enter the name of the bander if known. For example, John Hardy. Otherwise leave blank.
Banding Organization - Select the name of the banding organization if known. For example, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. Otherwise select Unknown.
Encountered Data
Harvest Date - Select date from calendar if known. Use white arrows to scroll to correct month and year. Then click on day to enter. Otherwise leave blank.
Land Type - Select whether the band was harvested on public or private land if known. Otherwise select Unknown.
Country- Self explanatory.
State / Province- Self explanatory.
County - Enter the county if known. For example, Rock Hills. Otherwise leave blank.
Nearest City - Enter the nearest city from where the band was harvested if known. For example, Dallas. Otherwise leave blank.
Bearing - Enter the approximate distance, unit of measurement (mi=miles or km=kilometers), and direction (N,S,E, or W) from the nearest city above if known. For example, 5 mi SW, which would mean 5 miles Southwest of Dallas. Otherwise leave blank.
Location Name - Enter the location name of where the band was harvested if known. For example, River Bottom WMA.
Location ID - Enter a specific location id related to location name above if known. For example, Blind 14. Otherwise leave blank.
Hunt / Band Data
Band Condition - Enter the band condition if known. For example, Heavy staining. Otherwise leave blank.
Hunt Title - Give a title to your hunt. For example, Killer Mallard Hunt. Otherwise leave blank.
Hunt Information - Write about the hunt. For example, Hunted with Mike and John on a cold, bluebird day. Stoned the drake mallard 15 yards out over the decoys. My fourth band. Sweet. Otherwise leave blank.
Upload Hunt Photo - Select a band or hunt photo file to upload. JPG files allowed. Photo must be between 10 and 1000 KB (1 MB) in size. Otherwise leave blank.
After entering your data into the various field sections listed above, you will need to submit your information. You will also need to agree to a sensible statement which is discussed next.
Agreement on Submit
When you are ready to add your band data to the database, you will find a brief agreement above the submit button, stating:
By using this application, you agree you have already submitted your harvested band data to the proper organization(s). If you have not, please do so promptly.
IronBands.com thanks you for your cooperation.
Our goal by placing this statement here is to help ensure band data is reported properly. Please do your part.
Editing Your Records
When entering your band data, you may find you do not have all of your information readily available, or you later learn more details about your band's history. No worries. In either case, you have the ability to update your band information at your convenience.
Simply login and then search the Band Records. In each of your records you will find an [Edit Data] link, and by following that link, it will allow you to review, edit, and update your data. You can even add a new photo if desired. How easy is that?
Regardless, if you have feedback, or need assistance, give us a shout. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
And as always, thanks and have fun.
Improving the IronBands.com Band Database
We will be expanding the band database over time. The primary purpose of the database is for entertainment. If you have suggestions for improvements, or changes you would like to see, then please let us know. Thanks in advance for your help. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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