For the health of the population, it is better to let the hens alone. I can't say that I am always good at that.
Leave the can hens alone, kill the rest.
While I agree in principle, the entire state of Georgia’s harvest could be hens and it wouldn’t be statistically significant. There just aren’t enough ducks coming through or being killed to matter.
More breeding success leads to more ducks or at least sustaining what we have.
With all the above said, how easy is it to tell species when they come in?
I know Ga isn't a big flyway but I've seen there are a bunch and you can only have so many of each.
I assume in Ga its wood ducks and mallards but?
You can tell the difference between drakes and hens with most species. I’d study up on them on the www I’m sure there are more examples than you’ll care to look at. Then practice while hunting trying to ID the ones you shoot. It takes experience is really all it boils down to. The main species I see are #1 Woodies #2 Mallards #3 Ring necks. Anything else is a bonus.
That sounds great in theory, but there is no empirical evidence showing that passing on hens helps. If it makes you feel better, by all means pass on hens. In reality, it doesn't matter. I will shoot drakes first in a group, and if I'm covered up out of state, I may pass a hen waiting on a drake, but I'm not doing it because I have the false premise that it means there will be more ducks next year. It really makes no difference, even though people like to act like it does. He is an article you might find interesting.
https://www.wildfowlmag.com/editorial/dead-hens-dont-lay-eggs-should-hunters-shoot-females/280303