The Best States for Waterfowl Hunting
- Arkansas: Best State for Flooded Timber Duck Hunts.
- Kansas: Best State for Geese and Ducks.
- Maryland: Best State for Sea Ducks.
- Texas: Best State for Sandhill Crane Hunting.
- North Dakota: Best State for a DIY Hunt.
- California: Best State for Hunting Pintails.
What month is best for duck hunting?
October
October. This is the best month, period. October weather is usually sparkling, the leaves are changing, and you can hunt ducks and geese from Canada south to about the middle of the United States.
What is best duck hunting?
The 10 Best Duck Hunting States
- Washington – Pacific Flyaway.
- 9. California – Pacific Flyaway.
- North Carolina – Atlantic Flyaway.
- Minnesota – Mississippi Flyaway.
- Maryland – Atlantic Flyaway.
- North Dakota – Central Flyaway.
- Mississippi – Mississippi Flyaway.
- Texas – Central Flyaway.
Does North Carolina have good duck hunting?
Top areas are along the coast
North Carolina’s best waterfowl hunting for ducks, geese, swans is in the extreme eastern portions of the state, and public-land opportunities reflect that situation. The region serves migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway every season.
What is the duck hunting capital of the US?
A town of about 10,000 residents, Stuttgart is a six-hour drive from Oklahoma City and is hallowed ground to duck hunters.
How long do you duck hunt in the morning?
“The best shooting is usually in the first three hours of the morning. After that, we don’t get much action.” I bit my lip and kept quiet, but I wanted to say, “You might be missing some of the best shooting of the day.” Sometimes the midday period offers spectacular action.
What time of day are ducks most active?
Ducks are typically active right before legal shooting hours and for an hour or two — maybe longer, depending on the weather — afterward. Geese are relatively late risers but almost always leave their roosts and hit ag fields to feed right around sunup.
What gun do you hunt ducks with?
For a lot of duck and goose hunting, you’ll use shotgun shells loaded with 1 ¼ ounces of shot or more. These loads generate a lot of recoil. To make their recoil bearable, you’ll want to use a shotgun that weighs at least 7 pounds. If you plan to shoot heavy loads often, close to 8 pounds is better.
What state is known for ducks?
That’s no real surprise, as Washington has long been regarded as a top duck and goose state. The only real eye-raiser is that this Pacific Flyway giant bumped traditional mallard hotspots such as Montana and North Dakota from our list.
What state has the most duck hunters?
In the Pacific Flyway, 164,900 waterfowlers bagged more than 2.5 million ducks and 594,600 geese — all representing substantial increases over the 2019-2020 season. California had the most waterfowl hunters at 52,300, and they topped the million mark in duck harvest at 1.1 million — a 12 percent increase. California
Where is the best place to duck hunt in NC?
Pamlico Sound, between mainland North Carolina and the Outer Banks, is a major stopover for many waterfowl, including good numbers of long-tailed ducks and all three species of scoters. It’s not uncommon to shoot divers and even puddle ducks there, too.
What do you need to duck hunt in NC?
Specifically, hunters must obtain the following:
- A state hunting license.
- North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege*
- For resident hunters, this additional privilege and fee is not required if you hold a Sportsman’s license (lifetime, disabled, or annual), or a Comprehensive Hunting license (lifetime or annual).
What days can you duck hunt in NC?
Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag |
---|---|---|
Woodcock | December 1, – December 10, 2022 February 1 – February 25, 2023 | 3 migratory game birds singly or in the aggregate |
Ducks, mergansers & coots | October 3 – October 15, 2022, February 1 – 11, 2023 | 3 migratory game birds singly or in the aggregate |
What state has the longest duck season?
Despite the likelihood of lower duck population numbers, the state of Utah again recommended one of the longest waterfowl hunting seasons in the Unites States, a full, continuous 107-day duck season lasting most of the winter.
Why is Arkansas so good for duck hunting?
Because Arkansas typically gets less rainfall in autumn, Game and Fish Commission land managers have less trouble controlling water levels on greentree reservoirs at the beginning of waterfowl hunting season.
Is Florida good for duck hunting?
Florida is a great place to hunt waterfowl with easy public access and a hunter success rate that is well above other states in the Atlantic Flyway. Good management helps ensure that Florida’s waterfowl populations are robust and healthy.
Does rain affect duck hunting?
Rain and/or sleet intensifies their scramble for shelter, limiting and defining the places they are likely to be. More and more birds move into fewer and fewer areas. The savvy hunter is a step ahead of them, setting out decoys and preparing to shortstop their weather-driven migration.
Do ducks fly with the wind or against?
The placement and number of decoys that one uses is highly situational, but wind direction is always a major factor. Like airplanes, ducks and geese approach their landing areas by flying into the wind. They cup their wings to create drag, and then touch down feet first.
Does a full moon affect duck hunting?
During the full moon, ducks tend to feed at night and the birds will rest during the mornings. This tends to produce slow mornings; therefore Johnson prefers to hunt the afternoon during the full moon, as duck activity will pick up as the evening shadows grow.
How long does it take to Duck Hunt?
When focusing on the main objectives, Duck Hunt is about 43 Mins in length. If you’re a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 8 Hours to obtain 100% completion.
Will ducks fly in rain?
Yes, ducks do fly in the rain and wind. Although it may seem strange, duck hunting in the wind, fog, and rain can be a good idea.