8 Types of Ducks for Hunting This Season (and How to Hunt Them)

Duck hunting is a cherished and authentic pastime in the United States, and it is a highly anticipated season on the hunting calendar. Knowing the different types of ducks for duck hunting not only enhances the enjoyment of the sport but is also an essential component of waterfowl identification, ensuring all legal regulations are met.

What kind of ducks can you hunt? Today, we’re looking at eight types of ducks for hunting to target this season, plus some duck hunting tips to help you make the most of it. 

Why Duck Hunting is Worth It

Beyond the tasty game, exciting shooting, and variety of opportunities lies something much more powerful that draws duck hunters back year after year.

Duck hunting is a social sport that builds friendships and camaraderie that can last a lifetime. Early morning conversations in the blind, sharing tips, strategies, and a few jokes, are some of the main reasons why duck hunting is such a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. A friend made on a duck hunt is often a friend for life. 

When it comes to the hunting itself, the adrenaline rush of a successful call and downing your first bird is hard to beat. Duck hunting combines a range of different hunting skills, including mapping and planning, tracking, calling, shotgun use, and water dog work.

Finally, it allows you to be selective, regulating the numbers and contributing to ecosystem balance through your participation in the sport, which directly impacts the maintenance and growth of vital habitats. 

8 Types of Ducks for Hunting

If you're excited for duck season, it's important to know the hunting duck breeds you can hunt in your area. Whether you have access to each of these eight types of ducks nearby or you travel to check one of these breeds off your list, here are some of the most common ducks hunters can go after.

1. Mallard  The mallard is the most popular and widely hunted of all the hunting duck breeds. They’re in substantial numbers and found in all four major flyways, making them a bread-and-butter option for both experienced and new hunters. Focus your attention on ponds, lakes, marshes, and flooded fields, especially agricultural grain fields (especially rice). Keep your setup minimal by using a mallard drake call and a decoy spread of around twelve, including both drakes and hens. They’re cautious flyers, so scout out some decent hunting zones before you head out and ensure your blind is natural and well-hidden.
2. Wood Duck  Wood ducks have a striking plumage and are incredible flyers that can dive in on decoys at eye-watering speeds. As table fare, they’re hard to beat with their rich flavor. These birds are a popular option for hunters, with their plump breasts forming the basis of many delicious recipes.  When planning your hunt, open your HuntWise map to scout woodland swamps, flooded timber, and beaver ponds, which will be your high-potential areas. They’re nut and grain-obsessed, so any environment that blends these food offerings with waterways will be prime.  Your shooting window for wood ducks is relatively small. Set that alarm nice and early to set up near roosting sites and have everything ready to go. They fly on the first light and are pretty quick off the mark, so have your shotgun ready as soon as the first flicker of light appears in the early morning.
3. Teal (Blue-winged and Green-winged) Early teal season is an opportunity to stretch your hunting muscles and access some tasty game in most states and flyways (Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central flyways) across the North American waterfowl hunting roster. Hunting season for teal is usually a little warmer, and early-season scouting of shallow marshes and flooded fields should put you onto some dabblers.  Due to their smaller size and erratic flight patterns, you’ll want to practice fast shooting before stepping out into the field. High-pitched, rapid calls tend to do the trick, and a decoy setup with teals and a couple of mallards will ensure incoming birds notice your spread.
4. Pintail Pintails are a stunning bird with an elegant plumage, making them a trophy duck for many. They’re a widespread species in both California and Texas across the Pacific and Central flyways. Pintails are often hunted alongside mallards and can be found in freshwater wetlands and shallow lakes. They’re also happy in harvested agricultural fields, meaning field hunting can also bring some success. A couple of dozen pintail decoys, mixed with mallards, will produce a natural spread, and a pintail whistle will help make the unique and characteristic call of these birds.
5. Gadwall (Grey Duck) The Gadwall duck has several advantages. It’s a decent-sized bird, super tasty game meat, and is abundant in all four flyways. They decoy well and are known to congregate around freshwater wetlands and shallow lakes, favoring smaller lakes and bodies of water. They also respond well to both calls, such as natural-sounding quacks and hen mallard decoys. With a few gadwalls for realism, and a light spread of decoys between half a dozen and a dozen, you'll have the ideal spread setup.
6. Wigeon  As dabbling ducks, American wigeons are most at home in shallow marshes, wet meadows, and flooded grasslands rich in submerged vegetation, which makes up the majority of their diet. They’re a highly vocal bird with a distinct whistle, making them one of the most fun birds to hunt and whistle.  While it can’t hurt to throw in a couple of wigeon decoys, they’re comfortable around most types of waterfowl, meaning you can get creative with your spread. Additionally, a wigeon whistle is pretty easy to master and can make for a fun day out on the water with the family.
7. Redhead Redheads are one of the most popular waterfowl, with their stunning cinnamon-red heads bobbing across North American waterways. They’re a popular diving duck at home in large lakes, coastal bays, and open water; however, they’re not super picky, often gravitating to seasonal ponds.  These birds are fast and fearless flyers, much like the wigeon, and are pretty happy to buddy up with other feathered friends. Using long lines of fiber decoys in the traditional J or fish hook pattern will help bring in large flocks. Just make sure you’re set up with the wind at your back for better shooting angles on windy days.
8. Canvasback Rounding off the list of types of ducks for hunting, we’ve got the canvasback duck, considered the "king of ducks" due to its majestic plumage. During migration, they favor large bodies of water such as coastal bays, big rivers, and the Great Lakes.  Typically, when gathering in large flocks, you’ll want a decent spread of around 20 or more white-bodied decoys for optimal visibility.

Pro Duck Hunting Tips for Success This Season

No matter whether you’re targeting a specific species or are just keen to get out there and have a go, scouting for feeding areas, food sources, access, roosts, and flight paths right before you hunt will maximise your opportunities and success rate.

With HuntWise, you can access various map overlays targeting waypoints and use the LiDAR capabilities to uncover flooded pockets deep in forests hidden by vegetation and tree canopies on traditional map functions. 

Investing in quality camouflage and natural cover is essential, as is incorporating natural motion decoys or jerk cords to make your spread more realistic. Grab a couple of duck calls and start practicing in the off-season, mimicking natural recordings and sounds to improve your technique. 

Finally, due to the fast-paced nature of duck hunting, we always recommend having some hunter education training and keeping first aid training up to date — especially if it's required in your state. Then, stay on top of bag limits and regulations, and refer to the species chart to ensure you can differentiate between different birds, even from a distance. 

A Successful Duck Hunt Starts With HuntWise 

For fast-paced hunting, camaraderie, and a diversity of different waterfowl options, a classic duck hunt is hard to beat. This season, get out and target any of these ducks for hunting to fine-tune your setup and explore various tactics for bringing home more birds.

With HuntWise, you can start planning your next duck hunt today! With multiple mapping overlays, private landowner permissions, and more, you can plan a better hunt.

Download HuntWise and enjoy your first week in the app for free! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to the most common questions about hunting duck breeds!

1. What are the most common types of ducks to hunt in North America?

The most popular species include mallards, teal, pintails, wood ducks, canvasbacks, and redheads.

2. What’s the difference between puddle ducks and diving ducks?

Puddle ducks (or dabblers) feed in shallow water by tipping forward. They tend to fly straight up when flushed and include mallards, teal, and pintails. However, diving ducks feed by diving underwater and include scaup, canvasbacks, and redheads. 

3. What gear do I need for duck hunting?

You'll need a shotgun (commonly 12- or 20-gauge, with non-toxic shot like steel or bismuth), decoys, duck calls, waders or a boat, and camouflage clothing and a blind to conceal movement.

4. When is the best time to hunt ducks?

The best duck hunting takes place during the early morning and late afternoon. These times are when ducks move to feed. Seasons vary by region but usually fall between late September and January.

5. What are the best strategies for successfully hunting ducks?

Scout to know where ducks are roosting and feeding before the hunt. Use natural-looking decoy spreads. Use realistic quacks and feeding chuckles, and remember that overcalling can spook birds. Ducks have sharp eyesight, so cover any shiny gear, keep still, and use natural cover or blinds.