The Best Times for Hunting Waterfowl

If you're a duck hunter, you know weather conditions are one of the main variables to consider when duck hunting. A change in wind and precipitation brought on by a cold front is every duck hunter's dream. However, these "fowl" days aren't the only variables that affect the behavior of waterfowl.

So, when is the best time for hunting waterfowl? Keep reading for our insights, then grab your gear and plan your next duck or goose hunt.

The Best Times to Hunt Waterfowl

When is it the absolute best time to hunt ducks or geese for the best chances of bringing home some birds? Timing can make all the difference between an empty blind and a full strap. 

While waterfowl can be spotted throughout the day, certain times and conditions dramatically increase your chances of success. Let's talk about it. 

Early Mornings and Late Evenings

Any seasoned duck hunter will tell you you have to get out early in the morning or stick around late into the evening for your best chances of knocking down some birds. 

Morning

Early morning, right before and just after sunrise, is often the most productive time to hunt. But that means you have to be up-and-at-em before these birds get up. 

Ducks and geese leave their roosts at first light to feed, making them more active and visible at this time (even if it's still dark outside). The low light also provides natural concealment, allowing hunters to remain hidden as birds move.

Evening

Take a break after the morning activity and come back to your blind for late afternoon or evening hunts. These times can be equally effective. 

As the sun begins to set, waterfowl return to feeding or loafing areas, often following predictable flight paths. The soft light of dusk also makes decoys appear more natural, drawing birds in closer.

Midday?

If you're in for a full day in your blind, don't count out a midday hunt. 

Although generally slower, midday hunts can still yield results, especially during cold weather when birds may fly later to find open water or food. Resting areas and calm backwaters can be good midday locations.

Weather Conditions

Weather also impacts the best days and times to hunt waterfowl. 

Cold, Overcast, or Snowy Days

Bundle up and stay dry because waterfowl are more active in cold weather. During this type of weather, they need to feed frequently to maintain energy. 

Overcast skies and light snow create ideal visibility for hunters while keeping birds flying low and closer to decoys.

Fog

Fog can both help and hinder hunters. While it reduces visibility, it also forces birds to fly lower and more cautiously. This can often bring them within range faster than if they have more sky in which to fly. 

Patience and calling can make foggy mornings surprisingly productive.

Wind

Wind is a duck hunter’s ally. But, you have to know how to use it to your advantage. 

Strong breezes create movement on the water, making decoys appear more lifelike. Wind also encourages birds to fly into the wind, allowing hunters to position themselves strategically.

Use HuntWise and the WindCast feature to plan ahead of time based on wind predictions. WindCast also helps you adjust your position and decoy setups in real time as wind direction changes. 

Tidal Water

In coastal areas, tides can dictate waterfowl movement. Incoming tides flood feeding grounds, attracting dabbling ducks. However, outgoing tides expose mudflats and food sources. 

Learning local tide schedules can be key to timing your hunt perfectly.

What to Consider When Hunting Waterfowl

Hunters must consider the location, duck species, migration patterns, time of day, and other factors that can drastically affect your likelihood of catching one of these beautiful birds in your sights. Here are a few things to consider for better waterfowl hunts.

The Location 

Location is a crucial factor to consider when hunting waterfowl. Where you are on the map will greatly influence the number and species of duck available to hunt.

Some states prove that fowl days are the best days to hunt, while others suggest otherwise, specifically those during migration patterns. 

For the best chances of bringing home plenty of duck or geese for your freezer this season, choose a prime waterfowl hunting state like Mississippi or Louisiana.

The Solunar Calendar

Do ducks or geese care about how the moon is in the sky? John Alden Knight had a theory in 1926. He believed animal movement is affected by the fullness and position of the moon, but does it apply to migratory birds?

It can.

Ducks and geese can become more active at night when there's a full moon, leaving fewer birds up and about during the day when you're hunting. A full moon can also trigger bird migrations. So, paying attention to the Solunar calendar when planning your waterfowl hunt can pay off.

The Time of Year

Waterfowl activity changes according to the time of year. Generally speaking, the best time of year to hunt ducks and geese is during the cold fronts of mid-fall. 

However, the location of the hunt and the species of duck will also affect the best hunting times. You'll also want to pay close attention to open-season dates when planning your goose or duck hunt.

The Time of Day

Many hunters believe that the best time to hunt for waterfowl is during the first hours of the morning after dawn. However, hunters who find that their most successful hunts happen in the afternoon or early evening have challenged that belief.

To make sure you hit the prime hunting times, consider weather patterns and species-specific behavior. HuntWise can help you monitor the weather and plan your hunt for a day when the weather is best for a successful hunt.

The Temperature

Along with weather conditions, temperature is another important factor that can drastically affect waterfowl movement.  

Many believe that waterfowl prefer cooler temperatures brought on by cold fronts. However, migratory timing and feeding patterns can make it harder to predict their movement based solely on temperature. 

Barometric Pressure

Low barometric pressure indicates that the local air pressure is lower than that in surrounding areas. Because low pressure is often a sign of coming precipitation, wind, or approaching fronts, it is typically ideal for hunting waterfowl. 

Again, use HuntWise and the app's weather forecasting tool to find the ideal days for hunting waterfowl.

General Weather Conditions

As we mentioned, general weather conditions are one of the main variables to consider when hunting ducks.

Duck hunters generally find that wet, cooler, overcast days create the best environment for duck movement. However, depending on your exact location and time of year, ducks may also be on the move during clear-sky days. 

The Wind 

The wind is a sure sign that ducks are on the move. However, depending on the strength and direction of the wind, it can both aid and detour your hunt.

For example, when waterfowl migrate, a strong southerly wind can slow the pace of the duck's flight, making them easier targets, while northerly winds can do the opposite. You may also need to adjust your sights when shooting based on the wind direction and speed.

Use HuntWise to Plan the Best Days for Hunting Waterfowl

We hope these insights help you learn more about ducks and geese and the factors that can impact your hunt this season!

With HuntWise, you can take much of the guesswork out of when and where to hunt. The app delivers real-time animal behavior predictions, weather forecasting — up to 15 days for Elite subscribers — including ideal wind reports, and multiple map layers to help you scout and mark the best areas for your hunt.

If you're ready to bring home more ducks or geese this year, make sure you have HuntWise to help you make it happen. 

Download the app and explore it free during your first week.