Written by M.D. Johnson
Let’s face it, fellow ‘fowlers: any state can feel like the best for duck hunting—or the worst. Some days are diamonds, some days are stone, as the classic John Denver song goes.
While I’m convinced that anywhere I’m hunting is the “best,” there are certain states that, for various reasons, have earned a reputation for offering some of the finest waterfowling in the U.S.
Today, we’ll explore some of these traditional hotspots—seven of the best duck hunting states. Keep in mind, though, that these rankings can change, often influenced by factors like water levels and weather patterns. Still, it’s hard to argue with the following picks.
Arkansas
Although Arkansas may not be what it was 25 years ago—due, many say, to climate change and the fact that fewer ducks and geese migrate as far south—it still deserves a spot on this list.
This is green timber mallard hunting at its finest. Hunters travel from across the country, and even the world, to visit iconic locations like Stuttgart and Mack’s Prairie Wings. Once there, they slip into their chest waders and lean against ancient cypress trees, watching flocks of mallards circle overhead.
Arkansas boasts over 100 wildlife management areas (WMAs) of varying sizes, including renowned spots like Bayou Meto, Bayou DeView, and Bois D’Arc. The state is also home to the 15,000-acre Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Note that Arkansas’ WMAs have special regulations for waterfowl hunting, so doing your homework before your trip is essential.
Iowa, Illinois & Wisconsin
While not a single state, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin earn a place on this list due to their shared treasure: the legendary Mississippi River. Each fall, the Mississippi’s Pool 9, near Ferryville, Wisconsin, hosts what feels like every canvasback on the planet—about 450,000 to be precise. Once you witness this sight, you’ll swear it’s every ‘can alive! It’s the ultimate destination for those seeking a close encounter with The King of ducks. Several guide services operate in the area, ideal for newcomers or those without suitable watercraft. And by “suitable,” we mean seaworthy—because the Mississippi River, especially in winter, is no place for a flimsy skiff.
But the river’s main channel isn’t the only duck hunting hotspot. The countless small, shallow backwaters along the borders of all three states are perfect for hunters with canoes or kayaks, a few dozen decoys, and a reliable retriever. Inland, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin also offer a wealth of WMAs and NWRs, making them perfect for the walk-in weekend warrior.
California
A 107-day duck season and a 7-bird daily bag limit, all of which can be mallards—that’s California for you. In fact, it’s true for the entire Pacific Flyway, but that’s another story.
California is home to many private duck clubs, but there’s also a long list of National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) stretching from north to south, including well-known spots like Lower Klamath, Sacramento, Delevan, and San Pablo Bay. Each refuge has different regulations and entry methods for duck hunting—whether through lotteries, first-come/first-served systems, or open access. Hunters are advised to do a thorough online search before heading out.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages over one million public acres across approximately 700 properties, many offering prime waterfowl opportunities. These include popular areas like Los Banos, Grizzly Island, Mendota, Yolo Bypass, and Grey Lodge.
As for species, California offers a wide variety. While it’s not known for being a top mallard state, it more than makes up for it with pintails, wigeons, green-winged and cinnamon teal, northern shovelers, gadwalls, canvasbacks, and redheads.
Oregon
Another Pacific Flyway state with a 107-day season and a 7-bird daily bag limit, Oregon offers excellent duck hunting opportunities, especially along the Columbia River. Like its northern neighbor, Washington, the Beaver State shares access to this waterfowl-rich river. From the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge near Astoria—think The Goonies—to its confluence with the Snake River near Umatilla, the Columbia teems with ducks (and geese) throughout the season. This is big water, often requiring larger boats and the skills to navigate challenging water and weather conditions. Mallards are abundant, along with a variety of dabblers, while the lower Columbia near Astoria provides scaup, as well as surf, white-winged, and black scoters. The upper river is prime territory for canvasbacks, redheads, buffleheads, and goldeneyes.
Inland, Oregon boasts notable public wetlands like Summer Lake, south of Bend. But no discussion of duck hunting in Oregon is complete without mentioning Sauvie Island. Just 10 minutes from downtown Portland, this 60-square-mile island is the largest on the Columbia River and offers 26,000 acres of public hunting land, much of it walk-in, free-to-roam. For more details on hunting Sauvie Island, visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website at myodfw.com.
South Dakota
I have to be honest—I absolutely love South Dakota. The people are wonderful, the scenery, especially in the western third of the state, is breathtaking, and the walleye fishing is second to none. The pheasant hunting is legendary, and for the public land waterfowler, South Dakota might just be heaven!
The state offers several types of public lands open to duck hunting, including Game Production Areas (GPA—281,000 acres), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA—150,000 acres), Bureau of Land Management (BLM—274,000 acres), and a unique category known as “School and Public Lands,” covering approximately 750,000 acres, primarily in the western half of the state.
One thing I’ve always loved about hunting in South Dakota is the variety. You can duck hunt in the morning and chase pheasants in the afternoon. Over the years, my wife, Julie, and I have spent a lot of time around the sister cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre, where, after hunting, we’d relax on Lake Sharpe aboard a friend’s Lund, fishing for walleyes and the occasional channel catfish.
Non-resident waterfowlers planning a visit should apply for a limited number of non-resident hunting permits before the season begins. For details on licensing and other requirements, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department’s website at gfp.sd.gov.
