People ask me, “Why waterfowl hunting in alaska?” My response frequently mentions the camaraderie, diversity of hunting grounds, species, and tactics that are all a part of waterfowl hunting. Alaska is famous for its abundance of large game, but the diversity of small game, and especially waterfowl, is often overlooked. Hunters can choose from 22 species of ducks, four species of geese, vrants, tundra swans, common plovers, and sandhill cranes. The hunting possibilities are endless, with each species offering a different challenge and endless opportunities for action.
To start planning your waterfowl hunting in Alaska, the first question you need to ask is, what species am I hunting? birdsofjoy.com will help you determine where you will be hunting in Alaska.
Explore the Opportunity to Go Bird Hunting
South Central Coast
If you enjoy bird shooting (locating resting or feeding ducks or geese and stalking them into effective shooting range), consider a trip to South Central Alaska. Many areas here are accessible by road and open to the public. Places like Palmer Hay Flats State Wildlife Refuge, Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, Susitna Flats State Wildlife Refuge, and the Copper River Delta have river systems with backwaters, marshes, and wetlands that provide good bird shooting as well as opportunities to set up decoys.
Many waterfowl hunters enjoy taking a boat trip up the Susitna River to check out the marshes and backwaters or canoeing down Rabbit Slough to Palmer Hay Flats. To hunt at Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, you must complete a certified hunter training course.
Southcentral is a great spot to shoot puddle ducks (generally freshwater birds found in shallow marshes and rivers that feed by dabbling or tipping rather than diving) and diving ducks (these species are common in larger, deeper lakes and rivers, and coastal bays and estuaries; they feed by diving, often to considerable depths). Common species include: mallards, northern pintails, scaups, teals, American spoonbills, and northern spoonbills.
The general waterfowl hunting season in Southcentral opens on September 1, so many ducks are still in obscure plumage (less colorful) which can make identification more difficult. A great publication to help identify ducks is “Ducks at a Distance” which can be picked up at your local ADFG office or Ducks Unlimited which offers a mobile app that includes photos, sounds, descriptions, and additional information on common North American waterfowl. When packing, remember that the weather is variable, so it could be cold and rainy or so warm that your neoprene waders are drenched in sweat.
inland
Interior Alaska offers opportunities for geese, cranes, and ducks. Hunters near Delta Junction can set up on the ground hides for a fun day of geese and cranes in the grain fields. Check with local landowners for permission to enter their property. Canada geese and white-fronted geese (commonly known as specklebellies) are abundant. Spending time at the range with your shotgun to practice cross-shooting and fine-tune your goose calls is a must.
Thousands of sandhill cranes spend the summer around Fairbanks before migrating south, and camouflage to attract these wary birds can provide an added challenge. The Tanana River Valley and Minto Flats State Game Reserve produce thousands of ducks and provide excellent hunting opportunities before colder weather drives ducks south.
South East
The Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Reserve is a popular waterfowl hunting location in Juneau. The intertidal habitat provides abundant sedges, grasses, and other plants for waterfowl to forage on. Canada goose populations are abundant year-round in the Juneau area, and in the open waters of Gastineau Channel and Fritz Bay, hunters can find goldeneyes, buffleheads, scoters, and combed ducks.
Every fall, thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese migrate through the Stikine River Delta near Wrangell. The Forest Service has public cabins available for hunters to rent.
Western Films
Cold Bay and Izembek State Game Reserve attracts waterfowl hunters to this remote area because it is home to one of the largest eelgrass beds in the world. These eelgrass beds support millions of waterfowl, including black and Canada geese. Many species of ducks also stay in the lagoon’s unfrozen waters throughout the winter. However, hunting in western Alaska is not for the faint of heart, as you often have to brave wind, rain, fog, and cold temperatures to harvest these coveted species.
When considering fall hunting plans, don’t forget about Alaska’s waterfowl hunting opportunities. You can plan a waterfowl hunting weekend between caribou and moose seasons or duck hunting in December or even January in southwest Alaska. To prepare, be sure to purchase a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp and an Alaska Waterfowl Conservation Stamp along with your hunting license, and remember to check the waterfowl hunting regulations.
Coastal
With its extensive coastline, Alaska is a mecca for waterfowl hunters who want to hunt sea ducks. Sea ducks are ocean-dwelling diving birds that breed primarily in the high latitudes of Canada and Alaska. They have specialized bills for feeding on mollusks and crustaceans from the ocean floor and for catching fish. Hunters often target sea ducks for their colorful breeding plumage.
- Species found in Alaska include:
- Harlequin ducks
- Long-tailed ducks
- Barrow and common goldeneyes
- Eiders (both common and king varieties are available)
- Scoters (Black, Surf, and White-winged)
- Comb ducks (common and red-breasted)
Popular locations for hunting sea ducks include Prince William Bay, Kachemak Bay, and Kodiak Island, as well as many other locations in Southeast Alaska. Coastal areas can provide opportunities to hunt from rocky shorelines via decoy lines or from a set-up boat. Many hunters choose to hunt with a waterfowl guide who has specialized equipment (ocean boat, rigging boat, decoy line) and knowledge of the tides and area. For a list of registered waterfowl guides, visit the ADFG website.
Hunting Regulations and Preparation
The annual process for establishing migratory bird hunting regulations begins in January and ends in September. For management and regulation purposes, Alaska has 26 game management units divided into five migratory bird hunting areas. The first thing to do before heading out is to determine which game management unit you will hunt in and then find the corresponding area. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and shooting times for that area and purchase the appropriate stamps and licenses. Special permits may be required to hunt certain species (e.g., swans) or in specific areas (e.g., the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge). Be aware of special restrictions and legal hunting methods.
Remember to use non-toxic ammunition when hunting waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and plovers; you may not carry lead ammunition when hunting migratory birds. Also, learn about federal regulations regarding transport and handling, possession and tagging, and additional hunting methods. All of these are outlined in the Alaska Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. For complete federal hunting regulations, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Law Enforcement Division, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503, phone (907) 786-3311. Dog trainers and hound clubs should be aware of regulations regarding the use of birds for training purposes.
Hunting Guides and Equipment
If you are new to the state or a non-resident, you may find that hiring a migratory bird hunting guide would be a good idea. Sea duck hunters may want to visit the Sea Duck Joint Venture website to learn about sea duck biology and management throughout North America. Goose hunters may want to visit the Arctic Goose Joint Venture website to learn about the current status of the goose population.
Migratory birds are often banded or collared for scientific research. They are legal to hunt. However, if you catch a marked animal, you must notify the Alaska Department of Fish and Game or USFWS. Reporting bird bands is easy and informative. Bird bands provide valuable data on the origin, movement, and age of ducks and geese. You can keep the bands, and you will receive a certificate that shows the date and location each bird was originally banded.
Waterfowl hunting requires more equipment than most other types of hunting. A little pre-season preparation can prevent a frustrating opening day: Tailor those decoys and rig them for the type of water you will be hunting. Thoroughly inspect and test your boat and motor before heading out into the field.
Shooting multiple trap or skeet rings will help you hone your skills and, especially when combined with the use of a well-trained retriever, will reduce your chances of serious losses. Above all, know your birds. Shooting an illegal or non-target species is not only embarrassing, but can result in fines, loss of equipment and hunting privileges.
