I remember my first early-season teal hunt well. I was lucky enough to hunt a ranch near El Campo, Texas, and the dark shadows of bluewings buzzed the pale sky on the first morning. The birds were so small and quick that hitting them was a challenge. But there were so many of them that our whole group limited out before 10 a.m.—and all of the birds made for great table fare.
For many waterfowl hunters, early-season teal is the traditional start of duck hunting season. But not everywhere has a dedicated window to target the early migrations of bluewing, greenwing, and, if you’re lucky, cinnamon teal in September. Many of us have to travel to do so. Here are the best states to consider.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s rice fields and shallow coastal marshes historically offer some of the best early-season teal hunting in the country—and there is ample access even for the freelance hunter. This season, states in the Mississippi River Flyway had to cut their early season teal season from 16 days to just 9 due to declining populations. Even so, Louisiana is a great place to get into birds in September.
Texas
South Texas is a widely renowned hotspot for early-season blue-winged teal hunting. Again, rice fields and shallow coastal marshes are the best spots. Much of the surface water in prime bluewing areas is locked up by clubs and lodges, but it’s definitely worth it if you get the opportunity to hunt there.
Florida
The Sunshine State has a short but sweet five-day early-season teal hunt, which can make for some of the most productive waterfowling in the state. A unique part of the experience is that wood ducks are also open for this short season, offering the rare chance at a mixed-bag hunt in September.
Wisconsin
Historically, early-season teal hunts were concentrated in the South. But in recent years, the opportunity has gained popularity in more northern states such as Wisconsin, which has one of, if not the earliest, teal seasons in the country. Here, you can likely get into some of the same birds that will be in Louisiana a couple of weeks later. The most well-known areas to target greenwings and bluewings are in the backwaters of the Mississippi, which is on the western edge of the state.
Missouri
Missouri has a ton of great teal habitat and opportunity for both freelance and club hunters to target them. You can get into flocks of teal throughout most of the state, from the sand bars of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to state-managed wetlands to backwaters of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs.