In much of the country, duck hunting seasons wind down in early and mid-January. But in some places, the season extends all the way through the end of January—and the late-season can make for some of the best hunts of the year. If you’re looking to sneak in one last hurrah before the buzzer rings on this year’s duck season or are just curious about where birds are still getting killed, here are some awesome late-season destinations to consider.
1. Best Late-Season Mallard Hunting: Idaho
Idaho holds a ton of greenheads during the winter, particularly along its various tailwaters, which stretch across the southern portion of the state. There are plenty of WMAs to hunt, not to mention the rivers, as well as top-notch private lodges and clubs. Put in the work on public land, and you may just find a greenhead small water shoot that every hunter dreams about.
2. Best Late-Season Pintail Hunting: California’s Central Valley
If you’re aiming to kill a bull sprig, head to California’s Central Valley, which is often thick with them in mid and late January. While public hunting here isn’t easy, there are plenty of public refuges that you can snag reservations for or enter through the sweat line. As for private hunting, flooded rice fields are the ticket. Other than pintails, expect a mixed bag including teal, wigeon, spoonies, and more. Specks and snows can be killed on dry fields, too.
3. Best Late-Season Timber Hunting: Arkansas
For late-season timber hunting, Arkansas reigns supreme. While waterfowl managers in other states in the region have taken to flooding timber, Arkansas is where this style of hunting originated, and it remains a popular destination for both public and private hunters—for good reason. There’s plenty of access, and the agriculture in the area surrounding Stuttgart holds birds well into January.
4. Best Late-Season Teal Hunting: New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley
New Mexico is another state that isn’t always an easy place to duck hunt, but the shooting can get really, really good along the southern Rio Grande Valley in late January, where it’s possible to actually shoot all three species of teal in one day, because bluewings and cinnies have already started migrating back up north. There’s plenty of public access along the Rio Grande and adjacent wildlife refuges, too.
5. Best Late-Season Mixed Bag Hunting: Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana is a hotspot for wintering birds in the Mississippi River Flyway. Here, a wide variety of ducks can be targeted in the late season, from canvasbacks, ringnecks, and other divers on Catahoula Lake and the Mississippi River to dabbling ducks in the surrounding shallow wetlands. For a late-season mixed bag with serious variety, head here.