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Expert-Guided Duck Hunting in Finger Lakes, NY
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Finger Lakes
- Updated Date: January 19, 2026
Summary
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Duck Hunt Action
Pro Anglers Duck Hunt – Finger Lakes NY
When you're ready to experience some of the best waterfowl hunting in New York, this 7-hour guided duck hunt in the Finger Lakes region delivers exactly what serious hunters are looking for. Starting at 5:30 AM sharp and running until noon, you'll be targeting prime ducks during their most active feeding periods. Our experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand and will set you up for success whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started. Available September through January when the birds are moving through, this top-rated hunting experience accommodates up to 3 hunters per trip, so you get personalized attention and plenty of shooting opportunities.
Inside the Hunt
This isn't your typical sit-and-wait hunt. We mix things up with both field setups and water-based blinds depending on weather conditions and bird movement patterns. Your guide will scout the area beforehand and position you where the ducks want to be, not just where it's convenient. The Finger Lakes region creates perfect flyways for migrating waterfowl, and we take full advantage of these natural corridors. You'll be hunting from well-concealed blinds with proper wind consideration, and our guides handle all the calling and decoy placement to bring birds within range. All essential hunting gear is provided, including shotguns if needed, decoys, and blinds. Just bring your hunting license, duck stamp, and proper cold-weather gear – trust me, those early morning starts can be chilly, but that's when the action happens.
Tracking Tips & Terrain
The Finger Lakes offer diverse hunting environments that keep things interesting throughout the season. We hunt everything from shallow marshes and cattail-lined shores to open water points and agricultural fields near the lakes. Your guide reads weather patterns, wind direction, and bird behavior to determine the best setup for each day. Early season hunts often focus on local birds using traditional water setups, while later in the season we might move to field hunting as ducks feed on waste grain. Decoy spreads vary from small, intimate setups for wood ducks in tight cover to large spreads for divers on open water. The key is matching your hunting style to what the birds are doing that particular day. Our guides excel at adjusting tactics on the fly – if the birds aren't responding to one approach, we'll switch it up until we find what works.
Target Game Breakdown
Mallards are the bread and butter of Finger Lakes duck hunting, and for good reason. These large, hardy ducks respond well to calling and provide excellent table fare. Peak mallard hunting runs from October through December when northern birds join the local population. They're smart, so proper concealment and realistic calling are crucial – but when you connect with a flock, the action can be fast and furious.
Wood ducks are hands-down the most beautiful waterfowl you'll encounter here. These colorful ducks prefer wooded areas near water and can be found throughout the season, though early September and October offer the best opportunities before they become more wary. They're fast fliers that require quick reflexes, but landing one of these stunning birds is always a highlight of any hunt.
Blue-winged teal are the speed demons of duck hunting. These small, agile ducks travel in tight flocks and can change direction instantly. They're typically the first ducks to migrate south, making September prime time for teal hunting. When they commit to the decoys, you'll get multiple shots as flock after flock works the spread.
American wigeon, also called baldpate, are grazers that often feed alongside other ducks. They're excellent table fare and provide challenging shooting as they're known for being cautious around decoys. These medium-sized ducks peak during October and November migration periods and add variety to your bag with their distinctive whistling call.
Redheads are the prize divers of the region. These robust ducks prefer deeper, open water and can be challenging to hunt successfully. They dive to feed on aquatic plants and require different hunting strategies than puddle ducks. When conditions are right and redheads are moving, the fast-paced action over big water spreads creates some of the most exciting duck hunting you'll find anywhere.
Book Your Next Tag
This world-class duck hunting experience combines the best of what the Finger Lakes region offers with professional guidance that makes every hunt productive and safe. Whether you're looking to improve your shooting skills, learn new hunting techniques, or just enjoy a day pursuing quality waterfowl, this trip delivers on all fronts. The personal attention you get with small group sizes means more shooting opportunities and better instruction. Plus, hunting these diverse species in their natural habitat provides the kind of authentic experience that keeps hunters coming back season after season. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast during peak migration periods. Call the captain directly to secure your spot and get ready for some of the best duck hunting New York has to offer.
Learn more about the animals
American Wigeon
American Wigeon are medium-sized dabblers that really shine during our early season hunts in September and October. They're around 1.5-2 pounds with a distinctive whistling call that'll give them away from a mile out. These birds love shallow bays and marshy areas where they can tip up to feed on aquatic vegetation. Unlike other dabblers, they're also known for grazing on land, so you'll catch them in flooded fields too. Hunters love wigeon because they decoy easily and make excellent eating - their plant-heavy diet keeps the meat mild and tender. The trick with wigeon is calling them in with their three-note whistle. Most guys overdo it, but a soft, sparse whistle series works better than aggressive calling. They're naturally curious birds.
Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged teal are the speed demons of duck hunting, and they make our early season hunts in September pure excitement. These small birds only weigh about a pound, but they fly in tight flocks at ridiculous speeds that'll test any hunter's reflexes. They prefer shallow water areas with lots of emergent vegetation - think cattail marshes and muddy shorelines where they can dabble for seeds and small invertebrates. Most of them clear out by early October, heading south ahead of the cold weather. Despite their size, blue-wings are fantastic eating with tender, mild meat. The challenge is hitting these rockets as they buzz the decoys. My advice is to shoot where they're going, not where they are. Set your decoys tight to shore in shallow water, and use a teal whistle sparingly - they respond better to movement than calling.
Mallard
Mallards are the bread and butter of our Finger Lakes duck hunting - reliable, tasty, and always willing to work a good spread. These big birds average 2.5-3 pounds and show up everywhere from shallow marshes to open lake water. They're most active during November through December when the northern birds push down from Canada. What makes mallards great for hunters is how they respond to calling and decoys. They're not usually spooky like some species, and they make excellent table fare with rich, flavorful meat. Mallards will work both field setups in the morning and water hunts throughout the day. The key is reading their mood - early season birds are chatty and respond well to aggressive calling, but once hunting pressure picks up, less is more. A few soft quacks and chuckles will bring them in better than heavy calling.
Redhead
Redheads are medium-sized diving ducks that show up consistently on the Finger Lakes, especially during late October through December. These birds run about 2-3 pounds and are built for deep water work - they'll dive down 8-12 feet looking for aquatic plants and small crustaceans. You'll find them in open water areas and around submerged weed beds where the lakes drop off. They're strong fliers that decoy well once you get their attention. The meat is top-notch, some say the best table fare among diving ducks. What makes them tricky is they tend to circle wide before committing to your spread. Set your decoys in a J-hook pattern with the pocket facing downwind - gives them that landing zone they're looking for without spooking on the approach.
Wood Duck
Wood ducks are hands down the most beautiful bird you'll see on our hunts, and they're surprisingly common throughout the Finger Lakes region. These smaller ducks, about 1.5 pounds each, prefer wooded swamps, beaver ponds, and creek backwaters where there's plenty of cover overhead. September and early October are prime time before they head south. They're fast, erratic fliers that love to zip through the trees, making them a real challenge for hunters. The drake's colors are something else - looks like someone hand-painted each feather. They taste great too, with meat that's closer to teal than your typical puddle duck. The secret with woodies is hunting the timber early morning. Set up in flooded hardwoods near acorn drops if you can find them. They fly low and quiet, so keep your head on a swivel.
About the G3 Hunting Boat
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 5
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 25
