Sea Duck Hunting in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

While some duck hunts take place in inland locations as ducks migrate for the winter or spring, Cape Cod offers hunters the opportunity to hunt sea ducks along the Massachusetts coast. Some companies offer hunting trips for those who want to hunt the ducks. Experienced guides help hunters find the best spots for hunting.

  1. Season

    • The sea duck hunting season in Cape Cod runs through a majority of the winter. This makes it a cold, wet hunt for those willing to brave the elements. Some of the ducks begin to appear in the middle of October, so those who want to avoid the colder temperatures should hunt early in the season. Hunters are free to shoot the sea ducks through the end of January. The peak of the hunting system ranges from November through January.

    Sea Duck Species

    • Several different species of ducks make the migration from their breeding grounds in Canada to areas such as Cape Cod for the warmth of the water and food. One of the species that most sea duck hunters are interested in is the eider duck. Because of the size of the eider population, hunters in Cape Cod are limited to four per person, with just one female. Other duck species hunted during this time include white wing scooters, old squaw, mallards and wood ducks.

    Hunting Trips

    • Those who don't have a boat or want a guided hunt can purchase a package through a sea duck hunting company. Many of these excursions begin early in the morning. Many of the ducks wake with the sun and begin looking for food, making them easy targets. These excursions are not often all-day excursions. Once each member of the excursion bags his limit, the excursion ends. The benefit of booking a hunting package is taking advantage of the expertise of those who have hunted the area for years.

    Hunting Options

    • Whether you choose to use a guided excursion or go out on your own, you have several options for hunting the sea ducks. Some hunters prefer to hunt from the boat, while others use duck blinds positioned on the beach. Some sea duck hunters also bring along hunting dogs to help. Sea duck decoys draw the ducks out of hiding to allow you easier shots and a higher likelihood of success.