Colorado Waterfowl Hunting with Big Thompson
Shared Trip
Active hunting
Guided waterfowl hunting on exclusive private Colorado landsHeated blinds and professional decoy setups included dailyExpert guides scout locations for optimal duck hunting
Picture this: you're tucked into a heated blind before dawn, watching the first light creep across Colorado's pristine wetlands as flocks of ducks and geese start moving. That's exactly what you'll get with Big Thompson Outfitters' top-rated waterfowl hunting experience. We're talking serious hunting over private lands with guides who know these birds like the back of their hand. This isn't some run-and-gun public land scramble – it's a carefully orchestrated hunt designed to put you in the best possible position for success. Our daily scouting ensures we're always one step ahead of the birds, and with heated blinds keeping you comfortable all day long, you can focus on what matters: making clean shots when those wings start cupping.
Your day starts early with a hearty breakfast that'll fuel you through the morning flight. We're not talking gas station coffee and stale donuts – this is a proper meal that gets you ready for what's ahead. Once we're geared up and briefed on the day's strategy, we head out to blinds that have been set based on the previous day's scouting reports. Our guides are out there every single day reading the birds, tracking weather patterns, and adjusting setups accordingly. The blinds themselves are comfortable and heated with propane heaters, so you won't be shivering through those crucial moments when a flock is working your spread. We run professional-grade decoy spreads that are adjusted throughout the season based on bird behavior and migration patterns. This is single-hunter capacity, which means you get personalized attention and instruction from your guide. Between the morning and evening flights, we'll head back for lunch and give you a chance to rest up, share stories, and get ready for the afternoon action. Dinner caps off each day with good food and the kind of hunting talk that makes these trips memorable long after you've headed home.
Colorado waterfowl hunting is all about reading the landscape and understanding how birds use different types of water throughout the day. We hunt primarily over private lands that include everything from shallow potholes to larger impoundments, each offering different advantages depending on conditions. Early morning hunts typically focus on roost sites where birds have spent the night, while afternoon setups target feeding areas and travel corridors. Our decoy spreads are tailored to the specific water we're hunting – smaller, more intimate setups on potholes, and larger spreads on bigger water. Wind direction plays a huge role in blind placement, and our guides excel at reading how birds will approach based on prevailing conditions. We use a combination of mallard blocks, pintail decoys, and canada goose floaters depending on what species are moving through the area. Motion is key – we run several spinners and jerk rigs to add that realistic movement that pulls birds from long distances. Calling technique varies throughout the season, from aggressive hail calls early on to more subtle feeding chuckles and moans later in the year when birds have heard it all. Your guide will work with you on reading bird body language – those subtle signs that tell you whether a flock is committed or just passing through. Shot placement and range estimation are critical skills we'll help you develop, especially when birds are working in less-than-perfect light conditions.
Mallards are the bread and butter of Colorado waterfowl hunting, and for good reason. These birds are smart, adaptable, and absolutely gorgeous when they're cupping into your decoys with their wings locked. Drakes in full breeding plumage are something special – that iridescent green head catching the early morning light never gets old. Mallards respond well to calling throughout the season, though they get increasingly wary as hunting pressure mounts. They're found on virtually every type of water, from small farm ponds to large reservoirs, making them the most reliable target throughout the season. Peak mallard hunting typically runs from mid-October through December, with birds constantly filtering through as northern populations push south ahead of freezing conditions.
Canada geese are the other major target species, and hunting them is an entirely different game. These birds are massive, smart, and incredibly vocal. When a flock of honkers commits to your spread, the sound alone will raise every hair on your arms. Canadas require different decoy setups – typically larger spreads with family groups positioned to look like birds that are comfortable and feeding. Their calling is deeper and more resonant than duck calling, and timing is everything. Get too aggressive too early and they'll flare off at 200 yards. But work them right, and they'll sail in with their wings cupped and feet down like they own the place. Peak goose hunting often extends later into the season than ducks, as these hardy birds can tolerate much colder conditions.
Pintails are the speed demons of the duck world, and when they're moving through Colorado, they provide some of the most challenging and rewarding hunting you'll find anywhere. These birds are fast, wary, and absolutely beautiful – the drakes with their chocolate-brown heads and elegant white neck stripes are truly something special. Pintails typically move through Colorado during peak migration periods in October and November, often traveling in smaller groups than mallards. They respond well to calling but can be extremely particular about decoy placement and blind concealment. When conditions are right and pintails are in the area, it's some of the most exciting waterfowl hunting you'll experience.
This is world-class waterfowl hunting at its finest – the kind of experience that hunters talk about for years afterward. With daily scouting, heated blinds, expert guides, and three solid meals included, we've taken care of every detail so you can focus on the hunting. The single-hunter capacity means you get personalized instruction and won't be competing with other hunters for shots. Whether you're looking to fill your limit on greenheads, work a flock of honkers, or chase the speed and beauty of pintails, this hunt delivers the goods. Colorado's waterfowl hunting is legendary for goo
Colorado