Texas Duck Hunts on Corpus Christi's Land Cut
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Guided duck hunts targeting redheads, pintail, and puddle ducksMorning hunts on Land Cut with freshwater lake options$250 per hunter with 3gun minimum requirement
Captain Ryan's Guide Services runs some of the best duck hunting on the Texas coast, targeting prime waterfowl during peak migration through Corpus Christi's legendary Land Cut. When redheads, pintail, and mixed puddle ducks are moving through, this is where you want to be. We've got the local knowledge to put you on birds whether they're working the saltwater cuts or hitting freshwater spots and flooded timber when conditions call for it.
These Land Cut hunts are morning-only affairs, and for good reason - that's when the ducks are moving. You'll be hunting prime real estate where the Intracoastal Waterway cuts through some of Texas's most productive waterfowl habitat. Redheads love this brackish water zone, and when they're diving and working in big rafts, it's a sight every waterfowler needs to see. We run up to 5 hunters per trip with a 3-gun minimum, so you're guaranteed good company and plenty of shooting opportunities. At $250 per gun, you're getting world-class guiding on water that produces year after year. Don't forget - you'll need to bring your own gun and shells, plus have your hunting license, hunter safety card, and both state and federal duck stamps squared away before we head out.
The Land Cut isn't your typical duck marsh. This is big water with serious current, and reading it right makes all the difference between limiting out and going home empty-handed. We set up based on wind, tide, and where the birds have been working. Some mornings we're hunting points where ducks funnel through natural travel corridors. Other days, we're working shoreline structure where diving ducks raft up to feed. When weather pushes birds off the main cut, we've got backup spots on freshwater lakes and flooded timber that hold different species. The key is staying mobile and reading the birds' behavior. Redheads and pintail don't always play by the same rules as your typical puddle ducks, so having a guide who knows their patterns on this specific water system pays off big time.
Blue-winged Teal are some of the first ducks you'll see during early migration, typically showing up in September and early October. These little rockets fly in tight formations and can turn on a dime, making them a real challenge for wing shooters. They love shallow water and mudflats where they can tip up and feed on seeds and invertebrates. What makes them special here is how they use the Land Cut as a staging area before pushing further south - you'll see massive flocks some mornings that will get your heart pumping.
Gadwall might not win any beauty contests, but they're smart ducks that will test your calling skills. These gray ghosts show up throughout the season and love areas with submerged vegetation. They're talkers, so bringing your best chatter calls makes a difference. Gadwall often decoy best when mixed with other species, and they're surprisingly good eating despite what some hunters think.
Redhead are the crown jewel of Land Cut hunting. These diving ducks build massive rafts in open water, sometimes numbering in the thousands. They're big, tough birds that require good shot placement, and watching a flock work your decoy spread is pure waterfowling magic. Peak redhead hunting typically runs from December through January when northern birds have pushed down to our coastal waters. They dive deep for vegetation and shellfish, so you'll often find them in 6-15 feet of water.
Green-winged Teal are the smallest ducks you'll encounter but don't let size fool you - they're incredibly fast and their tight flocking behavior makes for exciting shooting. They show up early in the season and again during late migration. Green-wings love calm mornings and shallow areas with good cover. Their whistling wings and quick turns keep hunters on their toes, and they're fantastic table fare.
American Wigeon, also called baldpate by old-timers, are grazers that love areas where they can feed on aquatic vegetation. They're vocal birds with distinctive whistling calls, and they often follow diving ducks to steal food that's been brought to the surface. Wigeon decoy well to motion and calling, and they're common throughout the season. They're also some of the best-eating ducks you'll find, especially birds that have been feeding on sea grass.
Texas duck hunting on the Land Cut isn't something you experience everywhere. Captain Ryan's Guide Services has the local knowledge, equipment, and access to put you on birds when they're moving through one of the state's top-rated waterfowl areas. Whether you're chasing diving redheads in big water or working mixed bags of puddle ducks in the shallows, this hunt delivers the kind of action that keeps hunters coming back season after season. Morning hunts book fast during peak migration, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot. Bring your gear, bring your appetite for some serious wing shooting, and get ready for duck hunting that showcases why the Texas coast is a customer favorite among serious waterfowlers.
Wigeons are medium-sized puddle ducks with a unique habit that makes them fun to hunt - they're notorious for stealing food from diving ducks, so you'll often find them mixed in with our redhead spreads on the Land Cut. They run about 17-19 inches and have a distinctive whistling call that'll give them away from a distance. Peak season is November through January, and they prefer shallow areas with lots of aquatic vegetation. Unlike other puddle ducks, wigeons graze like geese, often feeding on land near the water's edge. The meat is mild and tender, making them popular with hunters who don't usually like strong-tasting waterfowl. Pro tip: if you see diving ducks working an area hard, stick around - wigeons will often show up to freeload off their efforts, giving you mixed bag opportunities.
Blue-wings are small, fast ducks that show up early in our fall migration, usually by September. They're about 14-16 inches long and love shallow water with plenty of vegetation - perfect for our freshwater spots and marsh edges. These birds are tippers, feeding head-down in water less than a foot deep. They move in tight flocks and can change direction on a dime, making them a real challenge for wingshooters. The meat is dark and rich, some of the best table fare you'll find. Peak hunting is September through October before they push further south. Pro tip: set up near submerged grass beds where they like to feed, and keep your shots quick - they don't give you much time to think about it.
Gadwells are solid medium-sized ducks, running about 19-21 inches, and they're some of the smartest birds we hunt around here. They prefer our freshwater lakes and flooded timber over saltwater, usually feeding in 2-3 feet of water where they can tip up for submerged plants. Peak season runs November through January when cold fronts push them down from up north. What makes gadwells special is they're incredibly wary - they'll circle your spread multiple times before committing. The payoff is excellent eating with mild, tender meat that doesn't have that strong waterfowl taste. They often travel with other puddle duck species, so you'll usually see mixed bags. Best advice: keep your movement minimal and use a good gadwall hen call - they respond better to subtle calling than aggressive stuff.
Green-wings are the smallest ducks we hunt, only about 12-14 inches, but they're pure dynamite. These little rockets fly in tight bunches and can twist through the air like nothing else out here. They show up later in the season, peaking from December into February, and they love shallow, muddy areas where they can dabble for seeds and small invertebrates. You'll find them in flooded timber, shallow ponds, and marsh edges - anywhere there's cover and food. The meat is outstanding, dark and rich with incredible flavor. What hunters love most is the fast-paced action when a flock decides to work your decoys. They'll make multiple passes, giving you several chances. Key tip: don't oversell them with calling - a few soft quacks and you're done. They're curious birds that'll come investigate if you don't spook them.
Redheads are the bread and butter of our Land Cut hunts - these diving ducks love the deeper, open water where they can work the bottom for clams and aquatic vegetation. They're stocky birds, about 18-20 inches, with the drakes sporting that distinctive rusty red head. Unlike puddle ducks, redheads come in fast and low over the water, often in large flocks that'll give you multiple shot opportunities. Best hunting is December through January when big rafts move through during cold snaps. The meat is excellent - firm and flavorful without being too strong. These birds commit hard to decoys once they decide to work, but they can be picky about wind and weather conditions. Set your spread in 4-6 feet of water and use plenty of decoys - redheads like to see numbers before they'll drop in.
Corpus Christi, TX