Afternoon Duck Hunt on Laguna Madre
Private Trip
Active hunting
Four-hour afternoon hunt targeting Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, and RedheadPrivate land access with experienced Guide Jacob OldenburgSmall groups of 2-4 hunters for personalized hunting experience
Get ready for some serious waterfowl action on the legendary Laguna Madre with Guide Jacob Oldenburg and Code 3 Guide Services. This isn't your typical morning hunt – we're talking afternoon duck hunting at its finest, starting at 2:00 PM when the birds are moving and the action heats up. You'll be hunting private land along this world-class stretch of water near Corpus Christi, targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized ducks. Whether you're looking to share the experience with fellow hunters or want the whole spread to yourself, this 4-hour hunt delivers the goods every time.
This top-rated afternoon hunt kicks off at 2:00 PM – perfect timing for hunters who want to sleep in or those looking to add an evening hunt to their trip. Jacob runs a tight operation with 2-4 hunters max, keeping groups small so everyone gets quality shooting opportunities. The private property along Laguna Madre gives you exclusive access to prime feeding areas where ducks have been working for generations. You'll meet up near Laguna Shores Road in Corpus Christi, then head out to the blind setup. At $250 per hunter, you're getting guide expertise, decoy spreads, and prime real estate that produces results. Keep in mind the 7-day cancellation policy – Jacob's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak migration periods, so weather delays and last-minute changes can leave him high and dry.
Laguna Madre is shallow, salty, and absolutely loaded with the aquatic vegetation and invertebrates that ducks crave. The afternoon timing works because birds that have been loafing and feeding all morning start moving again as temperatures cool and winds shift. Jacob knows how to read these patterns and sets up accordingly. The terrain here is mostly shallow flats with deeper potholes and channels where ducks rest between feeding sessions. You'll be hunting from well-concealed blinds positioned along flyways and feeding areas. The salt water means different vegetation than freshwater marshes – lots of shoal grass and widgeon grass that attract divers and dabblers alike. Wind direction matters huge here since birds use the prevailing southeast winds to work the flats. Jacob's got decades of experience reading how ducks move across this system, and he'll position the spread to take advantage of natural flight patterns.
Redheads are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre duck hunting, and for good reason. These chunky divers love the shallow, salty waters here more than just about anywhere else on the continent. Redheads dive for aquatic vegetation, especially shoal grass, and they'll work decoy spreads aggressively when set up right. Bulls can push 2.5 pounds and are absolute rockets when they're flying – fast, direct, and committed once they decide to work your blocks. Peak season runs October through January, with some of the best action happening during cold front pushes when birds pile in from the north. What makes hunting them so exciting is their tendency to flock up in big groups, so when you find them, you really find them.
Northern Pintails are the elegance of the duck world, with those long necks and sleek profiles that make them unmistakable in flight. These dabblers are smart cookies – they'll circle high and wide, checking out your setup before committing. Drakes can reach 2+ pounds and are absolute table fare champions. Pintails love the shallow areas of Laguna Madre where they can tip up and feed on seeds and vegetation. They're early migrants, often showing up in September and staying through February. The key to hunting them is patience – they'll make multiple passes, and the shot opportunities come fast once they decide to drop in. Their rapid wingbeats and distinctive profile make them a favorite target for hunters who appreciate technical shooting.
Cinnamon Teal might be smaller than the other targets, but they're customer favorites for their beauty and challenging flight patterns. These gorgeous ducks are actually more common here than most people realize, especially during fall migration. Drakes in breeding plumage are stunning with that rich cinnamon color, while hens show subtle mottled browns. They typically weigh 12-16 ounces, but what they lack in size they make up for in speed and agility. Cinnamon Teal love the same shallow, vegetation-rich waters as the bigger ducks, and they'll often come in mixed flocks with other species. September through November offers the best chances, and they're known for erratic flight patterns that keep hunters on their toes.
Jacob Oldenburg and Code 3 Guide Services have built a reputation on Laguna Madre for putting hunters on birds when it matters. This afternoon hunt format gives you flexibility in your schedule while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's premier waterfowl species. The private land access, small group sizes, and Jacob's local knowledge create the perfect recipe for a memorable hunt. Whether you're a seasoned waterfowler looking to add new species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class duck hunting in one of Texas's most renowned locations, this trip delivers. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of shooting opportunities without the marathon commitment of all-day hunts. Book your spot now – prime dates fill up fast, and with only 4 hunters max per trip, availability stays tight throughout the season.
Cinnamon Teal are smaller ducks, usually around 1 pound, but they're real gems to hunt in the Laguna Madre system. These birds love shallow, marshy areas with plenty of vegetation - think 6 inches to 2 feet of water around grass lines and pond edges. They're most common here during spring and early fall migration, with September and March being prime months. The males show off that beautiful cinnamon-red coloring that gives them their name. What hunters love about teal is their speed and agility - they fly fast and twist through the air like little fighter jets. They're also fantastic eating, probably the best-tasting duck you'll find. Cinnamon teal respond well to movement and splashing in your decoy spread. Pro tip: use a spinner or jerk cord to create ripples. These birds are curious and will often circle back for a second look if your setup looks lively enough.
Northern Pintails are elegant, long-necked ducks that really stand out in the marsh. These birds run about 1.5-2.5 pounds and have a distinctive profile with those long, pointed tails on the drakes. Around Laguna Madre, you'll find them working the shallow flats and grass beds, especially areas with 1-3 feet of water where they can tip up to feed on seeds and vegetation. Peak season runs October through January when migration really kicks in. Pintails are favorites because they're beautiful birds and surprisingly challenging - they're skittish and have great eyesight. They also make excellent table fare, some of the best eating of any duck. These birds respond well to calling and decoy work when done right. My go-to tip is to use a lot of motion in your spread since pintails like to see activity. Also, watch the wind direction - they almost always land into it, so position accordingly.
Redheads are solid, medium-sized diving ducks that weigh around 2-3 pounds and love the deeper waters of Laguna Madre. These birds prefer open bay areas where they can dive down 6-10 feet for submerged vegetation and small shellfish. They're most active here during our cooler months from November through February when big rafts move through the area. What makes them special is their wariness - they're smart birds that provide a real challenge compared to other ducks. The drakes have that distinctive rusty-red head that's easy to spot. They taste great on the table too, cleaner than most diving ducks. Best trick I've learned is to watch for them staging in deeper pockets during afternoon winds. When they commit to the decoys, they come in fast and low. Set your spread in at least 4 feet of water and give them plenty of room to work.
Corpus Christi