Weekday Duck Hunting – Finger Lakes NY
Private Trip
Bird hunting
7hour weekday duck hunting trip from 5:30 AM to noonField and water setups targeting waterfowl September through JanuaryAll gear included with guidance for hunters of every skill level
Picture this: you're sitting in a blind at 5:30 AM, watching the sun break over the Finger Lakes as flights of ducks start working the decoys. This 7-hour guided duck hunt with Finger Lakes Outfitters puts you right in the heart of New York's premier waterfowl country. From September through January, these waters see massive migrations of redheads, mallards, wood ducks, and teal moving through the Atlantic Flyway. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to sharpen your skills or a seasoned hunter wanting to try new territory, this weekday hunt delivers consistent action without the weekend crowds. With a maximum of three hunters per trip, you'll get personalized attention from experienced guides who know every pothole and flight pattern on these legendary waters.
Your hunt kicks off before dawn with a quick briefing on safety protocols and the day's game plan. The guides here know these waters like the back of their hand – they've been watching weather patterns, scouting bird movement, and setting up in the prime spots long before you arrive. Depending on conditions, you might find yourself in a shoreline blind overlooking a cattail marsh or set up in a layout boat on open water. The beauty of the Finger Lakes is the variety – one day you're hunting divers coming off the deep water, the next you're calling wood ducks into a secluded creek. All essential gear is provided, including decoys, calls, and blinds, but you'll want to bring your own shotgun, shells, and proper camouflage. The guides will coach you on calling techniques and help you read the birds, making this a learning experience whether you're new to waterfowl or just new to this region. Most hunts wrap up by noon, giving you time to clean your birds and swap stories before heading home.
The Finger Lakes region offers some of the most diverse waterfowl hunting in the Northeast, with deep glacial lakes, shallow bays, and connecting marshlands that attract different species throughout the season. Early season hunts in September focus on resident wood ducks and blue-winged teal in the back bays and creek mouths. As temperatures drop and migration kicks into high gear, you'll see diving ducks like redheads and canvasbacks working the deeper waters, while puddle ducks like mallards and wigeon cruise the shallows looking for food. Wind direction plays a huge role in bird movement here – the guides monitor weather patterns constantly and adjust setups accordingly. On calm days, you might hunt from a permanent blind with a spread of 30-40 decoys. When it's windy, expect to move to protected coves or hunt from layout boats that let you get right in the flight path. The key to success is reading the birds and adapting your strategy. These guides excel at spotting subtle changes in behavior that signal when ducks are ready to commit to the spread versus when they're just looking.
Mallards are the bread and butter of Finger Lakes waterfowl hunting, and for good reason. These adaptable ducks thrive in the region's mix of open water and shallow feeding areas, with peak numbers typically hitting in late October and November. Mature drakes pushing three pounds provide excellent table fare, and their aggressive response to calling makes for exciting hunts. Look for mallards to work the edges during calm mornings and move to protected bays when weather turns rough.
Wood ducks are the early season stars, with resident birds joined by migrants starting in September. These beautiful ducks prefer the quieter backwaters and tree-lined shores that the Finger Lakes provide in abundance. Woodies are notorious for their erratic flight patterns and tendency to flare at the last second, making them a challenging but rewarding target. Early morning and late afternoon hunts near creek mouths and beaver ponds produce the most consistent action.
Redheads showcase the region's reputation for quality diver hunting. These compact, fast-flying ducks typically show up in October and stick around through December, often rafting up in large flocks on the deeper lakes during the day before moving to feeding areas at dawn and dusk. Redheads require different tactics than puddle ducks – longer shots, faster target acquisition, and setups that account for their tendency to circle multiple times before committing.
American Wigeon bring their own unique excitement to Finger Lakes hunts. These medium-sized puddle ducks are notorious for their wariness but respond well to proper calling and decoy placement. Peak wigeon hunting typically occurs during November migration pushes, when large flocks move through the region. Their distinctive whistling call and white-crowned appearance make them easy to identify, and their excellent table quality makes them a favorite among hunters.
Blue-winged Teal provide fast-paced action during the early season, with most birds moving through in September and early October. These small, speedy ducks travel in tight flocks and offer some of the most challenging wing shooting of the season. Their early migration timing means warm weather hunts, making them perfect for hunters who want to extend their season or introduce newcomers to waterfowl hunting without dealing with harsh conditions.
The Finger Lakes region consistently ranks among New York's top waterfowl destinations, and weekday hunts offer the best combination of bird numbers and hunting pressure. With experienced guides, top-notch equipment, and access to prime hunting spots, this trip delivers the kind of quality hunting that keeps hunters coming back season after season. The small group size means personalized instruction and better shooting opportunities, while the 7-hour timeframe allows for multiple setups if birds aren't cooperating in one spot. Whether you're looking to fill your limit, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a day in some of the Northeast's most productive waterfowl habitat, this guided hunt provides excellent value. Remember to bring your hunting license, duck stamp, and HIP certification – then give the captain a call to lock in your dates. Prime hunting slots fill
This 16' G3 hunting boat gets you to prime duck spots across the Finger Lakes with its reliable 25HP Yamaha engine. Built for serious waterfowl hunting, it handles both open water runs and tight marsh access with ease. The spacious layout comfortably fits three hunters plus gear, giving everyone room to set up decoys and take clean shots when birds start working. Perfect for those early morning runs to hidden coves and backwater sloughs where ducks like to feed. The stable platform keeps you steady during those crucial moments when mallards are cupping into your spread.
Wigeon are mid-sized ducks, usually 1.5-2 pounds, known for their distinctive whistling call and white crown patch on drakes. Around here, they stick to shallower bays and marshy areas where they can tip-feed on vegetation and steal food from diving ducks. September and early October give you the best shot at them before most head south. Hunters love wigeon because they're curious birds that respond well to calling, plus they taste great on the table. They're social feeders, so where you find one, you'll often find a dozen. The key with wigeon is patience - they circle multiple times before committing. Keep your wigeon whistle handy and give short, soft calls. Set up near submerged grass beds in 2-4 feet of water for best results.
Blue-wings are small, fast ducks weighing just over a pound, but they make up for size with speed and great eating quality. These early migrants prefer shallow, muddy areas rich with seeds and invertebrates. Your best window is September into early October - after that, most have headed south. Teal hunting is pure adrenaline because they fly in tight flocks at crazy speeds, demanding quick reflexes and good lead. The meat is dark, rich, and considered a delicacy by many hunters. They're not picky about decoys - a small spread works fine. The secret is location: find shallow flats with exposed mud and scattered vegetation. Listen for their soft peeping calls, and when you see a flock, get ready fast - they don't give you much time to think.
Mallards are the bread and butter of duck hunting here - reliable, widespread, and great eating. Drakes hit 2.5-3 pounds while hens run slightly smaller. These adaptable birds work everything from shallow marshes to open lake water, and they'll feed in cut cornfields just as happily. Peak action runs November into December, though we see them all season long. What makes mallards special is their response to calling and their willingness to work decoys. They're forgiving for new hunters but still challenge experienced ones. The trick with mallards is reading their mood - some days they want aggressive calling, other days just soft feeding chuckles. Set a big spread with movement, and don't be afraid to call loud when they're high and distant.
These medium-sized diving ducks are built solid, averaging 2-3 pounds with the males sporting that distinctive rusty-red head and gray back. Redheads prefer deeper waters around our lakes, typically diving 4-10 feet down to feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates. Peak season here runs October through December when migration brings good numbers through the Finger Lakes. They're popular targets because they decoy well and make excellent table fare - some say the best eating duck around. These birds can be picky about weather, so overcast days with a light chop on the water work best. Pro tip: set your decoys in a horseshoe pattern about 25 yards out in 6-8 feet of water, and don't call too much - redheads like it quiet.
Wood ducks are gorgeous birds and probably the most challenging duck we hunt in the Finger Lakes. Drakes in full plumage are stunning, and at 1-2 pounds, they're perfect for the table. These birds love wooded swamps, beaver ponds, and creek mouths with plenty of cover. Early season September hunting is prime time before they get educated. Hunters prize woodies for their beauty and wariness - they test your skills. They're jumpy, fast, and have eyes like hawks. Success comes from concealment and location. Find where they're roosting or feeding and set up tight to cover. Use just a few decoys - half dozen max - and keep them close. Wood ducks don't like open water, so focus on pockets and back channels where overhanging branches create natural funnels.
Finger Lakes