Private Duck and Dove Hunting with Captain Tim
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Two-hour guided duck and dove hunting with Captain Tim KingMorning or afternoon hunts in prime Escambia and Santa Rosa locationsLicensed guide provides decoys and local expertise for productive outings
When you're looking for a solid waterfowl hunt in Northwest Florida, Captain Tim King knows exactly where to put you. His private duck and dove hunts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties give you access to some of the Gulf Coast's most productive hunting grounds without the crowds. Whether you're planning a morning shoot or prefer an afternoon hunt, Tim's 2-hour guided trips are designed around your schedule and the birds' patterns. With decoys and licenses handled for you, all you need to bring is your shotgun, shells, and hunting license. The $500 base rate covers your group, and Tim can accommodate up to 6 hunters total at $150 per additional person. This isn't your typical public land scramble – it's a well-organized hunt with a captain who's been reading these waters and wetlands for years.
Tim's approach to waterfowl hunting focuses on putting you where the birds want to be, not just where they might show up. He scouts these Escambia and Santa Rosa county marshes regularly, tracking flight patterns and feeding areas to set you up in the right spots. Morning hunts typically start before sunrise when ducks are moving from roost to feed, while afternoon sessions capitalize on the evening flight back to roosting areas. The terrain varies from shallow marsh edges to timber holes, depending on what the birds are doing that day. Tim provides a quality spread of decoys – he knows which setups work best for each location and adjusts based on wind, weather, and recent bird activity. You'll hunt from well-positioned blinds or natural cover, and Tim's calling experience helps bring birds into range. The 2-hour window might seem short, but when you're in the right spot with birds moving, it's plenty of time for action.
The hunting grounds Tim works span diverse wetland habitats across both counties. Escambia's coastal marshes offer excellent opportunities when north winds push birds south, while Santa Rosa's inland ponds and sloughs provide more protected hunting when weather gets rough. Tim reads water levels closely – too high and birds scatter across vast areas, too low and they avoid exposed mudflats. He positions hunters based on prevailing winds and sun angles, keeping glare out of your eyes and giving incoming birds the approach they prefer. Shotgun selection matters here; Tim recommends 12 or 20 gauge with modified or improved cylinder chokes for the varied shooting distances you'll encounter. Steel shot is required for waterfowl, and Tim suggests 3-inch shells in BB or #2 shot for ducks, with #6 or #7.5 for doves. The marsh terrain can be soft in spots, so waterproof boots are essential. Tim's local knowledge shows in small details – he knows which ponds hold birds during cold fronts and where doves concentrate when agricultural fields flood.
Mottled ducks are the backbone of Florida waterfowl hunting, and Tim's areas hold solid populations year-round. These non-migratory birds know the marshes intimately, making them challenging but rewarding targets. Mottled ducks pair up early and can be territorial, so Tim uses smaller decoy spreads and subtle calling to avoid spooking them. They're most active during the first and last hours of daylight, making them perfect for Tim's morning and afternoon hunt schedule. Look for them in shallow water areas with good visibility – they're cautious birds that like escape routes.
Fulvous whistling-ducks bring a different dynamic to the hunt with their distinctive calls and unusual flight patterns. These birds are most common during warmer months and prefer deeper marsh areas with emergent vegetation. They're social birds that respond well to calling, and their long legs and necks make them unmistakable in flight. Tim positions hunters near their preferred feeding areas – shallow ponds with soft-stemmed plants they can tip up to reach. Their whistling calls carry far across the marsh, often giving you advance notice of incoming birds.
Black-bellied whistling-ducks are the showstoppers when they appear. These tree-roosting birds have expanded their range into Northwest Florida and offer unique hunting opportunities. They're active during both day and night, making them unpredictable and exciting targets. Tim finds them near wooded wetlands where they can roost in trees between feeding sessions. Their distinctive appearance and behavior set them apart from typical puddle ducks – they're more likely to circle multiple times before committing to decoys, giving hunters several shooting opportunities.
Wood ducks add beauty and challenge to any hunt. These nervous, fast-flying birds prefer wooded swamps and beaver ponds with overhead cover. Tim's best wood duck spots feature timber and natural cavities where they feel secure. Wood ducks respond to calling but spook easily, so Tim uses strategic placement and minimal movement. Their speed and agility through trees demands quick shooting and good gun handling. Early morning hunts often produce the best wood duck action as they move between roosting and feeding areas in predictable patterns.
Captain Tim's private duck and dove hunting delivers the kind of quality experience that keeps hunters coming back season after season. His knowledge of Escambia and Santa Rosa county hunting grounds, combined with proper equipment and strategic positioning, gives you the best shot at a productive hunt. The flexibility of morning or afternoon trips means you can fit a hunt into your schedule, whether you're a local looking for a quick morning shoot or a visitor wanting to experience Florida waterfowl hunting. At $500 for your group with room for additional hunters, it's a solid value for guided hunting with all decoys and setup handled professionally. Tim's reputation for putting hunters on birds speaks for itself – book your hunt today and see why his Northwest Florida waterfowl trips are becoming the area's top choice for serious duck and dove hunters.
Black-bellied whistling-ducks are the showstoppers of our local marshes - medium-sized birds with that bright red bill and distinctive black belly stripe. They love shallow coastal wetlands, flooded timber, and marshy areas where they can wade and feed on seeds and aquatic plants. Peak hunting happens during their fall migration, but we get good action from September through January when they're moving through in family groups. Hunters enjoy them because they're vocal, social birds that respond well to calling, plus they make excellent table fare with a mild, almost teal-like flavor. These ducks are drawn to motion, so adding a jerk cord to your spread works wonders. The trick is using their own eight-note whistle call - they're curious enough to investigate if you get the cadence right. Set up near cypress edges where they like to roost.
Fulvous whistling-ducks are something different - about 18-20 inches of tawny brown with long legs and necks that make them stand out from typical ducks. These guys prefer deeper freshwater areas like flooded rice fields, marshy ponds, and wetlands where they can wade and dabble. They're most active during late summer through early winter, often moving at dawn and dusk in small flocks. What hunters love about them is that distinctive whistling call and their unique appearance - definitely a conversation starter at the cleaning table. They're curious birds but can be skittish once pressured. The secret with fulvous is listening for that three-note whistle and setting up near their preferred feeding spots with plenty of open water. They land differently than other ducks, almost goose-like, so give them room in your spread.
Mottled ducks are our year-round residents here along the Gulf Coast, running about 20-24 inches with that distinctive mottled brown plumage. They stick to shallow freshwater marshes, coastal ponds, and rice fields where they can tip-feed comfortably. Unlike migrating ducks, mottleds are here all season, but early morning and late afternoon hunts during fall and winter produce the best action. What makes them special is they're pure Florida natives - no northern migration needed. They're wary birds with sharp eyes, so calling needs to be subtle. My go-to trick is mixing a few mottled decoys right in with your mallard spread and keeping the calling soft. They respond better to feeding chuckles than loud hail calls. Good eating too, since they feed heavily on native seeds and aquatic plants.
Wood ducks are the prize of our wooded waterways - colorful, medium-sized ducks that prefer secluded creeks, beaver ponds, and flooded timber areas. The drakes are absolutely stunning with that iridescent green head and white markings, while hens sport a more subtle gray-brown pattern. They're most active during early season through December, especially around dawn when they're moving between roosting and feeding areas. Hunters love woodies because they're challenging, beautiful birds that make outstanding table fare - some say the best-eating duck in North America. These birds are jumpy and prefer tight cover, so patience is key. My favorite technique is finding their flight paths between roosting holes and feed areas, then setting up a small spread of woodie decoys in a pocket of calm water. Keep movement minimal and use soft feeding calls only.
Pensacola