Port O Connor Duck Hunting with Capt. Scott
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Hunt Bluewinged Teal, Gadwall, Pintail, and Redhead ducksSingle guest capacity ensures personalized bay hunting experienceStay until legal limit reached in prime waterfowl habitat
Looking for some serious waterfowl action in Texas? This bay duck hunt with Capt. Scott puts you right in the heart of Port O'Connor's prime hunting grounds. You'll be targeting blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, pintail, wigeon, redhead, and whatever else is flying through these rich coastal waters. This isn't your typical dawn-to-dusk grind – you control the pace and hunt until you're ready to call it or hit your legal limit. Whether you're a seasoned duck hunter or picking up a shotgun for the first time, Scott knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on birds.
Port O'Connor sits right where Matagorda Bay meets the Gulf, creating a waterfowl highway that ducks have been using for generations. This bay system offers everything from shallow flats to deeper pockets where different species like to work. You'll be hunting from strategic positions that Scott has scouted over years of guiding in these waters. The beauty of this hunt is the flexibility – some days the action starts early and stays hot, other days it picks up later when the birds start moving with weather changes. Scott reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly. The intimate one-on-one setup means you get personalized instruction and won't be competing with other hunters for shots. You'll learn to read bird behavior, improve your calling, and pick up field skills that'll make you a better hunter no matter where you chase ducks.
Bring your own shotgun, steel shot in sizes 2 and 4, and make sure your hunting license and duck stamp are current – Texas Parks and Wildlife doesn't mess around with compliance. The steel shot requirement protects the bay ecosystem while still dropping birds cleanly when you do your part. Size 2 works great for bigger ducks like redheads and pintail, while size 4 is perfect for teal that come in fast and require quick follow-up shots. The terrain here is classic Texas coastal marsh – shallow bays, grass flats, and protected coves that ducks use for feeding and resting. You'll be working areas where freshwater meets salt, creating the kind of habitat that holds birds and keeps them coming back. Scott positions hunters based on wind direction, sun angle, and bird flight patterns he's observed. This isn't about sitting in a permanent blind hoping something flies by – it's active hunting where you move to where the ducks want to be.
Blue-winged teal are the speed demons of the duck world, often the first to arrive in good numbers during early season. These smaller ducks fly in tight formations and can turn on a dime, making them a challenging but rewarding target. They love shallow water where they can tip and dabble for aquatic plants and invertebrates. When a flock commits to your spread, they come in fast and low, giving you that heart-pounding moment every duck hunter lives for.
Gadwall might not be the flashiest duck, but they're smart, wary birds that'll test your calling skills. They prefer areas with submerged vegetation and are often found mixed in with other puddle ducks. A mature gadwall drake has subtle but beautiful plumage, and they're excellent table fare. These ducks often work decoys methodically, circling and looking for the perfect landing spot.
Green-winged teal are the smallest North American duck but pack huge personality. They're incredibly fast flyers and tend to travel in larger flocks than their blue-winged cousins. During peak migration, you might see clouds of greenwings working the shallow flats. They're less predictable than other species but incredibly fun to hunt when they're moving.
American wigeon, or baldpate as old-timers call them, are grazers that love areas with abundant aquatic vegetation. They have a distinctive whistle call and often follow diving ducks like redheads to steal food stirred up from the bottom. Wigeon can be incredibly decoy-shy or completely trusting depending on hunting pressure and weather conditions.
Redheads are the prize of many duck hunters – these divers are larger, beautiful birds that provide challenging shooting opportunities. They prefer deeper water than puddle ducks and often require different hunting strategies. When redheads commit to a spread, they come in with purpose, and a drake in full plumage is something you'll remember long after the season ends.
This Port O'Connor duck hunt delivers everything serious waterfowlers want – consistent action, beautiful scenery, and the chance to improve your skills with an experienced guide. Scott's knowledge of local bird behavior and seasonal patterns means you're not just rolling the dice and hoping for the best. You're getting a world-class hunting experience in one of Texas's top-rated waterfowl destinations. The flexible timing lets you make the most of good conditions, and the one-on-one format ensures you get the attention and instruction that makes every shot count. Don't let another season slip by wondering what you missed – grab your gear, get your licenses sorted, and book this hunt. The ducks are flying, and Scott's ready to put you on them.
American wigeon are medium-sized ducks, about 1.5 pounds, that hunters call "baldpate" for the white crown on mature drakes. They prefer shallow bay flats and grass beds where they can tip-feed and graze. These birds are most common here from November through February, especially after cold snaps bring fresh waves down. Wigeon are social birds that often mix with other species, making them a nice bonus when you're hunting diverse areas. They're known for their distinctive whistle call and tendency to decoy readily once they spot your spread. The meat is excellent - clean tasting without being too mild. What I've learned about wigeon is they're creatures of routine. Find their feeding pattern between roosting and feeding areas, and you can intercept them during their daily flights.
Blue-winged teal are fast, compact ducks that weigh about a pound and offer some of the most challenging shots you'll get. They love our shallow bay waters and marsh edges, especially areas with good vegetation. These birds are early migrants, so your best shot at them is September through October when they're moving through in big numbers. They fly in tight formations and can change direction quick as lightning. What makes them special is their speed - seasoned hunters respect the skill it takes to drop one clean. The meat is top-notch too, some say the best eating duck around. Pro tip: set up near feeding areas at first light. They come in low and fast, so lead them more than you think you need to.
Gadwall are medium-sized ducks, around two pounds, that don't get the attention they deserve. They're steady, reliable birds that stick to deeper bay waters and areas with submerged grass beds. You'll find them dabbling in 2-4 feet of water where they can tip down to feed. Peak season here runs November through January when cold fronts push them down from up north. What I like about gadwall is they decoy well and give you clean shots - perfect for newer hunters building confidence. The drakes have subtle but beautiful gray patterns when you get a close look. They're excellent table fare with mild, lean meat that doesn't have that strong waterfowl taste. Watch for them around dawn feeding in the back bays - they're creatures of habit and use the same spots daily.
Green-winged teal are the smallest ducks we hunt, usually under a pound, but they make up for size with pure challenge. These little rockets prefer shallow, protected waters like pond edges and calm back bays. They're late-season birds here - your best hunting is December through January when northern cold really pushes them south. What keeps hunters coming back is the difficulty - they're incredibly fast and agile, making every successful shot feel earned. Despite their small size, they're outstanding eating with tender, mild meat. They travel in tight bunches and can turn on a dime, testing even experienced shooters. The key with greenwings is patience - let them work your decoys instead of taking long shots. They'll often circle back if you don't spook them on the first pass.
Redheads are chunky diving ducks that weigh 2-3 pounds and provide some of our most exciting hunting. These birds stick to the deeper open bay waters, usually 4-8 feet deep, where they dive for grass and mollusks. December and January are prime time when big rafts of them settle into our area for winter. What makes redheads special is they're true divers - when they commit to your decoys, they come in with purpose. Hunters love them because they're substantial birds that feel significant when you connect. The meat is rich and flavorful, though definitely tastes like waterfowl. They can be picky about decoys, so having a good spread matters. My go-to trick is setting up near their roosting areas in the main bay - find where they're spending the night, and they'll fly right over you at shooting light.
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