Urban-dwelling duck and goose hunters don't have to go far to encounter birds and a spirit that are truly wild.
As we burrowed deeper into our blind to ward off the wind and cold, it seemed we were a million miles from civilization. The only sounds were the distant chatter of geese and the steady drone of the wind. It was just my hunting partner, our guide, and me.
Just before the first snow geese decoyed in, I glanced over my shoulder and was momentarily taken aback by the bright lights of Atlantic City, New Jersey. I shouldn't have been-considering I had rolled dice on the crap tables and played blackjack there the night before. However, the serenity of the moment made me feel as if I was in some remote marsh. In reality, I was a relative stone's throw from the bright lights and glitz of a major tourist center.
Quality waterfowl hunting is available within 60 miles of a surprising number of major population centers all across the United States. From the Atlantic Seaboard to the Pacific Coast and many points in between, there's plenty of waterfowl hunting close to where most of us live. This fast and eminently accessible sport is enjoyed by a handful of hunters who have learned the areas, carefully watch the weather, and strike at a moment's notice when the conditions are right. The rewards are heavy duck straps and good bags of geese-often before a day at work.
The following is a rundown of some of the most popular, accessible, and productive urban waterfowl hunting areas in the United States.
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Each year the salt marshes, tidal flats, and estuaries just outside of booming Atlantic City become the fall home for more than 30,000 snow geese, up to 25,000 brant, and many thousands of black ducks, mallards, and scaup.
The primary hunting areas are the salt marshes and bays of 42,000-acre Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and several nearby wildlife management areas (WMAs) operated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game. The birds roost on the Refuge, then make daily flights to the salt meadows and estuaries to feed. Many of these areas are open to public hunting, and a decoy spread along with some good calling often result in excellent bags. Access is by boat, and though many hunters go it on their own, several guides are available to help waterfowlers through the maze of tide channels and provide the necessary equipment.
For information on public hunting, contact Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (609652-1665) or the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game (609-292-2965). For guided hunts, contact Kurtz Guide Service (609-748-3463) or John Cavileer (609-652-7302).
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Thoughts of Alaska usually conjure up visions of vast wilderness, snow-capped peaks, and endless expanses of tundra. And thoughts of hunting in Alaska generally center on big game, not waterfowl. Yet only 20 minutes by float plane from Alaska's largest city lies some of North America's best waterfowling.
The key areas are the Susitna and Palmer flats, both a short flight across Cook Inlet from Anchorage. During the early fall, significant waterfowl populations stop over to feed and rest on their way south. Pintails, mallards, and wigeon are the most common ducks, lesser Canadas and whitefronts the most prevalent geese.
Many hunters spend a couple of days on the flats and stay in duck shacks set on stilts that put them above the high-tide line. In this region of Alaska, the tidal variation between low and high water is as much as 30 feet. Most of the shacks are privately owned and not available to the public; however, a number of them are owned by the flying services in Anchorage and can be used in conjunction with an air charter. Day hunts also are possible-hunters fly from Anchorage in the morning and return in late afternoon. Weather is always a factor, and you must be prepared to spend the night if the flying weather turns sour.
The biggest drawback in hunting the flats is a short season-not because of the regulations but because of early freeze-up. To book air charters, contact Ketchum Air Service (907-243-5525) or Regal Air (907243-8535). For general information, contact the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce (907-272-2401) or telephone the Alaska Division of Tourism (907-465-2010).
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Houston is the gateway to some of the best snow goose hunting in North America. And with snow goose populations bursting at the seams, the season is long, opening November 1 and closing in mid-February, and the limit is 10 birds daily, 40 in possession.
The major goose hunting areas near Houston are Katy Prairie, about 35 miles due west of the city, and the region near Eagle Lake, a few miles farther southwest. The region is dominated by agriculture, with rice a primary crop. The abundant food and numerous roosting ponds attract an estimated one million birds, mostly snows along with some Ross, Canada, and white-fronted geese.
In this region of Texas there are no public shooting areas, and because goose hunting is big business, very few properties can be hunted merely by asking permission. As a result, most of the prime hunting areas are leased by guides who provide private land access, massive decoy spreads, and callers.
For information on guided hunts, call Larry Gore's Katy Prairie Outfitters (281391-6100), Clifton Tyler's Goose Hunting Club (409-732-6502), or Texas Waterfowl Outfitters (800-899-2650). For a complete list of guides, contact the Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce (409-234-2780). PORTLAND, OREGON
With a population of more than half a million, Portland easily qualifies as a major urban center in the Pacific Northwest. Yet only a 30-minute drive from downtown is Sauvie Island. The island, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, covers about 45 square miles of farmland and marshes. Big-water roosting areas on the rivers complement the marshes found inland.
As a result of the excellent habitat and relatively mild winter weather, Sauvie Island is a haven for waterfowl. Each winter some 60,000 to 70,000 ducks (mostly mallards, pintails, wigeon, and greenwing teal) and 40,000 to 50,000 geese (primarily Canadas) winter there.
There are two options for hunting: Join one of the more than two dozen private duck clubs found there or hunt on the public area. For most, the public area is the logical choice. The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (WA), owned and managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, encompasses more than 12,000 acres. The area is a mix of seasonal and permanent marshes, and each year more than 800 acres of grain are planted to attract waterfowl.
Hunting is permitted on the East and West units on alternate days throughout the season, and a hunter quota is in place. Additionally, the North unit is open daily, and there is no quota. There is no fee to hunt; however, a parking permit ($3 a day or $10.50 for the season) is required and can be purchased from local sporting-goods stores. The area can be crowded on opening weekend, but hunting pressure is surprisingly light during the week.
For information on public hunting opportunities, call Sauvie Island WA (503621-3488). To obtain additional information, call the Portland Chamber of Commerce (503-228-9411).
SALT LAKE CITY UTAH
Few places in the U.S. have closer, more easily accessible waterfowl hunting than Salt Lake City. A hunter can be in prime marshes with greenwing teal and mallards hurtling over the decoys in less than a 30-minute drive from the city center. Hunter access is gained either through private duck clubs or several public areas operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife.
Though there are numerous public areas on the east shore of Great Salt Lake, Farmington Bay, Ogden Bay, and Howard Slough WAs are the closest to Salt Lake City. Public hunting is allowed there seven days a week from opening day until the end of the season. However, the most consistent action is from opening day until the usual mid-November freeze. Mallards, pintails, teal, shovelers, and Canada geese account for the majority of birds bagged on the east side of the big lake.
In addition to hunting the public areas on your own, you might choose to hire one of several guides who operate on both public and private land near Salt Lake City. For information on the public areas, contact the Utah Division of Wildlife (801-538-4700). To book a guided hunt, contact Garen Hyer Guide Service (801-734-0661) or Three Green Outfitters (801-946-2876).
SACRAMENTO. CALIFORNIA
It seems incongruous that the capital of the most populous state in the Union is situated close to some of that state's best waterfowling. But most people don't realize that much of the area surrounding Sacramento is still in agriculture. And when you consider that California is the winter home for more than 60 percent of the Pacific Flyway's waterfowl, you have the ingredients for topnotch hunting.
