Waterfowl Hunting in
Virginia
The Delmarva Peninsula is the wintering grounds for one of the largest, most diverse populations of waterfowl found anywhere, including the largest concentration of Greater Snow Geese in the country.
The lower portion of the Peninsula is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Chesapeake Bay. The inland is sparsely populated and consists mainly of farmland and timber.
The Seaside of the peninsula, from Ocean City, MD south to the mouth of the Chesapeake is a series of barrier islands. With the exception of a small navel facility just South of Chincoteague, these islands are undeveloped and consist primarily of wildlife refuges. These refuges, along with the marsh and bays that separate them from the mainland, provide excellent habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl. Birds typically found in the area include Gadwall, Widgeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Blackduck, Dippers, Atlantic Brant, Snow Goose, Shell duck, Hairhead, Oldsquaw and Scoter. Other regulars include Canada goose, Blue Goose, Bluebill, Bluewing and Greenwing Teal. We do encounter Cans, Redhead, Goldeneye, and Eider but not on a regular basis.
There is such a wide variety of birds and such a vast area, if one thing is not working there is bound to be something that will. If the Puddle Ducks aren't flying, the bays are full of Divers and the sounds have plenty of Sea Ducks. Snows normally fly to the fields in late morning and return near last light. Redbreasted, common and hooded Mergansers travel the creeks in search of moving schools of bait fish. Atlantic Brant move with the tide and regardless of what the weather does there is going to be a change of tide. One of the advantages of hunting the coast is the tidal movement. These tidal changes cause most of the waterfowl to move throughout the day. The big ducks will use the open bay at low tide, then move throughout the day. Divers seek their preferred depths throughout the bay as the tide changes and even Sea Ducks will move when different tidal currents disrupt their feeding. Unfortunately severe high or low tides can seriously affect the hunting by restricting your ability to get to certain blinds or by covering the marsh and flooding out many blinds. But, as mentioned before, with the wide variety of waterfowl in the area there is always a "Plan B".
Hunting the saltwater marshes is very different than the flooded timber and grain fields inland. There are seldom any trees, bushes or banks to hide behind. Most blinds are constructed in the open marsh, where marsh grass is seldom over one foot high. Hunters must be well camouflaged, stay very still and rely on decoys and their location. The location must be right for the wind, tide, temperature, and species of birds you are hunting. Calling is not a "Thing" in this area. Mallards are a domestic bird on the lower shore. They waddle through town and congregate in the harbors. You can blow the horn in your vehicle and a mallard will come, but I have yet to see someone successfully call a Black Duck. I have had a few hunters that think they called in a duck and many more that have scared everything out of the marsh but the seagulls. Some exceptions to my calling theory are Canada geese, Snow Geese and Divers. One thing that helps in calling these birds is that they are relatively easy to identify. Blowing a mallard call at a Widgeon is like talking Chinese in a Mexican restaurant, nobody knows what is going on. Canada Geese are large, noisy and easy to identify. Divers fly low over open water and all seem to speak about the same language, and even I can identify a Snow Goose. With a little practice all 3 birds call well at a distance, but as soon as the birds see your spread you are best to leave it alone.
The early part of the season, from mid Nov. through most of December, usually offers the most shooting. Although we have killed all the species mentioned on opening day, you are more likely to encounter Brant, Black Duck, Dippers, Snow Geese and Mergansers. This is a great time to work your dog, enjoy the weather and work on your pass shooting. Some of our best hunting this time of year takes place on 60 degree days with a light breeze. As the season progresses the mix of birds improve and they often have better color. It is usually a tougher hunt in the late season, but severe weather can make smart birds do dumb things. Cold and wind can help in the late season, rain never helps.
If you decide to hunt the lower eastern shore I recommend you use a guide, for 2 reasons. First, the bays are a very unforgiving place in the winter. The shallow bays which are covered with combination of oyster rock, sandbars and soft mud, are difficult to navigate for even the local watermen. Add the unpredictability of winter storms and the possibility of unusually high or low tides to a very desolate area and you could be spending a lot more time in the marsh than you expected. The second reason is that I run a guide service and I feel we will both do a lot better if you come with us.
