Yes I said it! The state of Washington hands down has the best waterfowl hunting in the country and arguably in the world. By this point, I have already made you feel upset and you are questioning my sanity…but let me explain.

Backstory. Eight years ago, I moved to Whidbey Island from Southwest Idaho where I grew up hunting corn fields and the Snake River in pursuit of huge Canada geese and tornados of mallards. When I arrived here, I was instantly blown away from the species of ducks I had passed on the highway.

ON THE HIGHWAY!

I’m talking stud Pintail drakes, Eurasian Wigeon, drake shovelers and mallards. Just to name a few.

Fast-forward to today, 20 February 2023, I have now hunted my last day in Washington State. I will be moving back to Idaho over the summer. Let me tell you, I have gained more knowledge and killed more species of waterfowl than I ever could’ve imagined… and I only hunted public land!

Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “So what you killed some ducks on public land?" or “You just sucked at hunting in Idaho”. Now… that may be true but hear me out.

HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS.

Washington State is 41% public land and that doesn’t include the federal waters on the western coastline. The state has a population of 7.7 million people and roughly 2.3% of that population have bought a hunting license, resulting in about 175,000 hunters.

Now, that’s a lot of hunters but more importantly there’s a TON of public land to utilize. Not to mention, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a program in place through their website that pays landowners to open up their private property to waterfowl hunters usually from the months of October through the month of January. So, on top of the already established public land, there is additional land that you can access throughout the Pacific Flyway that allows hunters to have “quality” opportunity in agricultural fields.

Hunting tidal water in Western Washington.

As most residents of Washington could agree, there is no shortage of competition for hunting spots during the waterfowl season. The majority of the public access areas are heavily hunted and some days are filled with “sky busters”. However, i’m going to let you in on a little secret… BUY A BOAT!

In 2019, I bought a 12 foot tracker boat for $2,000 and it was the best investment I ever made. I went from shooting minimal amounts of birds on the weekend to LIMITS! With a boat, you are able to access so much more public land along the western coastline and you will experience significantly less competition. Also, with a boat you now have unlocked the opportunity of seaduck hunting, but we will get to that.

A boat will be the key to finding quality waterfowl hunting in coastal waters.

MY DRIVING POINT FOR THIS ARTICLE!

Since, Washington has 47 different species of waterfowl, no matter the weather conditions, hunting pressure, lack of gear, or whatever barriers you may have.

EVERY DAY CAN BE A SUCCESS!

You just have to adjust your mindset on what success entails. If success is shooting a 15 man limit everyday, this doesn’t apply to you. Im talking to the hunter that wants to experience duck hunting in the most beautiful and diverse landscapes while targeting multiple species.

MOST AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BECOME FLOODED LATE IN THE SEASON. HAVING A STRONG ARSENAL OF FLOATERS IS A NECESSITY IN THE PNW.

For example, every Friday afternoon, my best friend and I would discuss hunting plans for the weekend (The unreliable weather app would usually have the most accurate info at this point). If we had 20 mph wind and rain, we would target the hordes of wigeon at a WDFW Private Land Access site and set up a large spread. If we had no wind and rain, we are taking the boat down the rivers out to the marsh and we are going to target mallards, pintail, teal and wigeon as they retreat back to the roost. And last but not least, if we had beach weather, we are taking the boat out to the salt water to run long lines for sea ducks. Sea duck hunting has grown to be my favorite style of waterfowl hunting because of how fast paced it is. With minimal effort, and I mean minimal effort, you will have waves of surf scoter, white wing scoter, and the occasional long-tail give you a show.

What makes sea duck hunting? Well for obvious reasons, its not an experience that is common amongst hunters.

Let me paint a picture for someone who has never experienced it… you’re sitting in a boat on the bay with the most breath taking sunrise of your life with sea lions and other creatures dancing through the water and waves of ducks decoying 10 feet away from the boat. That sounds like a dream right? Well its a reality here in Washington!

Washington offers a short season to harvest Pacific Brant in various counties.

OKAY, WELL WHAT IF I WANT TO HUNT GEESE?

Great question! And honestly, this is where it gets interesting. Even though there are MASS amounts of Canada geese and its subspecies, snow geese, specklebellys and brant that flood the rainy skies of the PNW, they are much harder to target on public land… or at least in my experience.

If you are dead set on targeting geese, my advice to you would be to look up community leases. There are plenty of programs that have a membership fee that is very affordable, where you can have access to some of the best fields in the Pacific Flyway. If you put in the effort (and money) you can have a goose season that will leave you so satisfied that you’ll go cross eyed.

I’m not saying that you can’t have success on public land, it’s just going to be much more frustrating since these geese have seen every spread from the other 175,000 hunters in that exact field.

Harvesting Canada geese on public land can pose quite a challenge but not impossible.

SO… WHY IS WASHINGTON THE BEST WATERFOWL HUNTING IN AMERICA?

Just in case, you’re not convinced yet. No matter what style of waterfowl hunter you are, Washington accommodates you.

YOU WANT TO HUNT GEESE?

Hunt every subspecies of Canada goose up and down the Western coast or take it to the East side and knock down some big Tonys. Or take advantage of the thousands of snow geese that migrate the Pacific Flyway through the late season and have yourself massive rainouts.

YOU WANT TO HUNT DUCKS?

You can hunt seaducks, mallards, wigeon (American, Eurasian, Storm), Northern Pintail, teal, and most divers all within a short drive. Not to mention, you can hunt in the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in America.

Washington is the best kept secret for waterfowl hunting!

I have loved every moment of my time here in Washington and I have shot some of the most beautiful birds in the most amazing environments. I will forever have the soggy mornings engrained in my mind as I move back to Idaho.

Disclaimer:

Alright, now is where I will eat my own words. Waterfowl hunting in Washington is extremely difficult, however, with the drive and ability to adapt and be creative, you will be extremely successful.

Washington: The Best Waterfowl Hunting in the U.S.A.

WHO IS IDAHUNT?