New England Sea Duck Hunting Trip Report

Surf Scoters, Eiders, and a Black Duck for the UWC 41 Challenge

Jim Riley and UWC Brand Ambassador Craig Shumate travel to New England to hunt with Randy Drago of Codfather Charters while scouting the location for our upcoming UWC Hosted Sea Duck Hunts!

“This trip exceeded our expectations in every way and confirmed exactly why we are excited to host hunters here in December 2026.”

Jim and Craig

Layout Boat Sea Duck Hunting

Sea duck hunting along the Atlantic coast is one of the most unique waterfowl experiences in North America. Unlike traditional marsh hunts, these birds live along the open ocean and coastal bays, requiring specialized equipment and techniques.

For this hunt we targeted sea ducks using layout boats, a method specifically designed for hunting large bodies of water. Layout boats position hunters low to the water’s surface, allowing incoming birds to focus entirely on the decoy spread rather than the hunters.

Large spreads of sea duck decoys were set in strategic locations along the coastal waters, creating a natural landing zone for passing birds. As flocks approached, they often skimmed just above the waves before committing to the decoys.

Watching groups of scoters race low across the water before locking into the spread is an incredible sight. When everything comes together, the action can be fast and exciting as birds swing into range just yards above the ocean.

For waterfowl hunters who have never experienced it, layout boat sea duck hunting offers a completely different style of hunting that combines big water, powerful birds, and unforgettable shooting opportunities.

Pursuing Black Ducks - My First Ever!

While sea ducks were our primary focus during the trip, I had another personal goal in mind. As many members know, I am currently working toward completing the Official 41 Species Challenge through The Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge, and one of the birds I still needed to check off my list was the American Black Duck.

One afternoon we left the open water behind and moved into a beautiful brackish coastal marsh, classic habitat for black ducks along the New England coastline. The setting could not have been more perfect—quiet tidal creeks winding through tall marsh grass, with the kind of wild scenery that reminds you why these birds are so highly respected among waterfowl hunters.

It didn’t take long for the action to begin.

As the afternoon progressed, several groups of ducks worked through the marsh, and before long we had the opportunity we were hoping for. Not only were we successful in harvesting American Black Ducks, allowing me to add another species toward my Official 41 Challenge, but we were also fortunate enough to take a couple of beautiful drake gadwalls during the hunt.

The combination of sea duck hunting over the open ocean and then shifting into a classic coastal marsh for black ducks made this trip even more memorable. It was a perfect reminder of the incredible diversity of waterfowl hunting opportunities that exist along the Atlantic Coast.

Final Thoughts

Every hunt has its own story, but this trip to New England will be one I remember for a long time. From watching flocks of scoters sweep across the waves to finally adding an American Black Duck to my Official 41 Challenge, the entire experience was incredibly rewarding.

What made it even more meaningful was knowing that we were scouting a location that we’ll soon be sharing with fellow UWC hunters. Finding a great lodge and experiencing the quality of the hunting with Randy Drago and Codfather Charters confirmed that this will be a fantastic destination for our upcoming hosted hunt.

I’m already looking forward to returning to these waters and sharing the experience with the next group of UWC Adventures hunters.