Business Details

Full description and what we offer

Black Duck Outfitters has operated as a licensed Maryland waterfowl outfitter for over 10 years. Every guide holds a Maryland state waterfowl hunting license and a United States Coast Guard Captain's license—meaning they know the water, understand safety, and can read conditions that change fast on open water.

•Sea Duck Hunts (November–January)
•Scoters (surf, common, white-wing)
•Long-tailed ducks (oldsquaw)
•Hunt from custom duck boats or layout boats using long-line decoy rigs
•Action happens at close range—decoying birds, not 50-yard passing shots
•Coverage spans from the Bay Bridge south to Tangier Sound

•Diving Duck Hunts (November–January)
•Canvasbacks, bluebills (greater and lesser scaup), redheads, goldeneyes, buffleheads
•Hunted across Chesapeake Bay tidal rivers using traditional techniques passed down through generations
•Shoot from custom duck boats or layout boats
•December through January offer peak action

•Puddle Duck Hunts (September–January)
•September: Special teal season in Maryland and Delaware marshes
•October–January: Mallards and wood ducks in flooded timber, beaver ponds, flooded milo (Maryland), and Susquehanna River (Pennsylvania)
•Routinely pick up teal, gadwalls, widgeon, and pintails

•Canada Goose Hunts (September–February)
•Hunt Atlantic Population (AP) and Residential Population (RP) zones
•Early season: September 1–25 (8 birds per day limit)
•Late season: November–February (2 birds AP / 5 birds RP per day)
•Eastern and western shore locations
•Traditional stuffer rigs and modern equipment

•Spring Snow Goose Hunts (January–March)
•Hunt the migration back north with huge spreads of GHG fullbodies and shell decoys
•Electronic callers and custom spinners
•Unlimited bag during conservation order season
•Unplugged guns maximize opportunity
•Scout daily to locate feeding flocks

•Spring Turkey Hunts (Maryland & Pennsylvania)
•Eastern and western Maryland shores, central Pennsylvania rolling hills
•Private leased areas
•Meet guides pre-dawn, hunt until around noon
•Wait for gobblers hammering out of roost trees

Detail	Info
Party Size	Up to 6 per guide; multiple guides for larger groups
Hunt Days	Every day except Sunday
Hunt Times	Meet 5–6 a.m., back by around noon
Boat Options	Custom duck boats, layout boats, Banks Goliath
Decoys	Long-line rigs, GHG full bodies, shell decoys, electronic callers
Ammunition	#3–4 shot for ducks; BB–3 shot for geese

The Scout Advantage: "We scout EVERY DAY!" This isn't marketing—guides spend significant time finding where birds are actually feeding and moving, not just setting up the same spot repeatedly.

Gear Requirements - Waders or waterproof pants (for layout boat hunts—you won't be getting in the water from regular boats) - Warm, waterproof clothing - Lots of shells (sea duck hunting tests shooting ability) - Camera - Federal duck stamp, Maryland duck stamp, HIP stamp, 3-day non-resident license

Trained Retrievers Welcome You can bring your dog if: - You notify the outfitter in advance - Your retriever is steady to shot and completely controlled - Unmanageable dogs will be kenneled for the rest of the hunt - Solo hunters cannot bring dogs if sharing a boat with other groups

Weather to Expect - November: 40–70°F - December: 20–50°F - January: 10–50°F - Cold and windy conditions actually move birds

•Deposit: 50% due when booking; balance due upon arrival
•Tipping: Standard is 15% per hunter per day
•Cancellation Policy: Black Duck Outfitters reserves the right to cancel and refund up to 20 days in advance
•No Refunds: Due to limited availability and advanced planning, payments are non-refundable but can be rescheduled
•Weather Guarantee: They can't guarantee weather or bird activity, but reserve the right to offer field hunt alternatives if water conditions become dangerous

Professional guides trained in safety and entertainment. They use quality equipment and scout daily. The only thing they can't control is weather and bird flight patterns—but that's true everywhere.

Named guides in testimonials include Captain Dan Houck, Captain Jayson Wilt, Jason White, Nick, Josh, and Mark. Guides have earned strong reviews from return hunters for their flexibility in hunt location, knowledge of current conditions, ability to adapt technique, and commitment to actually finding birds rather than hunting the same spot every trip.

•Flying In: Dulles, Reagan National (National), or BWI are all close to hunting areas

•Hotel Recommendation: Quality Inn in Annapolis (1542 Whitehall Road, Annapolis, MD 21409 / 410-974-4440)

•Phone: 410-336-7078 (toll-free)
•Email: [email protected]
•Book Online: Available for early booking to reserve dates

Read recent coverage in Wildfowl Magazine and check current hunting rates on their website.