BarNeck Outfitters

BarNeck Outfitters started guided hunting operations on the Eastern Shore in 1986, launching with diver duck hunts and expanding over decades to include sea ducks, Canada geese, puddle ducks, whitetail and Sika deer, spring turkey, and Chesapeake Bay ray hunts. Based in Tilghman Island, a picturesque fishing village, the outfitter has built a reputation for customized hunts that work for both beginners and experienced hunters.

Diver duck hunting is the specialty. BarNeck hunts the mouth of the Choptank River, Little Choptank, and Miles River using private permanent shore and offshore blinds instead of relying on less productive public gunning rig zones. They deploy 24-foot floating blinds with 16-foot boxes and hunting boats ranging from 20-28 feet.

Species targeted include: - Canvasback - Bluebill (Lesser & Greater Scaup) - Old Squaw/Long Tailed Duck - Surf Scoter, Common Scoter, White Wing Scoter - Bufflehead - Mallards, Black Ducks

"It is not uncommon for your group to fire up to a case of gunshells as these birds do their daily ritual of trading from the river out into their feeding grounds."

Ducks arrive in good numbers the last two weeks of October. Hunts start November 1st to ensure action from the beginning. Bluebill, Bufflehead, and Ruddy ducks arrive first. Canvasback and Goldeneye show in December and early January with Mergansers adding trophy opportunities.

Hunts use hand-carved Chesapeake Bay wooden decoys and longline setups. Shots typically range 25-30 yards with BB's recommended. Some hunters purchase decoys they've shot over.

Sea duck hunts target Oldsquaw, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, and Whitewing Scoters on Sharps Island, James Island, and Poplar Island flats where clam and mussel beds keep birds feeding. Layout boat hunts from stable two-man Banks layout boats offer close-range action.

Puddle duck hunts occur in the marshes of lower Dorchester County targeting teal, wigeon, gadwall, pintail, and black ducks. Canada goose and duck combo hunts take place on private farms throughout Talbot County between Easton (home of the famous Waterfowl Festival), St. Michaels, and Tilghman Island. Both water and field blinds are used with floaters for ducks and geese.

Cast and Blast rates: $1,250 for up to 4 hunters, $250 per additional hunter.

Early blackpowder hunts run three days typically the third Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of October. Permanent ladder stands are used, baiting is legal, and there are no point restrictions (though holding out for trophy bucks is encouraged). All hunting is stand-hunting in Talbot County's Bay Hundred area with high deer density meaning hours of sightings are common.

Properties maintain a 98% Sika to Whitetail population ratio—that's what you're getting. Most hunts occur in marshes between Blackwater Refuge, Wingate, and Bishops Head. Sika are most vulnerable during the rut. Bait stations with timers maximize success. The outfitter keeps hunt numbers minimal with limited availability and never offers more than four full-season hunts per year.

Sika success rates are near-perfect per hunter. Full season hunts guarantee two active stand locations for sole use. Day hunts typically sell out.

• •Deer Hunting Rates: Call 443-786-6073 for whitetail and archery pricing. Full-season Sika hunts available by contact.

Three-day spring Gobbler hunts run starting the third Saturday of April through mid-May on farms throughout Talbot and Dorchester counties with prime turkey habitat. Hunts are fully guided or DIY options available.

• •Rate: $900 per three-day hunt (1 bird)

Ray hunting trips run late May through mid-summer using 24-26-foot boats accommodating up to six hunters. The pursuit targets rays up to 50 lbs. with wingspans over 5 feet. Guides know clam and oyster beds and sandbars where migrating rays feed.

Methods include: - Bowfishing - Fishing rod trips - Gaff and harpoon trips - Ray harpooning (BarNeck is the only outfitter offering this)

All-inclusive trips provide licenses and permits tailored to any experience level.

BarNeck operates hunts in the Interlake Region between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg—one of North America's biggest waterfowl staging areas. Located two hours north of Winnipeg with scouting covering 50+ years of area knowledge.

Species include Mallards, Wigeon, Pintail, Gadwall, Woodies, Teal, Bluebill, Canvasback, Redhead, Ringnecks, Goldeneye, Blue Geese, Snow Geese, Ross Geese, and Northern Canadians. Liberal limits reach 8 ducks, 5 dark geese, and 50 white geese daily. Hunts run the third week of September through late October. Three to six-day packages include lodging, meals, and some include transportation from Winnipeg International Airport. Bear hunts and bear-bird combos available.

Tilghman Island, Maryland is within 90 minutes of Baltimore and Washington DC, and three hours from Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

• •Contact:
• •Phone: 443-786-6073
• •Email: [email protected]
• •Mailing: P.O. Box 227, Tilghman, MD 21671