Judson Brock started waterfowl hunting as a kid at Topsail Beach and never stopped. After college, he turned his passion into a full-time career, guiding hunts across Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Florida Keys. Now he focuses entirely on North Carolina's waters—an...
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Judson Brock started waterfowl hunting as a kid at Topsail Beach and never stopped. After college, he turned his passion into a full-time career, guiding hunts across Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Florida Keys. Now he focuses entirely on North Carolina's waters—and says his favorite part is the relationships built with clients on the water.
This isn't a jack-of-all-trades operation. Eastern Waterfowl specializes in what most guides avoid: open water diver and sea duck hunting. That means layout boats, rough water, seaducks that raft up miles offshore, and hunts that demand skill and patience.
The core services:
Eastern Waterfowl can provide ALL gear you need. Only required items: valid hunting license and federal duck stamp.
They hunt across multiple North Carolina environments:
| Habitat Type | Species | Season Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal marshes | Teal, mallards, pintails | Early season |
| Inland swamps | Woodies, black ducks | Mid-season |
| Private impoundments | Mixed dabbling ducks | Throughout |
| Open water / sounds | Black scoters, surf scoters, divers | Late fall / winter |
Prime hunting areas: - Pamlico Sound (primary sea duck location) - Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras area - Coastal marshes near Topsail Beach - Albemarle Sound region - Crystal Coast waters
From flooded timber to brackish marsh to miles of open Atlantic, they adapt to wherever the birds are migrating that day.
Layout boats: - 22-foot Sundance with 2-man layout boat cradle - Two-man Kalash layout boats positioned over scoter spreads - Custom-designed cradles for safe loading/unloading - Planned winch systems for future deployment
Decoys: - Hand-painted hen Surf Scoter decoys - Hand-painted hen Common Scoter decoys - Hand-restle coated & painted homer decoys - Tanglefree foam-filled Scoter decoys - Southern Flyway Outfitters decoy rafts - Motion decoys and wind socks for realistic spreads
Recommended client gear: - 12 or 20 gauge shotgun - 3" to 3½" shells (1-3 shot stack) - Warm waterproof layers (bibs preferred over waders) - Sunglasses and hat
Sea duck hunting in North Carolina—specifically for black scoters and surf scoters—demands different tactics than marsh hunting. These diving ducks:
"We pretty much shoot black and surf scoters." — Wildfowl Magazine, reporting on Pamlico Sound hunts
North Carolina has a dedicated sea duck season (typically December dates) separate from general waterfowl season, and Eastern Waterfowl knows exactly when and where to find them.
Eastern Waterfowl's reputation comes down to three things:
1. Honest communication — They tell you what to expect and deliver it 2. Safe hunting practices — Professional guides who prioritize safety in challenging open water 3. Consistent success — Year-round clients return because the hunts work
Whether you're a seasoned waterfowler or stepping into a blind for the first time, hunts are tailored to your experience level. The goal is both productive and memorable.
Layout boat hunting revolutionized open water sea duck pursuits. Unlike traditional marsh blinds, layout boats:
They're essential for hunting birds that prefer deep, open water over marshes and flooded fields.
Book your hunt directly. Judson and his team work on current bird patterns and weather, so each hunt is specifically planned for success on your dates.
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