Eastern Waterfowl

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:

• •Fully guided duck hunts (all experience levels)
• •Layout boat hunts for sea ducks and divers
• •Waterfowl combo hunts
• •Youth-friendly hunts
• •Private group hunts
• •Custom packages for returning clients

They hunt across multiple North Carolina environments:

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:

• •Raft up in large offshore flocks during winter
• •Require specialized decoy spreads and calls
• •Need 3" or 3¼" shells with BB, #1, or #2 shot
• •Respond to tight, dense decoy formations that simulate feeding flocks
• •Are found near underwater reefs, shoals, and structure changes

"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:

• •Sit low in the water for maximum concealment
• •Allow stealthy positioning near flight corridors
• •Provide stability in wind and rough water
• •Enable hunters to get closer to wary, high-flying divers
• •Work in the vast open waters of Pamlico Sound and beyond

They're essential for hunting birds that prefer deep, open water over marshes and flooded fields.

• •Phone: (910) 660-9631

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.