Puddle Ducks, Sea Ducks, and Divers… January Duck Hunting with Nanticoke Outfitters
January means January Duck Hunting and that is when the real duck hunting begins on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. The crowds are gone, the birds are settled into predictable patterns, and the cold weather has pushed waves of new ducks into the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding marshes. For hunters who want the highest-odds, most action-packed waterfowl experiences of the entire season, January is prime time—and at Nanticoke Outfitters, this is where we truly shine.
Whether you’re looking to hunt puddle ducks in flooded marshes, chase sea ducks on the Chesapeake Bay, or target divers like canvasbacks and redheads, January offers unmatched opportunity.
Why January Duck Hunting Is the Best Month
By the time January rolls around, several things have happened that make duck hunting dramatically better:
- Northern weather has pushed large numbers of birds south
- Ducks have settled into predictable feeding and resting patterns
- Pressure from early-season hunters has decreased
- Big water ducks are fully committed to the Chesapeake
These conditions create more consistent shooting, bigger flocks, and higher success rates. Ducks are focused on survival and feeding—making them more vulnerable to well-run, properly placed hunts like we provide at Nanticoke Outfitters.
January Duck Hunting in the Marsh
Our puddle duck hunts take place in private marshes, impoundments, and wetlands across Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. These hunts target classic shallow-water species including:
These ducks feed heavily on grasses, flooded crops, and aquatic vegetation—exactly the habitat we manage.
January Duck Hunting is especially deadly for marsh hunting because birds have learned where the best food and safest resting areas are. Our managed properties consistently hold birds all winter long, and cold snaps only make these spots better.
Our hunters often experience:
- Decoying flocks working low and slow
- Mixed bags of multiple puddle duck species
- Fast, close-range shooting
This is the classic waterfowl experience every duck hunter dreams about.
Sea Duck Hunts on the Chesapeake Bay
One of the biggest upgrades to Nanticoke Outfitters this season is our expanded sea duck hunting operation.
By adding more USCG-licensed captains to our team, we now have the ability to safely and professionally run more sea duck hunts than ever before—even on days when the Chesapeake requires experienced boat handling and strict safety standards.
- Scoters (black, surf, and white-winged)
- Long-tailed ducks (old squaw)
These birds winter in large numbers on the Chesapeake Bay, feeding on crabs, mussels, and shellfish. January is when they are fully settled in and concentrated into huntable rafts.
This style of hunting is:
- High-volume shooting
- Fast action
- Big flocks over open water
- A true trophy waterfowl experience
Very few outfitters have the boats, captains, and knowledge to run true Chesapeake sea duck hunts. We do—and we do it right.
Diver Duck Hunts: Canvasbacks, Redheads & Bluebills
When conditions are right, we also offer diver hunts for some of the most iconic ducks in North America:
- Canvasbacks
- Redheads
- Greater & Lesser Scaup (bluebills)
These birds use the Chesapeake Bay and nearby rivers when food sources like wild celery and submerged grasses are available. January is when these ducks show up in big numbers—especially after cold fronts and ice push them south.
When they’re here in huntable concentrations, we put our hunters right on them.
Diver hunts are known for:
- Massive decoy spreads
- Long lines of fast-moving birds
- Spectacular shooting
If you’ve never taken a Chesapeake Bay canvasback or redhead, January is your opportunity.
Why Nanticoke Outfitters Is Different
We don’t just hunt ducks—we manage properties, run boats, and study bird movement all season long so our January hunts are as productive as possible.
What sets us apart:
- Private marsh access
- Professional waterfowl guides
- USCG-licensed captains for open-water hunts
- Multiple hunt styles (marsh, sea, diver)
- Flexible scheduling based on bird movement
Instead of forcing one type of hunt every day, we go where the birds are. If sea ducks are stacked on the bay, we hunt the bay. If puddle ducks are pouring into the marsh, we hunt the marsh. If divers show up, we switch gears and target them.
That flexibility is what makes January Duck Hunting so deadly with us.
January Duck Hunting = Fewer Hunters, More Ducks
Late season duck hunting is about patience, experience, and knowing when and where to be. While many hunters pack it in after the holidays, the best action is just getting started.
If you want:
- Bigger flocks
- More consistent shooting
- Less competition
- More species
- True Chesapeake Bay duck hunting
January with Nanticoke Outfitters is where it happens.
Book Your January Duck Hunt
Whether you’re chasing puddle ducks in flooded marshes, running offshore for sea ducks, or targeting legendary Chesapeake Bay divers, we’re ready to put you in the middle of the action.
January is our time.
Let’s go hunting.