Hunting Sea Ducks

December 2, 2010

Question: I would like to hunt sea ducks and target surf scoters this waterfowl season. Is this legal? If so, how does one know where it is legal to hunt from shore? Also, if hunting from a boat, I know the motor must not be utilized except to retrieve birds. What other guidelines are there for hunting from a boat? (Scott S.)

Answer: Surf scoters and other sea ducks are found along the entire coast but hunting for them is more popular north of the Golden Gate Bridge in northern California (such as Humboldt Bay) and in Oregon and Washington. According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Northern California District Chief Mike Carion, hunting from shore is legal provided that the shoreline is not private (unless you have permission to be there). It also must not be in an area covered by one of the numerous ecological reserves, marine reserves, state parks, etc. along the California coast (see Fish and Game Code, section 2016, for the parameters).

The best thing for you to do is select an area you’re interested in hunting and then contact some local hunting clubs or stores for specific tips and recommendations. Be sure the area allows for discharging of firearms and that you will not be hunting on private property or in one of the parks or reserves that do not allow for hunting.

As far as hunting from a boat, you may not hunt or kill birds while “under power”. In order to legally hunt from a boat, the boat may not be moving due to the influence of the motor.

In general, hunting from navigable waters is legal, as long as the person stays in the boat. Exceptions to this would be the same as legal closures I listed that cover shoreline hunting.

Sea duck hunting is an absolute blast.  They are some tough hearty birds though and require some substantial heavy loads to bring them down consistantly.  I hunted them for years up in Alaska when I lived there.  Not the best eating by themselves but if you like your birds ground into sausage or in dishes like gumbo they are great.  I'll probably try and get my 11 year old out there this year along the coast at least one time so that he can say he's done it. 

Awesome! I definately have to get Cody out this fall too, he is working on his Duck Super Slam, of the 32 species, he got 11 last year. There are a lot that are coastal birds on that list that we can knock off this fall I am sure. We will definately have to do a hook up!

Sounds like a plan!  I'm sitting at 29 of 32 species.  I still need a common eider, king eider, and a cinnamon teal to be done. 

Evan is sitting at 9 of 32 but if he moves back to Alaska with his mom this winter Ill make a trip up there to knock out a bunch more with him next year.  You can kill all the sea ducks up there except for the eiders where he'll be.  Not to mention the huge assortment of puddle ducks and geese that call the Copper River Delta home each year.

That will be awesome for him! I have a good hook up for early season cinnamons, we dont have them off our list yet either.

I think I have 23/32 + European Widgeon. I got my Harlequin in Trinidad Harbor and the Old Squaw at the mouth of Eel River.

NotaSeal

I got 10. Cody is beating me........lil shitass