Wigeon hunting

The wigeon, a compact and colorful duck species, is a favorite among waterfowl hunters worldwide. Several wigeon species are hunted, with the American wigeon being prominent in North America, and the Eurasian wigeon dominating Europe and Asia. For the Chiloe wigeon, found in parts of South America, our online marketplace has a separate page. In North America, wigeon thrive in the Pacific and Central Flyways, with hotspots including California, Washington, and the prairie potholes of Canada. They favor wetlands, lakes, and flooded agricultural fields, often mixing with other ducks. In Europe, the Eurasian wigeon is abundant in countries like the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, where they winter in coastal marshes and inland wetlands. Across Asia, wigeons migrate through Russia and Japan, offering excellent hunting opportunities in key migratory corridors.

Most duck hunts are what’s known as ‘mixed bag’, that is, hunters don’t target any particular species, but (metaphorically) cast a wide net after all ducks that are around and in season. If the widgeon predominates where and when you hunt, or if you for any reason value the wigeon above other species, you should bear in mind the bird’s characteristic behavior. Since wigeons are known to graze in shallow water or flooded pastures, decoy spreads should reflect this, and while wigeons are not shy of mallard setups, the spread should better consist of wigeon decoys. Wigeons are highly vocal ducks, so be sure to practice their distinctive whistling sounds, and invest into a wigeon-specific or an all-around call that imitates their vocalisations (check out our selection of waterfowl calls). In areas with high wigeon activity, pass shooting along known flight paths is also successful, requiring hunters to intercept birds as they move between roosting and feeding areas. Wigeon’s fast, erratic flight patterns make them a thrilling target, testing even experienced shooters’ reflexes and accuracy.