Pintail Duck hunting

The pintail duck, often called the "northern pintail," is renowned for its sleek, graceful appearance, marked by a long neck and pointed tail feathers in males. Pintails are widely distributed across the northern hemisphere, making them a popular target for waterfowl hunters in North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, pintails thrive in the Central and Pacific Flyways, with prime hunting areas including California’s Central Valley, the Texas Gulf Coast, and the prairie pothole regions of Canada. During migration, these birds frequent wetlands, marshes, and flooded fields, offering excellent hunting opportunities. In Europe, pintail hunting is common in countries like the UK, France, and the Netherlands, where they gather in coastal estuaries and inland wetlands. Pintails are also hunted in Asia, where they migrate through vast wetlands and waterways.

Pintail ducks are hunted using the same variety of methods as other duck species. Decoying is the most popular approach. Hunters set up blinds near wetlands, marshes, or agricultural fields, using decoy spreads that mimic feeding or resting flocks to attract the birds. Pintails inhabit the same areas as mallards, and readily fall for mallard decoys, so you can hunt these species simultaneously or use mallard spreads for pintail hunts. Where you need specialization, however, is the calling. Pintails have a characteristic whistling call, and if you hunt ducks in an area with many pintails, you should definitely add a pintail whistle to your call collection. Pintails are known for their cautious nature, so realistic decoys and skilled calling are essential for success. Pass shooting, where hunters position themselves along known flight paths, is also effective, especially in areas with high pintail activity. In coastal regions, pintails are often hunted from layout boats or shoreline blinds, adding a unique dimension to the experience.

Check out an amazing footage from outfitters and landowners properties.