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Writer's pictureHunt Factory Team

Blue-Winged Teal Hunting: 3 Strategies And Tips To Consider This Season

Updated: Sep 19, 2023

Embarking on an early season teal hunt is an absolute thrill that captures the hearts of hunters year after year! Picture yourself in the early morning, surrounded by the beauty of an awaking marsh, as you patiently await the arrival of these magnificent birds. As the sun begins to rise, painting the sky with vibrant hues, you feel a rush of anticipation in your veins. The sound of whistling wings fills the air as the teal descend, their feathers glistening in the first rays of sunlight. You carefully aim and take your shot, feeling a surge of adrenaline as you witness the incredible agility of these "blue rockets" evading your every move. It's a true test of skill and precision, requiring you to adapt your strategies and outsmart these tiny birds. Teal hunting is immersive. It allows you to connect with nature, challenge yourself, and create lasting memories. So grab your blind bag, trusty shotgun, and faithful retriever and hit the marsh!

If you're planning to go out this season, here are a few blue-winged teal hunting strategies and tips to consider. I'll share some valuable insights I've gained over the years:

  1. Scout diligently: Teal are highly mobile, constantly seeking new feeding grounds. Their preferred habitats include shallow backwater sloughs, flooded rice fields, and low-lying areas in agricultural regions. Stay updated on their whereabouts by regularly scouting and utilizing helpful tools like the OnX Hunt app to mark teal hotspots. Depending on weather and water levels, a lot of the same areas will be good year after year.

  2. Attract teal with spinning wing decoys: Take your decoy spread to the next level by incorporating spinning wing decoys, especially during the first 30 minutes of shooting light. The flash and motion of these decoys can entice teal to dive-bomb your spread. Combine a dozen teal decoys with a handful of hen mallard decoys to create an effective setup. I love the Lucky Duck Blue Wing Teal HD, but a hen mallard spinner will work also.

  3. Optimize your shotgun setup: Teal's remarkable speed demands quick reflexes and precision. A light, easy swinging shotgun like Benelli's SBE3 20 gauge will be my go-to this fall. If you haven't tried a sub-gauge, you're missing out. Consider using a more open choke for teal, such as improved cylinder or modified, paired with hard-hitting shells with smaller pellets like a TSS/Steel blend from Apex Ammunition or others. They offer a blend of steel No. 4's with TSS No. 7.5's. This setup ensures a wider pattern with a ton of pellets, increasing your chances of success when teal juke and jive around your decoys.


A black labrador retrieving a blue wing teal
Photo by Christian Dubois

Teal season holds a special meaning for me - it signals the arrival of another waterfowl season. The early teal season is like a warm welcome back into the game, where I can load up my retriever and go stand in the water to witness the sunrise. It's hard to beat a sunrise from a duck blind and there's nothing like the beautiful sound of whistling wings to announce the return of fall.

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