The Ducks of Kodiak
Goldeneyes
Goldeneyes
Goldeneyes
Common and Barrows goldeneyes are both around Kodiak in decent numbers and can easily be targeted from shore. They do seem to prefer goldeneye decoys, but I have had them come into other decoys with white on them
Harlequins
Goldeneyes
Goldeneyes
They are likely one of the birds you are coming to Kodiak for. They are very numerous around the rocky shorelines and will readily decoy. I have had the best success with a small spread of harlequin decoys when specifically targeting them, but have decoyed them using only scoter decoys
Scoters
Goldeneyes
Long-tails
Common, Surf, and White-Wing Scoters are all available around Kodiak. Common scoters are by far the most prevalent scoter that I see while hunting, but it is not uncommon to shoot all three species on a hunt. Commons and surf scoters can easily be hunted from shore, but the white-wings seem to be tough from a shore set up. However, you
Common, Surf, and White-Wing Scoters are all available around Kodiak. Common scoters are by far the most prevalent scoter that I see while hunting, but it is not uncommon to shoot all three species on a hunt. Commons and surf scoters can easily be hunted from shore, but the white-wings seem to be tough from a shore set up. However, you can hunt them in the open water from a boat, or from rockpiles and islands away from the main shore. All three species seem to decoy well to any scoter decoys.
Long-tails
Pacific Eiders
Long-tails
There are a lot of longtails around Kodiak. Like the white-wing scoters, they are tough to hunt from shore, but can be harvested in spots away from shore. My experience is that they decoy to longtail decoys much better (especially with a larger spread of longtail decoys) than any other decoys.
Pacific Eiders
Pacific Eiders
Pacific Eiders
I have found a few flocks here and there in the general Kodiak area while scouting and have even managed to harvest a few. However, I would not plan a trip to Kodiak to specifically target them. If you can locate a flock while hunting/scouting, they decoy very well to eider decoys. The eider decoys also work well for other species-the
I have found a few flocks here and there in the general Kodiak area while scouting and have even managed to harvest a few. However, I would not plan a trip to Kodiak to specifically target them. If you can locate a flock while hunting/scouting, they decoy very well to eider decoys. The eider decoys also work well for other species-the contrast of black and white on the decoys seems to attract all species from a distance.
Bufflehead
Pacific Eiders
Pacific Eiders
There are decent numbers in most areas, and they seem to easily decoy to goldeneye and longtail decoys from shore or the open water.
Mergansers
Puddle Ducks
Mergansers
There are both red breasted and common mergansers around. I don't target mergansers, but they will often buzz my decoys when targeting other species.
Bluebills
Puddle Ducks
Mergansers
One of the road accessible bays has a large population of bluebills that can be a blast to hunt. I have had them come into scoter decoys, but they seem to really like a larger spread with lots of bluebill decoys...especially when you have spinning wing decoys as part of the spread. They can be hunted from the shore, but like the white-wi
One of the road accessible bays has a large population of bluebills that can be a blast to hunt. I have had them come into scoter decoys, but they seem to really like a larger spread with lots of bluebill decoys...especially when you have spinning wing decoys as part of the spread. They can be hunted from the shore, but like the white-wing scoters and longtails, they seem to decoy better away from the main shore.
Puddle Ducks
Puddle Ducks
Puddle Ducks
-There are most species of puddle ducks around at times, but Mallards, Widgeonn, and Gadwall seem to be the most prevalent. They can be challenging since they have lots of options for places to roost and feed. However, if you can pattern them to a spot, you can have a great shoot. I have only hunted them on the tidal flats, but there a
-There are most species of puddle ducks around at times, but Mallards, Widgeonn, and Gadwall seem to be the most prevalent. They can be challenging since they have lots of options for places to roost and feed. However, if you can pattern them to a spot, you can have a great shoot. I have only hunted them on the tidal flats, but there are also some lakes, creeks, and potholes where I have seen them and they can be hunted.