The Best Sea Duck Hunting in New York State
The shoreline of Lake Ontario in western New York offer some of the best sea duck hunting for Long Tail ducks in the northeast. Formerly known as “oldsquaws” these ducks provide some of the finest wing shooting you can wish for. Fast flying, easily decoyed and beautiful, every duck hunting connoisseur should pursue these birds at least once in their life. ADK Outfitters works closely with one of the oldest and most proven guide services in the state for this lofty duck…
The mouth of the Niagara River offers some of the best hunting for Old Squaws and White Wing Scoters anywhere in the United States. The hunting only gets better as the late split season opens on Dec 26th running thru approximately Jan 10th .You've Never Seen Duck Shooting this Good.
December 17th 2020 – November 8th 2020
November 28th 2020 – January 3rd 2021
Generally the state releases the exact hunting season dates in late spring each year. The dates for the season do not usually differ much but we keep close tabs on them. The best time to start hunting seas ducks in New York is the days surrounding Christmas.
Booking your trip through ADK Outfitters with our hunting guides is simple. Call or email us anytime and we will get you set up. We have spent a lot of time hunting the waters of Lake Ontario and will make sure you have all of the information you need. Curious about the lodging accomadtions? Want to know where to eat? Looking for other things to do while you are in town? We can set you up for your trip to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
1 Person
- $400
2 People
- $400
3 People
- $600
Navigate to December or January and view the selected dates to see if they are available. Almost all days will be available because our guide service has a huge pool of guides at their disposal. Our guides are licensed and ensured and every guide is vetted by our staff to make sure you get the best experience possible.
- Riverside Motel
- Phone: (716) 754-4101
- Address: 160 S Water Street Lewiston, New York 14092
- Website: Riverside Motel
-
The Riverside is a quaint motel in the heart of Lewiston’s historical water district. All rooms are non-smoking with private baths. The large front yard has seating and views of the Niagara River Gorge. It’s a great spot to relax, read your favorite novel and enjoy a cocktail while taking in the river breeze. Tell the hotel you are hunting with our guides and they will give you the preferred rates.
- Aartpark Hotel Inn
- Phone: (716) 754-8295
- Address: 280 Portage Road Lewiston, New York 14092
- Website: Aartpark Hotel
The Artwork Hotel Inn is a nice clean recently remodeled hotel that is conveniently located just off center Street Lewiston New York.
- Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa
- Phone: (716) 754-8295
- Address: 280 Portage Road Lewiston, New York 14092
- Website: Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa
The closest hotel to the dock. This hotel is situated right across from the boat launch where your sea duck hunting trip will begin.
- Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
- Phone: (877) 873-6322
- Address: 310 4th Street, Niagara Falls NY 14305
- Website: Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
This relaxed casino hotel in a 26-story tower is a mile from Niagara Falls and 10 minutes’ walk from the Rainbow Bridge.
TIN PAN ALLEY
- Phone: (716) 754-4330
- Address: 775 Cayuga Street, Lewiston NY 14092
- Website: Tin Pan Alley
On any given day of the week you can find every guide on the river inside Tin Pan Alley. A true captains bar with incredible wings, beef on weck, and typical buffalo pub fare. No trip to Lewiston is complete without a trip to the Tin Pan.
WATER STREET LANDING
- Phone: (716) 754-9200
- Address: 115 South Water Street
- Website: Water Street Landing
Whether you are in the mood for a Surf & Turf with a fine bottle of wine, or a Fish Fry with a cold brew, Water Street Landing can match your mood. Our two distinct dining rooms offer two distinct dining experiences.
CASA ANTICA
- Phone: (716) 754-2581
- Address: 490 Center Street
- Website: Casa Antica
As a family-run Italian restaurant on Center Street in Historic Lewiston, we pride ourselves on our warm welcoming atmosphere and authentic homemade dishes originating from many regions of Italy. Our experienced chefs specialize in both southern and northern Italian cuisine. Chef Calogero Soldano prepares fresh italian cuisine daily including rice balls, antipasti, delicious pizzas.
BRICKYARD PUB & BBQ
- Phone: (716) 754-7227
- Address: 423 Center Street
- Website: Brickyard Pub and BBQ
Wood fired cooking, with the Highest Quality ingredients. Barbecue is slow smoked with a blend of Hickory & fruit woods for up to fourteen hours, authentic wood pit BBQ smoker, for that perfect off the bone tender BBQ you’re looking for!
FISHING
Combine your sea duck hunting trip on Lake Ontario with some of the best fishing in the lower 48. Sea duck season coincides with some of the best steelhead fishing you will ever experience. There is also fantastic fishing for walleyes and brown trout. Our guide team is the most experienced in the area. A fishing trip is a great way to spend some of your time in the area.
BUFFALO SABRES
Located on Buffalo’s waterfront in the revitalized Canalside district, KeyBank Center is Western New York’s premier sports and entertainment facility. Serving as the primary home of the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres, KeyBank Center is a state-of-the-art venue that plays host to the world’s best concerts, ice shows, sporting events, and family shows.
CASINO
The time of your life happens here, at the Niagara Falls casino that redefines excitement. Once you’ve had your fill of the region’s spectacular attractions, it’s time to put your luck to the test in our world-class casino. Seneca Niagara offers endless ways to win with the most sought after slot, table, keno and poker games in New York. Feel the anticipation, experience the thrill, and claim your fortune at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
- New York State small game hunting license (purchase here) with HIP number and federal migratory bird stamp.
- Shotgun of choice with a case – We prefer 3 inch 12 gauge guns. Three shot Plug is required.
- 3-4 boxes of #2-4 non toxic shot. We shoot 3s
- Clothing appropriate for cold weather and lake spray. Camo is encouraged but not required. Avoid bright colors
- Shooting glasses
- Gun oil
- Snacks if desired – no alcohol on hunting trips
- Motion sickness medicine (if required)
Shooting Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Non-toxic Shot: Required
Daily Limit: 6 Duck possession limit. No more than 4 Long Tailed Ducks, 4 Scoters
License: You must purchase a hunting license. Visit the NY Hunting Licenses page for information on types of licenses available and where to purchase.
HIP Number: You must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) if you are hunting any migratory game bird, except crows. HIP registration is valid from July 1 – June 30 annually
Duck Stamp: You may buy the federal “duck stamp” at most post offices, some sporting goods stores, call 1-800-382-5499, or visit http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/. It costs $25.00 plus shipping and handling for phone or internet orders. The money is used to conserve wetlands. You must sign across the face of stamp in ink before hunting. You do not need to attach the stamp to your hunting license or back tag, but you must carry it when hunting.
Reporting: Please report band recoveries on-line or by sending your information to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708. The call center supporting the 1-800-327-BAND toll-free phone number was discontinued June 30, 2017.
LONG-TAILED DUCKS ON LAKE ONTARIO
The mouth of the Niagara River offers some of the best hunting for Old Squaws and White Wing Scoters anywhere in the United States. The hunting only gets better in the late split season which opens on Dec 26th running thru approximately Jan 10th. You’ve Never Seen Duck Shooting this Good.
The Niagara Bar is the wintering area for thousands of Long-Tailed ducks, formerly known as Old Squaws, as well as White-Winged Scoters. Old Squaws are one of the most sought after ducks around. A beautiful dark brown and white Arctic duck that makes a great mount.
Long tailed ducks are a medium-sized diving duck mostly black-and-white plumage, varying throughout year. They have black wings in all plumages and the male has long central tail feathers and often a pink band near tip of black bill.
Flocks fly low over the water, with stiff shallow wingbeats, often tilting from side to side. This attribute provides for very exciting wingshooting. They are far more vocal than most ducks, the calls of flocks can be heard from some distance. It was formerly called “Oldsquaw,” not politically correct by any measure, a reference to this “talkative” behavior.
They forage by diving for mollusks, insects, and occasionally fish. They primarily feed in about 30 feet of water but have been noted to be able to dive to 200 feet, the deepest of any diving duck.
