Restricted Limits
One or two bird daily limit due to population concerns - know your regulations
Pacific & Central Flyways
Primary concentrations in California, Texas, and Prairie Pothole region
October - January
Peak hunting during fall and early winter migration
Pintail hunting uses standard waterfowl equipment with a few specialized additions. Quality pintail decoys are essential, and calls designed to produce the drake pintail whistle add realism to your spread. The emphasis should be on quality over quantity.
Shotguns
Standard duck hunting shotguns work perfectly.
- • 12 gauge most popular
- • 20 gauge excellent for close shots
- • 3" chamber standard
- • Modified or improved cylinder choke
- • Camo or matte finish preferred
Ammunition
Medium-sized shot for these mid-sized ducks.
- • Steel: #2, #3, or #4
- • Bismuth or tungsten for tighter patterns
- • 3" loads provide good velocity
- • 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 oz payloads
- • Non-toxic shot required
Decoys
Quality pintail decoys are essential additions.
- • 6-12 pintail drake/hen pairs
- • Premium paint schemes worth it
- • Full-body or floating decoys
- • Mallard decoys for mixed spread
- • Confidence decoys (coot, egret)
Calls
Subtle calling tools for wary pintails.
- • Drake pintail whistle call
- • Quality mallard hen call
- • Soft quacks over loud calling
- • Practice before season
- • Less calling generally better
Blinds
Concealment options for pintail hunting.
- • Boat blinds for marsh hunting
- • Layout blinds in fields
- • Natural vegetation hides
- • Pit blinds where legal
- • Brush thoroughly to match
Clothing
Proper attire for marsh and field hunting.
- • Marsh camo patterns effective
- • Insulated waders essential
- • Layering for temperature changes
- • Camo gloves and face mask
- • Waterproof outer layers