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Welcome to the teal hunting edition of the Hunting & Trapping Guide! If you don’t know what teal are, you’re about to find out as you explore the series of entertaining, informative articles about hunting these waterfowl.

One of the things that appeals to me about the pursuit of these birds is the social aspect it allows. You can chat more freely with your friends than when you hunt for many other species. This makes it an excellent way to forge fond memories as well as put food on the table.

Because teal hunting is usually best early in the morning, it gives you a chance to see how beautiful nature is as it awakens. You’ll get to see the sun rise and hear native bird calls, and, as you saw on our cover, you can hunt with your dog. An outdoor breakfast can even be involved!

Conveniently, you don’t need a lot of gear, just a shotgun, waders and a few decoys. As far as where to go, many of our Fish & Wildlife areas provide excellent teal hunting opportunities, and some of the more popular properties hold draws to allocate hunting spots. If you’re not familiar with the draw process or want to find teal hunting opportunities near you, just call your local Fish & Wildlife area, and their friendly staff can help.

Mark your calendar for early September’s start of teal hunting season. Enjoy it and all other seasons you hunt with your friends and family in Indiana’s great outdoors. Best of luck, and bon appetit!

Dan Bortner
Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The friendships forged in the field while waterfowl hunting are truly special. You can reminisce while simultaneously creating new memories with the other hunters around you. Family, friends, and even your dog can join you—and the pure joy that seems to be radiating off Daisy Mae’s furry face on the cover of this guide highlights just how exhilarating time spent outside can be.

Over the years, my youngest son has transformed from a squirrel hunter to a deer hunter, and now to a waterfowl hunter. Every few years, I spend time in the field with him and my husband hunting ducks.

When we are fortunate enough to bring home some birds, we look forward to the tasty meal they provide. The unique, rich flavor of duck meat makes it a staple for our family dinners. When other kids wanted pizza for their birthday meals, my boys requested duck kabobs!

I encourage all our waterfowl hunters to share their outdoor experiences with friends and family. Although duck hunting is often viewed as a difficult, equipment-heavy type of hunting, the camaraderie it offers makes for an easy introduction to the sport.

If you’d like to try waterfowl hunting, find a mentor or an organization like Ducks Unlimited or Delta Waterfowl to connect with a community of knowledgeable people near you. And remember, when you head out to go duck hunting, you’re not just starting a new adventure, you’re also supporting conservation efforts and waterfowl management across the state.

Amanda Wuestefeld

Director, DNR Fish & Wildlife