Southeast Texas is the bird hunter's playground. Coastal marshes and waterways along the coast make for ideal stopovers for migratory waterfowl. There is also a warm and sunny climate that draws the birds and offers a break from the cold snow and sleet of the northern states. Duck and goose hunting in particular is prevalent in the southeast of the state because of the Mississippi and Central flyways; no matter which species the hunter seeks, southeast Texas is a prime location to spend some time this season.



One of the biggest reasons southeast Texas has such a great population of duck and geese is because of the variety of food sources available to the migratory birds. The area is a sort of Mecca with corn, rice, grain, and bean fields that each year flood, providing prime habitat for the birds to stop and refuel.

Hunting with dogs, decoys, flags, and blinds are all available to the bird hunter in the state, and often the best way to get a taste for what Texas has to offer in the way of hunting is to hire a professional guide service. These services are an invaluable resource to the visiting hunter; they often provide everything the hunter needs for his trip, sometimes even lodging. The only thing a hunter needs to bring with him is his license, gun, and waders. If obtaining a license is a problem, many guide services can even help with that if they are notified ahead of time.

Finding a reputable guide for your hunt will be the hunter's biggest concern. Call around and ask questions, find a service that you can trust; after all, they are there to serve you, so many services will be more than willing to help with whatever you need. The guides spend their entire day observing and tracking the birds, so when bird season comes around, they are often able to predict the birds' path each day. Most services will offer hunting in the morning until about noon, when they give both the hunters and the birds a break to rest and refuel. Giving the birds this break often keeps them in the area for much longer than if they were to be hunted the entire day.

For a hunter coming from away, guide services can often help you with all your needs. Be sure to establish great communication with your service, and if they don't provide their own lodging, they can often give recommendations. Many services will even pick you up at the airport. All of these factors contribute to make southeast Texas a prime bird hunting destination.