Looking to book a duck hunting trip to the historical Outer Banks of North Carolina?
We’ve done the research and interviewed hunters, guides, and coastal management. This is our list of our top five picks for duck hunting guides at the Outer Banks. Hopefully, this list will save you a little time when you book your hunt.
There are unlimited locations to hunt waterfowl on the Outer Banks. Be sure you know these waters. Some areas are permit only, like Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve. Check the links for permit application details. If you don’t know the area or familiar with these open waters, it’s worth hiring a guide.
The links below are local duck guides in the Outer Banks that have open water blinds, scissor rigs, sink boxes, and layout boats. Have you used a duck guide at the Outer Banks that got you great results? Leave a comment and let us know!
Five Great Duck Hunting Guides in Outer Banks, NC
1. East Carolina Charters
We were impressed with our interview with Captain Robert Pinner. His website is a great representation of his duck guide service and very detailed, letting you know what to expect. Captain Pinner is passionate about the outdoor recreation, preservation, and knowledgeable about the outdoor industry. He’s even spent some time as a guide for salmon and rainbow trout in Alaska.
Pinner explained that East Carolina Charters developed from working with a team along the coast, creating a large scouting presence. This resulted well for guide trips and the ability to customize trips for hunting styles (including layout boats) and targeting specific species. Don’t miss his YouTube videos and website! They start booking trips in September with teal season.
2. Parker’s Waterfowl Guide Service
Jaime Parker is a 5th generation Commercial Waterman and is a local, born and raised on the Outer Banks. On the water daily, Jaime is familiar with the waters and where to find ducks. His waterfowl guide services specializes in open water duck hunting with bush blinds and scissor rig float blinds for bluebills, buffleheads, redheads, canvasbacks, wigeon, and pintail in the Albemarle, Pamlico, and Currituck Sounds. Looking to record your hunt? He can team up with Outdoor Adventure Films, producing awesome documentaries about your hunt. See his website for more information and check out this hunt documentary below with Jaime Parker.
3. Ocracoke Sportfishing
This father son duo (Captains Ronnie and Ryan O’Neal) is USCG licensed and native guides. Watermen are a family tradition dating back to the 1600s in Ocracoke for this team. Hunt duck blinds in the open waters of the Pamlico Sound October through January. Common ducks they see are pintails, brant, and redheads. They can take six hunters at a time, so they can accommodate a group. We have heard first hand these guys provided a great hunt.
4. Ocracoke Native Duck Hunting Guide Service
Erick O’Neil is one of two guides for Ocracoke Native Duck Hunting Guide Service. If you are looking to hunt a little further south in Ocracoke, check out this guide service. They are doing a little something different using sink boxes. They can take a group of eight with two hunters per box. Check out the website and give them a call. We called to get more information, and they were very helpful.
5. Eastern OBX Guide Service
Based out of Wanchese, North Carolina, Eastern OBX Guide Service taps into a hot spot for Outer Banks duck hunting. Captain Jonathan Oglesby, a fully licensed charter boat captain, runs a guide service for scissor rigs and layout boats. Layout boats aren’t used by all guides, so be sure to ask. Eastern OBX Guide Services uses Ron Bankes layout boats, which are roomy and stable. They offer an intense on-the-water experience. Check out the website for contact information and what to bring, including licenses needed.
Learn More About Duck Hunting in NC
Waterfowl Seasons and Limits from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Public Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities (PDF) from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission