Market Report · 2026
Waterfowl
Hunting Market
196 verified outfitters offer guided waterfowl hunts on SearchHuntr, spread across 40 states.
Operators
196
States
40
Avg All-In
$1,326
fully guided
Typical Length
1d
Top States for Waterfowl
| State | Operators | Nonresident Tag | Avg Hunt Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 29 | $121 | $1,326 |
| Texas | 24 | — | $1,326 |
| Louisiana | 15 | $121 | $1,326 |
| Maryland | 11 | $130 | $1,326 |
| Mississippi | 11 | $121 | $1,326 |
| North Dakota | 10 | $100 | $1,326 |
| Oklahoma | 8 | $142 | $1,326 |
| New Jersey | 6 | $135 | $1,326 |
| Florida | 6 | $150 | $1,326 |
| California | 5 | — | $1,326 |
| Nebraska | 5 | $111 | $1,326 |
| Wyoming | 4 | — | $1,326 |
Pricing by Hunt Style
| Style | Budget | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully Guided (1:1) | $250 | $425 | $750 |
| Semi-Guided (2:1) | $200 | $325 | $500 |
| Drop Camp | $150 | $225 | $350 |
Base hunt prices — excludes tags, travel, and tipping. Use the cost estimator for all-in totals with those costs layered on.
Tag Cost Range
Nonresident waterfowl tags vary widely by state. The cheapest option is Georgia at $5, while the most expensive is South Carolina at $16. That's a 220% premium for the top-tier state.
What Outfitters Publish
65 outfitters publish prices for guided waterfowl hunts. Most fall between $250 and $2,750, with a midpoint around $535. These are the outfitters' own published figures and exclude the licence and tag.
| State | Outfitters Publishing | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 12 | $525 |
| Texas | 7 | $535 |
| Louisiana | 6 | $481 |
| North Dakota | 5 | $2,750 |
| Mississippi | 4 | $313 |
Read from each outfitter's own website. States with fewer than 4 outfitters publishing prices are left out rather than shown on a sample too small to mean anything.
Common Questions
How much does a guided waterfowl hunt cost?
Across published prices for guided waterfowl hunts, most fall between $250 and $2,750, with a midpoint around $535. Based on prices published by 65 outfitters on their own websites. Prices exclude the hunting licence and tag, which are paid to the state separately.
What else should I budget for beyond the waterfowl hunt price?
Beyond the outfitter's fee and the tag, budget for travel to the trailhead or camp, licence fees, and a gratuity for the guide, which is commonly 10 to 15 percent of the hunt price on a fully guided trip. Meat processing and taxidermy are billed separately if you take an animal.
Top 6 Waterfowl Operators
Skeleton Creek Outfitters
Garfield County, OK
World-class guided waterfowl, deer, and turkey hunts in North Central Oklahoma
Duxmen Outfitters Inc
Jonesboro, AR
Premier Arkansas Duck Hunting Guide Service
Arkansas County Guide Service
Corning, AR
Premier waterfowl outfitter in the duck hunting capital of the world.
Reedy Creek Outfitters
New Jersey Shore, NJ
Guided waterfowl hunts in New Jersey coastal estuaries with Coast Guard licensed captains.
Stuyvesant Outdoor Adventures
Hudson Valley, NY
New York's Premier Hunting Outfitter
Up North Outdoors, Inc.
Arkansas, AR
Spring snow goose hunts in Arkansas and South Dakota since 2001.
Methodology
All data is aggregated from our directory of verified hunting outfitters. Hunt prices come from our national pricing model (see the cost estimator for details). Tag costs are from state Fish & Game departments, 2026. See full methodology.