WHITE GIANTS OF THE NORTH- Waterfowl Hunting

Only 9 states allow swan hunting. North Carolina offers the largest amount of tags among them.

We just returned from a trip to Washington County hunting swans with H&H Guide Service and, as usual, we had a great time.  North Carolina is one of 9 states that allows heavily restricted swan hunting, so it makes us pretty unique and I’m always honored to be drawn for this event. 

Swans coming in to a decoy set is what a waterfowler's dreams are made of.

Many don’t know that our state is the termination point for the tundra swan migration.  Many of these “white birds of the North” spend their summers as far away as Point Barrow, Alaska along the edge of the Arctic Ocean and travel over 4,000 miles to our Northeastern region.  Think about it.  That’s an 8,000 mile annual round trip! 

Typical shotgun set up for swans are 3 inch magnum BB loads in 12 gauge

The Coastal region of Hyde and Washington Counties offers the perfect wintering situation.  Lake Mattamuskeet , the Albermarle and Pamlico Sounds and the many private impoundments across the area offers perfect lounging and roosting areas and then the vast acres of picked corn and soybean fields offer wintering waterfowl a buffet of food to help them prepare for their long journey back to the Arctic.

Swan Decoys in the early morning.

Basically, how you set up for swans is you put out oversized decoys in the field and don white Tyvek suits and lay in the spread.  As a waterfowler, there’s not much more of a thrilling spectacle than to see the giant birds cupping their wings, raising their heads, and dropping their black feet down as they commit to your decoys.  The sound of their giant wings ripping through the calm air as they’re slowing their descent is what makes hunters twitch in their sleep at night.

The morning was cold with overcast skies and as I got out of the truck I could hear the cacophony of distant swans on Pongo Lake and flocks were already lifting off and traveling high overhead.  We were hunting with my producer, Josh Lawler’s father Kevin and his son in law Kenneth Janey and his grandson Easton and family friend.

A picked cornfield under a flight line of swans can be deadly.

Thank goodness swans aren't too picky and accept white forms as potential swans.

Since you’re only allowed one bird per tag, one man is allowed to shoot at a time, so we drew numbers and settled in to witness each other’s hunt as we waited for our turn.It’s a lot of fun to kick back with friends and chat and watch wave after wave of swans fly over calling casually to one another and then see them making the commitment to come in.  Misses get a lot of comments and ribbing but connections are met with “atta boys” and laughter!

A coveted tag issued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

My turn came up and I positioned myself next to Tyler.  Jason was a little behind us and was watching closely as birds flew toward us to check out our decoys.  I was after a mature bird this year so we had to be very observant of each bird as it’s hard to distinguish the white feathers compared to dusty grey feathers of an immature bird against the grey backdrop.   Shooting while lying on your back is not an easy task.  The Tyvek suit didn’t help either with it’s binding nature so the first bird that I shot at was close… Almost too close and I made a clean miss as he came directly over me.  The laughter and the teasing ensued, of course, as  I sheepishly mumbled excuses to the peanut gallery and prepared for the next shot.  It wasn’t long before another group was circling our spread and Tyler said take the one in front. I raised up and swung with the lead bird and pulled the trigger.  I made the connection but he was gliding and I didn’t want to trek of a half a mile to recover him so I made a follow up shot and folded the bird just outside the decoys. 

Another tag punched.

Swans lined up after a successful hunt.

Another successful hunt with our party.

Tex the lab takes a nap in between retrieves.

Kenneth Janney and Son Easton with Kenneth's bird. This is a great way to instill a love for waterfowling in young people.

After attaching the tag, taking some photos and packing up the decoys we headed back to what we call the Eastern Headquarters in Williamston and napped and showered and headed out to the Sunny Side Oyster Bar for Oysters, Shrimp and Scallops!  An amazing end to another amazing hunt in my great state!

An evening of Oysters, shrimp and Scallops and the renowned Sunny-Side Oyster Bar in Williamston, NC is a great tradition for many who come east for deer and waterfowl hunting.