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Duck Hunting Methods in Morocco: Field-Proven Techniques, Regional Strategies & Dog Work 🦆
Duck hunting in Morocco isn’t a packaged experience—it’s raw, seasonal, and shaped by terrain, weather, and tradition. From the tidal lagoons of Merja Zerga to the inland marshes of Tadla, each region demands a different approach. This guide breaks down the actual hunting methods used by Moroccan waterfowl hunters, with detailed insight into setups, dog breeds, regional tactics, and how the hunt unfolds in real time.
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🎯 Morning Flight Shooting (Most Common Method)
This is the bread-and-butter technique for duck hunters across Morocco. It’s used in nearly every wetland zone—from River Camp’s lakes to the reed beds of Souss-Massa.
🔹 How It Works:
• Hunters arrive at the blind or natural cover before dawn, usually by 5:30–6:00 AM.
• Ducks begin flying in 30–45 minutes after sunrise, heading from roosting areas to feeding zones.
• Shots are taken as birds pass overhead or swing into decoy spreads.
• Most action happens in the first 90 minutes of daylight.
🔹 Setup:
• Natural blinds made from reeds, eucalyptus branches, or camo netting.
• Shotguns: 12 or 20 gauge, semi-auto or double-barrel.
• Ammo: Steel or bismuth shot ( to ), 32–36 grams.
🔹 Strategy:
• Position yourself downwind of feeding zones.
• Use minimal calling—Moroccan ducks respond better to silence or soft quacks.
• Avoid over-shooting early flocks; let birds settle into a pattern.
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🪶 Pass Shooting Along Flyways
Used in open terrain or near river corridors, especially in Tadla and Meknes regions.
🔹 How It Works:
• Hunters set up along known flight paths between roosting and feeding areas.
• No decoys or blinds—just natural concealment and timing.
• Shots are taken at birds passing overhead or crossing at angles.
🔹 Best Locations:
• Irrigation canals in Tadla
• River edges near Benslimane
• Open fields bordering marshes
🔹 Strategy:
• Scout flight paths the evening before.
• Use terrain features (trees, ridges) to funnel birds.
• Time your shots—don’t rush the first pass.
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🪺 Decoy Hunting (Growing in Popularity)
Still rare in Morocco but gaining traction in private concessions like River Camp and Widiane Chasse.
🔹 How It Works:
• Hunters place 6–12 floating decoys in shallow water or near reed edges.
• Use basic calling (mallard hen quacks, feeding chuckles).
• Birds circle and land into the spread—shots taken on final approach.
🔹 Setup:
• Lightweight plastic decoys or hand-carved wood
• Simple camo blind or natural cover
• Calling: single-reed mallard call or whistle
🔹 Strategy:
• Keep decoys spaced—avoid tight clusters.
• Use motion (jerk string or ripple decoy) to simulate feeding.
• Shoot birds as they commit, not on the swing.
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🐾 Dog-Assisted Marsh Hunts
Used in deeper wetlands and reed beds, especially in Merja Zerga and Souss-Massa.
🔹 Dog Breeds Commonly Used:
• Labrador Retriever: Strong swimmers, excellent for retrieving in open water.
• German Shorthaired Pointer: Used for flushing ducks from cover.
• Local Moroccan Mixes: Hardy, adaptable, often trained by rural hunters.
🔹 How It Works:
• Dogs flush ducks from dense reeds or retrieve downed birds from water.
• Hunters walk marsh edges or shoot from blinds.
• Dogs work silently and respond to hand signals or whistles.
🔹 Strategy:
• Train dogs to avoid chasing live birds—focus on retrieval.
• Use waterproof vests and GPS collars in thick cover.
• Rotate dogs during multi-day hunts to avoid fatigue.
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🧭 Regional Differences in Duck Hunting
🏞️ Merja Zerga Lagoon (Kenitra)
• Method: Morning flight + dog work
• Terrain: Dense reeds, tidal flats
• Strategy: Hunt from natural blinds; use dogs for retrieval
🏞️ Souss-Massa National Park (Agadir)
• Method: Pass shooting + walk-and-wait
• Terrain: Coastal lagoons, estuaries
• Strategy: Hunt near feeding zones; minimal calling
🏞️ River Camp Morocco (Benslimane, Meknes, Middle Atlas)
• Method: Decoy hunting + morning flight
• Terrain: Lakes, rivers, grain fields
• Strategy: Use professional guides and trained dogs
🏞️ Tadla Plains & Azilal Wetlands
• Method: Pass shooting + solo walk-and-flush
• Terrain: Irrigation canals, marsh edges
• Strategy: Scout flyways; hunt solo or in pairs
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🧾 Final Gear Checklist
• Shotgun: 12 or 20 gauge, semi-auto preferred
• Ammo: Steel or bismuth shot (–), 32–36g
• Clothing: Waterproof jacket, camo layers, waders
• Accessories: Decoys, calls, shell pouch, dog gear
• Dogs: Trained retriever or pointer (optional but recommended)
Duck hunting in Morocco is shaped by terrain, tradition, and timing. It’s not about volume—it’s about knowing your flyways, reading the wind, and reacting fast. Whether you’re calling mallards into a quiet pond or intercepting teal over a tidal lagoon, the methods here are real, refined, and rewarding.
❓ FAQ – Duck Hunting Methods in Morocco
1. What is the most common duck hunting technique in Morocco?
The most widely used method is morning flight shooting, where hunters set up before dawn near feeding areas and shoot ducks as they fly overhead. It’s especially effective in marshes and lagoons like Merja Zerga and River Camp.
2. Can I use decoys and calls while duck hunting in Morocco?
Yes. While decoy hunting is less common than pass shooting, it’s growing in popularity in private concessions. Mallards respond well to spread and soft calling, especially in quieter areas. Expect better results during late season when birds are pressured.
3. Are dogs used for duck hunting in Morocco?
Absolutely. Dogs play a key role, especially for retrieval in wet areas. Labrador Retrievers are preferred for water retrieves, while German Shorthaired Pointers and local Moroccan mixes help flush birds from reeds and thick cover.
4. How does duck hunting differ between regions?
• In Merja Zerga Lagoon, expect dense reeds and tidal flats—perfect for dog-assisted hunts.
HOW TO HUNT DUCKS THE EASY WAY
Follow these six easy steps to enjoy your first duck hunt this season.
Duck hunting is one of the easiest hunting sports for new shotgunners to expand into. Ample public-land hunting opportunities abound for waterfowlers and the gear you’ll need to get started is not overly expensive.
Hunting ducks is also a great way to spend some quiet time with your kids or grandkids, while introducing them to gun safety and hunting. Best of all, you can get started with just a few simple tips. Follow these six easy guidelines to start enjoying gorgeous sunrises in the blind and the thrill of whistling wings coming in to your decoys this season.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Learning to become a proficient waterfowler takes time and experience, but you can begin enjoying the fun right now. If you have a friend or someone at your local gun club who can take you out your first time or two, that’s best. They can share their knowledge and you’ll pick up a lot of tips on your first trip out.
Hiring a guide can also get you started down the waterfowling path quickly as they have years of knowledge and all the gear you’ll need. I recently spent two great days hunting ducks at Beaver Dam Lake (see sidebar) in Tunica, MS. Their full-service operation featuring experienced locals guides and top-notch accommodations is a good example of how a well-run operation can bring the excitement and tradition of duck hunting to newcomers and veteran waterfowlers alike.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
The beauty of waterfowling is that it doesn’t involve a huge investment. You probably have a lot of what you need to get started right now, but here are a few of the essentials to consider.
Shotguns: While nearly every major gun manufacturer makes waterfowl-specific shotguns, the autoloader or pump you’re using for trap and skeet may be just fine for your initial outing. Either 12- or 20-gauge guns will work perfectly well for waterfowling when paired with proper loads designed for ducks and geese.
Chokes: For ducks in close over decoys using steel shot, improved cylinder (or even skeet) is ideal. For longer-range pass-shooting opportunities, you’ll want to step up to modified.
Loads: Check your state regulations, but non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl in most areas. No. 2 steel is a good all-around choice, but you should pick up several different brands/types of non-toxic shot to see what patterns best in your gun. Splitting the ammo costs with a friend or two and patterning your guns together at your local range will help all of you get off to a good start.
Decoys: A dozen decoys will easily get you started making simple spreads that will bring ducks in close. Look for close-out sales at the end of the season or pick up a set of used decoys on Craigslist to minimize costs.
Camo: A simple waterfowl parka with a hood, worn over layered clothing will block the wind, keep you dry and let you blend into surrounding cover. I used insulated bibs and a wader jacket top with a zip-out liner from Banded camo on my recent hunt and it worked really well. Given that temperatures can be at freezing in the mornings (even in southern regions), make sure you bring warm gloves and an insulated hat that covers your ears.
Waders: In the early season when temperatures are still relatively warm, hip boots or the waders you like to fish in will work fine. As temperatures grow colder, you’ll want to transition to insulated knee-highs or waders. Again, shop online for bargains.
Calls: If you book a guide, they’ll do all the calling, but you don’t need a fancy call to do it yourself. Ask your local dealer what they recommend, but choose a model that’s easy to make a few simple calls with.
Hearing protection: Don’t forget earplugs as the report of guns in an enclosed blind is greatly amplified.
TRY THIS BASIC SPREAD
While decoy spreads can become an elaborate art form, they don’t have to be. A basic “fishhook” or “J” pattern with just a dozen or two decoys is all you need in many small pothole areas or shallow warm-water sloughs, to get plenty of ducks headed your way. It’s perfect to use on days when you have a strong wind blowing consistently from one direction. (A simple “C” or “horseshoe” pattern, with the open ends of the C extending out from the shoreline, works great on days when winds are lighter.)
Put a few “feeding decoys” right in front of your blind.
Extend the foot of the fishhook out and away from the shore on the upwind side of the blind. These visible decoys will be your attractors.
Let the tail of the hook trail down and out from the shoreline to the downwind side.
Ducks will normally come in heading upwind, see your attractor decoys and hopefully set down right in the open hole created by the hooked end of the spread.
Set your blind up on the open (downwind) end of the pattern.
Figure about 30 to 40 yards from one end of the hook pattern to the other.
Try to keep the sun at your back as much as possible. This will keep the sun in the birds’ eyes to minimize their picking up your movements.
Brush in your blind and keep your movements to a minimum.
DO’S AND DON’TS
Don’t overcall.Let the decoys do the work. Here are some simple pointers from veteran Beaver Dam guide, Lamar Boyd, on how to bring ducks into your spread.
Minimize movements: Ducks are sharp-eyed. Keep movements to an absolute minimum, especially when birds are on the approach to your decoy spread. Any false movements or upturned faces that catch the sun will cause birds to flare.
Be patient: Wait for ducks to fully commit to landing before you pop up to shoot.
Know the regulations: Regulations on bag limits and what kinds of ducks you can legally harvest vary by state. A quick visit to your state’s DNR website will familiarize you with the regulations for wherever you’re hunting.
Be safe: Gun safety is always of vital importance and is critical in crowded blinds and excited conditions when ducks come in. Go over the ground rules with your party to make sure muzzles are always pointed in a safe direction and safeties are always on unless you’re shooting. Make sure everyone unloads and actions are clear before anyone ventures out to pick up downed birds.
THE ABC’S OF LEAD
Like any moving target, ducks require lead. The biggest mistake beginners make in shooting any moving target is that they simply stop the gun. They see the bird, they swing to the bird and then they stop.
You must keep the muzzle of the gun moving out in front of the bird and train yourself to “follow through” even after you’ve pulled the trigger. When taking passing shots on ducks, the simple acronym “butt, beak, bang” can help. Here’s how it works:
A. As the duck crosses in front of you, bring your muzzle up from behind the bird.
B. Swing through his butt and past his beak, then pull the trigger.
C. Keep the muzzle moving out ahead of the bird after you’ve fired to finish your follow-through
