Common Merganser

The common merganser is a large, sleek duck with a long, narrow bill adapted for eating fish. Males are easily identified by their white body and dark green head, while females sport a rusty crest. Found on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, they prefer clear waters for hunting underwater prey. Hunters may encounter them while targeting other divers or pursue them specifically in flowing water habitats.

Common Merganser hunts in the Atlantic Flyway typically run from November through January, with exact dates shifting each year based on weather-driven migration patterns. Small, fully guided groups (usually up to three hunters) work coastal rivers, estuaries, and inland lakes, often from layout boats or concealed shore blinds. Guides provide decoys, calls, and retrieval assistance, helping newcomers and veterans alike read flight lines and identify feeding flocks of these fast-moving divers. Hunters use shotguns on moving targets at moderate ranges, adhering to federal and state bag limits (commonly five mergansers per day). With carefully timed trips aligned to peak migration windows, these hunts deliver reliable action, hands-on instruction, and authentic New England waterfowling experiences.

Common Merganser hunts are offered as guided, full-day waterfowl outings with no on-site lodging. Participants return to nearby accommodations each evening, as there are no provided sleeping quarters or overnight camps. Meals are not included and hunters should plan to bring their own provisions. There are no dedicated heating or cooling facilities at the hunt site, so appropriate layered clothing and personal gear are essential. Hunts typically employ boats or shore blinds for access to prime merganser areas, with guides handling all aspects of field retrieval and cleaning.