What Does It Cost to Start Duck Hunting? A Realistic Gear Budget

Every fall, the same question hits hunting forums and Reddit threads: "How much does it cost to get into duck hunting?"

The answers range wildly. Some guy claims he started for $200 with borrowed gear and hand-me-down decoys. Another says he dropped $5,000 before his first hunt. Both are telling the truth—they're just playing different games.

The reality is that duck hunting costs whatever you want it to cost. You can absolutely kill ducks with a pump shotgun, rubber boots, and six decoys. You can also spend more on a single wader jacket than most people spend on their entire first season.

This guide breaks down the real costs, category by category, across three budget tiers: bare minimum, comfortable starter, and fully equipped. No judgment on where you land—just honest numbers so you know what you're getting into. If you're brand new to waterfowl, start with our first duck hunt guide for what to expect in the blind.

The Three Tiers

Let's break down each category.

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Licenses and Stamps

This cost is fixed regardless of tier. No shortcuts, no borrowing.

Non-resident licenses are dramatically higher ($100-300+). Most beginners should hunt their home state.

First-year only: Many states offer discounted apprentice or first-time hunter licenses.

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Shotgun

If you don't already own one, this is your biggest expense.

Bare Minimum: $150-300

Used pump shotgun. A Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 from a pawn shop, gun show, or Armslist. These guns have killed more ducks than any semi-auto ever made. Cosmetic wear doesn't affect function.

• Remington 870 Express (used): $175-250
• Mossberg 500 (used): $150-225
• Maverick 88 (new, budget): $200-250

Make sure it cycles steel shot. Most modern 12-gauges handle steel fine. Older guns with fixed Full chokes may not—check before buying.

Comfortable Starter: $400-700

New pump or budget semi-auto. Better finish, more reliable function, warranty.

• Remington 870 Wingmaster (new): $500-600
• Winchester SXP (new): $350-450
• Stoeger M3000 (semi-auto, new): $500-600
• Beretta A300 (semi-auto, new): $650-750

Fully Equipped: $1,200-2,000+

Quality semi-auto or premium pump. Lighter, smoother, more reliable in harsh conditions.

• Benelli Super Black Eagle 3: $1,700-1,900
• Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus: $1,800-2,000
• Browning Maxus II: $1,500-1,700
• Benelli Nova (if you prefer pumps): $450-550

Reality check: A $200 used 870 will kill just as many ducks as a $1,800 Benelli. You're paying for weight savings, smoother cycling, and durability over thousands of rounds—not more dead ducks.

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Ammunition

Budget per season based on how much you'll shoot.

All Tiers: $75-200

Steel shot basics:

• #2 steel for ducks at normal ranges
• #4 steel for teal and close decoying birds
• BB or BBB for geese

Budget steel ($15-20/box) kills birds just fine at reasonable ranges. Save the $40 bismuth loads for late season when birds are wary and ranges stretch.

Buy in bulk during off-season sales. A case of 250 shells is cheaper per-box than buying 10 boxes individually.

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Waders

This is where cheap gear fails. Bad waders leak, and leaky waders at 5 a.m. in December end seasons early.

Bare Minimum: $60-120

Budget rubber or PVC waders. They work, but they're heavy, hot, and won't last.

• Frogg Toggs bootfoot: $70-100
• Allen Company bootfoot: $60-90

Lifespan: 1-2 seasons if you're lucky.

Alternative: Rubber boots ($40-60) work if you're not wading deep. Limit yourself to dry-ground hunts until you can afford real waders.

Comfortable Starter: $175-300

Mid-range breathable waders. Lighter, more comfortable, longer-lasting.

• Drake Waterfowl breathable: $180-250
• LaCrosse Alpha Swampfox: $200-280
• Rogers Sporting Goods breathables: $160-220

Buy timing: Post-season clearance (February-March) drops prices 30-50%.

Fully Equipped: $400-700

Premium breathables from top brands. Built to last, comfortable all day, serious insulation options.

• Sitka Delta Zip: $500-600
• Simms G3 Guide: $450-550
• Banded Black Label Elite: $400-500

Stockingfoot vs. bootfoot: Stockingfoot waders with separate boots cost more but fit better and allow boot replacement.

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Decoys

The forum arguments about decoy quantity never end. Here's what actually matters: a small spread in the right spot beats a hundred decoys in the wrong spot.

Bare Minimum: $50-100

6-12 used mallards. Check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and post-season clearance bins.

• Used mallards: $1-4 each
• Budget new mallards (6-pack): $30-50

This is enough to hunt small water and timber.

Comfortable Starter: $150-300

18-36 decoys with species variety.

• Mallards (24): $100-150
• Teal (6): $40-60
• Pintails (6): $50-70
• Mesh decoy bag: $30-50
• Texas rigs or weights: $30-50

This covers most public land scenarios.

Fully Equipped: $500-1,500+

Full spread with motion, species variety, and premium paint.

• Mallards (36-48): $250-400
• Teal/pintail/gadwall mix (18-24): $150-250
• Motion decoys (spinners, swimmers): $80-200
• Full-body field decoys: $200-400
• Quality bags and rigging: $100-150

The used market is your friend. Retiring hunters sell entire spreads for 50-70% off retail. Watch local classifieds in spring.

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Calls

You need at least one mallard call. You don't need an expensive one to start.

Bare Minimum: $15-30

Budget plastic double-reed. Forgiving, easy to blow, waterproof.

• Duck Commander Original: $20-25
• Haydel's DR-85: $15-20
• Zink Call of Death: $20-25

Comfortable Starter: $40-80

Better materials, more range, easier to tune.

• Zink Power Hen: $50-60
• RNT Daisy Cutter: $70-85
• Buck Gardner Double Nasty: $40-50

Fully Equipped: $100-200

Acrylic or custom calls.

• RNT Quackhead: $150-175
• DJ Calls Signature Series: $150-200
• Kirk McCullough customs: $150-250

Reality check: A $20 call in the hands of someone who practiced all summer will outperform a $200 call blown by someone who didn't. Spend money on practice time, not plastic.

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Clothing and Concealment

Bare Minimum: $50-100

You probably own most of this already:

• Camo jacket (any pattern): Borrow or thrift store ($10-30)
• Camo pants or brown/green work pants: ($15-30)
• Face mask or camo paint: ($5-10)
• Gloves: ($10-20)
• Warm base layers: (already own)

Key insight: Ducks don't see color the way we do. Earth tones, broken patterns, and staying still matter more than matching your spread to your wader brand.

Comfortable Starter: $150-350

Dedicated waterfowl camo, better warmth:

• Insulated camo jacket: $80-150
• Camo pants: $50-80
• Gloves: $20-40
• Face mask/balaclava: $15-25
• Hat: $15-25

Fully Equipped: $500-1,500

System-based layering, premium brands:

• Sitka or First Lite base layers: $100-200
• Insulated mid-layer: $200-350
• Outer shell: $200-400
• Gloves, hats, accessories: $100-200

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Blind Bag and Accessories

All Tiers: $50-150

Every duck hunter needs a way to carry shells, calls, snacks, and small gear.

A $40 blind bag from Amazon works as well as a $120 brand-name version for most hunters.

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Transportation (Optional)

Getting to water beyond walking distance opens up more hunting spots.

Bare Minimum: $0

Walk in. Carry decoys in a backpack. Limit yourself to walk-in accessible spots.

Comfortable Starter: $200-500

Used kayak or canoe. Opens creek systems, beaver ponds, and backwaters that walk-in hunters can't reach.

• Used sit-on-top kayak: $150-300
• Used canoe: $200-400
• Basic paddle: $30-50

Fully Equipped: $2,000-15,000+

Jon boat, mud motor, duck boat. Dedicated waterfowl rigs open big water, marsh, and flooded timber.

• Used jon boat: $500-1,500
• Mud motor: $2,000-5,000
• Outboard setup: $1,000-3,000
• Purpose-built duck boat: $8,000-25,000+

Most beginners should skip boats entirely. Hunt walk-in and kayak-accessible water for 2-3 seasons before investing in a boat. You'll learn what you actually need.

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The Totals

Bare Minimum: $350-600

This gets you hunting. It's not pretty, but it works.

Comfortable Starter: $1,200-1,800

This is the sweet spot for most beginners—quality gear that lasts without breaking the bank.

Fully Equipped: $3,500-5,500

This is "buy once, cry once" territory—gear that lasts a decade if maintained.

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What to Buy First

If you're building a kit over time, prioritize in this order:

1. License/stamps — Can't hunt without them
2. Shotgun — Borrow one for your first season if possible
3. Waders — Don't cheap out; leaky waders end seasons
4. Decoys — Start with 12; buy more as budget allows
5. Call — Practice matters more than price
6. Clothing — Work with what you have at first
7. Transportation — Walk-in hunt until you know what you need

Money-Saving Strategies

Buy used. Shotguns, decoys, kayaks, and waders all have active used markets. Post-season (February-April) is prime time.

Clearance sales. Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Scheels blow out waterfowl gear after the season. $300 waders for $180. $150 jackets for $80.

Borrow for season one. Hunt with someone who has gear. Learn what you actually like before buying your own.

Skip the brand tax. Rogers, Drake, and Banded make quality gear at 30-50% less than Sitka. Ducks can't read logos.

DIY where possible. Decoy weights, jerk strings, and blind frames don't need to be store-bought.

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The Ongoing Costs

First-year costs look high because you're buying gear. Subsequent seasons are much cheaper:

Once you own gear, duck hunting is one of the more affordable hunting pursuits on an annual basis.

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The Bottom Line

Duck hunting costs whatever you let it cost. A $500 setup kills birds. A $5,000 setup kills birds. The ducks don't know the difference.

Start cheap, hunt a lot, learn what you actually need. Then upgrade strategically. The guy with 30 hunts under his belt and a beater 870 will outshoot the guy with a Benelli and three days of experience every time.

Get the license. Get a gun. Get wet. Figure out the rest as you go.

New to waterfowl? Check out Your First Duck Hunt for what to expect in the blind. And once you're hooked, see DIY vs. Guided Duck Hunting to understand when each approach makes sense.

Plan the trip. Hit the blind. Split the tab.

Start Tracking Your Trip