A group posing with their birds after a guided hunt with Ruin Gun Club in the fall

Why Maryland’s Eastern Shore Is the Ultimate Destination for Duck & Goose Hunting

The Flyway, The Legacy, and the Hunts You’ll Never Forget

If you’re a waterfowler — or dreaming of becoming one — there’s one place that belongs on your bucket list: Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Steeped in tradition, rich in habitat, and perfectly placed along the Atlantic Flyway, the Eastern Shore offers some of the most exciting duck and goose hunting in the country. Every season, thousands of migrating birds funnel through the region — and the hunters who know where (and when) to be are rewarded with unforgettable days in the blind.

Here’s why the Eastern Shore is unlike anywhere else — and how Ruin Gun Club can help you experience the very best it has to offer.

The Flyway Factor: Hunting in the Heart of Migration

The Eastern Shore of Maryland sits smack in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, one of the four major migratory paths for North American waterfowl. Each fall and winter, countless ducks and geese make their way south along this route — and they don’t just pass through Maryland, they stop and stay.

Why? Because this region is loaded with everything waterfowl need:

  • Shallow marshes and river flats
  • Flooded impoundments and agricultural fields
  • Protected shorelines and freshwater ponds

From black ducks and mallards to Canada geese and snows, the Eastern Shore offers a front-row seat to the migration. It’s not just a good place to hunt — it’s where the birds want to be.

If you’re serious about waterfowl, you want to be where the birds want to be— and that means the Eastern Shore.

A Legacy of Waterfowling

Maryland’s Eastern Shore isn’t just famous for its birds — it’s legendary for its hunters.

For more than a century, waterfowlers have made pilgrimages to the region to pursue ducks and geese in its tidal creeks and open fields. Chestertown, Easton, and Cambridge have long been hubs for gunning clubs, carvers, outfitters, and storytellers. The gear has changed, but the reverence for the land and the hunt remains.

When you hunt the Eastern Shore, you’re stepping into a living tradition— the decoys may be modern, but the stories go back generations.”

A Mix of Species, Styles & Setups

One of the best parts about hunting the Eastern Shore is the variety. Depending on the time of season and where you set up, you can expect to see:

  • Puddle ducks like mallards, wigeon, gadwall, and black ducks
  • Diving ducks including scaup, buffleheads, and redheads
  • Big honkers (resident and migratory Canada geese)
  • Massive snow goose flocks during late season

And the setups are just as diverse:

  • Hidden pit blinds in cornfields
  • Layout blinds in winter wheat
  • Classic marsh setups along tidal flats
  • Impoundments and managed wetland units

Whether you’re after a mixed bag or targeting a single species, the options are here — and they’re world-class.

Access Is Everything— And It’s Hard to Come By

Let’s be real: while the region is loaded with birds, not every spot produces. Many public hunting areas see heavy pressure, and access to the best land is often limited to those who have long-standing leases or own property.

That’s where a reputable guide service makes all the difference.

At Ruin Gun Club, we’ve spent years building relationships and securing access to productive private farms across Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Cecil Counties. Our guides scout relentlessly, track migration patterns, and put hunters in the right place — at the right time — every single season.

Why Choose Ruin Gun Club for Your Eastern Shore Hunt?

We’re not just outfitters — we’re hunters who grew up on this land, learning from generations before us. Whether you’re new to waterfowling or have years under your belt, we offer a top-tier hunting experience built around honesty, hard work, and results.

Here’s what you can expect when you hunt with us:

  • Access to private, scouted farms — no guessing, no public land pressure
  • Nearly 100% success rates across duck and goose hunts
  • Flexible options for beginners and seasoned hunters
  • Experienced guides who love teaching and sharing the heritage
    A relaxed, professional atmosphere focused on your success and enjoyment

Your Next Great Hunt Starts Here

Maryland’s Eastern Shore is more than just a spot on the map — it’s a destination, a tradition, and a proving ground for duck and goose hunters. If you’re ready to experience the real thing — the birds, the blinds, the stories — we’d be honored to show you around.

Book Your Eastern Shore Hunt with Ruin Gun Club or call us at 410-708-4586 to talk through options and dates.

Your Maryland Hunting Guides

Our Eastern Shore farms offer some of the best hunting in Maryland. With flooded impoundments, standing corn sanctuaries, and prime flyway locations, thousands of ducks and geese call our properties home each season.

Conveniently located near Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, our farms in Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Cecil counties provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable hunt.

Why Hunt with Us?

  • Nearly 100% duck hunting success rates each season

  • Access to private farms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

  • Hunts from river blinds, field blinds, and goose pits

  • Expert guides passionate about helping both beginners & experienced hunters

Dove Hunts

Duck Hunts

Goose Hunts

Turkey Hunts

Deer Hunts

Ready for a Guided Hunt? So are we.

We have large impoundments with flooded standing corn that we use as sanctuaries. This allows us to hold thousands of migrating waterfowl from October until they head back home in March. The Eastern Shore of Maryland is the end of the flyway. We enjoy a nearly 100% success rate while waterfowl hunting. Our farms are located in Kent, Queen Annes and Cecil counties of Maryland.

 We hunt from river blinds, field blinds and goose pits. We are passionate about what we do. We want to share our passion and love for waterfowl hunting with you.

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