The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge offers a unique Cackling Goose hunting experience. We hunt these geese two different ways over decoys. When the weather and tides are right, we will hunt the geese on the tundra as they come to the upland areas looking for berries. Other times, we will set up on shorelines often getting a mixed bag of Brant, Cacklers, and ducks. Our best dates are during September through October, with most of these birds migrating south at the end of October.

The majority of our “Canada” geese are the Taverner’s subspecies (B. h. taverneri) and we also have a smaller number of (B. h. minima) – Cackling Cackling Goose. The most significant recent changes for Canada/Cackling Goose delineation came in the 45th supplement of the AOU checklist (Banks et al., 2004). Scientists called for the split of Canada Goose into two species, the Canada Goose and the Cackling Goose. Both types of geese found in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge are now considered to be subspecies of the Cackling Goose. Ongoing research may change these classifications but for now we hunt Cackling Geese in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

The Cold Bay/Izembek area has an abundance of Emperor Geese present during the entire waterfowl season, September through mid-December. Perhaps the most beautiful of all North American geese, the Emperor Goose spends its whole life in the Bering Sea area.  All hunting was closed to this species since the mid-1980’s. However, increases in the population have allowed limited hunts to be offered since 2017 for Alaskan residents and since 2018 for non-residents.  Unfortunately, due to decreasing population counts, the state closed this species to hunting following the 2024 season. It is unknown if/when the season may reopen.

Green-wings are a common duck in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. These ducks are present in the area during the entire season and are a excellent bonus to our late season sea duck and Brant hunts.The Green-winged Teal in Izembek are a mix of American Green-winged Teal, Aleutian Green-winged Teal, and crosses of those two subspecies.

The Harlequin (Histrionicus histrionicus), is a small, boldly-marked sea duck. They are considered one of the most beautifully-plumed of all North American waterfowl. Like other sea ducks, they feed by diving for benthic invertebrates, typically close to rocky shorelines. Insects, crustaceans, and mollusks make up the majority of their diet. Harlequins are very vocal and use a variety of squeaks and peeps. Females first breed when they are at least two years old. Harlequin ducks use clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams during the breeding season, where females will typically lay five to seven eggs.

Hunting Harlequin Ducks in Alaska

We are lucky to have a healthy local population of Harlequin in Cold Bay in addition to the many migrants that winter in the area. This results in having opportunities to hunt Harlequin in October and the hunting just gets better as more migrants show up. Alaska is the winter home to a great number of Harlequins, especially the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. Harlequin decoy very well and typically congregate near rocky shores. We use custom hand-painted decoys for close shots. Alaska law restricts non-residents to a seasonal limit of four Harlequin. Our hunts for these birds start in early October and go through December 16th.

There are also a fair number of Harlequin near St. Paul Island. While a full limit is unlikely, harvesting a single trophy drake specimen of this species is possible during a King hunt.

The King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) is one of four eider species found worldwide and is among the most striking sea ducks in the Northern Hemisphere. It breeds across the Arctic tundra of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia, nesting near freshwater wetlands before migrating to coastal marine waters to winter. The North American breeding population is estimated at roughly 250,000–300,000 birds, although numbers vary by region and some populations have experienced localized declines.

The King Eider drake is unmistakable, with a powder-blue crown, pale green nape, black body, crisp white breast, and a large orange-and-red shield at the base of its bill that gives the species its name. They are superb divers, routinely foraging in deep coastal waters for mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and other marine invertebrates, and they are renowned for undertaking some of the longest migrations of any sea duck between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas.

Hunting King Eiders on St. Paul Island, Alaska

St. Paul Island, Alaska is the only location in North America where a hunter can reliably harvest a King. Located in the heart of the Bering Sea, St. Paul Island offers one of the most consistent opportunities anywhere in the world to pursue this iconic sea duck in full breeding plumage. Limited access, challenging conditions, and the remote nature of the island make harvesting a King Eider an achievement sought by serious waterfowl hunters from around the globe.

With a proven track record of guiding on St. Paul Island since 2010 and decades of experience hunting and researching Alaska’s waterfowl, Four Flyways Outfitters provides a safe, ethical, and world-class hunting experience. Hunts are conducted from specialized open-water boats using proven decoy spreads and equipment designed specifically for the demanding conditions of the Bering Sea. Our experienced guides, comfortable lodging, and unwavering commitment to safety allow hunters to focus on what they came for – an unforgettable opportunity to pursue one of the world’s most prized sea ducks.

The quality of our King Eider hunts has been featured by Field & Stream, Wildfowl Magazine, Ducks Unlimited, Browning, SITKA Gear, and other outdoor industry leaders. These brands choose to hunt with us because we are the safest, highest quality, and most ethical operator on the island. Whether your goal is completing your life list, pursuing the Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge 41 UWC Certified, Hunt 41, or simply experiencing the unmatched beauty and challenge of the Bering Sea, St. Paul Island delivers an adventure unlike any other.

One of the most common sea ducks in Alaska, Long-tailed Ducks, aka Oldsquaw, are very plentiful in the Cold Bay area. These fast fliers are very vocal and respond well to decoys. We offer hunts for these and other sea ducks in November and December.

These vocal ducks were more common near St. Paul Island when the seafood processing facility was operating. Unfortunately, due to a crash in crab populations, the processing facility has not operated since 2021. Long-tailed Ducks were attracted to the nutrient-rich effluent released from the processing facility; without this facility in operation, the number of Oldsquaw that spend time near the island has decreased.

Why hunt Pacific Black Brant in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge?

1.) Hunters can witness concentrations that are not found anywhere else, peak numbers range from 150,000-200,000! This translates into consistent hunting for Brant our entire season from September 1st until mid-December.

2.) This is a 100% American hunt, there are no import restrictions, we harvest the birds in a legal and ethical fashion, there are no hidden fees or other unknowns, unlike hunts in foreign countries.  We offer the best Brant hunts in the best place to hunt Brant: Izembek Lagoon. We have the gear and the know-how to provide memorable hunts for this unique sea goose.

3.) Cold Bay offers one of the most diverse combinations of species available in addition to outstanding Brant hunting.  Many Brant hunts in other areas are specifically for Brant, or maybe a couple other species. Our late season Brant hunts also include hunts for Harlequin, Scoters, Oldsquaw, Pacific Eiders, Aleutian Green Wing Teal and more. NO other location offers up the combinations of highly desirable waterfowl species as the Cold Bay area.

4.) In addition to the outstanding hunting for Brant, you will be able to take up to your possession limit (9 birds) home to share with your friends and family. Pacific Brant are simply incredible table fare and we are happy to prepare your birds for the journey home with you. We will also grill some at our lodge, if you like.

Additional bird details

Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) are strikingly marked small sea goose species that mainly breed in the North American Arctic and to a lesser extent the Eurasian Arctic. Many breed on the coastal fringe of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in southwestern Alaska, while others breed in the Alaska and Canadian High Arctic. Eelgrass is vitally important as it accounts for over 95% of their diet. Izembek Lagoon contains some of the largest eelgrass beds in the world and is critical to the Brant life cycle.

Approximately 99% of the entire Pacific Black Brant population stages at Izembek Lagoon in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge on the Alaska Peninsula during the fall and most in the spring also. Brant begin arriving during August, and numbers build through September. Peak Brant numbers are usually present near late September or early October and usually number between an estimated 150,000-200,000 birds. The Pacific population also includes a small number of the grey-bellied Brant subspecies. The recent mild winters in the Cold Bay area have allowed record numbers of Brant to overwinter in the area. The past five winters have the Cold Bay/Izembek area wintering an average of 40,000-50,000+ Brant.

The Pacific Common Eider (somateria mollissima v-nigra) is the most distinct subspecies, morphologically and genetically, of the four subspecies of Common Eider recognized in North America. It breeds primarily along the coastal fringe of Alaska, western Canada, and far eastern Russia. The North American population of this subspecies is estimated to be 170,000, but long-term trends for this subspecies are largely unknown.

The Pacific Eider drake has a distinct black V on the chin unlike the other common eider races. The shape and color of the bill and lobes of the bill also differ from the other races. They are also the largest of the four subspecies and as well as the largest duck in North America.

Hunting Pacific Common Eiders in Cold Bay, Alaska

Hunting Pacific Eiders is done by very few due to limited access to their fall and winter ranges. They may be the most difficult of all sea ducks to harvest in Alaska. We have located huntable numbers of these exceptional ducks for those seeking our largest duck in North America.

Join us for an unforgettable Alaska duck hunt and be one of the few that get to hunt these amazing ducks. We believe that we offer the best hunts for these birds in Alaska.  Alaska law restricts non-residents to a seasonal limit of four Pacific Eiders. We offer sea duck and Brant combo hunts in November and December for those looking for the best hunt for eiders and more.

The Northern Pintail are the most numerous puddle duck on the Izembek Lagoon during September and October, and the best hunting for them is typically during early September through mid-October. Pintails often feed on eelgrass seeds and this results in them being among the best-tasting waterfowl anywhere. We often hunt for Brant, Cacklers, and Pintail on the same hunts providing for some action-packed early season hunts.

The uplands in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge are home to two types of Ptarmigan. Willow Ptarmigan are far more numerous than the slightly smaller Rock Ptarmigan that prefer higher altitudes. Ptarmigan are a grouse from the north, changing from light brown in the summer to snow white later in the fall. These birds are often found spread out across the tundra in coveys of various sizes. Ptarmigan hunting in Izembek NWR provides a break from our waterfowl hunts and adds variety to the Alaska experience. These are resident birds that are available during the entire season.

Both Black Scoters (Common Scoters) and White-winged Scoters are most numerous in the Cold Bay area during our November and December hunts. These large sea ducks feed on various clams, mussels, and other invertebrates by diving to the bottom of the bay. Despite their diet of mainly animal matter these are good-eating ducks when prepared properly.

There are a few nice drakes of these species on St. Paul Island, but they are not as numerous or as easy to target as in Cold Bay.

Wigeon are common to our hunting areas, but in much smaller numbers than the much more common Pintail. Wigeon typically feed on eelgrass in wide open areas, often mixed in with large flocks of Brant. Our flocks of Wigeon are mostly American Wigeon, although we often see some Eurasian Wigeon mixed in. Most Wigeon migrate out of the area by early November.