DELAWARE
Waterfowl hunting in the Diamond State is a tradition that dates back to Colonial times. Delaware and Chesapeake bays are the prime stopping-over places on the migration of all types of geese and ducks along the Atlantic Flyway. Delaware lies right in the middle of both bays.

While some of Delaware's waterfowl populations have shown a slight decline, a majority of the state's waterfowl numbers have either remained stable or shown an increase in the last several years. Likewise, while in recent years the state's number of waterfowl hunters has declined slightly to approximately 5,500 sportsmen, as with Maryland, the number of out-of-state waterfowl hunters is on the rise once again.

Delaware's marshes are the wintering grounds for many migratory waterfowl. The number of waterfowl that winter over in the marshes is related to how successful the breeding seasons have been in their Arctic and Canadian breeding grounds.

Recent trends in the numbers of birds wintering in the state have remained within their 10-year averages. Snow geese, which garner a lion's share of attention from waterfowl hunters, annually see an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 birds wintering over in Delaware marshes.

Migratory Canada goose populations are estimated at about 55,000 birds. This number can vary with the severity of the winter. However, last winter's late arrival -- in late January 2007 -- saw a lot of birds holding over in the marshes.

Resident populations are estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 birds, giving Delaware goose hunters between 250,000 and 300,000 birds to shoot at.

Mallards, green-winged teal and black ducks make up the bulk of the duck populations in Delaware's wetlands. Collectively, they number about 100,000-plus birds. During the January 2007 survey, an estimated 4,989 black ducks, 11,961 mallards, 7,071 pintails, 2,293 green-winged teal, 2,100 gadwalls, 3,155 shovelers and 2,525 mergansers were counted, along with a collection of other lesser species.

While Diamond State waterfowlers have two of the best duck and goose hunting areas found along the East Coast in Bombay Hook (for geese) and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges (for ducks), several smaller public-hunting areas also offer some topnotch waterfowling.

While these areas are nearly not as big or well noted, they offer some excellent hunting opportunities and are well worth giving a try.

Ted Harvey Wildlife Are
The Ted Harvey WA in Kent County annually plays host to thousands of migrating ducks and geese on their spring and fall migrations. It's considered one of the top goose-hunting areas in the state. The main attractions for both ducks and geese are the sheltered marshes and marsh grasses, fish, and other forage.

Its 2,661 acres include freshwater pools, swamps and tidal salt marshes, and annually see heavy migrations of snow geese and Canada geese.

Waterfowl refuge management programs develop and protect desirable habitat for waterfowl. The Logan Lane Tract offers hunters 44 blinds that are available on a first-come, first-served basis and by lottery from the Little Creek Checking Station.

Hunting from boats is allowed. All boats must be properly registered and have the necessary safety equipment on board. Pre-season permit holders must obtain a daily permit from the check station prior to the lottery before going hunting.

The conservation area is home to good numbers of mallards, green-winged teal, black ducks and gadwalls. For more information on the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, call (302) 284-1077.

Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area
When it comes to duck hunting, Ken told me the top spot in the state is Prime Hook NWR. Some of the best numbers of mallards, green-winged teal, black ducks and gadwalls are found here during the fall.

Prime Hook is a federal wildlife refuge and is subject to special regulations. Its 4,983-plus acres are managed as waterfowl habitat and combine saltwater marshes, freshwater impoundments and small streams.

Better than 150,000 to 200,000 waterfowl are estimated to move in and out of the refuge on any given year. This translates into excellent hunting for waterfowlers.

For more information on Cedar Swamp and the waterfowl hunting there, call (302) 653-8080.

There you have it -- a look at some of the best waterfowl hunting along the East Coast. The mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey have for a long time been a favorite destination of waterfowlers, and these areas remain some of the top areas in the country.