The draining and filling of wetlands has reduced the number of feeding sites along the flyways of migrating ducks. In the United States and Canada, many large sanctuary areas have been established along duck flyways. No hunting is allowed in these areas. Tight restrictions are placed on duck hunting in a number of other areas; shooting is permitted only under certain conditions, and only during certain hours.

Hunters use a vast array of elaborate equipment in their efforts to seek out, lure, and shoot ducks. The hunters usually wait for their prey in boats or in a hidden pit, or blind. The blind is typically situated near the edge of some body of water located in a feeding area. Wooden or plastic duck replicas called decoys, are put out in the water. Attracted by the decoys, flying ducks may be lured within gunshot range. Another form of lure is a simulated duck call.

Because ducks fly at such great speeds, most hunters use shotguns that discharge large, screen-like patterns of pellets. The hunter must "lead,'' or aim in front of, the speeding ducks. Ducks that have been shot are usually fetched from the place where they have fallen by specially trained dogs known as retrievers.