Early Season Teal Hunting: Why Kent TealSteel® Is the Best Load for Fast-Flying Ducks

When September arrives, waterfowl hunters know one thing: it’s teal time. Early season teal hunting is fast, exciting, and often unpredictable, making it one of the most thrilling starts to fall hunting. But teal are small, agile, and lightning fast—meaning hunters need the right gear, strategy, and ammunition to consistently succeed. That’s where Kent TealSteel® steps in as the go-to choice for early teal hunters.

Why Teal Hunting Is Unique

Teal are among the earliest migrating ducks in North America. Their darting, erratic flight patterns test a hunter’s reflexes, and their small bodies demand dense, forgiving shot patterns. Unlike later-season mallards or geese, teal rarely require heavy long-range loads. Instead, teal hunting is all about quick shots at close to mid-range distances—typically 15 to 30 yards.

Because of these challenges, ammunition choice makes or breaks a teal hunt. Hunters who want more consistent results turn to loads designed specifically for teal.

Kent TealSteel®: Built for Early Season Success

When it comes to the best teal hunting loads, Kent TealSteel® is purpose-built for the job. Featuring a 12-gauge, 1-1/4 oz. load of No. 6 Precision Steel, TealSteel® packs in nearly 400 pellets per shell. That’s almost double the pellet count of many standard duck loads, giving you incredibly dense patterns that maximize your chances of hitting fast-moving teal.

TealSteel® is engineered to perform where teal hunting happens—close-range, fast-paced action. With uniform, precision-ground pellets, hunters can rely on consistent patterns and reliable knockdown power. Whether you’re in flooded timber, prairie potholes, or rice fields, Kent TealSteel® ensures you have the pattern density needed to connect on these quick, challenging birds.

Tips for Hunting Early Season Teal

While the right load is essential, success also comes from preparation and strategy. Here are some quick teal hunting tips:

• Stay ready: Teal often appear suddenly and in groups. Keep your shotgun shouldered and be ready to swing quickly.

• Shoot one bird at a time: It’s tempting to fire into the flock, but focusing on a single teal improves accuracy and consistency.

• Pattern your gun: Before season opens, test Kent TealSteel® in your shotgun to see how it patterns at 20–30 yards. Knowing your spread builds confidence in the blind.

• Use small decoy spreads: Teal don’t need big spreads to commit. A dozen teal decoys or a handful of mallard hens are often enough to pull birds in.