On this page
The Mallard is a class 1 waterfowl in theHunter: Call of the Wild, found on Askiy Ridge, Layton Lake District, New England Mountains, Revontuli Coast, Salzwiesen Park, Te Awaroa National Park. It can reach Medium difficulty, weighs 0.72–2.1 kg. This guide covers how it behaves, when it feeds, drinks and rests, which weapons and ammo to use, how to hunt it, and the best places to find one.
The Mallard in the Game
1 official image from the game's store page. Tap it to enlarge.
Behaviour
Ducks and geese gather on lakes, rivers and marshes, flush in groups and fly fast. They return to the same water at predictable times.
Daily routine (need zones)
Like every species, the Mallard splits its day between feeding, drinking and resting zones. These are the published windows (in-game time). Find the zones on your save, then be there at the right hour.
| Where | Feed | Drink | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| All listed reserves | 05:00–07:00, 09:00–11:00, 13:00–15:00, 17:00–19:00 | — | 00:00–05:00, 07:00–09:00, 11:00–13:00, 15:00–17:00, 19:00–00:00 |
Best Weapons for the Mallard
The Mallard is class 1, so you need ammo rated for class 1. Ammo class decides what is legal and clean; the gun mostly changes handling and range.
Our picks:
- Caversham Steward 12G with 12 GA Birdshot
- Nordin 20SA with 20 GA Birdshot
- Kullman .22H with .22H Soft-Point
- Virant .22LR with .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point
| Weapon | Type | Ammo that covers class 1 | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cacciatore 12G | shotgun | 12 GA Birdshot | Base game |
| Caversham Steward 12G | shotgun | 12 GA Birdshot | Base game |
| Benelhag 12G | shotgun | 12 GA Birdshot | Scotland Hunting Reserve |
| Cassidy Combination Gun | shotgun | .22 Mag Jacketed Hollow-Point / Hollow-Point, 12 GA Birdshot | Multi-Class Weapon Pack |
| Couso Model 1897 | shotgun | 16 GA Birdshot | Rancho del Arroyo DLC |
| GOPI 10G Grand | shotgun | 10 GA Plastic Birdshot | Salzwiesen Park DLC |
| Giddings SSC .410 Coyote | shotgun | .410 Birdshot | Pump, Flip and Fire Pack |
| Grelck Drilling Rifle | shotgun | 16 GA Birdshot | Weapon Pack 2 |
| Humphrey 10G Coach Gun | shotgun | 10 GA Birdshot | Old West Weapon Pack |
| Miller Model 1891 | shotgun | 10 GA Brass Birdshot | Smoking Barrels Weapon Pack |
| Nordin 20SA | shotgun | 20 GA Birdshot, 20 GA Steel Birdshot | Duck and Cover Pack |
| Strandberg 10SA Executive | shotgun | 10 GA Birdshot | High Caliber Weapon Pack |
| Strecker SxS 20G | shotgun | 20 GA Birdshot | Wild Goose Chase Gear |
13 weapons can legally take a Mallard. Data from our weapons database; class ranges can change with patches.
How to Hunt the Mallard
- Use a shotgun with birdshot; it is the only sensible load for birds in flight.
- Set decoys and use the right caller where the store offers them, and hide in reeds or a blind.
- Lead the bird in flight; most misses are behind it.
- Watch where birds land and set up there for the next drink or feed window.
- Trophies: only max-difficulty animals can reach diamond. Check the trophy rating with binoculars, use in-class ammo and kill with one clean shot to pass the harvest check.
Best Places to Hunt the Mallard
The Mallard lives on 6 reserves. Here is each one, with its Great One status where we have verified it and the drink window.
- Askiy Ridge: 19 species on the reserve.
- Layton Lake District: 9 species on the reserve.
- New England Mountains: 15 species on the reserve.
- Revontuli Coast: 19 species on the reserve.
- Salzwiesen Park: 15 species on the reserve.
- Te Awaroa National Park: 10 species on the reserve.
Trophy Scores and Rare Furs
| Silver | Gold | Diamond | Weight range | Max difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.96 | 15.48 | 19.61 | 0.72–2.1 | Medium |
Rare furs: Blonde (Rare), Leucistic (Rare), Melanistic (Rare).
Related Animals
Sources: our species database (class, thresholds, need zones and furs compiled from community trackers and checked in game where possible), official store screenshots, and community guides. Compiled October 2026. Spotted something off? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What class is the Mallard in Call of the Wild?
Where can I hunt the Mallard?
What is the best gun for the Mallard?
What score is a diamond Mallard?
Can the Mallard be a Great One?
What rare furs can a Mallard have?
When does the Mallard drink?
Everything on this page comes from playing and studying the game. If it helped, pick it up from the official store and support the studio that makes it.
Get theHunter: Call of the Wild on Steam → Also on PlayStation and Xbox. Store prices change; check the store for the current price.