Harris Game Land consists of 13,937 acres and surrounds much of Shearon Harris Lake. Holleman's Crossing Access is located near the center of the main arm of the lake on the east side off Bartley-Holleman Road. Cross Point Landing is located at the southern end. The best hunting areas are at the northern end, where hydrilla beds have taken root. Throughout the lake, the backs of coves attract ringnecks with hydrilla and other vegetation, along with mollusks and other invertebrates. Many bank areas can be hunted, but hunters also use boat blinds. Permanent blinds are not allowed. Hunting is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, holidays and opening and closing days of waterfowl seasons.

Great Lake and Catfish Lake also have special waterfowl rules. Waterfowl hunting is allowed Tuesdays, Thursdays, holidays and opening and closing days of waterfowl seasons. Great Lake is the best bet for ringnecks, and there are permanent blinds. When someone builds a blind, it is on public property, so others may hunt it. But courtesy should overrule competitiveness. Hunters who don't build permanent blinds use boat blinds. The lake is so large, even moderate winds can create hazardous waves. Catfish Lake is smaller and safer. Boat blinds are popular at the small lake. Hunters flushing ducks off nearby Catfish Lake Impoundment create good hunting when the ducks seek safety at Catfish Lake. Great Lake has one public ramp. Catfish Lake has several primitive launches around its perimeter.

Roanoke Rapids Lake has shoreline development. While the lake owner grandfather ruled a few permanent blinds could remain, new permanent blinds are banned. Hunters use boat blinds or hunt from islands. Hydrilla is the main ringneck attraction. The Thelma Access is located on Warrens Landing Road.

Suggs Millpond Game Land in Bladen County has waterfowl hunting by draw permit only. When applying, ringneck hunters should enter the latest dates possible to give time for ringnecks to concentrate. Ringnecks winter at many nearby Carolina bay lakes, including Singletary, White, Baytree, Waccamaw and Little Singletary lakes. Public hunting is only allowed at Suggs Millpond impoundment and Horseshoe Lake, and hunters must decide which lake they want to hunt when applying.

Some hunters don't enjoy eating diving ducks, but the ringneck is as different in the culinary department as it is in the character department. If taken on waters where its food is vegetation, a properly prepared ringneck is excellent eating. It's less so if taken from a sound or reservoir its diet is mollusks and other invertebrates.

But no matter where it's taken, the diving puddle duck ranks at the top, not just for the sporty gunning he offers and his delectability, but simply because he is still numerous. If you want to hunt diving ducks, there's really not much choice any more. So seek out the hangouts of good old Daffy if only because his population is high enough to allow him to fill an entire bag limit, no matter the segment of the season following that for September teal. That fact alone awards the ringneck the crown, hands down, plus even the necklace of the king.