English

Alternative forms

• go hunting where the ducks are

Verb

hunt where the ducks are ‎(third-person singular simple present hunts where the ducks are, present participle hunting where the ducks are, simple past and past participle hunted where the ducks were)

1. (idiomatic) To seek opportunities or results in situations or places where they are most likely to be found.
   • 2006 July 24, Paul Krugman, "Like Oil and Vinegar," New York Times (retrieved 18 June 2013):

     I wish you had pushed your history back a few years, to Barry Goldwater’s remark following his defeat in ’64 that his fellow Republicans should hunt where the ducks are — by which he meant, look for votes among southern whites who were Democrats, but who were unhappy that the Democratic party had embraced the civil rights movement.

   • 2009 Feb. 18, Don Martin, "Ignatieff woos West in curious strategy," Calgary Herald (Canada) (retrieved 18 June 2013):

     [I]t's a curious strategy for a Liberal leader to focus on the West when, to paraphrase former premier Ralph Klein, he would be better off hunting where the ducks are. There's got to be stronger growth potential from hard-selling the brand in Ontario.

   • 2011 Jan. 27, Todd Wallack, "Patrick sees tax collection as pivotal," boston.com (retrieved 18 June 2013):

     [T]he governor is requesting funds . . . to boost tax collections and examinations of tax returns, particularly those filed by major corporations operating in multiple states. . . . "You hunt where the ducks are," said Robert Bliss, Department of Revenue spokesman.

Usage notes

• In the imperative form this verb is used as a proverb.