Author: Webmaster

Posted By:
webmaster
root

09-14-2010 14:48
– – –
L.D.W.F. Advisory for Teal Hunters in Oil Spill Impacted Areas.

Teal season opens Saturday, Sept.11, and thousands of hunters will make their first waterfowl hunts in the coastal marshes since last winter. Although no areas in Louisiana are closed to hunting due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) advises hunters that they may encounter clean-up activities, boom protecting habitat, and possibly oiled habitat or birds. Additionally, some boat launch access points will be in use for continued clean-up activities.

Launch and Habitat Access

Boat launches serving the clean-up operation will be crowded with vehicles serving that mission. For example, launches in Hopedale, Cocodrie, Myrtle Grove and Venice are departure points for oil-spill workers, and the launch at the end of LA Hwy. 665 near Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is closed to public use. Once on the water, hunters should expect additional boat traffic in areas near oil impacts. Like fishermen, hunters are not allowed to cross protective boom and are required to stay at least 65 feet from boom and other clean-up equipment.

The U.S. Coast Guard and oil-spill response operations personnel have agreed to minimize wildlife habitat disturbance where individuals may be hunting. Air-boat activity on WMAs will be stopped, low-level aircraft flights and other operations will be delayed until later in the morning, and clean-up crews will be briefed about potential hunting activity during the Sept.11 – 26 teal season.

LDWF asks hunters to remain aware of clean-up crews along the coast and understand the significance of their continued efforts. Oil-spill responders will be in clusters of boats and wearing white Tyvek suits. Their presence puts added emphasis on standard gun-safety procedures. Oil impacts are generally on the exterior marshes and islands, open bays and barrier islands. Any questions or issues relating to teal season hunting in areas of oil impact or cleanup activities should be reported to the Louisiana Teal Season Hotline at (985) 647-0266.

Oiled Wildlife or Habitat

In the unlikely event that hunters harvest an oiled bird, it must be kept as part of the daily bag limit, but LDWF is advising hunters NOT to eat visibly oiled ducks. Hunters are asked to report any oiled bird harvested, and any other oiled birds observed in the field, to the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at (866) 557-1401 and also to the nearest LDWF Field Office. If possible, wrap the oiled bird in aluminum foil or paper, and deliver it to the nearest LDWF Field Office or active bag check station so the bird can be analyzed and become part of the oil-spill damage assessment.

Hunters are also encouraged to report oil impacted marsh habitat to the Environmental Hotline at (866) 448-5816.

As part of the wildlife recovery and rehabilitation process, a few game birds that were recovered have been cleaned and released back into the wild. These birds have been tagged with a standard silver federal band and a red auxiliary band that says “Oil Spill Bird.” Hunters should not eat these birds, but should call the phone numbers on the band to report them.

For more information please contact Larry Reynolds, LDWF Waterfowl Study Leader, at (225) 765-0456 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

SW LA 07-22-2010 09:50
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – Over 70 Degrees
Well its almost september and teal season is right around the corner.Hopefully it will turn out to be a good one. As usual most of my summer is spent fishing ,but even that has been hit and miss with the weather around here.
Hopefully duck season will be productive this year despite the oil spill ,and whatever other obstacles we may encounter between now and then.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 06-21-2010 14:09
– – Over 70 Degrees
There is a rumor floating around that BP and USFWS are making plans to purchase food crops for the ducks North of Louisiana. This is supposedly to prevent large migrations of ducks in SE Louisiana. Hard to see how this small step would prevent this yearly migration, but only time will tell. It is fairly certain that the marshes being affected by this spill will not have recovered from this disaster!!!!

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2010-06-22 10:51]

Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor

La. 06-01-2010 12:06
– – –
Seeing the wetland being mired in oil,the out of work fishermen,the businesses in your state being ruined by the oil spill,all I can do is remember your state and it’s people in my prayers.Yes,there is a God in my life,contrary to other peoples thoughts.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW Louisiana 01-29-2010 07:03
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 50-60 Degrees
Been too quiet on this end. Too much going on. Well our season is over. Hate to sound like a broken record but same story as last year. No new ducks after Thanksgiving. The ruling on limiting mottled ducks hurt us this year but probably was a good call. The years are going by and with the declining numbers of birds, despite what the LA. Wildlife population count shows, the same sad story seems to be repeating itself. We, here in Louisiana have counted on Mother Nature to provide adequate food for ducks and geese and sadly that isn’t happening anymore. With rice planting dwindling across South Louisiana, the bird numbers are reflecting this problem. Not many people realize that the Greater Canada goose used to winter in SW. Louisiana in the 50’s and 60’s, then all of a sudden, they were gone and have never returned. The mallard is likely to follow suit. Both of these birds are hardy and can survive in extreme cold temperatures. How we, duck hunters address this issue is our job, not some agency. What course of action we take must be started quickly with the involvement of big land owners. CPR fields and other areas of food for the birds might turn this problem around but it maybe too late.

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2010-01-29 07:03]

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2010-01-29 08:42]

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-23-2010 20:41
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Made last hunt for season today.Had two guests and ended with 10 birds. High winds made it difficult to work birds ,but those that did we managed to kill.
Good luck to those that hunt on Sunday ,which is the last day in the west zone.
Ended the season hunting over 30 days and just over 100 birds killed from my blind. Not my best year ,but it could have been worse.Birds appear to finally be showing up ,which is typical -always get here after we are done. Hopefully next season will be better .

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Lease near Holly Beach LA 01-22-2010 19:03
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted family lease with a friend today. Bluebird day ,very little wind.We managed to kill 8 ducks- 1 teal,1 scaup,2 mottle,4 spoonbills. We should have killed our limit but was busy talking and enjoying the morning. Seeing lots of birds now ,but they are very call and decoy shy in our area.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Lease near Holly Beach LA 01-20-2010 21:18
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted at family lease this morning in heavy fog.Managed to kill 3 birds .Appears to be more birds in the area.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-18-2010 12:38
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted with two guests this morning at camp. Started morning with heavy fog turning to clear skies later. Seeing more birds but not able to do much with them .Late season decoy and call shy I guess. Finished with one greenwing teal.May have done better if it was’nt as foggy .Four blinds hunting this morning killed 6 birds total.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-17-2010 20:39
Cloudy, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted two guests at camp this morning.Was cloudy most of the morning with a strong north wind.Seeing more birds,but not able to work them at all. Ended hunt with 3 teal and 1 mallard drake. Let a couple questionable shots pass ,so best we could have done was 7 birds . Three blinds with two guests each hunted for a total of 10 birds killed .

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-12-2010 17:22
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted with two other guides this morning at the camp.Saw more birds finally since its warmed up,and the ice is gone. We managed 5 birds ,should have had a few more but due to not paying attention we missed out.Looks like it may be improving but its to early to say for sure.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Lease near Holly Beach LA 01-11-2010 14:02
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hunted our lease today ,still ice on the ponds .Bluebird day with light wind .Myself and a friend hunted .Saw only one gray duck and we killed him . Repeat saw only one gray duck! Dont know where the ducks are but this is a very disapointing season.I can only hope these last two weeks pick up.First time I can remember not seeing anything all morning like its been for the last few days.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-09-2010 19:45
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Guests put off going out till 7:30 ,was about 20 degrees with a cold north wind felt like 10 degrees. Three blinds hunted not a shot fired. Saw a few birds ,worked one group of specks but wouldnt finish .Still not seeing any birds with this recent cold front .I’m thinking USFW maybe miscounted this year….

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private Club – Vinton LA 01-08-2010 20:01
Cloudy, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Guests were not into going out this morning,guess 26 degress and a strong north wind had them scared. We had three blinds hunt anyway ,not a shot fired .Birds still not here like they should be .Will continue to hope for a positive change . Not hearing any good reports from anyone else in the area.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Private club – Vinton LA 01-07-2010 17:07
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 40-45 Degrees
Rained all morning ,started with south winds ended with strong cold north wind.Two guests called it at 8:45. Few birds in the sky ,missed chance at two teal . O in the bag today.Four blinds hunting 2 birds killed total for camp. Hoping for something to come down with the front thats movin thru now . Trying it again in the morning.

[Edited By tdaugereaux on 2010-01-07 17:08]

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

Lease near Holly Beach LA 01-06-2010 15:25
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted on family lease this morning,not many ducks ,few geese moving around. Myself and one other hunter ended up with 2 teal and 2 black mallards . With better shooting best we could have done was 8 . Cold front comming in the next few days ,hopefully we will see some new birds in numbers.Be back at it in the morning.

Posted By:
tdaugereaux
Guest

private club – Vinton LA 01-04-2010 21:56
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted private marsh at duck camp this morning.Seeing very few birds. 6 blinds hunting today less than 10 birds killed.

[Edited By tdaugereaux on 2010-01-06 15:27]

Posted By:
Fowl Smeller
Web Member

12-06-2009 15:50
– – –
I am looking for some info about the pass a loutre and biloxi wmas. I have a 16′ aluminum boat with a 60 hp outboard. Is this a suitable boat for the coastal marshes? I have found mixed reports on surface drives vs outboards in this area. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Whack & Stack!

Posted By:
yukonkjun
Guest

Wright 11-30-2009 02:16
– – –
At work and haven’t gotten a blind report from the weekend yet but a nephew was in Ohio 10 days ago deer hunting and said he’s never seen so many ducks. My son drove to Shreveport Sun. afternoon and saw quite a few ducks in the Whiteville area just off I 49. Need some duck weather or I’ll break out the golf clubs.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

Sw Louisiana 11-29-2009 08:38
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
This season might be an indicator of what our future seasons will be like. We have killed 3 mallards. Let me repeat that 3 mallards!!! total! We have not seen one large group of mallards. The birds we are seeing are the same ones we saw at the start of the season. Absolutely no new birds.

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2009-11-29 08:38]

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Pine Island 11-16-2009 08:36
– – –
15 teal, 2 greys and 1 pintail at 7am Sunday morning. Not as many birds as Sat. but still plenty. Can’t wait to go again.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Pine Island 11-14-2009 15:57
– – –
18 teal in 15 min….lots of birds…we decided before the hunt to get our birds and get out to try to prevent from running the birds out.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Cameron Parish 11-11-2009 07:17
– – –
Made a loop through little chenier to grand chenier then back to creole and up to cameron prairie today…..not really impressed with numbers of birds. The water still looked extremely high which may be the reason for the lack of birds but the numbers were comparable to what was seen 3 months after Ike last year.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW Louisiana 11-09-2009 06:58
Cloudy, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Well with over 2 foot of water in our pond, the majority of our birds are gone. With water in every empty field North of us, the birds have scattered out. So, what opening day bring us is hard to say. We are trying to lower the water level but slow going. Will just have to see how everything plays out.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Fenton, La 11-08-2009 16:08
– – –
Went to work on blinds yesterday. Had plenty of water!!!! and plenty of birds…Mallards, pintail, bw & gw teal, greys, mottle ducks and the dreaded spoonies. Hoping for a great opening day before the birds spread out.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 08-03-2009 09:26
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
FYI to duck hunters. One of my labs have been diagnosed with a early case of Heart worms. He has started the treatment. In talking to my Vet, he told me that the heartworms are becoming resistant to Heart gard and Interceptor medicines. There is a new medicine out I think made by Advantage. Owners might look into this medicine.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 01-28-2009 06:41
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
Thought we might take some specks after the duck season closed but nope, it’s over!!!! All in all a poor season. Just no new birds after Thanksgiving. The warm stretch in early December had birds moving and staying North of us. In talking to most hunters in the SW. La. area, reports were about the same, the second split was disappointing. We, in Southern Louisiana, could stand several years of no hurricanes, in order for our marshes to start to return to normal. I blame this factor on the reason for such a poor second split area wide. The one good part of the hunting season was the working of my lab that I purchased in Tennessee a couple of years back. Spent most of my time during the season watching and enjoying seeing him work. There is just something about a good Lab that really make the hunts more enjoyable. He probably found 20 to 30 birds that we could have never found. So till next year!!!!

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2009-01-28 06:42]

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 01-26-2009 08:24
– – –
I did not hunt the last weekend of duck season. 3 guns hunted both days and totaled 10 ducks and 5 specks. This weekend 2 guns hunted specks and did not fire either day. Im glad its over! All in all it was a good season for us and thanks to the teal for staying with us for the most part.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 01-12-2009 08:27
– – –
Its Official–the teal have left our area and headed south. Sat–4 guns and managed 2 teal and a speck/blue cross. Sunday–3 guns and didnt fire a shot. One more hunt like that and Ill be fishing untill september teal season.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 01-09-2009 12:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Still lots of birds in the area just no new ones and they all have my blind gps marked to avoid. 2 guns We left the duck blind at 8 with 8 ducks and 1 speck. Went to the goose blind (layouts) and killed 3 blues and a speck. Tomorrow we will decide whether to stay in the duck blind or go to the goose a little sooner as they quit moving about the time we finished setting up.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 01-05-2009 13:09
– – –
Thurs. 2 guns–1 teal. Friday 3 guns 16 teal and 2 mottled ducks. Saturday 4 guns 19 teal 2 pintail 3 mallards. Sunday 3 guns 12 teal 4 mallards 2 specks. The teal have been saving our hunts. The mallards and pintail have been super blind and decoy shy and there are very few new ones that come. Hopefully the teal will stay around and let us have a good end to the season or else we will be reduced to 2 to 4 bird days.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 01-05-2009 05:39
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
Pitiful is about the only word that can describe our hunting. Hunted Friday and Saturday with the same results, no new ducks, the ducks that are around our area don’t come close to the blinds and the geese must be staying up North. Word from other hunters stated that the teal have move to central Louisiana. Hate to say but our season is just about done.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-31-2008 21:04
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
Miserable hunt today. Not many birds moving had one bunch of teal do it right and killed 4. Only time we got a shot off all morning. I hope it improves quick.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-29-2008 10:27
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
It has really slowed down the last two days. Sunday was good with 15 teal, 1 grey and 2 tails for 4 guns and today 3 guns had 5 teal, 1 mallard and 1 speck. Not many ducks moving today and Ive talked to three others that saw a big slow down today compared to the last 3 days. Maybe the change in weather will stir them again.

Posted By:
FairChaseForever
Web Member

Lake Providence 12-29-2008 09:27
– – –
lots of ducks around right now

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 12-29-2008 08:32
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Sorry for the absence, but after my buddy’s death, hunting has kind of lost a little of its importance. We haven’t had much to talk about, unless it is the total lack of new birds and lack of water. Wind has been an issue also. Birds are high and staying there. Geese that were there first of last week have moved North I guess due to the warm weather. Got some needed rain yesterday and here’s hoping for a little chance in the hunting.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-27-2008 15:29
Cloudy, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Man it has been fun the last couple of days. Friday was a flight day and we had thousands of ducks and geese coming from the north heading south. My buddy and his brother from Ark. and I hunted friday with limits of teal with 3 mallards and a grey plus 4 snows and a speck by 8:30. Today not as many ducks but still not a minute went by without ducks over us in the air. 4 guns 23 teal and a pintail. Looking forward to tomorrow!!!

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-25-2008 10:04
Cloudy, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Buddy hunted my blind today with his brother and nephew from Ark. Said there were lots of birds just very call and decoy shy. Ended the hunt with 2 mallards, 2 pintail, 2 greys and 5 widgeon. Ill be back in the blind on friday. He also said that 2 bodies of geese were taking fields to south and west of us—-may make for some awesome goose shoots.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-23-2008 12:09
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Lots of new ducks and geese coming in from the north just not many interested in the spread. 3 guns quit at 8:30 with 13 teal and 1 grey. At one point we had over 200 mostly pintail with a few widgeon and mallards circling but after 3 rounds they left. It was great to watch.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-22-2008 07:52
Cloudy, High Winds – –
Hunted sat morning and had to wait for the fog to leave to kill any birds. Limited with 11 teal, 3 pintail, 3 mallards and a grey. Sunday morning the gwt swarmed us and we quit 3 shy of a 4 man limit with 15 teal, 4 mallards and 2 widgeon. I just talked to the guys in the blind and they only had 2 teal this morning and said not much was moving.

Posted By:
FairChaseForever
Web Member

Lake Providence 12-22-2008 05:55
– – –
Well, we finally got our Blizzard up North. Hopefully the Wildlife Managers(State and federal plus Du and Delta) get proven right that we have enough ducks and that weather is the dominant factor this week.

Let’s get some reports in here.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-17-2008 11:51
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 45-50 Degrees
Foggy couldn’t see the levees in front of the blind. Saw a total of 5 teal. Left at 9 am and didn’t pick up my gun.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 12-16-2008 05:03
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
The hunting accident from this area yesterday claimed the life of one of my best friends. The accident should remind all of us of just exactly how dangerous hunting can be when proper safety rules are not followed. Rules such as shooting zones and proper gun safety should be reviewed every time we go into the field. In the accident, one of these rules was not followed. Because of that, a young man lost his life, his family, a husband and father, and to his friends, a buddy. He was doing what he loved to do. We had gotten together after Saturday’s hunt. Not a particularly good hunt, but that is not the reason we hunt. I read not long ago, a saying, that the older one gets, the hunting becomes, more about being there than the taking of game. This was true about our hunting group. When the six of us get together, we have close to three hundred years of hunting experience between us. Yesterday, I lost a friend, so please if you read this report, try to remember to go over safety rules the next time you are in the field, so maybe this will not happen to you.

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2008-12-16 05:04]

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-15-2008 08:34
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
We had a great weekend which really surprised me. Saturday, we had 14 gwt, 3 mottle ducks and 1 pintail. There were lots of geese moving but they would not work at all. On Sunday, we had our 18 teal by 7am and could have shot teal all day long. Not near as many geese moving but the teal shoot sure was fun.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

Sw La. 12-15-2008 05:36
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
Pitiful is the best way to describe the start of the second season. Got a couple of Ross geese Saturday along with some teals, but no new ducks. Sunday we had two chances on teal, they zoomed by never even considered decoying. Reports from Gum Cove, Sweetlake, and Grand Chenier all reflected the same story. The birds that are down right now in the SW Louisiana area are the same birds that have been shot at during the first split. They are gun and call shy. We just aren’t getting an influx of new birds.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 12-01-2008 08:54
– – –
This first split has been full of ups and downs. No one hunted thurs. and on friday 4 guns had 9 mallards and a teal. Sat ended with 3 mallards and on Sunday the gwt finally showed up and 3 guns ended the first split with 17 teal and a grey. Hopefully this will be a sign of things to come for the second split.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La 12-01-2008 05:10
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
We ended the first split with a little good news, a few new birds and some wind. That is and probably everyone’s key to good hunting. A fair first split with as many bad days as fair ones.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-27-2008 20:50
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Buddy hunted solo in my blind on Wed. He killed 3 mallards, 1 teal and 1 grey. He said that there were many more ducks in the area than on tuesday including a group of 20 to 25 greys that he managed 1 out of and two groups of 4 mallards that he totaled 3 birds from. He said there was no doubt he should have limited. Going friday morning then Ill be at Sam Rayburn the rest of the weekend. Im anxious to see what the numbers of ducks are there.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-25-2008 14:17
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
I really thought that the greenwings would be there today. They normally are after a front. But they weren’t. 4 guns left the blind at 7:30 without firing. I just can’t seem to catch a good weather day. Need to become a Meteorologist so that I can be wrong everyday and not lose my job!! I’ll give it another try on Friday and then I’m done til the second split.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 11-25-2008 09:27
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Sorry for the absence, here it is. Hunting has been off and on. One day good and the next slow. We don’t seem to have the numbers of big ducks such as mallards and pintails like we have in previous years. Teal is the most popular but their numbers have decreased in the past few days. Weather is the key for our hunting and blue sky and calm winds doesn’t make for a good hunt in my area. The goose numbers has been increasing but they are already seem blind shy. The Big Burns area has been shooting a lot. One report from the Gum Cove area was great, probably due to the fact that the road into that area has been just repaired after being destroyed by Ike. Grand Chenier reported good hunting last week but has slow this week, mostly teal and ring neck ducks.Big Pasture took a big hit from Ike and has been slow. Once again our numbers seem to be down. Will try to report more frequently in the future.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-21-2008 10:42
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Friday morning before work. 2 guns 10 ducks…..5 GWT, 3 Heads & 2 Hens left blind at 7:30.

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

South Central 11-21-2008 09:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Made a hunt on Wednesday. We did well again, despite not seeing too many birds.

2 hunters:
4 Greenheads
5 Mottleds
3 Gadwall

Pics Posted on Grip and Grin limits.

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

South Central La 11-17-2008 15:46
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted Saturday and did real well.

Found a little pothole in a public marsh and made the best out of it. The pairs and singles committed suicide all morning.

2 hunters:

5 Mottled ducks
3 Mallards
1 Wood duck
1 BWT
2 Spoonbillopattamus

(Pictures posted on the Grip and Grin limits)

Opening weekend of the west zone was pretty good,but not great. Hunted with a Buddy on his private lease. The lack of limit was because of my poor shooting, I couldn’t hit anything but the great blue sky!

Saturday
3 Hunters
13 ducks

Sunday
4 Hunters
18 ducks

[Edited By Duck enticer on 2008-11-17 15:56]

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-17-2008 09:54
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Sat. was great 21 birds (4 guns) mostly mallards and teal with 3 greys. Tons of birds in the air til around 730. Sun. Completely different, no wind & no birds. 3 guns with 3 teal. Geese never moved either day. Typical for my area I guess….here today gone tomorrow.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-11-2008 10:15
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Wow. Ducks didn’t show up today. Left the blind at 730 with 7 teal and 2 mottled ducks. Hope this front brings em back.

Posted By:
Gumbo
Web Member

Wright 11-11-2008 09:34
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Because of a late second rice crop harvest, did not have water on field until Friday, November 7. Saturday, November 8, we bagged 4 teal. Not a good start to the season. Saw very few ducks. Sunday,November 9, had a lot of teal working before legal shooting–but by the time legal shooting arrived, no ducks in the sky. Did kill 3 specks and 1 teal. Slowest start in my years of hunting. Just not seeing many ducks. Tons of geese though.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

N of Welsh 11-10-2008 13:54
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Had a great opening weekend. Sat. we had 6 teal, 4 mallards and 8 mottles by 7am and were very selective in our shooting. Sunday we ended with 10 teal, 3 pintail, 5 greys and 6 specks by 7:25am. There are plenty of ducks in the area and the specks showed up Sun. with lots of snows also. Heading out in the morning to give em another try. Hope everyone else had a good opener.

Posted By:
Gumbo
Web Member

Wright 11-03-2008 11:05
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Pumped out blinds during the early afternoon yesterday. There are tons of geese down. Specks flying all afternoon. Saw only a handful of ducks but attribute that to the time of day we were out in field.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

North of Welsh 11-03-2008 09:03
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Went to put finishing touches on blinds Sunday afternoon. When we got to the field on the four wheeler, we found 1000 to 1250 ducks infront of the blind. The most surprising thing is that most of them were mallards. There were some pintail, greys, mottle ducks, and even a few widgeon. Not many teal which is sort of a let down. While working on the blind we had numerous groups come in and light in the field with the four wheeler parked in front of the blind. Needless to say we finished our work and left as quick as possible. We did notice good numbers of teal across the road in a crawfish pond along with all sorts of other ducks. Looks like this weekend should be short and sweet.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

North of Welsh 10-26-2008 20:34
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Working of blinds today. Not as much water as two weeks ago (need some rain) but have plenty of water in my main duck field. Jumped around 200-300 ducks out of the pond. Mostly teal with more than normal mottle ducks and some pintail, greys, spoons and a couple of greenheads. As we were leaving to head home, I noticed that the crawfish ponds across the hwy were holding large number of birds–maybe 2 to 3 thousand. Hope they stay around for opening weekend. Did see a couple of groups of specks moving south aslo.

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

Crowley,LA (Rice Capital) 10-20-2008 11:55
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Working on the boat this past weekend outside I saw about 4-6 Good flocks of Specks.

When I saw the first flock I rushed inside to tell my wife about the news. She saw the hysterical look on my face when I walked through the door and thought something was wrong…..She was like “What, What, What’s wrong!”. I said “Babe, I just saw the first flock of geese of the year”. She then looked at me really unamused and went back to her regularly scheduled programming.

Even if she is not excited, Iam.

Posted By:
chasseur
Guest

SW LA 10-19-2008 12:01
– – –
Specks and big ducks are showing up on the heels of this front. Finally some cool weather.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

SW La 10-16-2008 12:09
– – Over 70 Degrees
I’ve been down in Cameron Parish a couple of times in the few weeks and it doesn’t look good for the marshes. All the vegetation is dead and it smells horrible. Ive seen a total of 6 birds in the marshes off 27 from Hackberry aroung through Cameron back up to Cameron Prairie HQTRS in 5 trips. The rice fields just north of Cameron Prairie HQTRS have good numbers of teal, spoonbill, pintail and a few greys. My fields North of Welsh also have good numbers of teal, pintail, spoonbill and a large number of mottle ducks that we normally don’t have. After Rita, we had an exceptional year and looks like we are set up for another good year this year.

Posted By:
vinrouge
Web Member

Above and Below Lake Pontchartrain 10-07-2008 21:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Did not hunt but checked out lease on the north shore and saw two wood ducks. That was all. Tide was up but did not notice much vegetation in the water. Area not much changed in the storms.
At the lease out of Delacroix, several mottled ducks but nothing else. Much more open water as a result of two recent storms. Tide up, did not notice vegetation but the marsh seems more burned than on the north shore.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 10-06-2008 06:53
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Went to out lease Friday. Far more damage to vegetation than with Rita. Water standing 1 foot or more higher than Rita’s surge. Most of the native grasses are dying. Plenty of teal with a few pintails in the cut over rice fields in our area. One buddy said that he had seen some specks south of our field. Water has that nasty stench. Hopefully some rain will dilute the standing water.

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

Sw La 09-18-2008 07:26
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Couple of buddies of mine have been killing limits of teal in Sweetlake. Water is still up in most areas down here. I imagine most commercial clubs are struggling to reopen. The saltwater surge has damaged the freshwater marshes again, this time 3 or 4 feet of water higher than Rita. Haven’t made it to our main hunting area but I’m sure to water is still covering everything.

Posted By:
chasseur
Guest

SW LA 08-22-2008 10:23
– – –
Make that 22 days fellas! It has been a wet couple of weeks and the marsh is beautiful! Looking forward to some A.M. teal and P.M. dove come mid-September.

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

Teal Capital of the World 07-18-2008 09:32
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – Over 70 Degrees
Teal season coming up! 57 More days!

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

Louisiana 01-31-2008 11:38
Arctic Blast – Over 70 Degrees
Well hunting season has come to a close, I have heard bad reports from some and good from others.Personally we had a really good hunting season,not only in numbers, but in friendships established. I met a lot of good people and had a great time with them. I look forward to getting to know some more of you on the forum.

Fishing season is coming up and I will be doing plenty of it, so if anyone is interested shoot me a pm. Mostly flats fishing for Reds, look at the pics posted from our trips in the fishing forum.

This is a recap of the season:

I made 15 hunts this year, mostly weekends. 14 of them were made on public land, 1 was made on private land.

Of the 14 hunts we made on Public land we bagged 217 ducks.

168 Gadwall(77%)
15 Widgeons(7%)
12 Mallards(6%)
9 Green Winged Teal(4%)
6 Mottled ducks(3%)
3 Pintail(1%)
3 Spoonbills A.K.A. Pond Inspector, Angelina Jolie, Hollywood, Spoons, etc…….(1%)
1 Blue wing teal (trace)

Percentages are rounded…..

We had 42 Hunters total on those 14 trips which when divided by the total number of ducks comes out to 5.17 ducks per hunter per trip.

We lost a lot this year, need a lab badly. Example: Last weekend we hunted both Saturday and Sunday. We killed our limits both days, when the hunt was done went to pick up our ducks and only found 12 on Saturday (3 hunters) and 11 on Sunday (3 hunters)!

The numbers posted above are skewed somewhat because of our hesitancy to shoot Teal and spoonies. We really didn’t have to shoot teal this year, only did when the hunting was not so good.

On the one private hunt that I made this year we killed one spoonie. The hunting was slow, but it was a chance to meet an outstanding individual.

[Edited By Duck enticer on 2008-01-31 11:40]

Posted By:
hstep
WFC Sponsor

01-23-2008 10:10
– – –
I was in Ark. in December with “Hammertime Guide Service” (Charles Snapp}. They have implemented rest ponds all around their pits and do pretty good I guess, but the problem I saw was that as the ducks began to raft in the rest ponds the pits didnt shoot that much. Granted the mornings were allright before the rafting began. I think its a good idea if the food supply is there to keep the birds in the area. If you pile numbers of ducks in an area with no one messing with them the food wont last long.

I dont really know what the solution is, all I know is the second half of the season was a waste of money for me.

Anyone know were I might find a lease down in the Lake Charles -Sulpher area?

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 01-23-2008 06:31
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
I think the issue about splits is that the ducks have started a somewhat change in migratory patterns. More and more birds are staying North of us because of the availability of open water and food. Less hardy birds such as Teal and greys move down early in October and stay. These birds provide us with good shooting in the first split and by the time the second split arrives these birds are blind shy. I think we might need to rethink our hunting strategy for future seasons and maybe start some such of resting areas close to our hunting blinds that would allow the birds to filter in and out of these areas offering us ample shooting. Saw a show last week where an Arkansas hunter had done the exact thing and was enjoying decent shooting through both splits. Just a thought.

[Edited By Castille-Hebert on 2008-01-23 06:32]

Posted By:
hstep
WFC Sponsor

01-22-2008 18:58
– – –
Just got through reading some field reports for Arkansas and noticed they have two splits thus carying their season further into Jan. I was just wandering why Louisiana dosent have this in place, I think it would give us a chance have better hunts. The ponds are just begining to freeze in Ark. enough to push ducks out and on to us, a little late however. What do you guys think about this issue?

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 01-21-2008 07:06
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Buddies hunted Saturday in the rain, managed a few ducks and three Blues. Season ended with a fizzle with no birds or geese. Might try a goose hunt now that duck is closed but chances are pretty slim for success. Was a fair season with good hunting during the first split but the second was poor. We just are not getting new birds during the second split.

Posted By:
Duck enticer
Guest

SW. LA 01-18-2008 18:48
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Well, this is the last weekend for the west zone guys and gals. It seems like it will be finished when it has just begun!

I am off to the killing ponds this weekend. Hopefully Mr. Grey duck will be nice and I will come back with a 24 bird report just like the last one. This has been a great year for us, we have been really blessed!

Good luck everyone, and may your barrels be hot!

Posted By:
Union BA
Guest

Jonesville 01-16-2008 14:26
– – –
Well, I heard there were no ducks in Louisiana but I had to find out on my own. Now I know, there are no ducks in Louisiana. I hunted from Thursday 1-10-08 to Tuesday 1-15-08 and 3 hunters killed 3 green wing teal.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Pine Island 01-16-2008 13:49
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
What a perfect day to be in the blind–so I decided to make a short hunt this morning (had to be in the office at 10). 8 to 12 mph wind, drizzle/rain & cold — what else could you ask for? Oh yeah–some ducks maybe. This day has made my mind up for me–I’m done. Picking up decoys, closing up blinds and throwing in the towel. We ended up with 2 pintail and 3 people shot a total of 2 shells. When some one figures out whats wrong please let me know. Same old story– plenty of birds across the hwy but they just sit there and give me the finger.

Posted By:
cajunsorc
Guest

Pine Island 01-14-2008 08:51
– – –
Hunted Sat & Sun. Saw thousands of ducks on sat most of them were high and ended up in the crawfish ponds to the East and West of Me. 2 guns managed 7 ducks and 1 goose.
Sun not as many ducks but the crawfish ponds still holding 3 to 5 thousand but the just wont move at all. 4 guns 16 ducks and 1 goose. The geese seem to be moving in now (about a month and a half late) but we are seeing 2 to 3 bodies every day and we should start smashing em soon! As far as the ducks go I’m about as frustrated as I can get. We have plenty of birds in the area but they just sit all day and the ones that do move wont look at my spread with the thousand of live ones so close. I’m ready to throw in the towel and start fishing!

Posted By:
Castille-Hebert
Guest

SW La. 01-14-2008 04:54
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Looks like everyone is experiencing the same types of results. We down here aren’t the exception. Our’s has shut down completely. Read an article in our local paper on hunting in the 50’s. The writer described a hunt when a cold front was moving through during the hunt. The writer described the huge flocks of birds being pushed ahead of the front. I can remember such hunts myself, not anymore. Fronts blow through with no birds ahead of them. Have noticed the same results for the past couple of years. What is causing this is hard to figure out. All I know is that our numbers are down, and the season for us has been over since Christmas.

Posted By:
hstep
WFC Sponsor

01-10-2008 18:36
– – –

Well I guess I have my opinion also.

Too start with there is no hunting pressure problem, that is a fact.

Secondly, look back at the start of the season when everyone was talking about how many ducks they had and what a goo d eaon it was going to be, it wasent cold then either. The fact is ducks will migrate in mass numbers because that what they have been doing it for decades. However they migrate north as well as south. I think alot of the ducks that winter in La. dont have the food supply they once did and therefore they move north until they are forced to come back. I’m not sure about the duck number surveys being taken, maybe wright maybe not, but we have plenty to go around.
I also know someone is wanting to blame it on Global warming, personally I think thats a bunch of bull too. The warmest day ever recorded in the month of January was recorded in 1928.
I really dont know what the solution is but I do think that if the food was here as it is in Arkansas then we wouldnt be haveing the discusion.

I am just as discusted as every one else I havent killed very many ducks this year probably less than most everyone here however I have been in the field at least 35 days of this seaon and am not giving up till the last day.

BTW I was in Arkansas on the 15 and 16 of Dec. on a guided hunt and the first day 4 guys killed 2 ducks and the second day we killed 15 ducks and 2 geese and our shooting was not the reason for it either. They have bad days up there too.

Just my thoughts .

Posted By:
cajunlab
Guest

01-10-2008 15:15
– – –
cajunsorc-
I agree with you. That is one of the many reasons why we have a significany shortage of ducks. Like I said before, the ducks do not have any reason to come to LA anymore. They have food, cover and warmth up north. They can now winter north of us and stay fat, happy and warm. I don’t believe we don’t see them because of hunting pressure though. Each year we have less and less hunters in the field than the year before. That is another crisis all unto itself and can be another discussion. They way to fix that problem is easy. We need to teach our kids to hunt instead of playstation.