Features
Late-season lowdown — How to kill ducks in January
“Some honey hole!” Eddie wailed as he stomped onto the porch after tying up the boat. “We was watching ducks most of the morning! But NONE would come NEAR Doc’s blind![…]
Waterfowl & Duck Hunting
News Breaker
LDWF aerial survey: December duck count at 3.02 million birds
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ December Aerial Waterfowl Survey indicates a major migration of birds into the Bayou State has occurred since last month, with 3.02 million birds counted compared to 1.55 million in November.[…]
Columns
Working the duck beat
Working migratory game bird seasons — particularly duck seasons — was always one of my favorite parts of the job. […]
Ducks
Why hunt Delta National Wildlife Refuge?
Woody and Chip Crews went from a longtime private waterfowl lease in Terrebonne Parish to the extreme opposite — public hunting in Plaquemines Parish. The father-son team offers their views on why anyone would want to hunt on Delta National Wildlife Refuge.[…]
Ducks
Delta’s dirty dozen
1) Learn to use a pintail whistle, but don’t overuse any call. In fact, calling really doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference.[…]
Ducks
Mottled duck telemetry study underway in Southwest Louisiana
The mottled duck’s ongoing population struggles, which prompted officials to reduce the daily limit to one bird eight years ago, now are the reason for a telemetry study designed to help researchers locate their nests to determine nesting success. […]
News Breaker
Reynolds: December duck survey ‘disappointing’ so far
Like lots of other Louisiana duck hunters, Larry Reynolds had high hopes for this year’s December aerial waterfowl survey. […]
Field Notes
DIY duck blind dog stand
When constructing and preparing land-based duck blinds in the marsh, we go to great lengths to ensure the hide is both comfortable and functional. But adding a retrieving dog to the mix brings additional considerations and challenges. The dog must be integrated into the hunt, but in a safe way that also hides him from circling birds. […]
Contents
Ducks down on the Delta
At exactly 6:09 a.m. what was obviously a hen gray duck hovered close in over the coot decoys. Chip Crews chopped it down with one shot.
Dawn would be late coming under the leaden skies.[…]
Columns
Tips for legal, safe duck hunts
Duck, coot and merganser seasons kick off in November. Louisiana is divided into three zones: coastal, west and east. […]
Ducks
Top 5 tactics for early season success
Landing zones – Though creating defined landing zones is often a favorite decoy pattern for hunters, it only takes observing a raft of puddle ducks one time to realize they will plop down just about anywhere — regardless of an available zone.[…]
Ducks
Tips for opening-day spreads
Lively discussions about decoy spread strategies have probably gone on since wood carvers starting crafting lifelike dekes in the 1800s.[…]
Ducks
LDWF begins lead study of mottled ducks on Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
For years now, it’s been widely documented that mottled duck populations have been declining on the Texas Gulf coast, while they have remained somewhat stable in Louisiana. […]
Ducks
Duck numbers down ahead of opening day
Duck hunters heading out to blinds for opening day of duck season in Louisiana’s west and coastal zones Saturday morning didn’t exactly get the news they were hoping for from the just-released November aerial survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.[…]
Ducks
DIY decoy rigging
For the hunter looking to save a few dollars and customize his decoy rigging, materials can be assembled for less money than pre-made rigs.[…]
Field Notes
Blind brushing tips for opening day
With the Louisiana waterfowl seasons kicking off this month, duck and goose hunters across the state will be heading out to scout and brush blinds. […]