2026-27 WMA Deer Forecast

FEATURES

Preparing for Louisiana’s special black-bellied whistling duck season

October 1, 2026

On Oct. 3-11, hunters can hit the sheer variety of habitat that black-bellied whistling ducks have taken over all around the state.

Fall patterns for slab sac-a-lait

September 25, 2026

Ray Miller of Madisonville fishes sac-a-lait year-round and knows the fish won’t be in the same stage of their fall transition every October.

HUNTING

Hunters, don’t leave home without a rangefinder

October 18, 2026

Comparing three of the top-rated laser rangefinders. The Vortex Crossfire HD 1400, the Maven RF.1 and the Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB.

BASS FISHING

Mister Twister’s 7-inch RT Slug SI

September 25, 2026

Mister Twister’s 7-inch RT Slug SI soft plastic just hit the market in late summer, but Greg Yates got his hands on it 5 ½ months ago.

FRESHWATER FISHING

The wayward noodle

September 27, 2026

Anthony Broussard and his family found a missing noodle belonging to Robyn Bordelon while they were beachcombing.

OFFSHORE FISHING

Final Louisiana red snapper landing estimates for 2026

September 21, 2026

The LDWF estimates that 934,367 pounds of red snapper were landed during the 2026 private recreational season.

INSHORE FISHING

Mild weather and close trout make for great days in the kayak

October 19, 2026

This is the time of year kayak anglers dream of: mild weather, short paddles and limits of hungry trout make for a great day on the water.

Emergency on the water

September 21, 2026

Sixteen-year-old Brody Martin had an alligator gar slash open his left forearm. A trip to the emergency room resulted in eight stitches.

Reminder: Flounder season set to close Oct. 15 through Nov. 30

October 7, 2026

The annual closed season for the recreational and commercial harvest of Southern Flounder is from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 of each year.

PHOTO CONTEST
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NEWS BREAKERS

LDWF Geaux Play Outdoors to hold hiking, birding, nature photography class on Oct. 24 in Woodworth

October 15, 2026

The LDWF Geaux Play Outdoors program will hold an introductory class on hiking, birding and nature photography Oct. 24.

RECIPES

Dove Piccata

October 11, 2026

The dove breasts are lightly dredged in ranch-seasoned flour and quickly seared before being finished in a bright lemon-caper piccata sauce.

FIELD NOTES

Emergency on the water

September 21, 2026

Sixteen-year-old Brody Martin had an alligator gar slash open his left forearm. A trip to the emergency room resulted in eight stitches.