Ducks Archives - Louisiana Sportsman

Louisiana’s attorney general has appealed a lower court decision that could restrict public access to Lake Catahoula and its waterfowl.

Catahoula Lake appeal heads to Supreme Court

Jeff Landry officially filed an appeal with the state supreme court to overturn a previous judicial decision that denies public access to Catahoula Lake. […]

Fried Wild Duck recipe

louisianasportsman

How to turn wild ducks into fried duck fingers or strips. […]

Public access to Catahoula Lake in jeopardy

Kinny Haddox

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Dec. 28, 2018 in favor of landowners, meaning public access to legendary Catahoula Lake could be in jeopardy. […]

Josh Goins founded the Flyway Federation in 2018 to bring about change in the flyways and get more birds down to Louisiana.

Flyway Federation: ‘Hot-cropping’ a big reason for poor Louisiana duck seasons

Patrick Bonin

Most Louisiana duck hunters didn’t exactly have a banner season in 2018-19, and according to Josh Goins, at least part of the reason is a change in agricultural practices in the northern part of the flyways that concentrate birds and keep ducks from migrating south until after the season is over. […]

During a mild, wet winter, many species of waterfowl stay as far north as habitat conditions allow.

What happened to all the ducks?

Patrick Bonin

For duck hunters wondering about specifics as to why the duck season was poor, Larry Reynolds, the waterfowl study leader for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, shared his thoughts. […]

Greg Willis downed this stark white wood duck during a late-December hunt with his grandson in Allen Parish.

Rare white wood duck downed in Allen Parish

John Manion

Greg Willis got the shock of his life late in December when he downed a stark white wood duck while hunting with his grandson in Allen Parish. […]

December's aerial survey estimates 1.94 million birds this month, about 32 percent lower than the state's long-term average of 2.84 million birds.

LDWF’s aerial survey: Duck numbers down 36 percent compared to last December

Patrick Bonin

The LDWF’s December aerial survey numbers reveal about 1.94 million birds this month, about 32 percent below this month’s long-term average. […]

Here come the ducks

Keith LaCaze

Louisiana’s 2018-19 duck season begins on Nov. 10 in both the West and Coastal Zones. The first segment runs through Dec. 2, and reopens on Dec. 15 for the second split, which ends on Jan. 20. […]

Rare duck shot in Big Branch NWR

John Manion

Whatever the reason — from flooded corn fields up north, milder winters or any number of conspiracy theories floating around online — duck hunters in the Bayou State just haven’t seen masses of birds migrating to Louisiana’s dissolving wetlands compared to just a few generations ago.

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A redhead captured in flight by Kevin Hynes

How to prepare trophy ducks

John Manion

The reasons duck hunters choose for mounting a particular bird are as varied as the waterfowl family itself. Regardless of why a bird is chosen for a trip to the taxidermist, duck hunters generally agree they want a finished product worthy for display.

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A U.S. magistrate in Alexandria handed out some tough sentences for two Louisiana hunters who pleaded guilty to shooting five wood ducks over an area baited with cracked corn.

LDWF: Two plead guilty to baiting ducks

Patrick Bonin

Two hunters who pleaded guilty to hunting wood ducks over a baited area received tough sentences from a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Alexandria this fall. […]

Black scoters are more common on the East and West Coasts of the U.S., but several have already been taken this season by Louisiana hunters.

Rare duck turning up in Louisiana hunters’ November bags

Patrick Bonin

Black scoters are sea ducks more common the East and West coasts of the U.S., but several of the birds have already been shot this season by Louisiana hunters. […]