Well, since we last talked, a number of big bucks have been taken down at the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area. I have seen pictures and talked with one of the game wardens, so these are not just stories.
Since the week before Thanksgiving, I know of two 8-points, a 9-point, a 10-point (at least), 2 11-points and a 14-pointer. Public land, private lease, who cares, those are some great bucks.
One 11-point scored around 150 and the other (my guess) would be even a little bigger. LouisianaSportsman.com contacted the hunter who killed the 11-pointer, and he unfortunately declined to be interviewed for a story.
Lately it has slowed down somewhat. I was at Disney World last week, so I was out of the loop, but I checked with my buddy who is a game warden, and he said not much transpired while I was gone.
I finally got to see some hog action before my Disney trip. The last two seasons, we haven’t seen much of the hogs. But whether it is the cold weather or hunter pressure that has moved them to some of our locations, they are tearing up some of the smaller islands.
My dad saw three hogs; he said went one went over 300 pounds, while the other two were 200-pounds plus. My buddy Randy also saw one on another island in the 300-pound range. The ones I have seen were more in the 100-pound range.
The problem is we haven’t been able to get back after them due to the extremely low water from the strong north winds.
We also saw some deer here and there along with the hogs. Deer sign is very good, with lots of fresh tracks, but in my last two hunts I did not see an animal whatsoever.
I have found rooting and hog tracks on the Big Island for the first time. I was told by the game wardens that the hogs had finally arrived there. I haven’t actually seen one yet, but that is inevitable.
Starting yesterday (Dec. 15), I will be back at work and will only get a few more chances to hunt before the end of the year. But I plan to hit them hard again in January.
If you decide to venture down to the Delta, be sure to check the tides: That is always important, but it is even more critical if you don’t want to wind up spending a cold night down there.
Also beware of the sand bars because, with the low water, the gaps between them have shrunk dramatically. I would use full precautions, which include extra clothes for any trip down there in this type of weather.
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Good luck and be safe!