Application period open in September for youth, senior and veteran lottery waterfowl hunts
Southwest Louisiana, historically rice and cattle country, has always been the top duck and goose region in the state when it comes to overall harvest numbers. Year in and year out, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) aerial survey estimates during November, December and January have shown the duck population in these coastal transects exceeding those in the Southeast. Hence, unless you utilize a guide service, or own or lease property here, you’re mostly out of luck, as there are limited public opportunities.
That said, one of those public opportunities is on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Cameron Prairie annually offers both senior and youth waterfowl lottery hunts, where hunters have access to a refuge-provided blind on Hunt Unit B that runs along LA 27.
The waterfowl hunts are DIY and are “walk-in” only, as vehicles, including ATVs, 4-wheelers and trailers, are not allowed.
Over the years I have personally drawn out for this lottery as a senior on several occasions, as well as put one of my grandson’s in for the youth hunts. Seniors are defined as 55 years of age and older. Youth are defined as 15 years of age or younger and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
According to the refuge hunt brochure, youth must be capable of and must actively participate in the hunt by the possession and/or firing of a legal weapon during the hunt for the expressed purpose of harvesting game. Supervising adults accompanying youth on the refuge may participate in hunting but may not harvest more than their own daily bag limit.
A deer cart
Duck and goose hunting requires a lot of physical activity. Carrying decoys, guns, ammo, blind bags and other assorted items like cameras, a thermos, snacks and water is not for the faint of heart. Beware, blinds from designated parking areas are a pretty good hike that’ll have you shedding clothing even on cooler days.
Oh sure, you can share some of the load with your blind mates, but one of the ways I have overcome and made the process easier is by utilizing a “deer cart.” These carts with their large bicycle wheel tires can carry upwards of 500 pounds.
I’ve personally carried 5 dozen mallard and teal decoys, a dozen specklebelly goose decoys (both floating and fully flocked), a couple dozen Texas rag snow decoys, blind bag and shotgun on my deer cart. In short, from the parking area, my partner(s) and I have made only one trip in and one trip out.
With hunting there is never a guarantee of “nirvana-like” outcomes, especially where waterfowl are concerned. That said, on all the youth and senior hunts that I have experienced over the years, they have ranged from poor to spectacular.
Waterfowl hunting comes with lots of variables. Duck numbers, weather, calling ability, decoy use, blind camouflage and shooting ability all have ramifications. Few savvy waterfowl hunters get it right every time.
Solo hunt
During the 2024-25 waterfowl season, I was lucky enough to be selected for one of the senior hunts on Cameron Prairie. My friend and family pool of hunters were all busy, working, sick or just no longer up for it, so I went solo.
It was also November. Duck numbers in the state were the worst on record and goose numbers not much better. On my hunt, things were slow to say the least, but I managed to make my shots count and had two green-winged teal and two red heads in the blind during the first hour.
From there it went downhill. A bit later I missed a few gadwalls that turned out to be more pass shooting than waterfowl hunting.
The worst part came mid-morning, when I managed to get the attention of a dozen specklebellies. They worked like they’d never been shot at and cupped into my decoy spread.
It was just me, God and the white-fronted geese. I rose from the blind and missed three times, not scratching so much as a feather. Like I said, variables have ramifications, but don’t let my misfortune keep you from this public opportunity.
The application period
Shane A. Baxter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Manager and Region 4 Uniform Coordinator, said the application period for the 2025-26 hunts will run throughout the entire month of September this year. Additionally, they plan to add a Cameron Prairie veteran waterfowl hunt.
“We have been putting a lot of effort into the restoration of these units that contain the hunt blinds,” Baxter said. “We have tried to fix them up, level, fix holes, fix levees and increase beneficial vegetation in order to entice the birds to use these areas.
“It has been quite the undertaking. And I’m not sure if we will see the effects of our work for a couple years, but good things have taken place at Cameron Prairie.”
For those interested in participating in the Cameron Prairie NWR youth, senior and veteran waterfowl hunts, Baxter can be contacted via email at shane_baxter@fws.gov or by calling the refuge office at (337) 774-5923.
Accommodations
Cameron Prairie is located down LA 27 N and is a 45-minute drive from Lake Charles. If you’re like me and have to travel 3 hours to get to Cameron Prairie NWR, you may prefer to stay in Lake Charles. There are numerous hotels along Prien Lake Road fitting most budgets, as well as plenty of food establishments to choose from.
One place to eat that I’d recommend is the Seafood Palace located off of Enterprise Blvd.
For those interested in evening entertainment, the L’Auberge Casino Resort is within a short drive from most hotels along Prien Lake Road.
Pintail Drive
If you’re interested in wildlife viewing after your hunt, be sure to take a ride on Pintail Drive. The 3-mile drive provides visitors with the opportunity to see roosting waterfowl and a variety of wading birds, sometimes besides alligators on warmer days.
I have counted 12 different species of ducks during visits to Pintail Drive and several thousand snow geese rest and preen there during the day.
