The full moon of Aug. 19 also happened to be a supermoon as well as a blue moon, the last of which isn’t expected to occur for nearly another two years. For waterfowl hunters preparing for this month’s 16-day teal season, it may also have been a blue moon for its propensity to get the migration of blue-winged teal headed in the right direction.
While hunters across our region might debate until the next such blue moon whether the masses of other migrating ducks are going to make it down to us this season, the relatively consistent successes of those chasing early blue-winged teal in recent years is a pretty sure bet. After all, we’re not the destination down here, but rather a stopover en route to points even further south. The birds will come, one way or another, but whether our 16-day stretch of access to them is more hit than miss depends on the exact timing of the masses passing through.
Experts in the field widely tout the earliest of arriving teal to be predominantly comprised of mature males, having been amongst the first to depart the breeding grounds. Indeed, a survey of our bags in the earliest days of the traditional September season are often comprised of relatively few hens.
As the weather systems and second full moon of the season, expected on the 17th of this month, come to pass, the mature hens start showing. They arrive with the young-of-the-year they so faithfully protected to flight status and guided southward with awe-inspiring navigational prowess.
From the rice prairies of southwest Louisiana to the swamps and marshes of southeast Louisiana, the perennial early season can offer stellar wingshooting when the migrators are passing through and the season timing is just right.
Kick off the season
In the marshes of southeast Louisiana, Capt. Jimmy Corley of Waterfowl Specialist Guide Service (504-258-4431) looks forward each year to the arrival of the early blue-winged teal into the Delacroix area marshes, with the added bonus of filling alligator tags at the same time of year.
For Corley, September is a great way to kick off the fall hunting season in the Sportsman’s Paradise. Football season, alligators aplenty and first flights of arriving teal, something our state’s hunters have set their watch to for generations.
But when it comes to targeting the acrobatic visitors, about the only thing predictable about the blue wings is their infamous unpredictability.
“Sometimes even when we aren’t seeing much before a hunt, we’ve found you just have to go because they can show up overnight and have a big hunt,” Corley said.
I share Corley’s sentiments, having seen firsthand a promising hole devoid of birds one day resulted in a hunt where we ran out of shells the very next morning. Just the same, a hot spot one day can turn ice cold the next with seemingly no rhyme or reason. But when they’re in the area, giving attention to a few considerations can help bring more blue-winged delicacies to the cleaning table.
Migration corridors
When scouting with or without birds to be seen, Corley targets flight paths to concentrate traffic as well as keying on habitat types that provide just what the new arrivals are seeking.
“Teal like to fly shorelines, canals or other prominent features of the marsh, so we try to set up on those flight lines to ensure we’re giving ourselves the best chance of getting traffic,” Corley said. “I’ve spent a lot of time out there patterning the birds to make sure I’m putting my hunters in the best locations for trafficking groups coming into the area.”
The area’s proximity to the Mississippi River is a prime example of how the birds use migration corridors such as major rivers in their travels southward, and can often be seen trafficking smaller waterways as navigational aids.
Ideally, though, hunters are able to put themselves at the birds’ destination, as opposed to simply along the way.
“Teal are small birds so they’re going to want the shallowest stuff around, so I’m looking for extra skinny water with food to offer,” Corley said. “If you find those ingredients, you’re going to get on a few for sure.”
While early mornings get most of the hunting traffic, sometimes weather and/or pressure gets the birds on the move in the afternoons, so if the morning action dries up, don’t be afraid to shake it up for a short evening hunt.
Decoys
Short of locating and hunting on the proverbial “X” where food is congregating the birds, effectively convincing arriving teal to pass in front of the guns is a game of getting the attention of traffic. For Corley and many other long-time teal hunters, the spinning wing decoy is still a critical part of the arsenal for doing just that.
While some might debate the effectiveness of gadgetry during the regular season, one would be hard pressed to find an early season teal hunter that isn’t high on the flashing effect of spinners for their success.
“I like to run multiple spinners along with some mottled duck-like decoys and a couple dozen early season teal decoys,” Corley said.
This set up helps mimic the scene common to his area given local mottled ducks are often found sharing a hideaway with visiting blue wings, so there’s an element of realism, while multiple spinners are providing visibility at long distances for trafficking birds. Throwing in a splasher on calm days can also help seal the deal for circling flocks.
Calling
Beyond the decoys, calling also plays a major factor in gaining the attention of passing flights, and aggression is usually the ticket.
“I like to get after them with aggressive calling at first then get down to a soft call when they’re circling,” Corley said.
I’m similarly a big proponent of aggression with the call when it comes to reaching out and making sure you’re being heard.
My own rule of thumb being just when you think you sound loud and silly, try it louder. Flights that we’ve watched zipping along at near-binoculars distance have been turned and found themselves over the decoys in a hurry on countless occasions, albeit leaving me blue in the face. I run the teal call offering by Louisiana’s own Riceland Custom Calls, while Corley opts for a call by Wheat’s Game Calls. Regardless of your favorite call brand, run it with confidence and it should pay off.
Even a call that’s not tuned to be higher pitched like a teal can be blown to mimic that of hen teal by pinching your lips to give the call a shriller tone than a typical quack. With that said, even standard quacks mimicking that of a local mottled duck can prove effective, so don’t be afraid to try about anything out there, teal aren’t often picky. For hunters not confident in running quacking calls, the peeping sound of a green-winged teal via a whistle can also produce.
Be aware of your surroundings
One other note Corley emphasizes is caution with regard to critters out and about in our favorite duck habitats this time of year before the cool downs come and send them into hiding.
“Our alligator population is unbelievable these days so leave the dogs at home, or keep them on a very short leash,” Corley cautioned.
Indeed, Louisiana’s alligator numbers seem to be off the charts lately, presenting a nearly ever-present threat to those frequenting our swamps and marshes. Even during warm-up periods in our often-too-mild winters, alligators can be found surprisingly active.
Corley also cautions hunters to watch for snakes when cutting brush for blinds, especially in the predawn hours where we might be focused on cutting at the bottom of the stalk without regard for what might be hanging above.
Outside of snakes and alligators, it goes without saying that the ever-present population of mosquitos warrant appropriate protection as well. My go-to combination is a Thermacell with supplemental support from a can of Raid Yard Guard Mosquito Fogger upon initial arrival at the blind.
Undoubtedly, early season teal hunting requires tolerance of early morning heat, humidity and even native wildlife, but the promise of a red-hot teal shoot keeps hunters coming back for more each year.
When a wad of blue-winged teal puts on an acrobatic display that leaves us in awe to finish beautifully over decoys, it’s all well worth the misery of an early alarm clock and a sweat-filled set up.
