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

June 20, 2019 Kinny Haddox

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

February 6, 2019 louisianasportsman

Humberto Fontova shares instructions on how to turn wild ducks into fried duck fingers in his Parmesan-Dusted Duck Fingers recipe.[…]

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

January 30, 2019 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?

January 28, 2019 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.[…]

January's aerial waterfowl survey conducted by the LDWF was a fitting end to a weak migration year, according to waterfowl study leader Larry Reynolds.

January duck numbers 31 percent below long-term average

January 17, 2019 Patrick Bonin

Larry Reynolds with the LDWF discusses the relatively poor January 2019 aerial waterfowl survey results, saying this season’s poor migration was influenced by a relatively warm, wet winter. […]

Here come the ducks

December 7, 2018 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. […]

Roland Cortez holds up a stringer of mallards harvested late in the season. As winter progresses and Louisiana gets colder and rainier, more mallards make their way south.

Hunting flooded timber for ducks in Louisiana

December 1, 2018 Jonathan Olivier

Although it’s not as prevalent as it once was, flooded timber still provides Louisiana’s hunters with plenty of opportunities to fill their straps.[…]

How to set up your duck decoys

December 1, 2018 Jerald Horst

Dekes are probably the most important controllable factor for the average hunter. Here’s how to set ‘em up — so you can shoot ‘em down.[…]

Matching the hatch is the first decoy rule for Creighton Ward. In the coastal waters of Plaquemines Parish, where mallards are almost nonexistent, he uses a mixture of species, including the pintails, gadwalls and wigeon shown here.

Seven keys to duck hunting success

December 1, 2018 Jerald Horst

Decoy rules from Creighton Ward. […]

A redhead captured in flight by Kevin Hynes

How to prepare trophy ducks

December 1, 2018 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.[…]