Louisiana Sportsman

The partially completed November aerial waterfowl survey shows the lowest number of birds on record for Southwest Louisiana.

Partial aerial waterfowl survey: SW Louisiana shows fewest birds on record

November 7, 2018 Patrick Bonin

For the first time since 1969 when it began, the state’s November aerial waterfowl survey may not be completed this year due to inclement flying weather. […]

Total duck numbers are down by 13 percent from 2017, but the total of 41.2 million birds is still 17 percent higher than the long-term average.

Duck numbers down in 2018

August 20, 2018 From News Reports

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday released its report on 2018 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service.[…]

Sentences handed down for duck limit violations in New Orleans, Venice

March 8, 2018 From News Reports

Seven men in two separate cases pleaded guilty to migratory game bird violations earlier this month for shooting over the limit of ducks on Oak Island in New Orleans East and in Venice, according to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.[…]

Late-season duck calling tips

January 15, 2018 Darren Digby

As many manufacturing processes trend toward computerized, assembly-line production techniques, there are still some things best done the old-fashioned way — like Faulk’s Game Calls. […]

Late-season lowdown — How to kill ducks in January

January 1, 2018 Humberto Fontova

“Some honey hole!” Eddie wailed as he stomped onto the porch after tying up the boat. “We was watching ducks most of the morning! But NONE would come NEAR Doc’s blind![…]

LDWF aerial survey: December duck count at 3.02 million birds

December 15, 2017 From News Reports

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ December Aerial Waterfowl Survey indicates a major migration of birds into the Bayou State has occurred since last month, with 3.02 million birds counted compared to 1.55 million in November.[…]

Working the duck beat

December 15, 2017 Keith LaCaze

Working migratory game bird seasons — particularly duck seasons — was always one of my favorite parts of the job. […]

Mottled duck telemetry study underway in Southwest Louisiana

December 14, 2017 John Flores

The mottled duck’s ongoing population struggles, which prompted officials to reduce the daily limit to one bird eight years ago, now are the reason for a telemetry study designed to help researchers locate their nests to determine nesting success. […]

Reynolds: December duck survey ‘disappointing’ so far

December 13, 2017 Patrick Bonin

Like lots of other Louisiana duck hunters, Larry Reynolds had high hopes for this year’s December aerial waterfowl survey. […]

Ducks down on the Delta

December 1, 2017 Jerald Horst

At exactly 6:09 a.m. what was obviously a hen gray duck hovered close in over the coot decoys. Chip Crews chopped it down with one shot.

Dawn would be late coming under the leaden skies.[…]

Be aware of duck hunters

November 15, 2017 Chris Holmes

Duck season opens throughout the state during November, and runs on and off through late January and early February in some areas[…]

LDWF begins lead study of mottled ducks on Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

November 13, 2017 John Flores

For years now, it’s been widely documented that mottled duck populations have been declining on the Texas Gulf coast, while they have remained somewhat stable in Louisiana. […]

Duck numbers down ahead of opening day

November 10, 2017 Patrick Bonin

Duck hunters heading out to blinds for opening day of duck season in Louisiana’s west and coastal zones Saturday morning didn’t exactly get the news they were hoping for from the just-released November aerial survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.[…]

Ducks