Looking Ahead

[Darren]

Interesting news for the 2025-2026 season from this week's LDWF commission meeting:

As expected, teal season cut to 9 days. This will likely heavily impact a lot of the "outfitters" that have been cashing in on the fairly reliable numbers of blue wings in the rice come September.

For waterfowl hunters, the biggest change comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The special September teal season will run 9 days, not the 16 days of recent years. Jeff Duguay, who offered the dates for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), said the change was mandated by the most recent three-year population survey of blue-winged and green-winged teal. The annual May survey showed overall teal numbers “…had fallen below the threshold for a 16-day season,” Duguay said.

So, the 2025 special teal season will run Sept. 20-28.

Also, big change in West Zone regular season framework from this season, which is welcome on my end for sure.

And, when the “big duck” season dates were offered to mimic those of the 2024-2025 season, Commission member Kevin Sagrera added fuel to the always passionate debate over duck seasons by moving the West Zone to a two-split opportunity — down from the current season’s three splits — and to a much earlier closing date than had been hashed out for 2024-2025.

Sagrera’s then-approved amendment offered Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 13-Jan. 18 splits — West Zone hunters went to Jan. 31 this year — and kept the respective two-day before and after the season weekends for youth-only and honorably discharged veterans-only dates of Nov. 1-2 and Jan 24-25.

https://www.louisianasportsman.com/hunt ... 87JfObr_fQ

[DComeaux]

Also, big change in West Zone regular season framework from this season, which is welcome on my end for sure.

Sagrera’s then-approved amendment offered Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 13-Jan. 18 splits — West Zone hunters went to Jan. 31 this year and kept the respective two-day before and after the season weekends for youth-only and honorably discharged veterans-only dates of Nov. 1-2 and Jan 24-25.

What I was told just a day ago was some individuals from the east side of the coastal zone will not go for the dates shown. I was told that they were very vocal on this topic last time around. I would suggest you and as many of your waterfowl buddies contact by email all of the commissioners and strongly voice your opinion. The hunt late and kill em all crowd is very active.

There is also talk on going back to a 3-zone scenario for the 2026 2027 season which will help us in the SW. You will be stuck in the east zone opening just before Christmas and hunting till April.

kevinsag1@bellsouth.net
decuirbj@gmail.com>
andrew@pearlbrandseafood.com>
andy.brister@gmail.com>
jwalker@mmcre.com>
hegenereynolds@gmail.com
nathan@wallsgatorfarm.com

[Darren]

Also, big change in West Zone regular season framework from this season, which is welcome on my end for sure.

Sagrera’s then-approved amendment offered Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 13-Jan. 18 splits — West Zone hunters went to Jan. 31 this year and kept the respective two-day before and after the season weekends for youth-only and honorably discharged veterans-only dates of Nov. 1-2 and Jan 24-25.

What I was told just a day ago was some individuals from the east side of the coastal zone will not go for the dates shown. I was told that they were very vocal on this topic last time around. I would suggest you and as many of your waterfowl buddies contact by email all of the commissioners and strongly voice your opinion. The hunt late and kill em all crowd is very active.

There is also talk on going back to a 3-zone scenario for the 2026 2027 season which will help us in the SW. You will be stuck in the east zone opening just before Christmas and hunting till April.

kevinsag1@bellsouth.net
decuirbj@gmail.com>
andrew@pearlbrandseafood.com>
andy.brister@gmail.com>
jwalker@mmcre.com>
hegenereynolds@gmail.com
nathan@wallsgatorfarm.com

"Will not go for" shouldn't be a factor. I personally know one that hunts not far from me that will be up in arms over not going till the last day. He's not been having a good season regardless. One commissioner listed above lives 4 houses down from me, I'm staying plugged in the best I can.

[DComeaux]

"Will not go for" shouldn't be a factor.

$$$$$$ Influence

[Ducaholic]

Did we ever have 3 Zones? I don't think you can have splits with 3 zones per the federal framework.

[Darren]

Did we ever have 3 Zones? I don't think you can have splits with 3 zones per the federal framework.

Was three zones a few seasons, but 2 splits. Seemed to make a lot of sense to have a "coastal" zone.

Note: got a few more season-to-date/status of the season type reports over the weekend from guys I'm not in touch with at all or rarely.......historically bad.

SW La and MS Delta areas

[DComeaux]

Did we ever have 3 Zones? I don't think you can have splits with 3 zones per the federal framework.

Was three zones a few seasons, but 2 splits. Seemed to make a lot of sense to have a "coastal" zone.

Note: got a few more season-to-date/status of the season type reports over the weekend from guys I'm not in touch with at all or rarely.......historically bad.

SW La and MS Delta areas

We do need a coastal zone, cutting off the east side at the Atchafalaya river and no higher than the Intracoastal waterway.. Most of those loud ones in the east marsh want to start late and end as late as possible.

[Darren]

And then there's this type of data point that gives the hunt-late crowd fuel:

Cohen labs.JPG

[BigHutch]

Thanks for starting this thread to keep everyone informed.

My 2 cents are:

Teal season: Why not go back to a 4 duck limit and keep teal season at 16 days. We had a 4 duck limit for decades. I know that is a “federal” recommendation but there is no real reason the feds shouldn’t agree to that. Or change the frame work to a Friday, Saturday, Sunday season for 3 weekends. Season still at 9:days but it gives more people the chance to enjoy the special season.

Regular season: Dates will never be agreed upon. Friends that hunt together don’t even agree. Everyone has an opinion but few base it on data. My only are that first, most of Louisiana north of I-10 should be open when Arkansas is open and closed when Arkansas is closed. If Arkansas is closed what would intice a duck to fly further south? Second, my belief is that most of the ducks the crowd advocating for late season are waiting on are “paper ducks” and don’t exist in real life at least in the numbers being forecasted. The USFWS harvest reports clearly show this. Harvests in northern states have declined as much or more than harvests in Louisiana on a percentage basis.

Finally, some want early dates in the marsh and I mean really early dates. For years I have been against early openings and front loaded seasons even in the marsh. Now my opinion may be changing or at least moderating. This season we have killed over 2/3 of our total ducks in the first 12 days of the season. On the next two days (second Thursday and Friday of the season) several groups of hunters on our 3500 acre lease at Pecan Island saw huge flocks of high flying bluewings headed south. This went on for several hours each day with no groups even remotely interested in the property. Since that time bluewings, or at least the big groups that we typically have had the whole season the last 10 years or so we have hunted the property, are nonexistent. Maybe a pair or 6-8 occasionally.

Now this far into the season it is apparent those birds were headed to Central and South America like they did historically. I believe that because of last year’s drought conditions, early migrators were forced to fly on south like they did 25 plus years ago because of dried up marshes and lack of food. Those birds imprinted on new wintering grounds and when the daylight hours hit the magic point they left for those wintering grounds again. Now another generation has imprinted on those areas so that pattern may well repeat itself again next year. Historically there was a week or two in the marsh when the bluewings left and times were tough until the greenwings showed up in big numbers. Somewhere I have those logbooks stashed away.

Sorry for the long post. Just one man’s opinion.

Big Hutch

[Darren]

Thanks so much for your insight, it's most welcome at however length you want, glad to see you engaging!

Your notes about your harvest being front-loaded to early season match what other "official" bag checks from LDWF and others have said for many years, even in the "good" years.

My own log of now almost 25 years says of the late season in the marsh: "we kept going, but we usually weren't killing much."

Big front on tap this weekend coming for the 3rd split "opener," oh boy, including rain for Saturday, oh boy

Depending on results, high likelihood my crew shuts things down for the marsh at the shell beach camp end end of this weekend.

[BigHutch]

We have already made plans to start picking up decoys after Saturday’s hunt if the hunt is not absolutely fantastic. We are convinced that if there aren’t any ducks it doesn’t matter how many decoys you have out.

My hunting partner and I are both die hards but we are also realists.

Big Hutch

[Darren]

My hunting partner and I are both die hards but we are also realists.

Big Hutch

Many of us are right there with ya, good luck this weekend

[DComeaux]

We have already made plans to start picking up decoys after Saturday’s hunt if the hunt is not absolutely fantastic. We are convinced that if there aren’t any ducks it doesn’t matter how many decoys you have out.

My hunting partner and I are both die hards but we are also realists.

Big Hutch

I would be interested in knowing how you guys do on Saturday.

[DComeaux]

Interesting factoid.
From 1968 to 1996 Louisiana waterfowl seasons did not run past the second or third weekend in January, depending on how the dates fell, with most ending before then. 68 to 71 was a 30/3 , 72 was 50/6, and from 73 to 87 we were on 100 point system with varying season lengths with the longest season at 50 days. You can see below where it went from there. We're currently at 27 years of a liberal season 60/6 during a decline in migration. It doesn't make sense to me.

Credit Larry Reynolds

Duck Season Regulations
Year Season Season Length (days) Max. Bag Limit
1968 Dec. 14 - Jan12 30 3
1972 Nov. 4 - Nov. 26, Dec. 16 - Jan. 11 50 6
1973 Nov. 10 - 24, Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 44 100 point system
1974 Nov. 6 - Dec. 7, Dec. 18 - Jan. 4 45 100 point system
1975 West: Nov. 1-30, Dec. 10-Jan. 3 East: Nov. 19-Dec. 3, Dec. 17-Jan. 20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1976 West: Nov. 6-28, Dec. 11-Jan11 East: Nov. 20-Dec. 5, Dec. 18-Jan. 20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1977 West: Nov. 5-Dec. 4, Dec. 17-Jan. 5 East: Nov. 19-Dec.4, Dec. 17-Jan. 14 West:50 East:45 100 point system
1978 West: Nov. 4-Dec. 3, Dec. 16-Jan.9 East: Nov. 18-Nov. 26, Dec. 2-Jan.11 West: 50 East: 50 100 point system
1979 West: Nov. 3-Nov. 27, Dec. 15-Jan. 13 East: Nov. 17-Dec. 6, Dec. 22-Jan.20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1980 West: Nov.1-30, Dec.20-Jan.13 East: Nov.15-Dec.2, Dec.20-Jan20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1981 West:Nov.7-Dec.6, Dec.19-Jan.12 East: Nov.14-30, Dec.19-Jan.20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1982 West:Nov.6-Dec.5, Dec.18-Jan.11 East: Nov.20-Dec.5, Dec.18-Jan.20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1983 West: Nov.5-29, Dec. 17-Jan.15 East: Nov.19-Dec.4, Dec.17-Jan.19 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1984 West:Nov.3-Dec.2, Dec.15-Jan.8 East: Nov.17-Dec.2, Dec.18-Jan.20 West:55 East:50 100 point system
1985 West:Nov.9-Dec.1, Dec.21-Feb.5 East: Nov.23-Dec.1, Dec.14-Feb12 West:45 East:40 100 point system
1986 West:Nov.8-Nov.30, Dec.20-Jan.10 East:Nov.22-Dec1, Dec.20-Jan.18 West:45 East:40 100 point system
1987 West: Nov.7-29, Dec.19-Jan.9 East:Nov.21-30, Dec.19-Jan.17 West:45 East:40 100 point system
1988 West:Nov.19-Dec.4, Dec.26-Jan.8 East: Nov.19-27, Dec.19-Jan.8 West:30 East:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards, 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1989 West:Nov.18-Dec.4,Dec.26-Jan.7 East: Nov.18-23, Dec.15-Jan.7 West:30 East:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1990 West: Nov.17-Dec.5, Dec.27-Jan.6 East:Nov.17-25, dec.17-Jan.6 West:30 East:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1991 West:Nov.16-Dec.6, Dec.28-Jan.5 East:Nov.23-Dec.1, Dec.16-Jan.5 Catahoula Lake: Nov.23-Dec.22 West:30 East:30 Cat:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1992 West:Nov.21-Dec.5, Dec.26-Jan.9 East:Nov.21-27, Dec.26-Jan.17 Catahoula Lake:Nov.21-Dec.20 West:30 East:30 Cat:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1993 West:Nov.13-28, Dec.27-Jan.9 east:Nov.20-28, Dec.27-Jan.16 Catahoula Lake:Nov.20-28, Dec. 13-Jan. 2 West:30 East:30 Cat:30 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1994 West:Nov.12-27, Dec.17-Jan.9 East:Nov.19-27, Dec.17-Jan.16 Catahoula Lake:Nov.19-27, Dec.10-Jan.9 West:40 East:40 Cat:40 Ducks:3 total: 2 mallards,1 black duck 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1995 West:Nov.11-Dec.3, Dec.16-Jan.11 East:Nov.18-30, Dec.16-Jan.21 Catahoula Lake:Nov.18-30, Dec.16-Jan21 West:50 East:50 Cat:50 Ducks:5 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 1 redhead, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1996 West:Nov.9-Dec.1, Dec.21-Jan.16 East:Nov.23-Dec.5, Dec.14-Jan.19 Catahoula Lake:Nov.23-Dec.5, Dec.14-Jan.19 West:50 East:50 Cat:50 Ducks:5 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1997 West:Nov.8-Nov.30, De.13-Jan.18 East:Nov.15-Dec.14, Dec.20-Jan.18 Catahoula Lake:Nov.15-Dec.14, Dec.20-Jan.18 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1998 West:Nov.7-29, Dec.12-Jan.17 East:Nov.14-Dec.6, Dec.12-Jan.17 Catahoula Lake:Nov.14-Dec.6, Dec.12-Jan.17 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
1999 West:Nov.13-28, Dec.11-Jan.23 East:Nov.13-28, Dec.11-Jan.23 Catahouls Lake:Nov.13-28, Dec.11-Jan.23 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2000 West:Nov.11-Dec.3, Dec.16-Jan.21 East:Nov.18-Dec.3, Dec.9-Jan.21 Catahoula Lake:Nov.18-Dec.3, Dec.9-Jan.21 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2001 West:Nov.10-Dec.2, Dec.15-Jan.20 East:Nov.17-Dec.2, Dec.8-Jan.20 Catahoula Lake:Nov.17-Dec.2, Dec.8-Jan.20 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redhead, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2002 West:Nov.9-Dec.8, Dec.21-Jan.19 East:Nov.16-Dec.1, Dec.14-Jan.26 Catahoula Lake:Nov.16-Dec.1, Dec.14-Jan.26 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2003 West:Nov.8-Nov.30, Dec.13-Jan.18 East:Nov.15-Nov.30, Dec.13-Jan.25 Catahoula Lake:Nov.15-Nov.30, Dec.13-Jan.25 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2004 West:Nov.13-Dec.5, Dec18-Jan.23 East:Nov.20-Dec.5, Dec.18-Jan.30 Catahoula Lake:Nov.20-Dec.5, Dec.18-Jan.30 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 3 scaup Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2005 West:Nov.12-Dec.4, Dec.17-Jan.22 East:Nov.19-Dec.4, Dec.17-Jan.29 Catahoula Lake:Nov.19-Dec.4, Dec.17-Jan.29 West:60 East:60 Cat:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 2 scaup, 1 pintail Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2006 West:Nov.11-Dec.3, Dec.16-Jan.21 East:Nov.18-Dec.3, Dec.16-Jan.28 West:60 East:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 2 scaup, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2007 West:Nov.10-Dec.2, Dec.15-Jan.20 East:Nov.17-Dec.2, Dec.15-Jan.27 West:60 East:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 2 scaup, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 1 hooded
2008 West:Nov.8-30, Dec.13-Jan.18 East:Nov.15-30, Dec.13-Jan.25 West:60 East:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 1 pintail, Mergansers: 5 total : 2 hooded
2009 West:Nov.14-Dec.6, Dec.19-Jan.24 East:Nov.21-Dec.6, Dec.19-Jan.31 West:60 East:60 Ducks:6 total: 4 mallards,1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 2 redhead, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback Mergansers: 5 total : 2 hooded

[BigHutch]

I will let you know how we do. I hope y’all smoke them!

[Duck Engr]

Whoa what happened in 1985???

[Rick]

Nice to see something more accurate than my usual "late '80s" or "mid '90s" memory.