Post Season Things

[DComeaux]

Tidal Zone guy is not the one screaming to hunt late. In fact he only wants to hunt 7 days in all of January.

The Commission was pretty decisive and quick to move away from what was proposed. I don't think they budge this time around.

What is puzzling is that Olszak actually suggested a repeat of last years dates. What was he thinking? And furthermore he thinks the lack of migration is primarily due to weather. He's a nice enough fellow but he's not what we need. Not that it matters. The pendulum has swung and it's not swinging back.

I quit dealing with Jason. I would love a 3 zone scenario. It's going to get interesting on the Federal level over the next year or so.

Did you see this?
Today, Secretary Madison Sheahan and members of her exec team along with LDWF Wildlife Administrator Tommy Tuma met with Mike Oetker, Regional Director, and Holly Gaboriaullt, Regional Refuge Chief of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss strengthening our partnership and expanding recreational opportunities for Louisiana sportsmen on federal refuges!

https://www.facebook.com/ldwffb

[Ducaholic]

Not a lot of detail but dialogue is good.

[Darren]

I'm curious what Darren thinks about a Tidal Zone?

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge ... 8e6a9.html

Ryan Lambert knows the game down his way, which isn't far from my marsh interests. The Tidal Zone concept he's suggesting would be OK by me.

I signed up for tonight's Zoom meeting, and there's been a push today by Deblieux brothers?? John and Jeff to get people to support going back to 3-split season to end of January for this coming season......"NO," and I stated as much in response to one of their requests, given it again would have us sitting home Jan 6th to the 17th in the marsh, simply, NO. It should end on Jan 18th 2026, for coastal areas.

[DComeaux]

Ryan Lambert - Deblieux brothers??

Maybe they can have their" tidal zone" that they mention.

This is what they should be focusing on.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=953637313561909&set=a.434621072130205

[Ducaholic]

Olszak told me yesterday we will likely end up with three zones again in 26/27. He didn't say what that would look like.

[Ducaholic]

I'm curious what Darren thinks about a Tidal Zone?

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge ... 8e6a9.html

Ryan Lambert knows the game down his way, which isn't far from my marsh interests. The Tidal Zone concept he's suggesting would be OK by me.

I signed up for tonight's Zoom meeting, and there's been a push today by Deblieux brothers?? John and Jeff to get people to support going back to 3-split season to end of January for this coming season......"NO," and I stated as much in response to one of their requests, given it again would have us sitting home Jan 6th to the 17th in the marsh, simply, NO. It should end on Jan 18th 2026, for coastal areas.

Lambert seems to indicate based on the way I read his quotes that it's possible to pinpoint based on Tidal Data which days in January would be huntable. Can you really do that if a big front comes through? Wouldn't that negate even the strongest tidal impact days?

[Rick]

Could for the Bay of Fundy, but tides in the Gulf of Whatever ain't like that.

[Ducaholic]

Could for the Bay of Fundy, but tides in the Gulf of Whatever ain't like that.

If I read you right, I think your saying it's not possible. I wouldn't think so either. Me thinks the guy just wants more days when its less likely that all the water gets blown out. If I were him, I'd want the same thing. He's got a battle on his hands with the Deblieux Bros even if their data is faulty.

[DComeaux]

Olszak told me yesterday we will likely end up with three zones again in 26/27. He didn't say what that would look like.

I sure the hell hope not. They are going to be sick of me before they vote.

Lambert seems to indicate based on the way I read his quotes that it's possible to pinpoint based on Tidal Data which days in January would be huntable. Can you really do that if a big front comes through? Wouldn't that negate even the strongest tidal impact days?

From experience I can tell you the high tides are not that during the winter when we get the stronger cold fronts and north winds. If you're lucky you'll get a film of sheet water at best. He would have to be leveed in like we are currently and not affected by tidal flow.

Predicting tidal movement for us down there using the charts has proven frustrating over the years. The tides do what they will.

[Ducaholic]

Olszak told me yesterday we will likely end up with three zones again in 26/27. He didn't say what that would look like.

I sure the hell hope not. They are going to be sick of me before they vote.



Dave: We have had 3 zones previously and I don't think that impacted SW La. Costal Dates.

[DComeaux]

Olszak told me yesterday we will likely end up with three zones again in 26/27. He didn't say what that would look like.

I sure the hell hope not. They are going to be sick of me before they vote.



Dave: We have had 3 zones previously and I don't think that impacted SW La. Costal Dates.

I misread your post and took zones for splits. I'm good with three zones if it takes Darren's friends to the east out of the decision making for where I hunt...lol I wish they'd do away with splits altogether and only use them to make a season close on a Sunday.

This is my take on a coastal zone. Ya'll can figure out the others from there.

Screenshot (167).jpeg

My boundary description.
From the Tx/La state line go east following the intracoastal waterway to the most southeastern boundary line of the Lacassine NWR. From that point follow the southern border of the Lacissine NWR eastward across the northern shore of little lake misere and lake misere into a bayou of no name which is the SE boundary of Lacassine NWR. At the exit of the no name bayou continue east along the northern shore of mud lake into Grand lake NE to the Intracoastal WW. Continue east from that point to the Cameron/Vermillion parish line, at that point continue south on the line to the intersection of the NE corner of the white lake north shore line. Follow the northern white lake shoreline east to the schooner bayou entrance then east to the intracoastal WW. From the intersection of Schooner bayou and intracoastal WW go east in the ICWW to the Atchafalaya river. Turn south in the Atchafalaya river to the northern boundary of the Atchafalaya delta WMA, turning east then south along its border to the Gulf of Mexico.

[Ducaholic]

That ain't gonna fly not more than this will.

[DComeaux]

That ain't gonna fly not more than this will.

What do you think would be the issues?

[Ducaholic]

That ain't gonna fly not more than this will.

What do you think would be the issues?

Leaves too much of the current Coastal Zone out and Zones are defined by Highway Systems. What you propose would be an enforcement headache and tough on hunters alike to clearly know where they are.

If we go to 3 zones it likely is to satisfy the mouthy folks in the Houma/Venice are with a zone of their own. No way in hell would traditional EZ hunters go for what you guys had last year in terms of dates.

Also if you have 3 zones only one split is allowed if I'm not mistaken?

All this remains to be seen. Just my .02

[DComeaux]

That ain't gonna fly not more than this will.

What do you think would be the issues?

Leaves too much of the current Coastal Zone out and Zones are defined by Highway Systems. What you propose would be an enforcement headache and tough on hunters alike to clearly know where they are.

If we go to 3 zones it likely is to satisfy the mouthy folks in the Houma/Venice are with a zone of their own. No way in hell would traditional EZ hunters go for what you guys had last year in terms of dates.

Also if you have 3 zones only one split is allowed if I'm not mistaken?

All this remains to be seen. Just my .02

What I outlined as a zone eliminates the rice hunters that complain about early opening due to second crop rice still in the fields. This was told to me recently. The hwy 14 route was too far north. Also, everything east of the Atchafalaya wants to open at Christmas and hunt till June.

[Rick]

What I outlined as a zone eliminates the rice hunters that complain about early opening due to second crop rice still in the fields.

With geese opening the first of November, that seems a mighty weak argument. And given the ecological connection between SWLA marsh and rice, as well as clarity, I-10 would make more sense to me. Not that making sense ever held much sway with our commissions...

[Ducaholic]

Agree Rick...

I always said the East Zone should never go further south than 190 but it takes in Coastal Marsh all the way to Lake Pontchitrain. No matter what somebody won't be happy.

[Darren]

Me thinks the guy just wants more days when its less likely that all the water gets blown out.

Yes, THAT, and I see that I unintentionally endorsed the concept of adjusting for tidal days, and that is NOT the case.

I'm good with three zones if it takes Darren's friends to the east out of the decision making for where I hunt.

Nope, won't, they hunt the same coast you do, and as Ducaholic pointed out, we already had this scenario and I recall most being fine with it, and I'm good with returning to it too. You (Greater Downtown Grand Chenier and beyond) should be regulated exactly how the MS River mouth is, biologically/birds habits/timing wise. It's grossly unfair, however, for current north Louisiana West Zone members to be regulated like you and me and Creole and Houma and Venice and Delacroix and Theriot and Dulac and Cameron etc. etc etc, however.


And this "friends" matter.......did you not see my FB retort to one of their posts pleading with people to support their proposed return to the framework of the 2024 season? Was hoping to stir it a bit more but they didn't bite. Support for their pleading doesn't exactly appear to be catching like wildfire from a social media perspective, at least from what I'm seeing (or not seeing).

[SpinnerMan]

No matter what somebody won't be happy.

It sounds more like no matter what nobody will be happy.

You all's bar is too high. I am happy if I just get a few days of good hunting and not the rest with empty skies. I exceeded that low bar by quite a bit this year. If they would give us a split and push the second half into January, I would have that almost every year.

Looking at Rick's results. It's nearly the same split of species all three seasons. It seems like the vagaries of the birds and the weather dwarf anything related to the timing of the seasons at your end of the flyway.

[Ducaholic]

No matter what somebody won't be happy.

Looking at Rick's results. It's nearly the same split of species all three seasons. It seems like the vagaries of the birds and the weather dwarf anything related to the timing of the seasons at your end of the flyway.

The Central and North La. East Zone is very different both in timing of the migration and the habitat that makes it up. We often don't have ideal water conditions until Mid-December making later than earlier migrations equally if not more important.

[Ducaholic]

Darren NW La. is shooting some of the same ducks SW La. is and guys up there on the big lakes take advantage of those early migrators coming through. They simply don't have the holding power of the EZ or the Coastal Zone. Their only bottoms are very near the Red River. I think the dates work for them. As always you are not going to please everyone in any geographical area.

What I think happens if Venice/Shell Beach/Houma is once again put in the EZ as in the past. Do you recall where the lines were drawn then?

[Darren]

Darren NW La. is shooting some of the same ducks SW La. is and guys up there on the big lakes take advantage of those early migrators coming through. They simply don't have the holding power of the EZ or the Coastal Zone. Their only bottoms are very near the Red River. I think the dates work for them. As always you are not going to please everyone in any geographical area.

That's true, and if so, all the better if they're happy with those dates. But at least the 3-zone system allowed them their own flexibility to not have to do as the coast every time.

[DComeaux]

What I outlined as a zone eliminates the rice hunters that complain about early opening due to second crop rice still in the fields.

With geese opening the first of November, that seems a mighty weak argument. And given the ecological connection between SWLA marsh and rice, as well as clarity, I-10 would make more sense to me. Not that making sense ever held much sway with our commissions...

I agree with you, and will have to revise the map to put you in the coastal zone. There are easy boundary's to follow in that area.

[DComeaux]

Nope, won't, they hunt the same coast you do,

Its really not the same. The mentality of the waterfowl hunters aren't the same. There's a lot hunters on my end that are either ignorant of a way to voice their opinion, simply don't want to get involved, or can't because of their position. The east side involves too much politics.

and as Ducaholic pointed out, we already had this scenario and I recall most being fine with it, and I'm good with returning to it too. You (Greater Downtown Grand Chenier and beyond) should be regulated exactly how the MS River mouth is, biologically/birds habits/timing wise. It's grossly unfair, however, for current north Louisiana West Zone members to be regulated like you and me and Creole and Houma and Venice and Delacroix and Theriot and Dulac and Cameron etc. etc etc, however.

Again, It's not about habitat it's about hunter mentality. There seems to be way more of the kill-em-all mentality in the east, at least with the loud ones.

And I do agree that those away from the coast should not be in the same season framework. That's why we should have 3 zones, a tidal or East marsh, Coastal or west marsh, and then everyone else. The only thing different would be the season dates. If the west side wants early dates then they can be lumped into the coastal west zone.

[Ducaholic]

Darren NW La. is shooting some of the same ducks SW La. is and guys up there on the big lakes take advantage of those early migrators coming through. They simply don't have the holding power of the EZ or the Coastal Zone. Their only bottoms are very near the Red River. I think the dates work for them. As always you are not going to please everyone in any geographical area.

That's true, and if so, all the better if they're happy with those dates. But at least the 3-zone system allowed them their own flexibility to not have to do as the coast every time.

True that but as I recall there was not much deviation from the CZ dates after the first season.

[Ducaholic]

Comeaux no one kills more ducks in this state than SW La. Coastal Hunters. That's regardless of how they think and act publically. You just don't want the season you had with two splits and you don't want to be grouped with peeps advocating for it. I get that I really do.

Also all of La. North of I 10 is not the same. Not in habitat or resources to hold ducks. You can't lump it all together.

[DComeaux]

Comeaux no one kills more ducks in this state than SW La. Coastal Hunters. That's regardless of how they think and act publically. You just don't want the season you had with two splits and you don't want to be grouped with peeps advocating for it. I get that I really do.

Also all of La. North of I 10 is not the same. Not in habitat or resources to hold ducks. You can't lump it all together.

I understand the habitat in this state and the difference of the east and west sides. My main concern is the fight for the coastal areas and season dates. I couldn't give a rats ass less about anything concerning season dates above the Intracoastal waterway.

[Ducaholic]

I couldn't give a rats ass less about anything concerning season dates above the Intracoastal waterway.

[/quote]


That's readily apparent

[DComeaux]

I couldn't give a rats ass less about anything concerning season dates above the Intracoastal waterway.

That's readily apparent [/quote]

If I hunted that area I'd think different. There's enough crap dealing with some of the coastal guy's on this issue. Throwing in the AG boundary to the north, and further north where the habitat make up is completely different complicates this even more.

[Ducaholic]

Just think how Olszak feels with perps breathing down his neck from all sides and in the end the Commission does what it wants anyhow.