“In Louisiana, waterfowl is king.” – outdoorlife.com
When it comes to duck hunting, it’s all about location, location, location. In 2016, approximately 2,486,000 waterfowl made Louisiana the last stop for their winter “retreat”. What does that mean for our neck of the woods? Seriously good duck hunting!
Since Venice, LA is found at the Southern point of Mississippi flyway, we’re the last stop for thousands of migrating winter waterfowl. Many different species of ducks can be taken in any given hunt due to the natural influence of both salt and freshwater marshes. The sediment deposited into our local marshlands from the Mississippi River provides optimal food sources for migrating waterfowl. Venice is the perfect place to hunt all types of waterfowl including- Teal, Red heads, Mallards, and more!
Waterfowl hunting season starts now – early fall through late winter – so we’re officially in prime time. Check out our newest tour-the Blast and Cast package -where you can hunt waterfowl early in the morning and spend the afternoon with us on a chartered inshore fishing trip. Until then, here are some general duck hunting tips to keep in mind:
Duck Hunting in Marshes
While it may be tempting to set up where the view is big and wide, this is not where you’re going to find a lot of ducks. Look for potholes, small pools, a pond, puddle, or opening off the big water. Man-made ditches are another great option if you’re near a marsh as are pockets of water such as bays, coves, and any area off the main expanse of big water.
Home Run Charters has over 10,000 acres of private marsh to hunt from when you come on a duck hunting tour with us. Our experienced guides will place you directly in the blind and our dogs even retrieve the ducks for you!
Duck Hunting in Rivers
Small-to-medium sized rivers and streams are typically less crowded with hunters, making them a great place to start. However, the key to hunting success is to zero in on the still-water micro zones that ducks prefer.
When hunting waterfowl in rivers, look for bends. You’ll want to set up on the pool that forms downstream and inside of the bend. Points are another good option as they offer areas of calm-water especially at the eddy behind a point. Set up on the point to shoot at fly-bys.
Duck Hunting in Backwaters
When hunting near a large river, you’re going to want seclusion and still water, which is why setting up on backwater micro zones, is key. Look for a good oxbow lake or a stretch of river, and find a spot where you can anchor your boat, hike in, and pothole-it. Spillovers are another good option as rain produces overflow ponds, pools, and bays where plenty of waterfowl can be found.
Are you ready to blast and cast? Don’t wait because duck hunting in Venice, LA is simply second to none! Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or it’s your first time out, we welcome you to experience the best duck hunting (and fishing) in the Bayou State! Call Home Run Charters today at (504) 909-TUNA for more information or to check the availability of any our chartered tours and we’ll show you the ropes!
