West Zone peeps.

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Can be mad all you want but at the end of the day LDWF isn’t why Louisiana hunters aren’t killing ducks like the early 2000s.

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late 70s, early 80s late 80s all of 90s make the early 2000s look like nowadays....

10 bird big duck limits were the shite until 83-84

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LDWF isn’t why Louisiana hunters aren’t killing ducks like the early 2000s.

Unfortunately don’t think we ever will again.

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This is exactly correct. I don't know what happened to all the ducks but they just aren't here like they used to be. I duck hunted fiendishly for many years and but quit because it just isn't worth it.

No till planting was the nail in the coffin for southern duck hunting. At least the messikan squealers are multiplying faster than the kill rate.

I think I saw that Haydels makes one.
This third split is one of the dumbest things ever by an agency that is known for for doing head scratching shite

Louisiana west zone opening 2 weeks? Before Arkansas and Mississippi is peak dumbass and closing 2 weeks during part of the best part of the season is really stupid as well.

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Guys don’t feel bad, it’s not just LA. I’ve hunted TX and OK all season, birds are scarce up here as well. Didn’t see many ducks this morning and didn’t hear or see a goose. Last year they were everywhere.

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This and LA's chickens have finally come home to roost from: habitat loss/degradation, changing hydrology, ever increasing mechanized human traffic, changing land use patterns and throw in invasives for good measure.

If you count youth season, ducks have been getting shot at for 65 days so far in the west zone.

From Nov 2 (youth opener) to Feb 2 (vet close) will be a 92 day stretch.

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This and LA's chickens have finally come home to roost from: habitat loss/degradation, changing hydrology, ever increasing mechanized human traffic, changing land use patterns and throw in invasives for good measure.

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Ehh, I get the sentiment, but this is overplayed in the grand scheme of duck migration. These are variables that affect ducks staying once they migrate and really only explains coastal LA. The larger issue, not only for LA, but most other states is the actual migration itself, and then the subsequent re-migration. Like mentioned by CaptST, those "good states" in the Central flyway are and have been having crappy years because of this as well. Sure they have some moments, but in general it isn't what it used to be. There shouldnt be a bird left in the Dakotas, MN, WI, IA in December, much less January. But I bet they are there.

The genetics of the birds have changed for a lot of species. They only migrate as far as necessary at one time. If there is food and water, majority will stay put. Most would be surprised what a duck will actually stay through nowadays. They aren't moving for a 2 day cold snap. They can/will dig down through a foot of snow for food. Those that did leave will migrate back north at the first feeling of warmth. No duck is staying in the marsh or some watering hole in a cattle field for fun. Its relatively easy for a bird to get from LA/TX/ARK back up around the Mason Dixon line between the MS and CT flyways in a 24hr period.

I hunt coastal LA and have "enjoyed" the early opener as we usually do pretty well. But at the same time acknowledge the stupidity of it as well. No sense in pressuring them just because they are here. That only makes them move back up north to no pressure. In the Coastal/West zone, open it Thanksgiving week, have one 7 dayish closure sometime around the week before Christmas, re-open on a Monday (this seasons split would have been 12/16-12/22) and run it through the second to last week of Jan. That last week in Jan in coastal LA is miserable with low water and stale/shy birds. I know no one who truly does well and enjoys that week, but everyone clamors for it...

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Even if you wit a week or two or three to open it, those ducks will still be there. They aren’t going anywhere

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This exactly.