re: I need a duck hunting mentor in the Mandeville area...

Easy route to get in is Big Branch like jb said.

I've been hunting there for 6 years, it's not the best by any means. You'll probably have better overall success with Biloxi and a mud boat. Takes time to learn it.

Big Branch is easy and if you live on the NS it's a nice place to work into. Key Points:

No devils, only water-cooled. Which if that's your route it only goes for running in the lake or on the east side of Bayou Lacombe.

So only kayaks/rogues on the West side which is where I hunt 95% of the time. It's a decent amount of work and it's first come first serve.

But for the most part, the sugar-asses stay out if it's not full of birds.

Ultimately, its easy to drive to, easy to get into the marsh, and not too crowded other than the opening weekend of the splits. Your best chance to limit is just as cold fronts come through, Big Branch is just a pit stop for the birds as they move farther down.

Good luck if you head out there next weekend. It'll be a clusterf***. Best days to go IMO are Thanksgiving morning and Christmas morning...if you're not busy playing Santa Claus.