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Message
Best Duck Lodge/Guide Recommendations
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:41 am
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:41 am
Need the OB opinion. I am looking to schedule a duck hunting guided hunt for next year to take the bro-in-law and father-in-law on. Was thinking about Stuttgart, but not tied down to that. Bottom line is: father-in-laws property doesnt have ducks like it used to and he's tired of putting forth the effort of going work it for minimal return. So now he is saying let's make a guided trip once a year and get our fix. Thought about Grosse Savanne too, but with the crap shoot that is "ducks in louisiana" I was thinking we'd drive north somewhat. Not looking for anything over the top, just a good quality guide with a comfortable lodge that can provide for a good experience. Thanks
13
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:42 am to fkmonark25
If he is giving up in Louisiana, then he should have some money saved. Go to Canada or Mexico.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:50 am to Motorboat
You could check out Stan Jones Mallard lodge in northern Arkansas. The man can be an unmitigated a-hole but he has ducks and will have ducks if anyone does. Can also shoot pheasant in the afternoon.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:59 am to fkmonark25
Hunt Oklahoma. Arkansas has been really slow this year.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:11 am to fkmonark25
If you want guaranteed limits, go to Canada
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:13 am to fkmonark25
I think the safest bet is getting out of LA, going to a plains state or Canada. BUT, Colby Daniels at Top Gun in Mer Rouge LA has really been beating them up this year. It’s worth looking at
LINK
LINK
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:13 am to TheGhostOfBigLee
quote:
Oklahoma has been really slow this year.
FIFY. Stale birds all 2nd split. First split was just OK after opening weekend.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:15 am to fkmonark25
I have been with Tornado Alley Waterfowl in Emporia, Ks and Finish Line Outdoors in Frederick, Ok.
Greater Canadas and ducks are targeted with Tornado Alley. They will hunt morning or evenings, depending on the situations, but not both. They may now offer pheasants in the evening. I haven't been with them in a couple of years.
Lots of lessers and ducks with Finish Line. If cranes are abundant, they will target them as well. Pintails and widgeon are dumb as rocks out there. They mostly hunt mornings, with evenings available for an extra $100 per man, per day. Wichita Mountains Refuge is near by and can fill an afternoon or 2 just riding around looking for elk.
Have done well with both. The biggest factor is always the weather.
Both offer similar accommodations. Neither provide meals. You can plan on around $1500 per man, for a 3 day hunt, although I usually end up with $200 extra. That includes food, gas, license, tip, fees and other expenses.
Greater Canadas and ducks are targeted with Tornado Alley. They will hunt morning or evenings, depending on the situations, but not both. They may now offer pheasants in the evening. I haven't been with them in a couple of years.
Lots of lessers and ducks with Finish Line. If cranes are abundant, they will target them as well. Pintails and widgeon are dumb as rocks out there. They mostly hunt mornings, with evenings available for an extra $100 per man, per day. Wichita Mountains Refuge is near by and can fill an afternoon or 2 just riding around looking for elk.
Have done well with both. The biggest factor is always the weather.
Both offer similar accommodations. Neither provide meals. You can plan on around $1500 per man, for a 3 day hunt, although I usually end up with $200 extra. That includes food, gas, license, tip, fees and other expenses.
This post was edited on 1/7/20 at 10:18 am
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:21 am to fkmonark25
I saw more ducks bow hunting this year in Kansas than I’ve ever seen total in my life down in Louisiana.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:21 am to The Last Coco
quote:
First split was just OK after opening weekend.
I see what you did there
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:23 am to The Last Coco
quote::coco2:
First split was just OK after opening weekend.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:24 am to MSWebfoot
I have gone with Dry Creek Outfitters in Wichita Falls, TX this year and Delta Outdoors Co. in Lake Village, Arkansas.
We shot 35 lessers and a 10 man limit of ducks with Dry Creek the weekend after Christmas. Their lodge isn't "nice" by any means but it was comfortable and there were lots of birds around. Think it was $300/man for lodging and hunting per day. They also offer night hunts for hogs and can do an afternoon duck, goose, dove and rabbit hunts for an upcharge.
Did two afternoon hunts with Delta Outdoors last Friday and Saturday and smoked the geese. Had 27 on Friday and 23 on Saturday. We didn't spend the night at the lodge but hung out there before the hunt and it was nice. Not Grosse Savanne level but nice and their rates are 200-300/man per day. They offer duck hunts as well but there weren't many birds down so they had everyone chasing geese. Its also a closer drive than some of the North Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas outfitters.
We shot 35 lessers and a 10 man limit of ducks with Dry Creek the weekend after Christmas. Their lodge isn't "nice" by any means but it was comfortable and there were lots of birds around. Think it was $300/man for lodging and hunting per day. They also offer night hunts for hogs and can do an afternoon duck, goose, dove and rabbit hunts for an upcharge.
Did two afternoon hunts with Delta Outdoors last Friday and Saturday and smoked the geese. Had 27 on Friday and 23 on Saturday. We didn't spend the night at the lodge but hung out there before the hunt and it was nice. Not Grosse Savanne level but nice and their rates are 200-300/man per day. They offer duck hunts as well but there weren't many birds down so they had everyone chasing geese. Its also a closer drive than some of the North Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas outfitters.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 10:38 am to fkmonark25
Bayou Meto Double D
In Lonoke, AR
Bayoumetodoubled.com
501-676-2191
They have fields they flood for duck season and only hunt weekends birds rest all week. They kill the shite out of big ducks.
Bonus is they are not too far from Mac’s Prairie Wings store
In Lonoke, AR
Bayoumetodoubled.com
501-676-2191
They have fields they flood for duck season and only hunt weekends birds rest all week. They kill the shite out of big ducks.
Bonus is they are not too far from Mac’s Prairie Wings store
This post was edited on 1/7/20 at 10:40 am
Posted on 1/7/20 at 12:00 pm to LSUballs
quote:
Colby Daniels at Top Gun in Mer Rouge LA
Yep, second that or Commander's Corner up near Wilmot, AR.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 12:26 pm to fkmonark25
Wildlife Farms up in Arky has been the best guided hunt I’ve ever been on. But that’s been 10 years plus now.
I’m looking to do the same with my Dad and brother for Sandhills Cranes in either Texas or Oklahoma.
I’m looking to do the same with my Dad and brother for Sandhills Cranes in either Texas or Oklahoma.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 1:10 pm to BACONisMEATcandy
I have heard nothing but rave reviews from friends that have went to this place... LINK / commanders corner, just across the state line from monroe in arkansas.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 1:38 pm to NOBOTIGER
Go to Arkansas. Don't play around with Louisiana.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 1:49 pm to fkmonark25
We shot limits at Dave's Bayou (Mangham, LA) early season. Its also probably the nicest lodge I've ever been to.
Dave's Bayou
I'm not sure how they are doing now, not many pictures on social media if that is an indication.
Dave's Bayou
I'm not sure how they are doing now, not many pictures on social media if that is an indication.
Posted on 1/7/20 at 2:00 pm to fkmonark25
It doesn't sound like what ya'll are looking for but I'd save the money on an outfitter and do a longer (more days) DIY road trip to Arkansas or Kansas / the Dakotas or Central California (if Canada is out of the question....but it'd be choice 1 if it isn't).
I have been to some great duck and goose lodges all over the US and Canada and in all honesty I have never enjoyed it as much as killing fewer birds with the knowledge that I did it myself. I like the company of people I care about and do not like shooting around people I don't know and with an outfitter when I am merely a customer.
I especially would not go with any outfitters in Stuttgart again on a bet and I have friends who are outfitters in Stuttgart and did some guiding there myself in the late 80's and early 90's. Most of them are all about numbers of hunters, not quality of hunts....it is by far the worst for this of any place I have ever been.
If you line up a reputable guide don't be surprised if the person you hunt with is someone else because the reputable guy has been booked for years but his cousin/friend/nephew is available when you show up.
If you're hunting the timber don't be surprised when there are 8 paying customers and 6 "guides" all shooting and it is a group limit. Those 6 "guides" can work magic on ducks....there is no doubt of that....and can call flights of birds that mere mortals wouldn't even attempt...but they will also shoot 80% of the group limit and have everything picked up and back to the hill as quickly as possible because it is their job...they no more want to be there than a plumber does when the toilet is clogged.
I can't imagine 3 of you with some experience not being able to do some research, some scouting, and kill some birds on public land in Arkansas with nothing more than waders, a few decoys and some ability to call. You may not limit out everyday but get 50 mallards dropping through the trees on your own and chances are you'll be so thrilled the lack of a limit will be because you momentarily forget how to handle a shotgun, especially if you haven't experienced it before!
I have no doubt this type of success is less common today than it was when I was guiding in Stuttgart but I can't imagine it being unheard of even today....and Stuttgart is only one area....there are others in Arkansas that have always been as good.
I have been to some great duck and goose lodges all over the US and Canada and in all honesty I have never enjoyed it as much as killing fewer birds with the knowledge that I did it myself. I like the company of people I care about and do not like shooting around people I don't know and with an outfitter when I am merely a customer.
I especially would not go with any outfitters in Stuttgart again on a bet and I have friends who are outfitters in Stuttgart and did some guiding there myself in the late 80's and early 90's. Most of them are all about numbers of hunters, not quality of hunts....it is by far the worst for this of any place I have ever been.
If you line up a reputable guide don't be surprised if the person you hunt with is someone else because the reputable guy has been booked for years but his cousin/friend/nephew is available when you show up.
If you're hunting the timber don't be surprised when there are 8 paying customers and 6 "guides" all shooting and it is a group limit. Those 6 "guides" can work magic on ducks....there is no doubt of that....and can call flights of birds that mere mortals wouldn't even attempt...but they will also shoot 80% of the group limit and have everything picked up and back to the hill as quickly as possible because it is their job...they no more want to be there than a plumber does when the toilet is clogged.
I can't imagine 3 of you with some experience not being able to do some research, some scouting, and kill some birds on public land in Arkansas with nothing more than waders, a few decoys and some ability to call. You may not limit out everyday but get 50 mallards dropping through the trees on your own and chances are you'll be so thrilled the lack of a limit will be because you momentarily forget how to handle a shotgun, especially if you haven't experienced it before!
I have no doubt this type of success is less common today than it was when I was guiding in Stuttgart but I can't imagine it being unheard of even today....and Stuttgart is only one area....there are others in Arkansas that have always been as good.
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