Mgarcia6518

We just came back from fishing LA1 this afternoon. Got a healthy scratch along with everyone else we spoke with. Talked to some guys who said people kayaking did ok putting in by the little slips on Elmers if that helps.

I see this site has some keyboard warriors on it acting tough on a outdoor chat board. Congrats on finding the big red X where your ducks are coming in. As a lifelong hunter myself, I really am happy for you or any guy that finds the birds. Congrats on scouting or having a good lease your in. What gets me and probably others on this board is you acting tough and poking fun at others while they are having some misfortunes this season. I'm sorry to tell you this but the majority of coastal duck hunters agree the season opened way to early. Of course we see people posting pictures of limits and bragging here and there, but talk to people at the stores, getting breakfast, at the gas stations, and anybody will tell you this season started to early and there is nowhere near the same ducks down here yet. Nobody can control the weather or the ducks themselves for that matter, but people can control running their mouth off and spewing garbage out of it. How about offering advice or helpful insight instead of shooting your fingers off sounding like an arse. If the man wants to complain, let him complain. This year we have every right to complain, so please don't act tough on the internet if you don't mind.

Auto King Muffler & Service off Florida Blvd. Known for doing good work over there.

Been doing pretty well in Roanoke. Today was meh with 3 but this was the worst we've done all season.

Book time for a shop is around 1.5 hours plus the part. Make sure you get a motorcraft pinion seal. They seem to hold up better and we always have less people coming back when we use them instead of a autozone or Napa brand. Normal labor rare is gonna run you $90-$110 per hour.

Call Skid Marks in Prairieville and ask for Daniel Domangue off HWy621

Yes you can bring your entire boat to a service shop and have them swap the tires and use the same rims and even balance them if you like. Should make for a smoother ride if you do. Make sure that your putting radial tires on your boat instead of bias-ply. You can tell the difference when reading the side of your tire if it says for example, P225/75R15 The (R)signifies steel belted radial cords in the tire. If it has a (D) before the rim size, it is a bias ply tire with rubber plies overlapping each other. The radial is definitely the way to go if you can manage it. All your trailer tires are made in China now pretty much. Goodyear Marathon, Hercules Power Star, or a Carlise Radial Trail are probably your best bets. Hope this helps!

My lease is in Roanoke and we did pretty great. All the other groups around did well also. Spoke with a wildlife agent at the big gas station there and was told the area of southwest Louisiana had the largest concentration of blue winged teal in the state and possibly the nation during those weeks. Are you going with a guide service? Make sure your using plenty of decoys and try not to call as much. Normally they will spot you before you can see them. Good luck!

Here are the following responses I received from Mr. Chad Courville & Mr. Bart Yakupzack on me asking why the season dates were changed.

Mr. Courville's response:
Here is what I have shared with others with similar concerns to yours. Please keep in mind the percentages provided in many formats related to hunter opinion are of survey participants, not total hunters.


“Thanks for your question. The harvest statistics suggest that we shoot more birds early than late in the coastal zone (both west and east side). Significantly more.

The West Zone data suggests a similar trend with more early success than late but it isn't as pronounced. The West Zone shows decent late season success which is the reason for that season recommendation.

East Zone data hasn't been as easy to come by but based on what we know that season makes sense at least in the absence of good harvest data.

At the meeting I asked for harvest data by zone, by day, by species. Harvest data analysis uses 10 years of data so you get better representation across the region.

A theory on those stats is that while there may be fewer birds in the region in Nov, the birds may be more vulnerable to hunters which results in those harvest data.

Rest assured, if the harvest data for the coastal zone indicates significantly better January harvest, I will be the first to advocate for a later season. I would say the same for any zone as I believe harvest statistics should be the primary driver in season setting.

Many go out after the season and see lots of ducks. Pressure, especially gun pressure, influences bird behavior and when you take it off they show up. Couple that with the Spring migration from SOUTH to NORTH from Mexico and S America, you get a lot of birds showing up in places they haven't been.

There are a tremendous number of birds who move through this state starting in Sept, Oct, and Nov. Granted they are non-mallards but frankly the coastal harvest only occasionally will show high numbers of mallards. The birds species by day will shed a lot of light on this when it becomes available.

It is my belief that the purpose of a waterfowl season is to maximize opportunity, in each zone, for the people of this state to harvest birds within the framework provided by USFWS. To do that I believe you must look at migration chronology, species by zone, and harvest statistics.

The harvest data certainly needs to be built upon and refined, but based on what we currently have, I believe the season recommendations are consistent with the data we have.

Hope that answers some of your questions.”

Mr. Bart's response:

Good afternoon. It's a controversial decision every year that is never unanimous amongst hunters with varying interests. I've received as many "thank you" emails and calls as I have those like yours that are not pleased with the Commission's decision.



All factors considered, whether harvest data (that we currently have), Larry's proposal, hunter opinion, etc, I believe the anchor target date for opening the coastal zone is the 10th of November. My current thinking (which could certainly change based on factors changing) is that the closer we can get to that date, whether the first or second Saturday -- that's where we need to be. I think that is the best compromise for all. Some years some will be happier others not, but it will come around.




In case you are not aware, as per new federal guidelines, the commission will be considering zone changes and setting the 2016-17 season in Dec/Jan (Only 4 months from now). I encourage you to attend a local meeting (to be set) or the commission meetings.


Thank you,

Bart