Darren Digby With the teal season now in the rear-view mirror, all eyes are on the big show to come in early November. Surely some of you are fishing or hunting deer, squirrels, rabbits or doves to pass the time ‘till we kick things off in the Coastal Zone on the 7th. My fishing trips this time of year are dual purpose: put a few specks and reds in the freezer for winter cooking and also to spend time in the marsh with eyes to the sky for arriving birds. My cork might be swimming off to the deep but that’s no reason to take my eyes off that wad of grays dropping like rocks into a pothole just 100 yards away. When a buddy gets back from fishing, it’s usually “See any birds?” before “How’d you do?
Redheads routinely find themselves into the bag for south Louisiana marsh hunters.
Recent trips to the interior waters of the Biloxi marsh have been productive with the usual suspects finding their way into the fish box, but more importantly allowing us to put eyes on the first arriving “big ducks” to our region. Indeed, the migration of both fin and feather is on. Gadwall, teal and shovelers are being spotted across our coastal area, with the same smattering along with specklebelly geese arriving to the agricultural lands of our west end.
Early season fronts put more mallards in the marsh than usual for the 2014 East Zone opener.
The author with David Murla with a quick limit during the 2014 East Zone youth hunt Youth hunters will get the first crack at arriving birds a full week before shooters of adult age will be allowed to pull the trigger. This will make my 5th year running to take a young hunter (under age 16) to the blind for a hunt centered on him. With no gun of my own, I’m focused solely on putting him in the best position possible to make the easiest shots possible. As newly arrived migrators are not yet conditioned to all the tricks of the trade, they’re typically more than willing to oblige us with decoying opportunities aplenty.
I’ve come to realize that the preparation for this annual hunt and taking part in it without even shooting are some of the most enjoyable times of the fall seasons. The satisfaction that comes with initiating a new hunter to chasing waterfowl coupled with the smiles produced via the typically hefty strap are more than enough return for the time spent preparing for the trip.
I’ve come to realize that the preparation for this annual hunt and taking part in it without even shooting are some of the most enjoyable times of the fall seasons. The satisfaction that comes with initiating a new hunter to chasing waterfowl coupled with the smiles produced via the typically hefty strap are more than enough return for the time spent preparing for the trip.
Matthew Murla with a wall-hanger mallard from the 2013 East Zone youth hunt.
Hopefully those introduced to the sport at a young age via these special youth dates will be lifelong waterfowl hunters to carry on the traditions in a responsible, ethical manner. Whatever you do, be sure to set a proper example for the young hunters, as that may be their lasting impression. There’s enough complaining about some hunters’ hijinks as it is, don’t set an example for another addition to that contingent down the road.
The weather is cooling and the winds are shifting to the north as another taste of fall drops in each week. Are you ready? Don’t forget to sharpen your four-legged hunting buddy before opening day as well. Good luck out there!
The weather is cooling and the winds are shifting to the north as another taste of fall drops in each week. Are you ready? Don’t forget to sharpen your four-legged hunting buddy before opening day as well. Good luck out there!
