Migration Alert: Louisiana Teal Hunters Remain Optimistic Despite Mixed Conditions

Louisiana duck hunters will once again see a nine-day early teal season due to below-average population numbers. When the season opens on September 19, hunters across the state will be greeted with hot temperatures, but a slight front in the forecast for opening weekend should bring noticeably lower humidity and a better feel to the early morning air.

While hunters in the coastal marshes are celebrating a record-low Atlantic hurricane season—there hasn’t been a single named hurricane through mid-September—many of the inland areas of the state are fighting drought conditions and would certainly welcome some precipitation.

The 2026 Waterfowl Status Report issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows that populations of blue-winged and green-winged teal are below 2025 estimates and their long-term averages. The first aerial survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is complete, but because of an equipment issue, the results are not comprehensive. “The southwest and overall estimates are incomplete and should be interpreted cautiously,” says Jason Olszak, LDWF waterfowl program manager.

“Based on the recorded observations, the September 2026 estimate of blue-winged teal in coastal Louisiana and the Little River Basin was 73,000. This was 28 percent below the 2025 estimate of 101,000 and 65 percent and 72 percent below the most recent five- and 10-year averages, respectively. The coastal Louisiana mottled duck estimate was 16,000, which was 60 percent above the 2025 estimate of 10,000, which was the lowest September estimate on record,” Olszak adds.

The survey documented drought conditions across the state. “Much of southwest Louisiana and the Little River Basin were extremely dry during the survey. Marsh conditions and water levels were generally near average, but less than 5 percent of the agricultural region of southwest Louisiana was flooded,” Olszak says. The survey also acknowledged sightings of a fair number of black-bellied whistling ducks across the area.

Roland Cortez is a guide with Dave’s Bayou Lodge and Outfitter in Mangham. “Reports from the area show an average abundance of teal in moist-soil areas. However, it has been dry across the area, and if you want to find teal, you need to find water. There is a lot of agricultural land in the area, but most of it is not flooded for teal,” Cortez says.

Cortez keeps his finger on the pulse of waterfowl numbers across the state and reports that there “are pockets of teal around the Houma area in the coastal marsh. The Lafourche region has some good numbers as well in the freshwater lakes. Overall, it could be a good start to the hunting season,” he adds.

Captain Mike Herrmann hunts in the marshes of St. Bernard Parish in the extreme southeast part of the state. Coming off a successful alligator season, Herrmann has been out and about in the area. “The water levels have been normal. I’ve been working close in near Reggio and Delacroix, not too far from the launches. There are a few teal here and there. One area close to the natural ridge had more birds. The teal are preferring the higher-ground marsh with just a few inches of water,” Herrmann says.

Down in Buras, along the banks of the Mississippi River, Capt. Ryan Lambert, owner of Cajun Fishing Adventures, is optimistic about teal season. “Water and feed look great in our area. Teal numbers are increasing daily, with large numbers seen. It should be a great season,” Lambert reports.

Brandon Guillot, with Floodwater Farms in central Louisiana, south of Catahoula Lake, hunts in the Cheneyville and Whiteville areas. “We have rice and milo but have had very dry conditions. We are not seeing many teal, but we are loaded up with whistlers,” he reports.

Hunters are reminded that teal are the only waterfowl species that can be legally hunted during the special early teal season.