Migration Alert: Strong Start for Many Louisiana Duck Hunters

Several cold fronts across the Great Plains and Upper Midwest have ushered many ducks all the way to the Louisiana coast. Hunter reports verified the positive survey results released by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“The 2025 November survey estimate of 1,238,000 ducks in Louisiana’s coastal region and Little River basin is 143 percent higher than last November’s record low estimate of 510,000. This year’s estimate is 40 percent higher than the most recent 5-year average (885,000) and 2 percent higher than the most recent 10-year average (1.2 million) but remains well below the long-term average of 2.14 million. It is the largest estimate since 2021,” reports Jason Olszak, LDWF waterfowl program manager.

An estimated 714,000 ducks were surveyed in the southwest, followed by 414,000 in the southeast and 120,000 in the Little River Basin. “Increases from 2024 were observed for all species except blue-winged teal, which were down 15 percent. Large increases were observed for shovelers, greenwings, and gadwalls. Compared to the small number of ringnecks observed last November, this year’s estimate of 382,000 ringnecks represents a 19,000 percent jump in the estimate for this species,” Olszak says.

Steven Savoye hunts the east Pointe a la Hache marsh. “Opening morning was one of the best we’ve had in several years. Plenty of greenwings and a few scaup and ringnecks. We ended the morning with six full limits and another just short. However, Sunday was a different day. The teal were gone, and the only shots were on a couple scaup and ringnecks,” he says.

Over to the west in the Grand Chenier Marsh, Brian Windsor made quick work of both morning hunts. “We saw a good bit of birds both days. A lot of teal and spoonbills with some grays mixed in. We did see a few pintails and wigeon. We limited out before 7 a.m. on mostly teal,” Windsor says.

Terry Pham hunted in the Lafitte area marsh. “We saw mainly blue- and green-winged teal along with a few gadwalls and mottled ducks. Low water with some fog was a little challenging early, but we limited out on teal. Sunday, we saw more of the same with another two-man limit of teal and gadwalls,” he says.

Hunting just outside of New Orleans in Chalmette, Nick Wilson was pleased with the opening weekend action. “Man, we saw 1,000 to 1,500 birds opening morning. They were moving all around. This was the best hunt I’ve had since the second split last year. Sunday was a bit slower, but we still killed a limit of teal and pintails,” Wilson says.

Captain Scott Dennis with Fanny’s Family Guide Service was not disappointed with the opening weekend results. “What a great way to start the season! We always save the opening weekend to hunt with family. Saturday morning, my dad, brother, and I killed our limits. It was crazy in the morning with all of the shooting. If this is any indication, Delacroix is returning to its glory days. Everyone I talked to in Delacroix had success this morning,” Dennis reports.

In the Venice area, Robin Pati had great hunts both days. “It was the most ducks I’ve seen in a long time. Hard hunting due to the low tide though. We saw major flocks of green-winged teal with pretty full plumage on them. We had a four-man limit Saturday and a three-man Sunday,” he says.

Another big cold front is predicted to pass through the state beginning Thanksgiving Day. There is no doubt that hunters will roll into that long holiday weekend with increased enthusiasm.