Regular Season

[DComeaux]

I am glad for the proposed West Zone dates, which conflict with some loud voices on the east end of the state.

As for the squealers....some will have them, some will not. In the face of declining migration of "real ducks," some outfitters will no doubt leverage this into supplemental cash flow, hard to blame them.

Outfitter Mike in Delacroix area has plenty squealers, may in fact inquire about a date with him for October myself.

I'm just afraid that the wood ducks will take a beating.

[Ericdc]

No more than they do in September.


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[DComeaux]

No more than they do in September.


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Exactly my point.

[Ericdc]

The flyway federation is at it again.

From Senator John Kennedy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2026

Nick Petromelis

Patrick Taylor



Kennedy to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Study unsportsmanlike crop practices slashing duck migration to Louisiana



“[T]he intentional flooding of standing crops has enabled an unsportsmanlike practice, weakened long-standing protections for migratory birds, and adversely impacted waterfowl populations in Louisiana.”



WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today called on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Brian Nesvik to study the impact of unfair “legal baiting” on duck migration.



“Legal baiting,” an unsportsmanlike practice in which cornfields are needlessly flooded to attract waterfowl, comes at the expense of southward communities—particularly those in Louisiana. Since the 1990s, policy changes have opened the door to more widespread cornfield flooding, and Louisiana has suffered a massive downturn in its mallard harvest.



“In 1998, Congress enacted the Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act, which repealed the strict liability standard that previously governed federal waterfowl baiting violations. In 1999, USFWS. . . removed the enforcement mechanism that previously restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooded standing crops, particularly corn. As a result, Louisiana has witnessed a significant decline in annual waterfowl migration since the late 1990s,” Kennedy explained in a letter to Nesvik.



“Mallard harvest in the state of Louisiana dropped 95% from 1999-2021, more than any other state in the Mississippi Flyway. In Missouri, the mallard count rose from 280,000 in 1999 to 550,000 in 2016 . . . [T]he data indicates that mallards are concentrating and stopping in regions where the manual flooding of corn has become widespread,” the senator wrote.



“Unlike rice, which requires flooding as part of its natural growth cycle, there is no agronomical justification for flooding corn. Put simply, the intentional flooding of standing crops has enabled an unsportsmanlike practice, weakened long-standing protections for migratory birds, and adversely impacted waterfowl populations in Louisiana,” Kennedy added.



“This trend has troubling implications for the future overall health of duck populations, particularly considering the growing threat posed by avian flu, as noted by a research biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey: ‘The basic idea is that the more you concentrate animals into a small habitat, there’s probably a greater opportunity for transmission between individuals, and then the greater chance for disease spread within waterfowl,’” he continued.



“Therefore, I urge the USFWS to initiate a formal study to evaluate the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior, wintering distributions, and associated economic outcomes in the Mississippi Flyway. Ensuring fair access to waterfowl hunting for current and future generations of Americans is a shared priority, and I appreciate your attention to this important matter,” Kennedy concluded.


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[Duck Engr]

Agree with em or not, that’s some pretty good momentum to have a United States senator on your side.

There is reportedly a federal baiting case going on in Arkansas right now where some clubs were having grain dropped on their rest areas by crop dusters. Pretty bold.

[Ericdc]

Kennedy is smart but I doubt he's getting the full story.

No mention of low populations, weather, etc. Just that Missouri is killing more mallards than they used to.

I'm sure they won't mention that folks are shooting blue winged teal and black bellies in January.


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[Darren]

Kennedy is smart but I doubt he's getting the full story.

No mention of low populations, weather, etc. Just that Missouri is killing more mallards than they used to.

I'm sure they won't mention that folks are shooting blue winged teal and black bellies in January.

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I think the mention of mallards exclusively was a mistake in the letter, and thus weakened the argument. Should have simply been "ducks" given it's many species using the corn.

As for the blue wings and BBWD.....not seeing or hearing anything on them that's unusual. We've got BWT on the Bunkie log from seasons over a decade ago (Dec and Jan hunts), and they've been a staple from Day 1 to Day 60 in the marshes of interior Delacroix for forever. BBWD are simply expanding their range due to their crazy good brood rearing skills, little or nothing to do with the weather.

Interesting thing with the BWT is their habits of using very specific areas within a region, and can be entirely absent in other areas nearby. Our south end of lease has them, north end we're only shooting and seeing green wings. Given they really aren't closely related as a species at all, this would seem to make sense.

[DComeaux]

Date: 1/10/2026 our blind

Cloud Cover - overcast with rain/passing front

Direction and Velocity: NNW strong

Temperature: upper 60's

Moon phase:

Waterfowl Activity: next to nothing

Waterfowl Responsiveness:

Hunters: Me and Blake

Malfunctions:

Dog(s): Remi. Refused the pick up of the scaup Can't blame her but we'll work on that.

Special Equipment:

Curses:

Kudos:

Birds By Species: 1 scaup

We waited out the heaveier rain and made it to the blind at 7. Very few ducks seen this morning and very little shots heard around us. Looks like some of the blinds around us gave it up for the season. Blinds north of 82 around little peacan did okay this morning with mostly teal. Some had a few mallards. I took the shot on the scaup out of boredom. Two weekends left of this misery.

[DComeaux]

Date: 1/11/2026

Me and Blake at our blind.

DNS

Quit at 8, packed up and came home. Saw two or three flocks of GW passing through and a few pair of other dabblers. Very little shooting heard on our side of 82. Lots of vacant blinds. If we have this same situation on next Saturday mornings hunt that'll be the end of our season.

[Darren]

Well sh*t, hate to hear of it

[DComeaux]

Well sh*t, hate to hear of it

The talk this weekend from many, even those that hunt north of 82 but aren't on the sweet spot, is "one more season." If the 2026/2027 season doesn't pan out, I'm afraid there will be many leases open for the following year. It's become an expensive gamble between time and nature, a gamble that hasn't paid off for many for several years now. It's progressively gotten worse.
It's become a gamble I'm growing tired of, and honestly, one I haven't the funding it takes to help better our odds.

[Duck Engr]

I feel ya there, Dave.

[DComeaux]

Date: 1/17/2026 our blind

Cloud Cover - overcast with light intermentant rain/passing front

Direction and Velocity: NNW strong

Temperature: upper 40s?

Moon phase:

Waterfowl Activity: next to nothing as usual

Waterfowl Responsiveness: I don't remember the last time we actually "worked" birds.

Hunters: Me and Blake

Malfunctions:

Dog(s): Remi. She did well. I sure wish we had more birds for her.

Special Equipment:

Curses:

Kudos:

Birds By Species: 5 GW 1shoveler

We jumped a few teal and gadwall to our north on the way out. Big ducks know the decoys. Lots of shooting north of us, north of 82, early, probably teal. We'll try again in the morning. The absence of waterfowl is disheartening. Very little shooting around us.

20260117_093313.jpg

[Rick]

Might not have "worked," but pass-shooting green-wings ain't painful.

[Ducaholic]

Better than things have been

[DComeaux]

Date: 1/18/2026 our blind

Cloud Cover - clear

Direction and Velocity: NNW 5 to 10

Temperature: Truck said 27

Moon phase:

Waterfowl Activity: empty

Waterfowl Responsiveness:

Hunters: Me and Blake

Malfunctions:

Dog(s): Remi.

Special Equipment:

Curses:

Kudos:

Birds By Species: 2 GW

Very little shooting heard even north. Sky was empty. I hate cold weather.

[DComeaux]

I've been seeing a few properties popping up for sale lately. Anyone want to get in?

238.2+/- Acres in the MISSISSIPPI DELTA at its finest and ready to hunt! Ducks, Deer, & Income all available on this tract in Bolivar County! Give me a call and let’s go look at this one!
➡️Offered at $1,400,000
LOCATION:
• East New Africa Road Alligator, MS 38740
• Bolivar County
• 14± Miles SW of Clarksdale
• 27± Miles N of Cleveland
• 79± Miles SW of Oxford
• 92± Miles SW of Memphis, TN
• 150± Miles NW of Jackson
COORDINATES:
• 34.07513, -90.6728
PROPERTY USE:
• Hunting
• Recreational
• Potential Home/Campsite
• Investment
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
• 238.2± Total Acres
• 110± Acres Mature Timber
• 132.98± Tillable Acres
• 9 Water Controlled Structures
• 2 Controlled Wells
• Well-Managed Road Systems
• Deer, Ducks, & Doves
• Agent is Related to the Seller
TAX INFORMATION:
• Parcel #1: 41-36-900-00-00600
• Parcel #2: 41-36-900-00-00800
• Parcel #3: 41-36-900-00-00400
• $1,700.00 (2024)
WELCOME TO THE BOLIVAR 238.2, LOCATED JUST 3± MILES EAST OF ALLIGATOR, MISSISSIPPI. This 238.2± acre tract offers duck, deer, and dove hunting opportunities with income-producing farmland. This Bolivar County farm is unencumbered by any government programs, and the stage is set for timber and field hunting with room for tons of food. If you have been looking for a primarily duck hunting tract with income in the Mississippi Delta, let’s put the Bolivar 238.2 on the list.
As you study the aerial map, you will notice the 2 patches of timber surrounded by tillable land, creating the perfect recipe to feed, rest, and roost the ducks. The tillable ground totals 132.98± acres according to the Farm Service Agency. The farmland is currently leased out on a year-to-year basis for $13,000 annually. The farm is irrigated by two wells (one diesel engine well on the northwest boundary and one electric well on the southern boundary). The soils are predominately Alligator and Dowling Clays, lending the land to rice and soybean production. As you ride the farm, you notice 3 pit blinds, 3 skid blinds, and 9 flood control structures in place. These improvements should allow you to water where you want it when you want it.
The two patches of timber (north and south) total about 110 acres. Both pockets of timber offer open areas that would make great timber holes when the timing is right. You will find a 2.5± acre food plot along the west side of the northern patch of timber, offering a good spot for that evening deer hunt. The plot is equipped with a Muddy box stand and feeder. The Bolivar 238.2 has had some great deer calling this farm home in the early season, with a new crop of bucks coming through during the rut.
The Bolivar 238.2 has paved frontage along the north side of East New Africa Road with access points along the east and west sides. The overall location is convenient, being 27± miles north of
Cleveland, MS, 92± miles southwest of Memphis, TN, and 150± miles northwest of Jackson, MS. If you have been on the hunt for a Mississippi Delta duck tract with income, give me, Harrison Eaton or Michael Oswalt a call for your private tour of the Bolivar 238.2 today. *Disclaimer: Agent is related to the seller.
Directions From Clarksdale, MS: Travel on US-278/US-61 S for 9.1
miles. Turn left onto East New Africa Road and the destination will be on the left in 2.6 miles.
CODY BELLIPANNI, LAND SPECIALIST
SMALLTOWN HUNTING PROPERTIES & REAL ESTATE
C: 601-559-1758
0: 769-888-2522
Listing Agents:
Michael Oswalt
Accredited Land Consultant, ALC
Partner, CSO
Principal Broker - MS
Executive Broker - AR
Designated Broker - MO
(O) 769.888.2522
(C) 662.719.3967
(E) Michael@SmallTownProperties.com
Harrison Eaton
Land Specialist
SmallTown Hunting Properties & Real Estate
Cell: 662-401-9472
Office: 662-238-4077
Harrison@smalltownproperties.com

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