Youth Duck Hunting in Big Branch

Big Branch Marsh Youth Duck Hunt

Youth Duck hunt.

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge located in Lacombe Louisiana 18,000 acres of habitat along the northshore of Lake Ponchartrain. All hunters must possess a Refuge permit. Waterfowl hunting is only allowed on Wednesday, Thursday. Saturday and Sunday of the state season. Please see the rules and regulations on their website. Big Branch Marsh.


Me and Chris launched the boat for the first day of youth duck season once again an almost empty parking lot. We launched the boat on Lake road and went out the mouth of Bayou Lacombe into Lake Ponchartrain. Headed north around Goose Point and back into the marsh through one of the small cuts inland. We could only go so far in the outboard the rest of the trip will have to be made through the shallow water in the canoe. After paddling a few minutes in the dark through  the ponds of never ending islands of grass we set up at the corner of a small island and a larger pond.  I set up a small spread of decoys in the larger pond to our left and a few decoys in the opening in front of us.  We pushed down our marsh seats into the thick  grass and set up a temporary blind using camo painted PVC pipes and  leaf blind material.

It wouldn't be long before legal shooting time just enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee and take in the view. Its a pretty site watching the red glow of the sun raising up from the swamp. Before sunrise we could hear the sounds of ducks feathers ruffling in the wind as wood ducks flow over head, we could start to see ducks flying over the ponds I had a good feeling this was going to be a great day.

A few wood ducks were flying right at us I told Chris to get ready here they come they are right in front of us shoot. And shoot he did but no ducks fell. Reload more are coming from our left. Bam! Bam! Once again a miss. I gave Chris a few tips on how to lead them and told him not to shot the high ones, don't worry I said you will get another chance. Another flock was approaching from the lake, I starting blowing the duck call and they circled around us. Let them come in looks like the want to land. When they lowered their feet to land I yelled shoot. Bam! Bam! I watched the entire flock fly away. After a few more misses he was finally able to get that first wood duck. And then another.

The ducks were working and I was able to call in a few flocks of scaups or dos gris as we call them in Louisiana. We would let them circle a few times a beautiful site to watch as large numbers of birds  made their way closer and closer. Little Chris was able to shoot a couple but I soon realized the box and a half or shells I brought was not going to be enough. There was plenty of ducks flying one of the best days I have seen out there. Large numbers of diver ducks where rafting on the open ponds we could see hundreds of dos gris circling the open water. Only one other boat came by that morning with a couple of kids and we could here them shooting in the distance. Chris was able to take a nice bufflehead a small duck with a large white head. And with only a couple of shells left he needed one more duck to make a limit. I nice red head duck flew in range on his second and final shell it fell in front of us.

What a day they ducks were still flying around us as we packed up. Large flocks of divers where coming down and landing in front of us as we picked up our decoys.  Ducks where flying up as we made our way back through the winding twist and turns of the marsh. I talked to one other hunter at the boat landing that brought his nephew. He was around 11 years old and had a nice mottled duck he was proud to show off to me.