Although much more open water is to be found in Delta NWR and Pass-a-Loutre WMA than was the case prior to Hurricane Katrina, the duck hunting in both places can prove second to none even today. Photo by Pete Cooper Jr.

It's no secret that the Mississippi River Delta -- even now, in its post-Katrina days -- offers some of the finest waterfowl hunting in the country. So fine, in fact, that the day's hunt can be extremely abbreviated, with limits coming quickly. In that case, having made the effort to get down there, you've still got the greater part of the day remaining to you. So what are you going to do?

Well, you could head home, clean your birds, and catch up on a few honey-dos. Or you could go back to the camp/motel/lodge, clean up and relax over tales of the morning's hunt while sipping some canned adult beverages.

Or -- you could go fishing!

Indeed, "double-dipping" -- "blasting and casting," as some folks are inclined to call it -- is a popular option, at least for folks in the know. And fishing in the Delta can be every bit as good as the duck hunting when high winter settles in.

BLASTING OPTIONS
Two areas offer public hunting opportunities, both accessible only by boat from Venice. The first -- and in my experience the easiest to hunt -- is the Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Established in 1935 primarily to provide habitat and sanctuary for waterfowl, parts of the approximately 490,00 acres of prime marshlands are open to hunting during specific hours on specific days. The designated hunting areas lie north of Main Pass and south of Raphael Pass and are shown on the (free) regulations brochures that must be possessed and signed by hunters. Those are available at the marinas in Venice or by searching "Delta National Wildlife Refuge" on the Internet. Hunting is allowed only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until noon. No guided hunts, airboats, mud-boats or "go-devils" are allowed.

Most of my hunting on the refuge has taken place around Romere Pass. That's not to imply that the hunting there is any better than it is elsewhere -- it's just sort of my tradition. I made a discovery there that also applies to other areas and should make hunters quite happy: Much of the marsh there is accessible by wading -- very out of character with the remainder of the Delta. Still, I'd recommend carrying along a paddle to use as a probe if you must wade to set and retrieve your decoys and ducks.

While it's always best to make a scouting run on the day prior to your hunt, those typically take place in the afternoons. Remember that the tides here have a big effect on where the ducks will be, and a pond that has good water and loads of ducks in the afternoon may be dry and barren the next morning. On the other hand, if your scouting run reveals a pond that was a bit too deep to appeal to the ducks, it may be just right for them on lower water the next morning. Having a plan with at least a couple of water-influenced options will greatly improve your chances for a good hunt.

Once you find a favorable spot -- or three -- scope them out for the best "hides." It's of utmost importance that these natural blinds conceal you and your pirogue as well as extend at least slightly above and across the boat. Almost as important is that they be on the upwind side of the pond. And remember that a spot found on your afternoon's scouting run that was suitable for the warm southerly breeze will have been rendered worthless by first light if a norther cracked through during the intervening night.

As I've suggested, I can propose a few options.