In the Delta, winter's low tides are much better exploited by fishing for reds in places like the canals of the Venice Dome oil field than by hunting ducks while you're fighting the mud. Photo by Pete Cooper Jr.

In many areas within the refuge, roseau cane provides a reasonably good hide. I prefer lower cover like elephant ears, but enough roseau is around to complement many of your options.

For the best setup from a roseau hide, begin by setting your decoys a bit further away than you would if your hide was a bit lower. Ducks don't like a high "wall" just ahead of their landing zone. Your spread should also be set opposite a spot in the brake where the canes on the edge of the pond have not yet reached their fullest height, yet remain adequately thick. Next, slide your pirogue behind that "low cover" from the side, not across it or you'll break down the canes. Finally -- and only if you absolutely must do it -- break over only the fewest number of canes that will allow you to shoot, and only the shortest length that will suffice. Why? Because 12-foot stretches of radically broken-over roseau cane along the edge of a pond just ain't nat'ral, son! And a pintail that's had its posterior peppered a couple of times from such a spot will have learned that fact thoroughly.

Since no camping is allowed on the refuge, and since your hunt must end at noon, that leaves the entire afternoon to fish. But before I reveal some really good scoops about that, the second public hunting opportunity -- Pass-à-Loutre Wildlife Management Area -- demands a few words.

Owned by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, this WMA bounded roughly by South Pass, Pass-à-Loutre and the Gulf encompasses more than 115,000 acres, though that acreage contains much more open water now than it once did, owing to the effects of several severe hurricanes between 1995 and 2005. Nevertheless, it plays host to a tremendous number of wintering waterfowl, and the hunting it offers can rank right up there with the best.

Like the refuge, Pass-à-Loutre WMA is reachable only by boat. On the other hand, camping and houseboat mooring here is allowed by permit in designated areas. (The permits can be obtained at the headquarters building between Cadro and Johnson passes as well as at the particular areas.) At present, no restrictions other than those for the general season limit the days and timeframes that can be hunted here. However, some private property lies within the WMA, primarily along Pass-à-Loutre and Southeast Passes, so be aware. (And don't trespass!)

One might think that effective hunting procedures on the WMA would be similar to those for hunting the refuge, and that's basically correct. Two significant differences are notable: The first, mentioned above, is that much of the WMA consists of "big water" -- not nearly as many small ponds are here as in the refuge. Therefore, locating some promising spots will take a little effort.

Secondly, the water bottom in the WMA is typically considerably softer than it is in much of the refuge, so slogging across a low-tide mudflat while pushing a decoy-laden pirogue is a distinct possibility if you're determined to try to hunt during the first hour or so of daylight. And the possibility increases if you're impelled to hunt at that time, but a shrieking norther is driving all the water in the marsh towards Yucatan.

Granted, a lot of folks who hunt the Delta -- especially the younger, more physically fit ones -- find daybreak and "cracking norther'" hunting simply a part of the exercise. Me? I got enough of fighting low-tide mudflats around age 45 and since then have made things much easier on the ol' body -- and still enjoyed some great sport -- by hunting the rising tides of afternoon.