How to find a hunting club in Louisiana?

[Richard.Howe]

I recently moved from Atlanta to New Orleans...don't know anyone down here (other than work, but no hunters there).

How would you recommend locating a deer/duck hunting club? I'm looking for a no-nonsense, serious outfit with strong safety and alcohol rules. Haven't had much luck with local classifieds or online.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Byron Quick]

Ask around at gun stores, outfitters, etc. Don't just look for hunting clubs. Check out commercial dog kennels and ask if they know any bird hunters or deer hunters if hunting deer with dogs is legal in Louisiana. That might not be your cup of tea but they will know the stand and stalker hunters. Look for rifle/pistol ranges and talk to the people who run it and the people who use it. Look at the various stickers on pickup trucks. If you see one that obviously belongs to a hunter or fisherman and see someone approaching it...strike up a conversation.
Contact the state rifle club and ask for guidance.

I just did a google search for Louisiana hunting clubs and got 45 hits. Now these clubs may not be in your area but odds are some of the members know of clubs in your area. Contact them and ask.

Call the fish and wildlife office and ask for help. Locate hunter education classes. Talk with the teachers and the students.

And last: Call the local PETA idjits and ask the location of the local hunting clubs so you can help picket them

 

[firesafety3]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

LOL!!! Couldn't bring yourself to finish spelling "coonass"???

For those uninitiated, it's a slang term for us marsh dwelling, duck hunting, alligator and frog eating folks down here in Louisiana.

But as you said, you are a recent "transplant" so welcome to the swamp!

I'm over in southwest Louisiana and we have an abundance of leases over in this area. Prices are generally set per blind for the season for duck and goose season. Prices hover around $2000 for a blind depending on if the location is marsh (generally requiring a boat) or agricultural (which is better for goose hunting). Land owners of agricultural fields will usually levee off an area and flood it for duck season prior to lease.

True club memberships tend to be a little higher but generally include use of the camp or lodge, dog kennels, boat lauches, etc.

Although season here opens in November, most leases or memberships are secured in early spring. Some are actually leased via closed bid.

I remember my grandpa saying long ago that one day hunting will be only for the rich. He's right but I insist on paying what it takes to assure my sons and I can hunt.

If you expect to be a weekend hunter only, you may look into hunting packages to include hunt, bird cleaning, and lodging.

 

[keano44]

Byron Quick's post just about says it all.
How far will you drive to hunt? There is a weekly classified paper in the Lafayette/Acadiana parishes area called the Quick Quarter. There are usually a few clubs looking to fill memberships. Pick up a copy of the Louisiana Sportsman magazine, there should be some contacts in there. Also, there are several state Wildlife Management Areas near you if you want to try hunting on public land. Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries has a good internet website, look it up.
You are in the Sportsman's paradise, just make it happen!

 

[Richard.Howe]

Thanks all. I'm just going to try the WMAs this season and see how I make out. The Maurepas Swamp WMA is 1 mile from my house...so it'll be convenient to do some scouting over the coming weeks.

I have had Zero luck in the classifieds or Louisiana Sportsman so far, but then again, it's a bit late in the year to be joining a club...

Take care,
Rich

 

[Stand_Watie]

For those uninitiated, it's a slang term for us marsh dwelling, duck hunting, alligator and frog eating folks down here in Louisiana.

You know, living here in east texas I've met a number of people who refer to themselves as "cajun", some as "coonass" and some as both.

I'm curious if the two terms are both perfectly synonomous or if there is a vague distinction recognizable to south Louisiana residents? I had the impression that "Cajun" meant a generally anglo south louisiana resident with French and Indian (and perhaps, but not neccessarily, african-american) heritage thrown into the mix.

Firesafety, my company (Occidental Chemical) has a plant down in your neck of the woods (also one in Taft). It's always a pleasure listening to the unusual accent when talking to one of the guys from there.

 

[keano44]

"Cajun" is shortened from Acadian. The Acadian's were expelled from Novia Scotia and settled in south Louisiana's bayou's, swamps, and marshes.
Cajuns make up the majority of my ancestors, with Indian mixed in. I consider myself Cajun. My parents and grandparents spoke Cajun French, and I can speak a little, and understand it well enough. Its a dying language, as the old folks pass on.
I've also been referred to as a coonass, and don't mind it, when coming from another coonass.