General Info:
Louisiana duck hunting is reputedly the very best in the United States for good reason: Louisiana seasonally overwinters an estimated 9 million duck per year, it’s been said that more ducks are killed during a single weekend in Louisiana than several states collectively kill during an entire season, more ducks than Canada and Mexico combined, and according to figures released by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Louisiana accounts for nearly 20% the total number of ducks killed in the entire U.S. each season – nearly a million more than neighboring Arkansas most years! It was this duck-rich environment of northeast Louisiana that spawned contemporary waterfowling icons such as the Roberstons of Duck Commander fame (and more recently Duck Dynasty) and Legends of the Outdoors Hall-of-Famer Terry Denmon of MOJO, the most-recognized duck decoy name on the market. For 40-plus years, their friend and neighbor, Johnny Wink of Megabucks Louisiana Duck Guides, has delivered the bar-none very best duck hunting in northeast Louisiana. Johnny Wink’s motto is “get fired UP” and Megabucks Louisiana Duck Guides is for anyone, regardless of gender, age, or level of duck hunting experience. A glimpse through 4 decades worth of photos reveals a warm family atmosphere and southern hospitality at its finest. Smiling youngsters and wives with first ducks or geese may seem like Johnny’s singular mission in life during the Louisiana duck season, but the same thing can just as easily be said about his taking perfect care of decades-long clients that have become like family, groups of out-of-state coworkers that come for team-building experiences in the duck blind, fully grown first-timers that want to experience what it’s all about, and seasoned hunters from further up the flyway that want to score fully-plumed ducks on the wintering grounds, such as the bull sprigs and speckle-bellies for which the region is renowned. Speaking of white-fronts, one client was recently overheard saying, “if anyone calls specs better than Johnny Wink, might just as well get the oven hot and start to picking ’em.” louisiana duck hunting guides 014Duck hunting is made simple at Megabucks Louisiana Duck Guides. Located near Jones, Louisiana – the state’s mallard capital – hunts are conducted about 15 minutes from the lodge, from spacious custom-built pit blinds that are very easily accessed with short walks down wide, flat levees wearing nothing more than knee boots. Flooded crops of corn, rice and soybeans draw hungry waterfowl from about a half-dozen refuges located within an easy, pre-breakfast duck flight-time distance away. Morning hunts end at 11 AM or limits, whichever comes first. Besides napping or watching football, afternoon activities include free afternoon pass shoots for geese, optional deer hunting or duck hunting (if limits weren’t achieved during the morning). Guests are placed exclusive-use to themselves in one of 2 lodges. A minimum of 4 hunters ensures private lodge, blind and hunt; smaller parties and individuals are combined. Main Lodge sleeps 12, Second Lodge sleeps 8. Amenities include covered dog kennels, fully-outfitted kitchen, 65-inch big screen satellite TV with surround sound, full bar, pool table, foosball table, a large mud room, a 6-person hot tub, and outdoor BBQ pit. Guests prepare their own camp favorites or may dine on regional specialties at nearby restaurants – ask Wink who’s serving up the best cajun crawfish or boudin, he’ll surely steer you in the right direction. The nearest commercial air services are available in Monroe, about an hour away (trivia – Delta Airlines has been headquartered there since 1929 and is named for the surrounding landscape). Local non-hunting attracti