The 2026/2027 Southwest Louisiana duck season dates are officially set, and our books are now open at Hackberry Rod & Gun!
WEST ZONE
Youth & Veterans:November 7 First Split:November 14–December 6 Second Split:December 19–January 24
Duck season is our favorite time of year around here, and we’re already looking forward to getting back into the marsh!
Whether you’re coming down for a morning duck hunt or want the full experience with one of our Blast & Cast packages, now is the time to get your dates on the calendar.
Popular weekends and prime dates tend to fill up quickly, so give our office a call at (888) 762-3391 to reserve your hunt.
We can’t wait to share another season with you and make some memories that’ll last a lifetime!
Another great week of fishing has come and gone over here at Hackberry Rod and Gun! Up until the weekend it was south winds and high tides allowing guides and their crews access to the back of marshes and protected bayous that gave great opportunity for chasing redfish as well as speckled trout. Even a few flounder have been showing up, but from October 15th to Nov. 30th flounder is closed for harvest, so they are safe for now. Several boats embraced the winds and were able to chase birds picking on the south end of the lake and West Cove to put together some excellent boxes of trout. After that front on Saturday accompanied by 30 MPH North winds, the tide is low and the temps are even lower which should create some great fishing for us as all the bait back in the marshes are flushed out and easy prey for schooling fish. SWLA has officially experienced our first cold front of the year, so give us a call at (888) 762-3391 or visit Book a Trip to come and take advantage of this amazing time of year to be outdoors! And don’t forget…. “Ya Shoulda’ Been Here Yesterday!”
Oh, and don’t forget…” Ya Shoulda’ Been Here Yesterday!”.
The slicks anglers watch for on Big Lake also have a biological explanation. Oils and other compounds released by feeding fish and damaged prey can rise to the surface, producing the characteristic slick that experienced anglers sometimes smell before they clearly see it.
We have boats available so call (888) 762-3391 and come see what Hackberry Rod & Gun Club is all about!
To check out our complete photo gallery on our website, click HERE.
Excerpts from “Louisiana’s Hackberry Rod and Gun Club’s Secret Cookbook”
By Terry and Martha Shaughnessy
Those of you that have been coming around HR&G long enough (some probably longer than I’ve been alive) might remember the cover of this book. To my surprise, after coming into the office from fishing one day, I noticed this book sitting on the counter with a note attached to it with my name on it. A good friend of mine, Mr. Buddy Oaks, dropped it off for me to check out and later instructed me to not get too fond of it, because he will need it back!
I wanted to dedicate a section of the MMU for the next couple of weeks to some of the excerpts that are written in the book by Mr. Terry Shaughnessy. I never got to meet him, but occasionally I get to hear stories about him from “seasoned” individuals, guides, friends, and guests. Although everyone’s stories are great, this book has some articles written in it by Mr. Terry that would feel criminal to not share on this platform. I hope that y’all enjoy these as much as I did and feel like you got to know Terry Shaughnessy, the founder of Hackberry Rod and Gun, a little better today.
OPENING
Duck and goose hunting, light tackle saltwater fishing, duck dogs I’ve known and loved, plus how to hide new fishing and hunting equipment from the wife are some of the many topics I write about.
I will be writing a monthly column called “Ya Shoulda Been Here Yesterday” telling you what works and what’s new in the outdoors, how I feel about the product and what to expect if you purchase it.
For 16 delightful years I have worked as a hunting and fishing
guide for Hackberry Rod and Gun, located (now get this) in Hackberry, Louisiana. Hackberry is a small island located in Southwest Louisiana surrounded by miles and miles of both fresh and saltwater lakes and marsh.
Some of my articles will probably offend the weak of heart, but that’s Mother Nature’s way of thinning out the slow readers.
I will always try to use words with seven or less letters in the
spelling so that my close friends will keep talking to me.
I have a tendency to see things that other people miss, probably due to the sun beating down on my bald head while fishing the saltwater flats during the summer months or maybe it’s of the shots being blasted in my ears during the waterfowl season. But whatever the reason, many little things I notice are often overlooked by other sportsmen. A quick example of this is have you even noticed how “wives of avid hunters and fishermen are very understanding” but “ex—wives just didn’t understand.” Or how about “never brag on a duck dog that has feathers sticking to its lips”.
By guiding every day I run across lots of different type folks— some experts, some beginners and a lot of those in between, but each and every one of them is interesting and a learning experience to be with.
I hope to pass on to you the things that I have learned or have to teach my clients in order to make sure their hunting and fishing trips will be more productive and fun. “Ya Shoulda Been Here Yesterday” is what you want to say, not have to hear.
My wife, Martha, told me years ago when I started losing my hair, “Well dear that’s the second thing to go”. I never really
understood or pushed the issue with her as the fishing season was in full of big trout and redfish. I kept telling myself I would bring up that statement at a later date when fishing slowed down, but as things turned out we caught big fish right up to
duck and goose season.
New recipes on cooking ducks, geese and fish that Martha has done for our clientele over the years will be passed on in my article. Road kill gumbo could be a favorite for those of us living near a well-used highway. The trick here, like all things in life, is knowing how to beat the crows to the good stuff or what bumper is best on your pickup if traffic is slow the night before.
I will also try to answer any questions pertaining to hunting and fishing that I receive in the mail directed to “Ya Shoulda Been Here Yesterday.”
Questions like “What does it mean when a fisherman has big hands and big feet?” That answer is quite obvious, he needs big gloves and big boots!
Here’s hoping you will enjoy the article and be able to tell all your friends
“Ya Shoulda Been Here Yesterday.”
The Dock Shop
Come on by the Hackberry Mall and pick up a gift for that special someone in your life. We have a variety of items to choose from including Florida Fishing Reels, Costa Sunglasses, Olukia Shoes and flip flops, Ranger Turtlebox speakers and many other items.
Call or email Pauline at dockshop@hrandg.com if you would like to place an order to be shipped or if you would like to purchase a gift card to bless someone that has an upcoming trip. Thank You for your business!
BE SURE TO VISIT OUR ONLINE 24/7 CAMERAS EVERYDAY LOCATED ON OUR DOCK. TUNE IN AND TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CUSTOMERS DAILY CATCHES AS THET RETURN TO THE DOCK. BEST TIME IS USUALLY 11:00A.M. UNTIL 3:30 OR SO. CHECK IT OUT.
