![]() ![]() This allows scouting for the following day’s hunt. All hunters, boats and waterfowl gear must vacate the hunt area by 1 p.m. “Hunters cannot access these areas prior to 5 a.m., and hunting stops at noon. This means some areas have to be accessed by boat while others offer walk-in or ATV access on authorized trails. “The two primary areas are Greentree Reservoir, which is a mixture of cypress brakes and flooded timber, and the McIntyre Scatters, a large cypress brake that covers a few hundred acres and is bordered by private land. ![]() “One benefit to Malmaison is that there are a number of access points, depending on where the hunter wants to hunt,” said Brunke. In addition, a couple of additional regulations are in place to reduce overhunting. Hunting is allowed on a first-come, first-served basis with the understanding that hunters will allow fellow hunters courtesy and space without overcrowding. In addition, Malmaison is open for waterfowl hunting every day of the week. In contrast to both Mahannah and Howard Miller, Malmaison maintains its position as a top pick on Brunke’s list despite not being regulated by drawing. When you consider the lulls in migrations, the bad-weather days, the fact that not all duck hunters shoot as well as others, a three-bird average is pretty amazing.” “That’s an average of three birds in hand every day for every hunter who steps foot in there. “Howard Miller is growing in popularity, owing to the high success rates there with nearly three birds per gun every day averaged over the entire season,” said Brunke. Four wheel drive is highly recommended as these ATV trails can become slick as the season progresses. Typically easier access to the 24 hunt sites, which were once part of a soybean and rice plantation, is available through a series of ATV access roads. Located southwest of the town of Rolling Fork in Issaquena County, Howard Miller is bordered on three sides by duck refuge areas that help keep the human pressure low and the duck numbers high. On the other end, we may shift more of our parties to timber hunting depending on the acreage that opens up with the higher water.”Īt nearly twice the size of Mahannah, Howard Miller WMA is a 2,400-acre state property with nearly 2,100 acres of flooded fields. “Some of our fields were already underwater when it was time to plant, but they do maintain a certain level of native vegetation that will attract ducks. “That number may be adjusted with the expected higher water levels this season,” said Brunke. In normal years, up to 32 parties can be accommodated within the 27 field positions available and five roaming positions within the standing timber. Hunters have options of using ATVs in some areas and small boats to others, and some extended walking or wading often takes place to reach a selected site.īrunke said that the flooded fields offer a bit easier access, and hunters will find planted millet for food and various sudan grasses for cover. This demonstrates the need for scouting out areas and knowing where the ducks are before you select where to hunt.”Īccess to hunt areas at Mahannah is more difficult than many of the state’s other WMAs. “With the high water levels we’ve experienced through the summer and fall, it looks like a lot of timber in Mahannah that has been dry in past seasons will have water. “Mahannah typically has a good percentage of timber that doesn’t flood in normal years,” said Brunke. Afterwards, standby hunters are allowed to draw for available spaces. The WMA is hunted only four days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - and hunters who are selected by drawing for hunts on a reserved basis get priority. No blinds or stands are maintained at Mahannah, so hunters must bring their own concealment or make use of available natural cover. This makes Mahannah a mecca for waterfowlers who want to experience the thrill of hunting flooded timber in bottomland hardwoods and cypress swamps. Of the 12,695 acres that comprise the Mahannah Wildlife Management Area, only 10 percent, or 1,200 acres, is flooded agriculture land. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |