Louisiana Squirrels
 

The season opens next weekend the first Saturday of October. Should be a good year if we can keep this second storm Lily from hitting us. Right now all my area is totally flooded under water, but will go down with time, but if another storm comes here there wont be much trees standing. The roots are all water log, and can easily be uprooted with strong winds and more water.
How is anyone elses outlook? God willing I will be there this Saturday coming up.
The Swamp

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Looks like Lily is making a beeline towards the Texas - Lousianna line. I don't see anything that will steer it off course, but you know as well as I that those things don't always do like they are predicted. Most people don't realize how much difference water soaked ground helps with the trees blowing down. If you can find an island in the swamp it will be thick with deer.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey timber cruiser, yep you are right. But finding an island right now is pretty tuff. I have me a motorized pirouge that gets me all over the swamp, and then walk it. I hunt the Livingston parish, the Manchac swamp, the Marepaus Swamp, and all over the Laplace area.
Just checked our local weather man, and he said if the high pressure system to the east pulls out early, then Lily will be in my back yard by Thursday. They say it is going to be in the 3 catagory which is extensive damage catagory. Already planning on getting out. The ground is still saturated from Isador.
Thanks for writing back.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Swampchopper, I live in Laplace and I didn't know they had anything over here. Where can I hunt rabbits and squirrells in Laplace? Can you let me in on any good places? Cause I really don't know anywheres to hunt around here. Thanks.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey Cajunhunta, I have permission to hunt on a tract of land that starts on Hwy 61 and goes to the lake. You know where the chicken coop (truck weigh station) is about a mile west of the spillway, they got a Shell gas station right next to a old iron gate. That gate is where I drive in. The place has a good bit of squirrels, most of them is the red fox squirrel, and rabbits are just everywhere. Also another good spot is right on this side of the spillway, is Prescott road. You have to walk it now, but they hold up in there also. They say it is posted now, but I will have to see.
Now I also go along Hwy 51 late in the season, and you can jump rabbits along the edge of the swamp and being real stealthy, get a good batch of squirrels, but most of these are all gray.
You can hunt a whole lot of places in LaPlace, but got to know whetere it is posted or not. I use to hunt exclusively in the swamps of 51 not far from the house, but then the Cajun Pride Swamp Tour people come along one day and ruined all that. I got a motor pirougue that took me all up in there, where nobody goes, but cant do that no more right there. And trust me they have a lot of squirrels. But I know some people that live at the end of Freniere road, and they let me hunt back along in the swamp. Matter of fact they are the only people that live there.
My son lives in Livingston, and last year late in the season, I made some hunts up there, and did good. That is also where I did my first turkey hunting last year, but did not get one.
Now you got Reserve that good places, and dont forget the new wildlife area all for us.
So what part you live in LaPlace?
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

I live around Riverlands, off of Ridgefield. Thanks a lot for the information, I'll have to check it out. What wildlife area are you speaking of?

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Oh yea.. the first place you were talking about,I know where the truck weigh station is but where is the shell station?Is it after or before the weigh station?The only one I know of is when you get off the bridge on the right.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Cajunhunta, the tract of land that I am talking about is leased land. I have special permission to hunt it, but it is not open to the public or anyone else. Sorry about that. But yes it is next to the first shell station on the right, right after the spill way bridge on the Laplace side. I hunt this exclusively all in the beginning and into the winter time. Then I venture out to the other places. The wildlife area that I am talking about is the new Marepase Swamp Management Area. It starts on Hwy 51 and ends up in way out in Acension Parish not far from Livingston parish. It you go to the La wildlife area mgm site, it gives you a free map to download. Write back again if you need more info. Laplace has lots of areas, just do some before season scouting, also Reserve, Lutcher, and the Gramercy area. Go all the way to St James Boat Launch by blind river from Laplace and look for open land. You will be surprised. You most probably have not been living long in Laplace.
Where do you hunt at if you dont hunt your area. I would be interested to know.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Well for squirrel and rabbit I go with my cousin in Manchac. For deer I go all the way to Three Rivers a couple times a season. I've heard Reserve has good stuff. In all of the woods past Reserve Christian School in the back. I wanted to go back by Reserve tomorrow for opening day. Are the woods back there really good? If they're not, where in reserve is good? Thanks I'll have to see if Prescott road is posted too.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Great opening day, could not ask for better weather. No wind, a little hazy fog, and plenty squirrels.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

cajunhunta
I used to live in laplace and two of my favorite places to hunt rabbit were the bonnet carre spillway, and also the old race track near the Ford dealership (closer to Reserve). Oh yeah another great place for rabbits was evangaline road, off of river road. The place I used to hunt primarily was the lease next to where swampchomper was talking about. The "other" side of the canal next to prescott road, all the way back to the lake. And that lease also extended behind River Forest, and also I think it went behind the half way house on 51. That lease is loaded with deer, rabbit, wood ducks and used to have a lot of hogs. The 3 places that I told you earlier to hunt may all be covered with water right now. I am not very familar with Reserve, Garyville area. Good luck.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey LAhunter, thanks! but I have a question..how do you get to hunt on leases? Do you have to know the person who owns it personally or just ask for permission?thanks

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

cajunhunta,
I got on the lease in Laplace because my brother in law was on it. Also forked over a lot of money. It is very tough to get on that lease, they try to keep the number of hunters to a minimum. But you can try to get on a lease in Lutcher, Reserve, Garyville, etc. just start asking around. I think the Reserve lease has a lot of members, maybe they wouldn't mind takin in one more person. Never hurts to try. Good Luck.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey LAhunter, this thurseday I wanna try the old race track near the Ford dealership, but I'm not sure what you're talking about, do you mean the cheverolet rainbow place next to the shell station(a tiny bit west of the taco bell)and is that place good for squirrel? or just rabbit? For the rabbit do you think I can get any over there without dogs?thanks

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Cajun hunta, he is talking about the old LaPlace dragstrip. Used to be a 1/4 dragstrip where Qball Whales was famous. It used to be there long time ago. Now they have some buisiness on it, and you should go over there and ask permission at the very least is it still ok to hunt way in the back.
As for as I know it is good for squirrel also behind old Laplace park. Like I told you in the beginning, you go out and scout, find out if it is ok to hunt, and ask permission. Always ask permission if you not absolutely sure.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

I will ask for permission, I'm just not quite sure where it's at.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

cajunhunta,
swampchopper knows exactly where I am talking about. I haven't been there in 2 years but it is located in between the dodge dealer and a used car dealership. There is an old paved road in between the two dealerships, and there are some businesses past the dealerships. Go all the way to the end of the road, park your truck and hunt in those woods. They have some very good squirrel hunting and decent rabbit hunting. No you don't need dogs to run rabbits, just walk slowly through the woods along the edge of the field and also the thickest stuff you can find. As far as permission goes, it is always good to find the owner of the land and get permission. I actually ran into him on a hunt and he said I could hunt all I want, but DO NOT ride any atvs on his land. The land had a dirt road that goes far in the back of the woods and it floods easily. Local neighborhood kids do a lot of trail and mud riding over there. They mess his road up and he has to pay for the grater to fix the road. Good luck

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

I can't wait to go home ( live in Kenner now, from Pitkin) we have 120acres, creek and branch running thru it, hardwood bottoms *drool* I have always prefered tree rat hunting to any other hunt. I hope to get home more this season.

I have my hunters education card this season, I can actually get my license! w00t!

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RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey sorry if I'm bugging you with all the questions, but I'm still not sure of where it is, I havent lived here long. What highway/road is it on? What other places are near it (fast food,stores,gas stations) I appreciate all of you and swampchoppers help.Thanks.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

CajunHunta, I am going to try and pinpoint it for you. Go down Airline Hwy (61) towards Reserve from Belle Terre Blvd. When you see the Rainbow chevy dealership you are real close. The old drag strip is behind out back. It used to be a Dodge delership but now it is Rainbow Chevrolets used car lot place where in the back you will see a long old road with a few buisnesses on it. One of them is a body shop. Go to the end way in the back and follow LaHunters instructions. He is right, there is good squirrel hunting back there. You must watch out for the snakes right now, they are out and about with all this water driving them crazy.
Tell you what if you still cant find it with these instructions, just ask an old timer in LaPlace where is the old dragstrip at. He will tell ya.
And dont worry, you not asking too many questions. This is how you learn. I am an Automotive Technology Instructor, and I tell all my students, to always ask questions.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

I got there, me and a friend went scout it..Do you mean all the woods on the left?( the oppositie side of the neighborhood) they have woods, a small opening and then some more woods, just making sure thats the right spot.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Yeah, that sounds like the right spot. They have some sort of electrical station at the beginning of the woods. All of the woods directly behind that station and to the left of the neighborhood are good hunting woods. When you start going way to your left you will start crossing barb wire fences. I usually tried not to cross over unless I had to. The reason is because I didn't know when someone elses land started. I found the best squirrel hunting was closer to the front of the woods anyways. They have more and bigger oaks near the front. Good luck.

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Letting you all know that the season so far is doing real good.
Swampchopper

RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

my long time huntin' bud went with me and my wife 2 weekends ago. She finally got her first squirrel. A nice fat fox at that!

She ended up with 2 fox, I got 3 cats and my bud got 2 cats and a black fox.. so far so good. We only got to hunt one area, a hardwood bottom on a branch. Can't wait for this weekend!!!!

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RE: Louisiana Squirrels
 

Hey Kraw, tell your wife congratulations on her first squirrels. My wife shot her first squirrel it was a red fox also up in Destrehan,La. about 10 years ago. I mounted it for her, but that was about the last time she went. Ha! Any way I am having a good season to. Lots of acorns all over and pecans. I am going again Saturday morning coming up, hope it is good weather. I was making evening hunts after work, but NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO somebody has to go fool around with the clocks and set them back. I cant stand this getting dark at 5 pm now. You cant get nothing done in the evenings now, you cant make a decent hunt in the evenings no more, and another thing, to me it makes things just feel colder. Oh Well. Talk to ya later Kraw. Thanks for the reply.
The Swamp