Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks: A Farm Problem Becomes a Hunting Opportunity

Louisiana duck hunters have a new opportunity this October, and concerns from rice farmers helped move the conversation forward. On this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl Wiggers visits with Vermilion Parish rice farmer Allen McLain, Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity and Public Policy Director Andy Brown, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak. They explain how black-bellied whistling ducks damage young rice, why grain facilities have raised concerns of their own, and how farmers, researchers and wildlife officials have worked together to address the issue. The conversation covers Louisiana’s new experimental hunting season, why it took years of coordination and how hunter participation and reporting can help shape what comes next. The guests also discuss the connection between productive rice farms and healthy waterfowl habitat. Show Notes: LDWF: Special black-bellied whistling duck season announcement — Official announcement and season details. LDWF: Season information and free permit — Primary listener resource for participating. Louisiana Outdoors — Licensing portal mentioned in the episode. LSU AgCenter: Impacts of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks on the Louisiana Rice Industry — Producer survey relevant to Andy’s discussion, with the complete report available to download. Louisiana 2026–2027 Hunting and WMA Regulations — Full regulations. Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.