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Ducks on the Delta: Wingshooting at Honey Brake

by Shawn Skipper - Sunday, December 27, 2015

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Honey Brake

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Our hunting grounds had a reputation all their own. Known for its plentiful waterfowl population—not to mention its television show on the Pursuit Channel—Honey Brake is something of an institution. We were treated to a look (though not a stay) inside its world-class lodge, and experienced just a fraction of its hunting locales over our three day visit.

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The View

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Suffice to say, we spent our days on the water.

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Modern Day Dinosaurs

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Though we didn't cross paths with any of Louisiana's modern day dinosaurs during our trip, the lodge was decorated with a few reminders that we very much weren't alone when in the water. Though they were of little concern for us, Honey Brake does host gator hunts, too.

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Good Dog

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Shallow, muddy waters would have made retrieving birds a bit of a battle for our hunters. Fortunately we had a number of fine dogs like Sash, pictured here.

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Blind Side

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Winchester's Blind Side shotshells were the go-to ammunition for the first few days of the trip. They were joined by a new offering by the final day. More on that in a bit.

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Variety Pack

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Though duck numbers were a bit below average for late December—like in many parts of the country—we had no shortage of variety. On the first day, my group knocked down canvasbacks, a ring-neck, a pintail, shovelers, teal and mallards.

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SPG Outdoors

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Among our hosts were the fine folks from SPG Outdoors. Also known as Signature Products Group, SPG produces licensed gear and apparel for a number of companies—like Browning. Among SPG's offerings are the Browning hunting packs that just won a 2016 Golden Bullseye Award.

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Duck Barn

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Honey Brake's duck barn was the final destination for any bird we felled during the day's hunt. There was no confusing just what the building was for.

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BXD

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On the final day of the trip we had the opportunity to put Browning's new BXD shotshell to work. Birds were scarce on that final morning, though, so a complete review will have to wait. BXD Waterfowl Extra Distance is packed with round steel shot launched from a drag-stabilized wad at high velocity to improve downrange patterns, penetration and energy delivery.

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Line 'em Up

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Nothing like a couple of pretty greenheads to really set off a trophy shot.

As trips began to land on the schedule for the 2015-2016 hunting season, I was presented with an interesting opportunity: the chance to hunt each of North America's four major flyways. What began with a trip to Saskatchewan in September recently came to a close, as I scratched my fourth and final stop, the Mississippi Flyway, off the list just before Christmas. I joined SPG Outdoors and Browning for a weekend of waterfowl hunting at Honey Brake, part of the 40,000 acre Louisiana Delta Plantation. Weather wasn't always in our favor, but we put a hurting on the ducks that were willing to cooperate. Check out the photos above for a closer look at the trip.

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spy outdoors signature products group browning browning shotguns browning ammo winchester blind side honey brake louisiana shawn skipper waterfowl ducks

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Ducks on the Delta: Wingshooting at Honey Brake

Gallery

Honey Brake

The View

Modern Day Dinosaurs

Good Dog

Blind Side

Variety Pack

SPG Outdoors

Duck Barn

BXD

Line 'em Up

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