I need some advice.

[jopete]

one thing i can say that is 1000 percent true. you will never eat better anyplace else than south louisiana.

[ckinchen]

Originally Posted by jopete

one thing i can say that is 1000 percent true. you will never eat better anyplace else than south louisiana.

Without a doubt, well said....

[swamp snorkler]

With the skills you have listed you should not have a problem finding part time work.

Fishing is best during the week.
TX has better housing, my neighbor is moving to White Oak, TX. He bought a house built in the mid 70's 3 br, 2 bath, 1.7 acres with a detached workshop for $135,000. His house here (Raceland, LA) is up for sale built in 05, 3br 2 ba 1600 sq ft on an 80x125 lot and the selling price was $201,000.

You can buy a LA Sportsman License that covers hunting and fishing, bow license, primitive arms, all gear permits, duck stamp (not federal) WMA permits for $100 yr.

If you want to big game hunt, you can do some meat hunts in TX for under $1,000 this includes a cull buck a doe and 3 pigs. I know someone who goes every year and comes back with a freezer full of meat.

Duck hunting in LA is expensive unless you want to work hard.

Public Deer hunting in LA is okay esp being retired you can beat the crowds during the week.

Every once in a while you hear something about break ins at boat launches, most of them are attended and it happens at places that aren't attended. They only charge a $5-$10 launch fee.

[CajunSteelsetter]

Everybody on here seems to be mostly spot on with their advice and assessments in my opinion. I'm from Southwest LA, but have seen most parts of the country, and I would highly suggest looking into the area. It really does offer almost everything a sportsman could want. Outstanding saltwater and freshwater fishing, duck and goose hunting, and fairly decent deer hunting with good opportunities for turkey and pig within a 45 min drive of Lake Charles, which happens to be the largest city in the area. Finding a good lease is the easiest way to ensure decent deer hunting as well as enough land to "piddle around" on during the off season. Lots of industry here, so the skills you listed should easily find you work enough to occupy your downtime. The cost of living is affordable, the food is wonderful, and the atmosphere of South Louisiana is definitely great. Even the difference from the northern part of the state compared to the southern is pronounced when it comes to the unique culture.

All that being said, Alabama does have a lot going for it too! I've just never lived there so I don't have as much advice. Good luck though on your search for a southern paradise!

[hawgsquatch]

Thank you everyone! I am going to try and spend a week there in late August. I think if I can hack the heat then I can hack it anytime. Just booked a deer hunt for Christmas in S.C. As far as housing is concerned ,I have been surfing craigslist and I think I would rather live in a shack in the swamp than deal with another HOA ever again. I want to be able to have chickens in the yard and shoot stuff from the porch. Thanks again everyone.Now I just need to pack one more kid off to college and get to going.

[Finfeatherfur]

Man, I'm jealous!! Congrats on retiring and if you make it down here, please contact me for a ride along so you can see what body armor in 99% humidity on a 103 degree day feels like!

if you like the sticks, we have many to chose from - with lots of bugs! Have you ever considered a house boat? You could move it on the coast for fishing season, then up into the basin for hunting season. However, you find many quail here at all - fire ants and Round-up pretty much took care of them years ago. You will have a blast, but don't settle on LA. We own a small home in MS and love it there also, very remote and country as it comes. Lots of public land to hunt as well as private land for lease. Good luck!

[neus]

This is my breakdown of hunting/fishing the different regions of LA:

Southwest LA:
Great salt water fishing on Big Lake, and arguably the best duck hunting in the state. Not the best area for deer hunting, but there are decent places. Public land for hunting on the Sabine Wildlife Refuge

Southeast LA:
Best salt water fishing in the state! Decent duck hunting, lots of public WMA's, and some decent deer hunting.

Northeast LA:
Plenty of places to choose from for fresh water fishing, but long drive for salt water. Rivals southwest LA for best duck hunting in the state. Also has some great deer hunting!

Northwest LA:
Also has lots of places for freshwater fishing, but again, long drive to get to salt water fishing. Some great deer hunting! Not so great duck hunting.

Central LA:
Can get to a lot of places to fresh water fish, and if you really wanted to you could get to salt water. Some really good deer hunting, and some pretty decent duck hunting too!

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by neus

This is my breakdown of hunting/fishing the different regions of LA:

Southwest LA:
Great salt water fishing on Big Lake, and arguably the best duck hunting in the state. Not the best area for deer hunting, but there are decent places. Public land for hunting on the Sabine Wildlife Refuge

Southeast LA:
Best salt water fishing in the state! Decent duck hunting, lots of public WMA's, and some decent deer hunting.

Northeast LA:
Plenty of places to choose from for fresh water fishing, but long drive for salt water. Rivals southwest LA for best duck hunting in the state. Also has some great deer hunting!

Northwest LA:
Also has lots of places for freshwater fishing, but again, long drive to get to salt water fishing. Some great deer hunting! Not so great duck hunting.

Central LA:
Can get to a lot of places to fresh water fish, and if you really wanted to you could get to salt water. Some really good deer hunting, and some pretty decent duck hunting too!

I think you got this backwards.......West is best for saltwater fishing.

[Slidellkid]

If you come in August, just remember that most folks here don't fish all day in August. They usually try to fish early in the morning till they can't stand it any more then go in. Now, if the fish are biting hard, folks may stay all day or if they are heading offshore they may stay all day, but just going after trout they will probably come in around mid-morning.

I think the best overall saltwater fishing is in the SE. If you launch from Grand Isle or Cocodrie or Venice you can easily be into offshore species very quickly. The gulf in the SW is very shallow and you have to travel about 30-45 miles to even reach snapper and a lot further for amberjack and a hell of a lot further for tuna.

Where did you book a hunt in S.C.? Christmas is probably the worst time to book a hunt there as the deer have been hunted hard for 4.5 months and become very nocturnal. They are not impossible mind you, just much harder as the rut is long over then and the pressure has been heavy. I know the reputations of most outfitters/guides there and can help prevent you from making a mistake.

[Clampy]

100% south east is best saltwater fishing in the state. (Grand Isle Venice lafitte fourchon etc ) Way too many options. Big Lake got the hogs though.


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