I need some advice.

[Slidellkid]

Hawgsquatch,

I am originally from S.C. and now live in Louisiana. Both states are great. You really should come here in the summer to check things out though as the humidity is not for everyone. I have lived in the south all my life but I still hate the humidity.

People are people and some are azzholes wherever you go. You have to realize that Californians are looked at with suspicion - most folks don't realize that northern CA is a pretty normal rednecky kinda place. So, be prepared for folks to take a little while to warm up to you. The folks in south Louisiana are very friendly. They are not going to tell you their secret fishing hole, but they will certainly drink a beer with you.

There is great duck hunting in in south Louisiana and lots of public ground to do it on. It's not easy hunting by any stretch - you probably have not seen mud like they have down here. The deer hunting in Louisiana can be excellent in areas and fair in others. There are lots of public areas, but they tend to get crowded.

In S.C. the duck hunting is really not that great. There are some ducks along the coast but other than that you are looking at killing some ringnecks or wood ducks. The deer hunting is probably the best in the country. Deer season starts on August 15 in the lower part of the state and runs to Jan 1st. There is no limit on buck and ten doe days where you can take two does per day. You can also buy 4 doe tags from the dept. of wildlife for $5.00 each. The deer are simply infested in this state - they are everywhere. On my brothers club consisting of 1400 acres they kill 170 deer a year, every year. There is lots of public ground to deer hunt on in S.C., and these public areas are really good. Your mountain bike tactic would easily get you to deer that have not been pressured. Most of the public ground is on huge tracts of National Forests with very little vehicle access - that is why it is not hunted that hard.

Another state I would consider, assuming you decide you can take the humidity, is Alabama. There is good saltwater fishing down around Orange beach and great deer hunting all across the state.

North Carolina is nice too. They have excellent saltwater fishing along the outer banks.

The saltwater fishing in Louisiana is by far the best in the country, it's not even a close second.

You should probably try to decide what your main priorities are. If you want saltwater fishing and waterfowl then Louisiana is hard to beat. If you really want deer then other southern states are probably better.

South Louisiana has a culture you will not find anywhere else. The cajuns are hard partying people but love their outdoors like nowhere else - hunting and fishing here is simply a way of life. The food here is outta this world. Come down and get yourself some crawfish and boudin and see for yourself.

If you decide to come to Louisiana. I am sure some of the fine folks will assist you in getting started on some redfish and speckled trout!

Good luck.