WEST MONROE - "Duck Dynasty," the hit TV show based on a northeast Louisiana family-run duck call business will end at the end of the current season, it's eleventh on TV.

The announcement was made as the season started Wednesday evening. The show is shown on A&E, a cable channel.

The series revolved around the sometimes bizarre Robertson family of Ouachita Parish.

The Associated Press reported the final season will be broken into halves. The show will run through Jan. 18, take a break and then resume March 1. The series finale is set for April 12.

The Robertsons said the decision was made, together, as a family. But teased that there could be "Duck Dynasty" specials ahead.

"Duck Dynasty," one of reality TV's biggest hits, hasn't all been fun and games. While the series has made much of the family famous, it's not been without controversy. At the end of 2013, star Phil Robertson was yanked from episodes over comments he made about gays. In an interview with the magazine GQ, Robertson said being gay was a sin and compared same-sex relationships with bestiality. Frustrated producers dealing with some backlash said at the time: "We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty. His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

Some of the Robertson family have gone on to produce lines of clothes and become involved in politics.

Producers reported to the state, they expected to spend about $11,000,000 in Louisiana sooting the last season. Production started in January and wrapped in October, according to filings with the state's film commission.

Of the series' anticipated budget of $20,400,000, nearly $9.5 million was spent on salaries for 80 people in Louisiana.

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