Archives for June 2015

Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program

THE LOUISIANA HUNTING HERITAGE PROGRAM: CONTINUING THE TRADITION

article submitted by John Sturgis, LDWF

The Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program (LHHP) is a new program that focuses on reducing the obstacles that prospective hunters in today’s society face.  In the past, people learned to hunt from their family or close friends, and access to land was readily available.  Today, a person who has an interest in hunting may not have the family or social network to help them get started.  As a result, many people with an interest in hunting never give it a try or simply give up when faced with the challenges of being a hunter in today’s world.  The LHHP is not limited to any age or demographic group, but welcomes anyone who wants to learn to hunt and anyone who has a desire to help others learn about hunting.  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) sponsors the LHHP and works to create a network of hunting mentors that are willing to teach others about hunting and help their apprentices become skilled and independent hunters.
Getting Involved As a Mentor…
You will be matched with an apprentice hunter and asked to guide them along their journey to becoming an independent hunter.  Activities should include participation in a hunter education class, shooting range visits, scouting trips, game care experiences and others tailored to the skill level and interests of the apprentice hunter.  Of course, you will also take them hunting.  Hunting can occur on either public or private land and can include any game animals that you and the apprentice desire to hunt.
You will receive training, support, and liability insurance coverage from LDWF and its partners.  However, it is your experience and involvement that will help your apprentice become a self-sufficient and independent hunter.  This is an excellent opportunity for experienced hunters to share their passion for the outdoors and help secure the future of hunting.
Getting Involved as an Apprentice…
You will be paired with an experienced hunter who will serve as your hunting mentor.  You and your mentor will take part in a variety of activities that will prepare you to become an independent hunter.  You will learn about the various aspects of hunting including safety, woods skills, game care, equipment needs, and finding a place to hunt.  You and your mentor will put these skills to use on actual hunts so you will become familiar and comfortable with the total hunting experience.
Your mentor will be an experienced hunter who has volunteered their time and resources to help you learn to hunt.  You will be paired with a mentor based on your level of experience, location and game you desire to hunt.  Any person 10 years of age or older is welcome to be an apprentice – youth to senior citizens are encouraged to become involved and learn about a new way to experience the outdoors.
Getting Started…
Mentor applicants should complete and return the mentor application/questionnaire.
Apprentice applicants should complete and return the apprentice application.  Mentors will attend a brief training meeting and be paired with an apprentice in the spring or early summer.   Applications and answers to frequently asked questions can be downloaded from this web page.  For more information visit our web page HERITAGE.WLF.LA.GOV or contact:

John Sturgis
jsturgis@wlf.la.gov
337-948-0255

55th EASL Kids Fishing Rodeo Set for August 1, 2015

Join us at EASL’s 55th Annual Kid’s Fishing Rodeo for a fun Saturday morning of fishing on Saturday, August 1st, 2015 @ Twin Lakes Park (Hwy 74 in Dutchtown)This is a FREE event for children ages 2-to-14 years old. 

REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 6:30 AM

FISHING IS FROM 7:00–9:00 AM

CHILDREN COMPETE BY AGE GROUP AND GENDER, SO THERE ARE MANY WINNERS!

LOTS OF DOOR PRIZES, SO EVERY KID WINS SOMETHING!!!!!!

FREE HOTDOGS AND JAMBALAYA

Children must never be left unattended!!

PARENTS NEED TO KNOW:

  1. Bring a rod & reel or cane pole for your child to use.
  2. Crickets will be provided. You may bring other live bait, but no artificial lures.
  3. Bring a bucket to hold the fish caught.
  4. Parents can help to bait the hook, but the child must land the fish.
  5. Parents do not need to be members of EASL for the kids to fish.
  6. Bring folding chairs.

For more information contact Bettye Lambert @ (225) 571-4588

 

Kids Fishing Rodeo girl angler

EASL Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge set for July 17-18 in Grand Isle

EASL’s Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge will take place Friday, July 17 for registration and social, and conclude Saturday July 18th with weigh in, awards and fish fry.  All activities including registration, eating, socializing, weigh-in, awards, etc. will take place at the camps behind the Cajun Holiday Motel.  This is located on the left just past the Grand Isle Bridge.

Two important Schedule notes:

  • All anglers must be registered by 8:00 pm Friday, July 17
  • All anglers must be at the weigh in by 3:00 Saturday, July 18

We will rent 3 camps.  The camps will be reserved for the first 30 people who pay $120 each for the entire weekend starting Thursday night.  This is non-refundable, if you pay and cannot attend it will be up to the individual to find someone to take their place.   Currently there are 11 unpaid spots still available.  Of those spots, six have been requested but not paid for.

So with all that said.  If you want a bed in one of the three camps, please get your money to Torrey or Keith soon.

Rules and Categories: EASL Saltwater Challenge

Categories

  • 5 largest speckled trout – combined weight (1st & 2nd place)
  • Largest trout (1st place only)
  • 2 redfish under 27” – combined weight (1st & 2nd place)
  • Biggest red (any length) (1st place only)
  • Biggest flounder (1st place only)
  • “Other”; (1st place only; $20) Definition: any legal fish except redfish, trout, or flounder
  • Cajun Slam; (optional $10/team; winning team takes all) Combined weight of each team’s biggest; Red (under 27”), Trout, & Flounder. Any fish weighed-in for the Slam, can also be entered in the other categories.

Rules

  • Entry Fee: $15/participant; $10 goes to payouts for winners; $5 goes to meals
  • All participants must be signed-up prior to Friday night start time
  • All participants older than 15 must be current EASL member. Participants 15 and younger must be accompanied by a current EASL member. Memberships will be available for purchase at Friday evening sign-up
  • Teams can have from 1 to no more than 5 people
  • Team members should remain within sight of each other while fishing
  • Fishing starts at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Friday night
  • Participants must be present at the weigh-in site no later than 3 p.m. Saturday No exceptions
  • Method of catch: Hook & line only; no flounder gigging, netting, etc.
  • Both artificial & live bait are permissible
  • Fishing boundaries: Any water within boating distance from Grand Isle/Fourchon/Leeville

**Anglers who want to participate and cannot get to Grand Isle on Friday July 17, can pay their entry fee to either Torrey or Goosie before July 17.**

**The next committee meeting will be held on June 22nd @ 6:00pm at The Fire Station in St. Amant.**

(Photo from previous year.)