Today is the final day for early bird entry into the 2014 Louisiana Sportsman Open Bass Championship scheduled for March 15-16.
The tournament, which is part of the Louisiana Sportsman Show to be held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, features a top prize of $12,000.
Go to http://www.louisianasportsmanshow.com/downloads/bass_rules_entry_form.pdf for entry forms.
Entry forms can be faxed to 985-758-7000 or emailed to bassopen@louisianasportsmanshow.com.
If you miss today's cutoff, registration also can be completed at the captains meeting to be held next Wednesday (March 12) at 6 p.m. at Cabela's in Gonzales.
If you want to catch some reds, you need to click on this link to find out how - and you don't even have to have a boat!
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=6104
A SECOND pending state-record buck has been killed. Check out the details on this 204-inch monster at http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=6070.
Man, this is CRAZY: A kayak submarine? How many ways can I say, 'Ah, NO!'
Man, the bull reds were schooled up in a big way today at Southwest Pass. Go to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=5842 for information on how we found schools of hundreds of fish and easily hooked up.
This one is worth watching again, especially if you're one of those guys who don't wear a life vest. Wow!
Have y'all seen this vid of a 350-pound blue marlin jumping into a boat? Wild times.
Wow: Check out the video of the Assumption Parish sinkhole swallowing up more of the swamp. Watch how quickly those trees disappear.
What do Jimmy Kimmel and the Duck Dynasty folks do when a celebrity bashes the act of hunting? Make more money! Check out this Kimmel skit: Just hilarious.
My dad used a lot of implements to pull my teeth - and I used a pair of rusty fishing pliers to snatch out one of my son's loose teeth (hey, I jokingly told him to go get them, and he did - so what else was I supposed to do?).
But this takes wins the redneck prize.
There are significant deer-hunting season changes being proposed today during the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission meeting. It will take some time to put together the story with all the details, but there are new hunting zones and a move back to designated either-sex days in some areas of the state.
So stay tuned, and be watching for the story on the front page.
Here is the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The meeting will be held at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center at 4142 North Flannery Road in Baton Rouge, and will begin at 9:30 a.m.
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of January 3, 2013
3. Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege
4. To Hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/January
5. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent for the 2013 2015 Hunting Seasons and 2013-2014 WMA Seasons
6. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent on General/WMA Hunting Rules and Regulations
7. To present recognition to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board for continued free lease of lands comprising the WMA
8. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent on DMAP Fee Corrections
9. To receive and consider a resolution to add the Rathborne Tract to the Maurepas Swamp WMA
10. To consider the Alternative Oyster Culture Permit proposed Rule for final Rule
11. To receive and consider a Declaration of Emergency on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill
12. To receive a presentation of Annual Stock Assessment Report for Striped Mullet
13. Discussion of the 2013 Red Snapper Season
14. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent to designate the fishing boundary for Lake DArbonne for purposes of crappie regulations
15. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent related to black bass regulations in the Atchafalaya Basin, Lake Verret, Lake Palourde, and Fausse Pointe Lake
16. To elect Vice-Chairman
17. Set June 2013 Meeting Date
18. Receive Public Comments
19. Executive Session to Discuss Prospective Litigation relative to return of Artificial Reef Fund Monies
20. Adjournment
Holy cow! Jump over to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4498 and read about this 190-inch buck killed this weekend!
Man, jump over www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4474 to read the details of this buck, which greenscored in the upper 160s! Just an awesome deer.
And don't forget to keep up with the buck mania by checking out www.louisianasportsman.com/bigbucks!
Man, the story of how this 200-inch Mississippi buck was killed is amazing. Check it out: Looks like it will be the third-largest buck ever killed with a bow in Mississippi, according to the Magnolia Records.
Here's the link: http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4453
Man, flip over to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4416 and check out the story on this monster yellowfin tuna, which likely will sit atop the Louisiana Fish Records!
Here is the agenda for Thursday's Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission meeting to be held at 9:30 a.m. at the LDWF headquarters building in Baton Rouge:
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of September 6, 2012
3. Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege
4. To hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/September
5. Update on Land Acquisition Wham and Bussey Brake
6. To receive and consider public comments on the Notice of Intent for 2013 Turkey Areas, Season, and Bag Limits for final Rule
7. To receive and consider public comments on the Notice of Intent for General and WMA Turkey Hunting Regulations for final Rule
8. To receive and consider a Notice of Intent to Revise Rules Governing Falconry
9. To hear a Report on Assessment of the Impact of Hurricane Isaac to the White-Tailed Deer Herds in Southeast Louisiana; and to consider a Declaration of Emergency to Adjust the 2012-13 Deer Season Rules and Regulations in the Impacted Area
10.To receive and consider public comments on the Notice of Intent on Crappie Regulations in Lake DArbonne for final Rule
11. Set February Commission Meeting Date
12. Receive Public Comments
13. Adjournment
By Rusty Tardo
Louisiana Sportsman contributor
The Campos were smiling today as Mike transferred a boatload of live shrimp into their refurbished bait baskets along the completely repaired dock under their newly rebuilt roof.
A lot of work has gone on down here in a month, he said, as they dipped scoop after scoop of nice sized, frisky shrimp out of the bait boats wells. Were back to operating along the dock like Blackie did for all those years, and like we did after Katrina until we built the big shed. But thats OK, this is a proven system, were up and running again and thats what matters.
The electricians were still there, winding up their projects at the dock, and their handiwork was clearly visible. A host of new lights illuminate the bait tanks under the new roof.
So were now finally up and fully operational again, four weeks after the hurricane. We have live shrimp, ice, and fuel; both gas and diesel, and of course, the two back-downs, Mike said.
And just in time, because fall is arriving and the fish are biting!
Guys, if this video doesn't make you want to head south this weekend for a bit of redfish action, then you need to check your priorities!
I just talked with the Grand Isle mayor's office, and learned that work is under way on the portion of Highway 1 between Fourchon and Grand Isle that washed out during Hurricane Isaac - but apparently they are allowing traffic to pass on the one remaining lane.
So be sure and get down there and spend some money to help the area recover. It's really the best thing we can do to help the coastal marinas.
lol It's always good to put faces to the aliases on the forum. Just keep that boy hunting and fishing, DAX, and enjoy your time with him. Then he can feed you wild game when you get too old to hunt. :-)
You're DAX???? Didn't realize that, Lloyd. lol
That was a beautiful deer. Thanks for bringing it and helping out with the contest.
DAX, please drop me an email at andyc@lasmag.com so we can get some information on this incredible deer. Congrats!
DbI, I'm not arguing with you. I would love to see a limited season. And, you're correct: Other states have hunting seasons on black bears. But not the Louisiana black bear.
The subspecies of bear was almost extinct because of past hunting, loss of habitat, etc. So it was listed on the ESL as part of a restoration program.
Again, if people would stop killing them, the population would build to the point where delisting is possible. And then we could see a hunting season established.
I probably wouldn't be able to afford a permit (I'm assuming it would be a limited deal that would cost a chunk of change), but I'm all for hunting them.
As to turkeys: That's another issue that's mostly related to habitat. There was a LOT of money spent re-establishing huntable populations, it that program was a real success - as was the deer program.
The LDWF has no authority to open any hunting season for Louisiana black bears because they're still protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.
But the agency has stated the desire to get the animal delisted and open limited hunting - if people will stop killing them.
Hey, check this story out: http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=6104
It's only going to last until it warms up, gettembo, so head down and get you some!
It's obviously a flying monkey from the Wizard of Oz. Obviously.
Dang it, boy! I've been wanting to get up there lately but haven't had the time. Sounds like it's easy fishing ....
Sorry, guys, I was bouncing back in forth between the Web and magazine work (the December issue begins going to the printer tonight), and forgot to post the link initially. I've added it to the main report.
Thanks for letting me know, Reggoh!
Great deer!
No word yet, lwlegrande, but we'll keep our ears open and let you know!
The rest of Pearl River WMA has been reopened, the LDWF said today. However, Old Highway 11 remains closed due to flooding.
Go to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4310 to read the full story and see which public areas remain closed.
Just got word that Sweetwater Marina in Delacroix will reopen its launch on Sunday. However, Scott Walker (aka nightfisher) said to be sure and pick up ice and supplies on the way down.
I just got a text from Scott Walker (aka nighfisher), who is now working with Sweetwater Marina. There is a planned clean-up set for 8 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 8).
'Gonna BBQ and have refreshments for everyone,' Walker said.
Walker can be called and texted at 985-222-3509 or emailed at nightfisher169@gmail.com.
Scott Walker, aka nightfisher, spoke with Sweetwater Marina's Jack Payne, and the news isn't good from Delacroix. Go to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4288 and read about the impacts from the hurricane.
I just posted a vid and story on the status of Pointe aux Chenes. So jump over to http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4287 and check it out!
Byers1, unfortunately it was impossible to get past the draw bridge to check on Berton Sound Marina, and I've yet to reach anyone with the marina. But I think drew is probably right: Anything on the ground was likely damaged. But we'll update you as soon as we can.
Downriver Guide, thanks for the update. Glad to hear initial reports are good. Please call me at 225.405.0667 so I do a quick interview and get a full story posted. If you have any photos, please either post them, email them to me at andyc@lasmag.com or text them to the number above.
A voluntary evacuation order has been issued for the Ascension Parish communities of St. Amant, Acy and Sorrento because of potential flooding from Hurricane Isaac's torrential rains.
Go to http://louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=4282 to see what the boundaries of the evacuation zone.
Bonita, sorry to hear you guys were flooded.
Where do you live? Do you have photos? If you do have some photos or a vid, please post them.
If you need to, you can text photos/vids to me at 225.405.0667 and I can post them for you.
Thanks for the suggestions, Dr. Spot. We want to make it as easy as possible for our readers to find the information they're looking for.
The front page is filled with relevant content, so don't stop looking - we'll just be more careful with our selections of magazine features we use.