Hope for Elmer's Island Conservation Awards Snakes

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

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Baton Rouge, LA

V o l u m e 3 0N u m b e r 1 S u m m e r , 2 0 0 2

Hope for Elmer’s Island

Conservation Awards

Snakes

C O N T E N T S

D E P A R T M E N T S

3 From The President and Executive Director

8 Conservation Line

39 Guest Editorial

40 Club News

F E A T U R E S

4 Hope for Elmer’s Island

6 38th Conservation Awards

10 LWF’s 63rd Annual Meeting

13 Elmer V. “Tiny” Moore

14 LWF Directors Elected

20 Giant Salvinia

21 Davis Pond Diversion Project

22 Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery

37 Snakes

38 Saucier Receives Award

Official Publication ofthe Louisiana Wildlife Federation

VOL. 30 SUMMER 2002 NO.1

Editorial Creed: To create andencourage an awareness among the peopleof Louisiana of the need for wise use andproper management of those resources ofthe earth upon which the lives and welfareof all people depend: the soil, the air, thewater, the forests, the minerals, the plantlife, and the wildlife.

Magazine StaffRandy P. Lanctot: Executive Editor

Louisiana Wildlife Federation magazine (ISSN0738-8098) is the official publication of theLouisiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. and ispublished bi-monthly. The Federation office islocated at 337 South Acadian Thruway, BatonRouge, Louisiana 70806. All editorial andsubscription correspondence should be mailedto P.O. Box 65239 Audubon Station, BatonRouge, LA 70896-5239 (Phone/Fax 225-344-6707;mailto:[email protected]). Allmanuscripts submitted for publication aresubject to editing or rewriting.

Postmaster: Send change of address to:Louisiana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 65239Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239.

Subscription: Rates for non-members ofthe Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. are:1 year–$17.00, 2 years –$30.00, 3 years–$40.00.

Membership: For information, write to:Louisiana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 65239Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239. Phone/Fax: (225) 344-6707.mailto:[email protected] the Cover...Calli Dunn with a

big redfish she helped Dad, Chris land on a tripto Elmer's Island. The island is now closed topublic access from the road at Highway 1. The1700 acres of barrier beachfront, low dunes,mudflats, lagoons and tidal channels acrossCaminada Pass from Grand Isle has been afishing and camping destination for countlessfamilies for many years. The land is for sale anda campaign is underway to have the stateacquire the property and reopen it to the public.Read about it on page 4.

Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Summer 2002

Summer’s just about gone, but thememory will linger as important conserva-tion issues play out into the fall and win-ter months. This year’s regular and speciallegislative sessions were fairly light, rela-tive to natural resource conservation andenvironmental quality matters. I’ll make anote to provide a summary in the nextissue. But I was reminded of one bill (leg-islative) in particular when I receivedanother bill ($) in the mail the other day.It was time to renew the registration onone of my two (very modest) motorboats.Although not outrageously high, the billwas twice as much as the last time Irenewed my registration. This is the resultof a law enacted during the 2002 regularlegislative session to raise some much

needed funds for the control and manage-ment of what is known as noxious aquaticvegetation. You and I know it asHYDRILLA, SALVINIA, WATERHYACINTH, ALLIGATOR WEED, andother stuff clogging our lakes and bayousall over the state. I gladly paid the fewextra dollars a year to do my part to dealwith this problem. The only thing thatchapped me a little was that, when the billcame, it reminded me that the boat I wasrenewing the registration on has sataround all year without being used cuz thedarn motor’s not working right. Now,that will take a lot more $ to remedy thancost of the registration. The LWF sup-ported this legislation which was authoredby Rep. Dan Morrish and modeled after aresolution adopted by the delegates to theFederation’s 2001 annual meeting. Thelaw has safeguards to insure that the fundsare spent only on the control of aquaticvegetation and that they will not replace,but will add to, the funds that have beenbudgeted for this purpose over the pastfew years. This is a good example of yourfederation at work. I refer you to a storyin this issue of Louisiana WILDLIFE

Federation magazine about the problemwith giant salvinia. You may be aware thata task force has been convened to developa management program to control thespread of such invasive species inLouisiana. You will be hearing moreabout this in the months ahead.

Another task force that was convenedthis summer is charged with reviewing theLouisiana Department of EnvironmentalQuality. The agency seems to be showingsigns of paralysis. Two LWF directors,Kathy Wascom and Barbara Dodds (repre-senting the Louisiana League of WomenVoters) are participating in this importanteffort. This is also something you will behearing more about over the next fewmonths.

Development is continuing on theState’s Water Management Plan. The firstsegment of the plan was adopted this sum-mer, with the final report due near the endof the year. Water (ground and surface)management is a complicated and poten-tially contentious issue, but the consul-tants, program staff, Water Commission

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation andthe people of Louisiana were saddened onMay 16, 2002 by the loss of a great friend andan important member of the conservationcommunity - Virgil John “V.J.” Bourque, Jr.V.J. served as LWF president, was active in theEast Ascension Sportsman’s League (EASL),and served as editor of the EASL paper formany years. V.J. received many awards for hisconservation work, but we will alwaysremember him as an open person always will-ing to help and share with others. His articlesthat appeared weekly in the Gonzales paperwere outstanding and reading his article onecould hear the birds sing, see the deer run,

watch the fish jump and see the beauty inbutterflies and wild plants. I will miss V.J. forthe help and advice he has always given to me.I will miss him as a personal friend. TheEASL has named its top award for outstand-

ing club member in his honor. V.J. is survivedby his wife of 43 years, Marie Babin Bourque.Marie was always with V.J. in all of his con-servation endeavors.

The past two years have been very goodyears for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation(LWF) under the leadership of past presidentKeith Saucier. Our organization has madeexcellent progress, and I plan to keep theFederation on a program of growth.

Other officers elected at our conventionin Marksville were: Elbridge R. “Smitty”Smith, III - 1st Vice President, VirginiaBurkett, Ph. D. - 2nd Vice President, Jay V.Huner, Ph. D. - Secretary, and Eugene J.Dauzat, Jr. - Treasurer. This makes a goodteam and we will be working to see theFederation grow. We all thank you for yourconfidence in electing us to lead theFederation this year. Please call on us if wecan be of assistance.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is oneof the oldest statewide conservation organiza-tions in our state, founded in 1940. We’reoften viewed as mainly a hunting and fishingoutfit, but that’s not exactly so. Many of ourmembers do hunt and/or fish, but also partic-

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T

Joe L.Herring

F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

RandyLanctot

Continued on page 16

Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Summer 2002,

Acadiana Sportsman’s League “Sportsman Emeritus,”Clark Hoffpauer (C) with ASL director Dave Boudreaux (L)and LWF president Joe Herring.



All of us who love the outdoors, regardlessof our pursuits, have fond memories of those

places and experiences that nurtured our inter-est – where we had the “good times” back inthe “good old days.” A lot of those places aregone, but some remain, still serving that specialrole of providing a place to share the outdoors

and the bounty of Nature with family andfriends, still providing a wholesome opportuni-ty to develop the outdoor interests of a newgeneration while continuing to reward thementors who take them.

Elmer’s Island is a place like this. It’s aland-accessible barrier beachfront along the

Gulf of Mexico, across Caminada Pass fromGrand Isle. It’s a place where people have

brought their families to fish and camp, andexplore, for generations. Landward of the 6

miles of beach at Elmer’s are a ridge of lowdunes and sandflats studded with wildflowers,and there are tidal channels and lagoons wherea throw or two of your cast net will yield plen-ty of bait for the speckled trout, redfish, floun-der, drum and dozens of other species of finfishthat can test your best tackle in the surf andpass.

Traditionally, camping has been allowedalong the length of the beach, where familiesand angling buddies rendezvous for a weekendor more of sun, surf and, usually, plenty offresh-caught seafood.

Crabbing is a favorite pastime here, espe-cially for youngsters who gingerly raise thebaited lines that Dad or Paw Paw have set out,scooping up their crustacean booty in a dip netto bring back up the beach to camp.

Shorebirds and wading birds abound onElmer’s, providing lots of entertainment, alongwith beachcombing and watching the side-scooting ghost crabs, when the fishing is slow.

But Elmer’s Island is closed! Since lastwinter the gate has been locked, the owner nolonger able to justify the risk of leaving it opento the public. And it is for sale.

That not-so-small fact has not gone unno-ticed. Louisiana Wildlife Federation boardmember and past president Keith Saucier dis-

Hope for Elmer’s IslandHope for Elmer’s Island

Shore and wading birds are abundant along the beach and on the flooded mudflats on Elmer’s Island.

Big redfish to be caught abound in the surf at Elmer’sIsland.

With hope, the posted signs on Elmer’s Island will vanish!


covered the locked gate when he stopped by fora visit last January. Keith is a new owner of amodest “camp” on Grand Isle, and decided tocheck out Elmer’s on his way back home aftera weekend at the camp. He brought the situa-

tion to the attention of the LWF, and aftersome investigation, a resolution was drafted forconsideration by the delegates to theFederation’s 63rd Annual Convention held lastMarch. The resolution proposed that the LWFseek public acquisition of Elmer’s Island so that

it could be reopened and managed as a wildlifepreserve and public recreation area. The reso-

lution received strong support and passed easi-ly. LWF then developed a more detailed pro-posal and a campaign is now underway to getthe funding and authorization to accomplishthis goal. The LWF has been joined by theBarataria-Terrebonne National EstuaryProgram Management Conference and hun-

dreds of individuals who have signed petitionsseeking the reopening of Elmer’s Island.

On August 6, 2002, twenty-eight peoplerepresenting key state and federal agencies,conservation organizations and the owner par-ticipated in a field trip to Elmer’s organized bythe Federation. All agreed that the concept ofa an “Elmer’s Island Primitive Recreation Areaand Wildlife Sanctuary” was worth pursuing.But nothing like this is ever simple and quickto happen. It’s extremely optimistic to thinkthat Elmer’s Island can be open again by nextsummer, but that is what the Federation and itspartners will try to do.

The location of Elmer’s Island, and thefact that the owner has indicated that he wouldlike to see it preserved and reopened for publicuse, makes these 1700 acres a keystone featurein a larger vision. With the proper approach,planning, participation and partnerships,reopening Elmer’s Island could be just thebeginning of a public “State Seashore” projectwith the potential to benefit local businessesand property owners as well as wildliferesources and those of us who covet the goodold days of camping and fishing on the beachat Elmer’s Island.

If you’d like to learn more about reopen-

ing Elmer’s Island and would like to help in thecampaign, please contact the LouisianaWildlife Federation at the address orphone/email on the inside cove of this maga-zine. Thanks.

Blossoms galore dot the beach, as well as bright colorsfrom various plants and vines giving added color to thebeach frontage.

Morning glories, meadow beauties, deer pea and anassortment of other striking wildlflowers dot the low duneand sand flats on Elmer’s Island.

Field trip participants walk along the Elmer’s Island beach.

The road to the beach on Elmer’s Island.


Suzanne Hawes of New Orleans washonored last March with the LouisianaWildlife Federation’s Governor’s Award.The award is presented annually to the per-son or organization deemed to have madethe most outstanding contribution towardthe protection and wise use of the state’s nat-ural resources – air, soil and minerals,forests, waters, fish and wildlife during theprevious year from among nominations sub-mitted by the public. The selection for thisand 8 other awards was made by a panel ofindependent judges with expertise in a widerange of conservation fields.

Hawes received the award, a handsomestatuette of a bald eagle, at the 38thConservation Achievement RecognitionBanquet held at the Mari Center, ParagonCasino and Resort in Marksville where theLouisiana Wildlife Federation convened forits 63rd Annual Meeting. The awards werepresented by Karen Gautreaux, GovernorMike Foster’s Assistant for EnvironmentalAffairs and Dr. Earl Matthew, Region 8Director of the National Wildlife

Federation.Hawes was cited for leadership in coor-

dinating the state/federal effort to under-stand and remedy the massive marsh

dieback along the Louisiana coast, but evenmore for her commitment to the environ-ment that has helped bring a conservationethic to the world’s largest constructionorganization, the U. S. Army, Corps of

Engineers. Over her 30-year Corps career,she has become the environmental con-science of the Corps’ New Orleans District.That influence is manifested by the Corps’ever-increasing involvement in ecosystemrestoration work and a heightened sensitivi-ty to the environmental impacts of its pro-jects. Hawes has been the bridge betweenthe conservation community and the Corps,and just as important, the bridge betweeneach district change-in-command – a criti-cal function in keeping the momentumgoing on long term efforts like coastalrestoration and the conservation and recre-ation program for the Atchafalaya Basin.

Five other individuals, an organization,a corporation and a student group were alsorecognized for their outstanding conserva-tion achievement in 2001. They are:

William R. “Bill” Fontenot ofCarencro, Director of the Lafayette NatureStation for bringing people closer to naturethrough his education and outreach work;

Julie Landreneau of Gonzales for ener-gizing the community’s “Revive New River”cleanup effort to restore the New River as a

source of pride and enjoyment to the citi-zens of Gonzalez;

The TAG students of Oak GrovePrimary School in Prairieville for creatingand maintaining butterfly habitat and call-ing attention to the plight of butterflies dis-placed by development;

The Louisiana Refining Division ofMarathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC forestablishing a wildlife habitat enhancementprogram at its plant site in Garyville, includ-ing a 1,000-acre parcel of company proper-ty north of Airline Highway;

Barry J. Guillot of Luling, 7th and 8thgrade science teacher at Harry Hurst MiddleSchool in Destrahan, for extraordinaryaccomplishments in service-learning andhands-on environmental science education;

Senator D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux ofMorgan City for his conservation leadershipin the Louisiana Legislature, particularly inadvancing the conservation and recreationplan for the Atchafalaya Basin and the state’scoastal restoration initiative;

Scientist and author, Gary Noel Ross ofBaton Rouge, also known as the “ButterflyMan” for educating and inspiring the publicwith his lectures and writings about one ofNature’s most remarkable creatures;

The Little Tchefuncte RiverAssociation for bringing some “naturalsense” to land use planning and develop-ment in St. Tammany Parish.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is astatewide conservation education and advo-cacy organization with over 13,000 mem-

Corps Biologist Heads Cast of TopConservation Award WinnersCorps Biologist Heads Cast of TopConservation Award Winners

Sue Hawes receives the Governor’s Award from GovernorFoster’s representative, Karen Gautreaux.

Bill Fontenot is honored as the ProfessionalConservationist of the Year. The award was presented byKaren Gautreaux, Governor Foster’s assistant forenvironmental affairs.

Oak Grove Elementary Students show visitors theirbutterfly garden.


bers and 35 affiliate groups. Established in1940, it is affiliated with the NationalWildlife Federation and represents a broadconstituency of conservationists includinghunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters,and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Suzanne Hawes – Governor’s Award –Conservationist of the Year

Most conservationists would agree thatthe U. S. Army, Corps of Engineers has hada profound effect on the environment inLouisiana – not always, and not often, good.And considering all the controversy that fre-quently surrounds Corps’ projects, and thecriticism leveled at that agency by environ-mentalists, you have to wonder why anyonewould want to grow up to be a “Corps ofEngineer;” and least of all to be the Corps’Project Manager for the Environment.Sounds like a plot, doesn’t it?

How could anyone possibly succeed atsuch a daunting task – being a Corps’ envi-ronmentalist!

Sue Hawes has done just that, and inthe process has had a major impact in bring-ing that agency to the threshold of a new erawhere environmental restoration, and abroader approach to project design thatincorporates conservation and respect forthe environment, is part of the theme. Shehas been a wonder, doing from within theCorps what even lawsuits have not been ableto do from without.

When those who have been aroundawhile close their eyes and think about allthe years of scrapping with the Corps overthe environmental impacts of its projects,

Sue Hawes comes to mind; one doggedly-determined, ever-present person that hasn’talways brought the popular message, butwho has always brought the message thatHAD to be heard. Undoubtedly, a Districtand Division Engineer or two has gotten thesame forthright treatment. The net effecthas been a better working relationship withthe Corps and a fairer shake for the environ-ment.

Ms. Hawes is the Project Manager forthe Environment at the Corps’ New OrleansDistrict. As such, she has advised andinformed the Corps’ work on coastal restora-tion, Louisiana’s most pressing conservationinitiative. She has provided leadership incoordinating the state/federal effort tounderstand and remedy the massive marshdieback along the Louisiana coast. She hasbeen the bridge between the conservationcommunity and the Corps, and just asimportant, the bridge between each districtchange-in-command, a vital function inkeeping the momentum going on long termefforts like coastal restoration and the con-servation plan for the Atchafalaya Basin.

It has been said that Sue Hawes isresponsible for the shepherding and nurtur-ing of more professionals to becomeinvolved in the restoration of coastal wet-lands than any other person. Her ability tolisten, and to explain the complexities ofrestoration projects without turning peopleoff, has been crucial to building the coalitionof stakeholders so important to having afighting chance to save Louisiana’s coast.

Sue Hawes has been a friend and mem-ber of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation andother conservation groups for many years.She has volunteered her time and expertiseto the cause of conservation beyond her job.She has helped the Corps look out for theenvironment even while it protects ourhomes from floods and keeps commercemoving on our waterways. She is an exam-ple of an old Corps’ motto – “Today weaccomplish the difficult; the impossible willtake a little longer.”

William “Bill” Fontenot – ProfessionalConservationist of the Year

Bill Fontenot is a multi-faceted individ-ual who wears many hats – foremost is edu-cator, but also ecologist, native plant expert,communicator and inveterate advocate ofour avifauna (birds to most of us). He isdirector of the Lafayette Nature Station, avenerable institution on the east side of townthat has served for many years as a learning

resource for the region’s school children andteachers. Last year he worked with theLafayette Consolidated Government tosecure $400,000 in grant funds to preserve

the last remaining bottomland hardwoodwetlands in the Parish. This will include theacquisition of 200 acres adjacent to theNature Station. He will then be able toexpand educational programming to includethe Vermilion River, which is adjacent to theproperty. Due to his energetic efforts, theNature Station’s educational programminghas expanded to the point where a new facil-ity is needed to meet the local demand andneed.

Last year Fontenot co-authored “Birdsof the Gulf Coast” with Brian K. Miller.The book explains the importance of thenorthern Gulf Coast to migrating, winteringand resident birds. He continued to publisha weekly column on natural history in theLafayette Sunday newspaper. He has alsodeveloped a field naturalist course at theUniversity of Louisiana – Lafayette, andembarked upon a research project to evalu-ate the recreational birding opportunities inthe greater Atchafalaya Basin and documentthe wild flowers there. In addition, he co-chairs the nongame bird committee of theAtchafalaya Basin Program.

Julie Landreneau – VolunteerConservationist of the Year

Julie Landreneau’s vision for New River,a small bayou running through the town ofGonzales in Ascension Parish, grew from herinterest in using it as a living classroom – she


LWF President Joe L. Herring presents the YouthConservationists of the Year Award to teacher JudyMcIntyre representing the Oak Grove Elementary TAGstudents.

Barry Guillot receivxes the Conservation Educator of theYear Award from Karen Gautreaux representing GovernorFoster and Dr. Earl Matthew, Region 8 Director of theNWF.


‘02/ ‘03 Waterfowl Season/Bag Limits Set

The Louisiana Wildlife and FisheriesCommission (LWFC) set the tentative datesfor duck,coot, goose, rail and gallinule seasonsat its August 1 meeting. The tentative datesare based on frameworks set by the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service Office of Migratory BirdManagement.

The season dates are as follows:DUCKS AND COOTS (EXCEPT

PINTAIL AND CANVASBACK)WEST ZONE: Nov. 9 - Dec. 8 (30

days); Dec. 21 - Jan. 19 (30 days)EAST ZONE (including Catahoula

Lake): Nov. 16 - Dec. 1 (16 days); Dec. 14 -Jan. 26 (44 days)

PINTAILSWEST ZONE: Nov. 9 - Dec. 8 (30 days)EAST ZONE: Nov. 16 - Dec. 1 (16

days); Dec. 14 - Dec. 27 (14 days)

CANVASBACK: Closed statewideYOUTH WATERFOWL WEEKENDWEST ZONE: Nov. 2-3; EAST ZONE:

Nov. 9-10LIMITSThe daily bag limit on ducks is six and

may include no more than four mallards (ofwhich no more than two may be females),three mottled ducks, one black duck, twowood ducks, one pintail (during the specified30 day season only and during youth hunts),three scaup, and two redhead. Daily bag limiton coots is 15.

The daily bag limit for mergansers is five,and only one of which may be a hooded mer-ganser. Merganser limits are in addition to thedaily bag limit for ducks.

The possession limit on ducks, coots andmergansers is twice the daily bag limit.

GEESELIGHT GEESE (SNOW, BLUE AND

ROSS’) AND WHITE-FRONTED GEESENov. 2 - Dec. 8 (37 days); Dec. 14 - Jan.

31 (49 days). The daily bag limit on lightgeese (snow, blue and Ross’) is 20. There is nopossession limit on light geese. The daily baglimit on white-fronted geese is two. The pos-session limit is four.

CANADA GEESEJan. 18 - Jan. 26 (9 days). The season is

open statewide with the exception of one areaas described as follows. Beginning at the Texasstate line, proceeding east along LA Hwy. 82to the Calcasieu Ship Channel, the northalong the Calcasieu Ship Channel to its junc-tion with the Intracoastal Canal, the east alongthe Intracoastal Canal to it juncture with LAHwy. 82, then south along LA Hwy. 82 to itsjuncture with Parish Road 3147, then southand east along Parish Road 3147 toFreshwater Bayou Canal, then south to theGulf of Mexico, the west along the shorelineof the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas state line,

the north to the point of beginning at LAHwy. 82.

A special permit shall be required to par-ticipate in the Canada Goose season. A per-mit is required of everyone, regardless of age,and a non-refundable $5 administrative feewill be charged. This permit may be obtainedfrom any license vendor.

CONSERVATION ORDER FORLIGHT GEESE (SNOW, BLUE ANDROSS’)

Dec. 9 - Dec. 13 (5 days); Feb. 1 - Mar.9 (37 days). Only snow, blue and Ross’ geesemay be taken under the terms of theConservation Order, which allows the use ofelectronic calls and unplugged shotguns, andeliminates the daily bag and possession limits.During the Conservation Order, shootinghours begin one-half hour before sunrise andextend until one-half hour after sunset.

RAILSNov. 9 - Jan. 1 (54 days). For King and

Clapper Rails, the daily bag limit is 15 in theaggregate, and the possession limit is 30. Sora

and Virginia Rails have daily and possessionlimits of 25 in the aggregate.

GALLINULESNov. 9 - Jan. 1 (54 days). The daily bag

limit for gallinules is 15, and the possessionlimit is 30.

SNIPENov. 2 - Dec. 8 (37 days); Dec. 14 - Feb.

21 (70 days). For snipe, the daily bag limit iseight and the possession limit is 16.

For the waterfowl hunting seasons, theshooting hours are one-half hour before sun-rise to sunset, except at the Spanish LakeRecreation Area in Iberia Parish where shoot-ing hours, including the Conservation Order,end at 2 p.m.

Hunting Regs Include Antler Restriction

The Louisiana Wildlife and FisheriesCommission (LWFC) has approved an exper-imental deer season with antler restrictions forthe parishes of Iberville, Pointe Coupee andWest Baton Rouge for the 2002/03 deer hunt-ing season. The restrictions will not apply tothat portion of Iberville Parish east of theMississippi River, the Sherburne WildlifeManagement Area Complex, and those pri-vate lands owned by Adams and Summers,which are totally surrounded by the Sherburnecomplex. Bucks with six or more points, orspikes having both spikes three inches or less,will be considered legal bucks in the experi-mental season area. An exception is made forthe Special Youth Deer Hunt (either sex)November 9-10, when any buck will be legal.A legal “point” is a projection that is at leastone inch long, and the length is longer thanthe width. The beam tip counts as a legalpoint. Violation of any of the provisions ofthe rules and regulations of this experimentalseason is a Class Two violation with a fine fora first offense of up to $350, up to 60 days injail, or both.

Migratory Bird Hunting DatesThe dates proposed by the LWFC for the

2002-‘03 migratory game birds hunting sea-sons have been approved by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service.

The seasons are as follows: woodcock,December 18 to January 31, with a daily limitof three and a possession limit of six; teal,September 21 to 29, with a daily limit of four

C O N S E R V A T I O N L I N E


Officers:

President Joe L. Herring, 1021 RodneyDr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808;225 (res.) 766-0519

1st-V.P. Elbridge R. “Smitty” Smith III415 Azalea Dr., New Iberia,LA 70563; 337 (res.) 364-9341

mailto:[email protected]

2nd-V.P. Virginia Burkett, Ph.D, P.O.Box 1557, Many, LA 71449;318 (wk.) 256-5628


Secretary Jay V. Huner, Ph.D, 130Ashland Ct., Lafayette, LA70508; 337 (res.) 234-0682(wk.) 394-7508


Treasurer Eugene J. Dauzat, Jr., 608Meursault, Kenner, LA 70065;504 (res.) 468-8408

Executive Committee:Above 5 Officers and 4 Persons Listed:

Bobby G. Fulmer, M.D., P.O.Box 99, New Roads, LA 70760;225 (res.) 638-8869

Keith R. Saucier, P.O. Box1795, Gonzales, LA 70707-1795;225 (res.) 647-6653 (wk.)242-5561 (fax) 677-7416


Edgar F. Veillon, Rep. toNWF, 4616 South Roman St.,New Orleans, LA 70125; 504(res.) 899-4049 (wk.) 454-1212(fax) 885-4887

Kathy Wascom, 1255Aberdeen Ave., Baton Rouge,LA 70808; 225 (res.) 344-4313 (wk.) 231-3731 (fax)344-0014


Executive Director

Randy P. Lanctot, P.O. Box65239 Audubon Station,Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239Office: 337 South AcadianThruway, Baton Rouge, LA70806; 225 (wk.) 344-6762(fax) 344-6707 (res.) 346-0752


District Vice-Presidents:

District 1 Vacant (St. Tammany,Orleans, St. Bernard,Plaquemines Parishes)

District 2 Clinton Mouser, 4428 TobyLane, Metairie, LA 70003;504 (res.) 887-8475


(Jefferson, Lafourche, St.Charles,St. James, St. John the BaptistParishes)

District 3 Chad LeBlanc, 1604Crestwell, New Iberia, LA70560; 337 (res.) 367-9873(Lafayette, Vermilion, St.Martin, Terrebonne, Iberia, St.Mary, Iberville, AssumptionParishes)

District 4 Vacant (Caddo, Bossier,Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln,Bienville, Jackson Parishes)

District 5 Martha Ann Messinger, 2022Gemini Dr., Bastrop, LA71220; 318 (res.) 281-0113(fax) 283-8111

mailto:[email protected](Union, Morehouse, EastCarroll,West Carroll, Ouachita,Richland,Madison, Caldwell, Franklin,Tensas Parishes)

District 6 Francis Gautreaux, 12380Fernand Rd., Gonzales, LA70737; 225 (res.) 673-4991

mailto:[email protected](Washington, Tangipahoa, St.Helena, Livingston, Ascension,East Feliciana, West Feliciana,East Baton Rouge, West BatonRouge, Pointe CoupeeParishes)

District 7 Jerome C. Haas, Jr., 52Horseshoe Lane, Sulphur, LA70663; 337/625-4232

mailto:[email protected](Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu,Cameron, Jefferson Davis,Acadia Parishes)

District 8 Ken Dancak, Ph.D., 224Shady Crest Lane, Pineville,LA 71360; 318/487-8879 (fax)318/473-7117

mailto:[email protected](Grant, LaSalle, Catahoula,Concordia, Rapides, Avoyelles,Evangeline, St. LandryParishes)

District 9 Sharon Miller, 345 Point 3Dr., Florien, LA 71429;318/565-4990

mailto:[email protected](DeSoto, Red River, Sabine,Natchitoches, Winn, VernonParishes)

Louisiana Wildlife FederationLouisiana Wildlife Federation



The 2002 annual meeting of theLouisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) was heldat the Paragon Casino in Marksville the week-end of March 1-3. Although a casino is not anormal venue for the Federation’s big meetingof the year, attendance “rang the bell” as theParagon’s sales manager put it. Thanks espe-cially to the enthusiasm and support of theAvoyelles Wildlife Federation, our host affili-

ate, and the many contributors and sponsors,the meeting was a grand success. (See listing atthe end of this article.)

The schedule and format for LWF’s annu-al convention remains consistent from year to

year, but new issues, challenges and partici-pants mingle with three generations of tradi-tion for a stimulating and productive weekend.Key business meetings take place on Fridayafternoon as the LWF’s Executive Committeeand Board of Directors hear a report on LWFprograms and activities, get an update on thefinances of the organization, and adopt theannual budget. At the Friday board meeting

this year, LWF Directors also heard from JimPatton, undersecretary of the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries(LDWF), who braved the inclement afternoonweather to be on hand to report on the finan-

cial status of the agency. Two years ago, theLDWF was in dire financial straits and theLWF played a major role in convincing theLegislature to approve a moderate increase inLDWF fees. Accordingly, LWF leaders wereeager to be updated on the department’s cur-rent financial situation.

Mr. Patton reported that the LDWF’sfinancial situation was dramatically improvedsince the fee adjustments went into effect.Department revenues had increased by over $8million. The sale of Lifetime Licenses wasstimulated by the increase in annual licensefees, with about 19,000 (as of February 2002)having been sold. He said that the LifetimeLicense Trust Fund generates about $200,000

a year in interest to the LDWF operating fund.He showed a graph indicating a slight decreasein license sales since the fees were increased, butsaid that the current fees should be able to sus-tain the LDWF for the next three years. Afterthat, additional funds will be needed to main-tain programs and services. It was pointed outthat the LDWF is required by statute to rou-tinely report on its financial status relative tothe adequacy of its fee structure, and that doingso would help the Legislature understand thesituation and therefore be better prepared toconsider future fee adjustments and other rev-enue enhancements as they become necessary.

Before adjourning, the board consideredand adopted a resolution urging the consolida-tion of the LDWF Hunter Education Programwith the department’s other education pro-grams in the Wildlife Division. Since thattime, there has been a prolonged fight to wrest

LWF’s 63rd Annual Meeting ReportLWF’s 63rd Annual Meeting Report

1. Leaders of the convention host affiliate Avoyelles Wildlife Federation (L-R) Jesse Laborde, Ronald Coco and Ray Bordelontake a breather from convention activities.

2. LWF executive committee member Kathy Wascom explains a resolution to the Conservation Policy, Laws and EnforcementCommittee.

3. Jerald Horst, Associate Fisheries Specialist with the LSUCooperative Extension Service explains a technical point ona resolution pertaining to fisheries management.

the Hunter Education Program from theLDWF Enforcement Division. It has been atleast temporarily resolved by the reluctantacquiescence of the LDWF secretary to the willof the Legislature. During the regular legisla-tive session, the Legislature expressed its intentby an unusual “direct” resolution, followed bythe unprecedented action of actually amendingthe LDWF appropriation, moving the fundsfor the Hunter Education Program from theOffice of the Secretary to the Office ofWildlife.

Nearly 200 members and guests turnedout for the Fish Fry and Auction later Fridayevening. Avoyelles Wildlife Federation (AWF)president Ray Bordelon presided over the fes-tivities with his unique Avoyelles Parish style.Thanks to a long list of AWF members, includ-ing Jesse Laborde, Della Hebert, RayfordLaborde, Kim Masling, Carolyn Bordelon,

Ronald Coco, Jeff Dufour, Sidney and VickieJoffrion, Lynne Mayberry and others, the 2002auction was the most successful ever. The clubhad not held an auction at its local annualmeeting the previous year so that it could accu-mulate a large number of donations for theLWF convention. AWF members went all outto get many great items to auction and raffle.

That kind of commitment and support ismuch appreciated by the Federation.

Although the annual meeting is the timewhen important nuts and bolts organizationalmatters like budgets and electing leaders for thenew term are taken care of, the biggest attrac-tion for most meeting participants is the pre-sentation and debate of conservation policyresolutions. The resolutions, submitted byLWF affiliates and board members, cover awide range of topics. The 24 resolutions con-sidered this year ranged from tagging require-ments for deer and turkey, bowfishing for red

drum, and mercury contamination of water-ways and fish, to restoring the Spring BayouComplex, controlling non-indigenous species,shrimp fishing issues and acquiring andreopening Elmer’s Island for preservation andpublic use. In all, 24 resolutions were consid-ered. Twenty-one of the resolutions were ulti-mately adopted, many being amended in theprocess. Some, like the campaign to acquireand reopen Elmer’s Island, have become majorthrusts for LWF this year.

Black Bear Conservation Committeeexecutive director and past LWF president,Paul Davidson, gave an update on black bearrecovery efforts to a packed room at the BoardLuncheon on Saturday. Afterwards, the elec-tion of officers and selection of district vice-presidents yielded the following results:President — Joe L. Herring; 1st VP – SmittySmith; 2nd VP – Virginia Burkett; Secretary –Jay Huner; Treasurer – Gene Dauzat; District 2VP – Clint Mouser; District 3 VP – ChadLeBlanc; District 5 VP – Martha AnnMessinger; District 6 VP – Francis Gautreaux;District 7 VP – Jerry Haas; District 8 VP – KenDancak; District 9 VP – Sharon Miller.

Other elections that occurred during theweekend resulted in Edgar Veillon beingreelected as the LWF’s representative to theNational Wildlife Federation, Smitty Smith asthe alternate representative to NWF, andBobby Fulmer, and Kathy Wascom beingelected as at-large members of the LWF execu-tive committee.

At the General Session on Saturday after-noon, Gary O. Walker with the VicksburgDistrict of the US Army, Corps of Engineersexplained the reconnaissance study for theSpring Bayou Restoration Project. The projectarea includes two national wildlife refuges, twostate wildlife management areas, and 43 lakesand streams, altogether encompassing 133,000acres. Dr. Gary Noel Ross followed with“Monarch Magic,” a powerful expose’ of oneof the great wanderers and wonders of theinsect world. His slide presentation includedphotos from a recent visit to Mexico where heobserved a massive die-off of monarchs on thewintering grounds. Bill Fontenot topped offthe session with “Gulf Coast Birding”, a look atseasonal bird life on the northern coast of theGulf of Mexico, and the methodology he andwildlife photographer Brian Miller followed inproducing their new book, Birds of the GulfCoast.

As always, the conservation awards ban-quet highlighted the weekend activities. Lookfor complete coverage of the awards elsewherein this issue.


5. LWF 2nd VP Virginia Burkett proposes an amendment toa resolution on mercury contamination around offshoreoil/gas platforms as LWF past president and committeechairman Keith Saucier looks on.

4. The committee votes to move a resolution on for final consideration at the General Assembly of Delegates on Sunday morning.

6. Edgar F. Veillon (R) receives the coveted President’s Cupfrom outgoing LWF president Keith Saucier.


SPONSORS AND DONORS

The convention was supported by manyindividuals, organizations and businesses withcontributions of cash and merchandise.Special thanks go to the following LWF sup-porters for their generosity.

Whitetails•Avoyelles Wildlife Federation•Ken & Cindy Dancak

•CH2M Hill•Dr. Noel L. & Joy Mills•Smitty & Shawn Smith

Black Bass•Ron & Jackie Bartels•Marc Dupuy, Jr.•Bobby G. Fulmer, M.D.•Jerome C. Haas•Senator Don Hines, M.D.•Jay V. & Judy Huner/La Ecrevisse•Jimmie & Denise Marsh•Richard R. Michel, M.D.•Jay A. Pucheu•Keith & Cindy Saucier•Edgar F. Veillon

Greenheads•Tom & June Butler•Bill Herke•Joe L. Herring•Leonard Neyland/Mansura Drug Store•L. Peter Roy

Sac Au Lait•Randy P. Lanctot•Durwood Newton

Custom Cabinets, Remodeling &Millworks - Moreauville

Ron & Jackie BartelsRay & Carolyn BordelonJerald Desselle/Wild Wings Hunts, Inc.East Ascension Sportsman’s League/St.

Amant High School Shop ClassBobby G. Fulmer, M.D.Carl GremillionIvan Smith Furniture-AlexandriaDaniel LabordeLouisiana Wildlife FederationMattox Welding, Inc./Abe Mattox-

MarksvilleSenator Joe McPhersonClint MouserNational Wildlife FederationPookie’s Archery

Acadiana Sportsmen’s LeagueJohn AvantB&M Pole CompanyGeorge BarisichBayou Teche Hunting Club

Mark BeckerBushnellBruce Foods Corp.Virginia BurkettCarmenChoctaw Guns/Jeff DufourCoburn’s Plumbing SupplyRonald CocoThe Country Showcase/Honny DubrocCypress Bend ResortPaul L. Davidson, IIIDelorme MappingDive Toledo Scuba Center/ Dick WilgusD.O.A. Lures, Inc.John & Judith DollDubroc Supply Co.Estwing Manufacturing Co.Paul Ferrell/NWTFFine Designs-HessmerForestry Suppliers, Inc.Mike GuilloryJoe L. HerringJay Huner, Ph.DHunters Run Gun ClubLake Pontchartrain Basin FoundationLakeside Outfitters/Susan GrosRandy LanctotDarby LandaicheThe Lazy RabbitBill Lewis LuresRichard LouqueLowe’s-AlexandriaBobby McCarleySharon & Johnnie MillerJack & Rose Must/Wild Birds UnlimitedMervis Saltzman/La Chien Caille CallsRab’s Dozer Service-MansuraBill RylardSayes Office SupplyShaker Prairie Shop-HessmerSecurity Sporting Goods-AlexandriaSouthern Eagle Sales & ServiceTarget of AlexandriaTaylorTec, Inc./Ben TaylorWilson J. “Tibby” ThibodeauxTop Brass TackleU.S. Geological SurveyEdgar F. VeillonE. L. Voelker-AlexandriaWater’s Edge Nursery & LandscapeWright & McGill/Eagle Claw

David Bondy, Baton Rouge-LUBA Workers’ Comp

Scott M. Burke, MarreroBrian A. Carroll, NatchitochesMarc Couvillion, Baton Rouge

-Tiger Billboard Advertising, LLCRichard T. Daspit, Sr., Baton RougeChief R. Davis, Robeline

-Chief Environmental Surveys, Inc.P. J. Demarie, III, Madisonville

-New York Life Insurance Co.Luther Gordon, Baton Rouge

-Gordon & Sandifer Auto ServiceLane Grigsby, Baton Rouge

-Cajun ConstructorsDon Head, West Monroe

-Northeast Louisiana BuckmastersJeremiah R. Honea, PlauchevilleGeorge Jenne, Baton RougeNorwyn E. Johnson, TallulahNanette Kelley, Baton Rouge

-The Powell Group, Inc.Jacque P. Kuchta, MetairieVolker Leyerzapf, Baton Rouge

-Exxon Mobil ChemicalRay Main, Metairie

-Main Electronics, Inc.Steve Mathies, New Orleans

-CH2M Hill, Inc.Paul C. P. Mc Ilhenny, Avery IslandHelmut A. Mundt, MandevilleDaniel T. Murchison, Natchitoches

-Murchison & MurchisonWilbert Nelson, Natchitoches

-Nelson Equipment & TruckJ. W. Nixon, Baton RougeRod Osburn, Baton Rouge

-Dolese Brothers CompanyKenneth C. Pailet, MetairieRonald E. Pender, BlanchardMarathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC,

GaryvilleMarvin Ragland, Jr., Baton RougeKevin P. Reilly, Jr., Baton RougeBill Rigell, Baton RougeTracy Rutledge, Baton Rouge

-B.F. Anderson & Company, Inc.Juan Saurez, Metairie

-Office DepotWayne Stabiler, Baton Rouge

-Wayne Stabiler Catering, Inc.Sammy Terito, Baton Rouge

-Apex Industries CorporationJimmy C. Thompson, Baton RougeStephen W. Wheat, M.D.,

NatchitochesRobert Yarborough, Baton Rouge

-Manda Fine Meats

New Members ($100 and up)11/1/2001 through 6/30/2002

N. J. Allemand, LockportDiane Allen, Baton Rouge

-Diane Allen & AssociatesOscar J. Bienvenu, Jr., M.D.,

Natchitoches


Each year, the Louisiana OutdoorWriter’s Association recognizes an individ-ual for a lifetime of conservation achieve-ment. This year’s honoree represents all ofthose people who spend a lifetime doing the

right thing, often without recognition andusually without pay.

Elmer V. Moore, or as he is oftencalled, “Tiny Moore,” was raised on a farmnear Woodworth, Louisiana. He grew upclose to nature, often hunting and fishingfor family food. After a stint in the U.S.Army during World War II, he returnedhome to marry Yvonne Mayeux and raise afamily, that eventually grew to include 9children.

If Tiny Moore had done nothing morethan what he did with his children, hewould deserve recognition. He taught his 3sons and 6 daughters a deep respect for theenvironment and imbued them with astrong conservation ethic. He did so byexample, with many days spent hunting andfishing with his children. Today, all 3 of hissons are avid hunters and fishermen and 2of his daughters also fish. Five of his chil-dren are ardent and active birders. One sonhas served as the president of the RapidesChapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Tiny did not limit his efforts to hischildren, volunteering time to both DucksUnlimited, and especially the Boy Scouts ofAmerica, where he served as Merit BadgeCounselor for Birding.

After rearing his children and retiring

from his first career as a certified publicaccountant, Mr. Moore began his secondcareer as a volunteer with the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service’s Catahoula NationalWildlife Refuge near Jena, Louisiana. In 10years, Tiny Moore has donated thousands ofhours of his time and infected hundreds ofothers with his respect of the land and loveof nature. Moore reached his 82nd birth-day on March 29, but his efforts and energ-yare unflagging. He is active in theLouisiana Ornithological Society, and lastyear served as its Annual MeetingChairperson. He played a key role in orga-nizing the Loose Alliance of Casual and/orKeen Birdwatchers of Central Louisianaand continues to serve as the publisher andeditor of the club’s newsletter. For thesereasons the Louisiana Outdoor Writer’sAssociation presented Elmer V. “Tiny”Moore with its Arthur Van Pelt Award for alifetime of conservation achievement. -courtesy, Jerald Horst

Elmer V. “Tiny” Moore Receives Arthur Van Pelt Award

Elmer V. “Tiny” Moore (L) is presented with the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association’s Arthur Van Pelt Award for alifetime of conservation achievement at the 38th Annual Conservation Awards Banquet of the Louisiana WildlifeFederation. The award was presented by LOWA director Jerald Horst.

New Members ($50 to $99)11/1/01 through 6/30/02

Eddie Ahrens, NatchitochesLes L. Allen, Jr., Baton RougeBarry Andre, Baton Rouge

-Diamond MazdaWilliam Ball, Baton RougeChristina Bannister, Baton Rouge

-Christina, Inc.Claude L. Barber, Baton Rouge

-Plant Machine Works, Inc.James B. Barkate, Gretna

-Southern Abstracts, Inc.Robert Bayham, Baton Rouge

-Celtic Marine CorporationKenneth J. Becnel, VacherieDidier Begat, Baton Rouge

-DSM CopolymerMark Bensabat, Baton Rouge

-Bank OneBarry Bernard, Natchitoches

-Natchitoches Wood PreservingRobert D. Berry, FranklintonJoe Biderman, Metairie

-Hiller Jewelry CompanyRobert A. Bogan, Jr., Baton RougeClaude Bouchard, M.D., Baton RougeHannis T. Bourgeois, LLP,

Baton Rouge-HTB

Lynn Bradley, Baton Rouge-Bradley-Blewster & Associates

Karol Brandt, Gretna-Scooter Promotions

Coleman D. Brown, Baton Rouge-Brown & Brown Architects

Daniel Brown, Campti-Willamette Industries, Inc.

Walter G. Bumphus, Baton RougeAndrew Burton, NatchitochesJerry M. Campbell, Baton Rouge

-Jerry M. Campbell & AssociatesNolton Causey, Natchitoches

-Causey’s Pharmacy, Inc.Lenard Chatham, ErosJoe C. Chautin, Metairie

-Hardy, Carey & Chautin, LLPDan E. Civello, Metairie

-Constable, 5th Justice CourtChris Clements, Natchitoches

-CP-TelChris Cocreham, Baton Rouge

-Cocreham Brick & Stone, Inc.Dorothy Conlay, Natchitoches

-Gahagan Land & Timber Co., Inc.Roger M. Cunningham, NatchitochesEdward David, Jr., Metairie



Directors of the Louisiana WildlifeFederation are either members of an LWFaffiliated club, selected by that club to rep-resent it on the LWF Board of Directors, orthey are individual contributing LWF mem-bers, elected by the other Federation con-tributing members in their district to serveon the board as an at-large representative ofthe members in their district. The electionsfor district at-large directors are held everyother year in each of the 9 LWF districts;districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 in odd-numberedyears and 2, 4, 6, and 8 in even years. Thefollowing district at-large directors wereelected/reelected last fall and began a new 2-year term on the board in January.

District 1

Barbara A. Dodds of Covington wasreelected and Noel L. Mills, M.D. of NewOrleans was elected to represent LWF con-tributing members in District 1 whichincludes St. Tammany, Orleans, St. Bernard,and Plaquemines Parishes. Mrs. Dodds is aretired librarian and volunteer activist/lob-

byist on issues pertaining to public policy,government and the environment. She isactive in the Louisiana League of WomenVoters and has served on the League’s state

board since 1989 as NaturalResources/Environment Chair. Currently,she is a lobbyist at the legislature on envi-ronmental issues for the League. She was

recognized by the Louisiana WildlifeFederation as Volunteer Conservationist ofthe Year for 1993. She has served as an at-large board member of the LouisianaWildlife Federation representing District 1since 1996. She represented the Federationin Washington as a participant in ArcticWilderness Week in 2000 to encourage theLouisiana delegation to co-sign and supportthe Morris K. Udall Wilderness Bill. Herhobbies and interests include wildflowergardening, birding, golf, painting, boating,swimming/snorkeling, and land use issues.

Dr. Mills is a retired cardiac surgeon,professor of surgery at Tulane UniversityMedical Center and a licensed fishing guide.His background includes a biology andchemistry major that lead to a degree inmedicine at Tulane University School ofMedicine. High school and college werefunded by guiding duck hunts due to hisearly success at duck calling and by afterschool jobs. Ten years post-medical schooltraining resulted in double boards inGeneral and Thoracic and CardiovascularSurgery. He is the author of over 250papers, one book, and numerous bookchapters. His inventions include many sur-gical instruments and a non-surgical tech-

nique to close holes in the heart (ASD). Hesays that the outdoors has been a way of lifesince preschool days on a farm in YazooCounty, MS. He served for 10 years as“governor” of the Louisiana Chapter of theGopher Tortoise Council, which is an orga-nization totally dedicated to preserving thespecies and habitat of this lovely endangeredcreature, Gophus polyphemus. With hisoldest son, he has carried out research andtagging studies on the gopher tortoise for 22years. He has fished redfish in Louisiana inand around Port Sulphur since 1971. Overthe past few years he has become concernedwith the intrusion of airboats into themarsh at night in pursuit of redfish withbow and arrow disturbing what have previ-ously been safe havens, and has observedincidences of abuse of the size and creel lim-its by some practitioners of this method ofharvesting. He hopes to curtail this activityand “make a small dent in preserving thiswonderful resource here in Louisiana.”

District 3

Jay V. Huner, Ph.D. of Lafayette and E.R. “Smitty” Smith, III of New Iberia havebeen reelected to the Board representingDistrict 3 which includes Lafayette,Vermilion, St. Martin, Terrebonne, Iberia,St. Mary, Iberville and Assumption Parishes.

LWF Directors Elected

Barbara A. Dodds, District 1 At-large Director

Dr. Noel L. Mills, District 1 At-large Director

Jay V. Huner, Ph. D., District 3 At-large Director


Dr. Huner is the director of the CrawfishResearch Center at the University ofSouthwest Louisiana. His background inthe biological sciences and his research onaquaculture systems has led to a specialinterest in evaluating and resolving conflictsbetween aquaculture and native wildliferesources. He is a leading proponent of rec-ognizing the value of agricultural wetlandsand supporting their role in sustaining wet-land dependent species. He is also involvedin the development of shrimp fishing gearand devices to reduce and avoid by-catch.He is a member of numerous professionalsocieties with an interest in aquaculture,fisheries management and crawfish. He is ahunter, angler and avid bird watcher.

Smitty Smith is an electrical contractor.He has a degree in fisheries biology and wasemployed as a Senior Field Biologist inmarine fisheries by the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries forseveral years before joining his family’s con-tracting business. In addition to being amember of the Louisiana WildlifeFederation where he formerly served on the

Board representing the Iberia Rod and GunClub, he is a member of the National RifleAssociation, Billfish Foundation and theInternational Gamefish Association. Mr.Smith’s outdoor interests include big gamefishing and hunting, SCUBA diving,bowhunting, gun collecting, and serving asweighmaster for saltwater fishing tourna-ments. A new father, Smith says “Thisbrings an even stronger urgency to my advo-cacy to conserve our wild places and

wildlife. I don’t ever want to tell my chil-dren about how good the fishing and hunt-ing used to be.”

District 5

Jim Marsh of Tallulah and Martha AnnMessinger of Bastrop have been reelected tothe LWF Board representing District 5which includes Union, Morehouse, EastCarroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Richland,Madison, Caldwell, Franklin, and TensasParishes. Mr. Marsh is an owner of MarshFarms and Cattle Marsh Cattle Co. He is amember of the Tensas Refuge Association

and participates in the refuge’s InstructorCorps Program which educates youth fromthe parishes surrounding the refuge aboutconservation. He is assistant chief of theBear Lake Volunteer Fire Department and amember of the Louisiana Cattlemen’sAssociation. He enjoys hunting and fishing,college and high-school football, 4-H workand Forestry/Wildlife programs atLouisiana Tech. He’d like to see Louisianafirst in environmental education with thebest 4-H programs, expanded degree pro-grams at Louisiana Tech in Forestry,Wildlife and Tourism, and a state-of-the-artconservation education center at the TensasRefuge.

Martha Ann Messinger is a semi-retiredbookkeeper and secretary. She and her hus-band George Patton have been workingwith injured box turtles since 1989 andhave a rehabilitation permit for turtles andtortoises issued by the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries.

During this time they have been studyingreproduction and behavior of the 3-toedbox turtle and published a research paper inthe Herpetological Review. She frequentlypresents talks on turtles and other wildlifeto area scouts and students. An active ama-teur naturalist, Ms. Messinger enjoysobserving wildlife while on nature hikes and

in her backyard that she maintains for thatpurpose. She is a member of several scien-tific societies and conservation groups andrepresents the Louisiana Wildlife Federationon the Reptile and Amphibian Task Force ofthe Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries. Ms. Messinger and her husbandwere instrumental in having a law enactedduring the 1999 Legislative Session to limitthe harvest of box turtles and prohibit theirsale. For this and other accomplishmentsthat year, they were honored with theGovernor’s Award for Conservationists ofthe Year.

District 7

Jerome C. Haas, Jr. of Sulphur andLeonard (Lenny) J. Hensgens of Crowleywere reelected to the LWF Board represent-ing District 7 which includes Beauregard,Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davisand Acadia Parishes. Mr. Haas is a retiredsafety engineer with 45 years health andsafety experience in construction and opera-tions in the oil, gas and construction indus-tries, including several overseas assignments.He holds a safety engineering diploma. Hehas conducted several safety seminars atMcNeese University. He has been involvedwith many community service activitiesincluding serving as president of the

E. R. “Smitty” Smith, III, District 3 At-large Director

Jim Marsh, District 5 At-large Director

Martha Ann Messinger, District 5 At-large Director


Southwest Louisiana Mutual AidAssociation, president of his church parishcouncil, local Lions Club, and theSouthwest Louisiana Safety EngineeringSociety. He has many grandchildren andtherefore is extremely interested in keepingLouisiana’s rich wildlife heritage. He spendsa lot of his retirement days engaged in hunt-

ing, fishing and other outdoor activities.Lenny Hensgens farms rice and beans

in the “Cajun Prairie” region of the state.He is a member of the Board of Directors ofthe U.S. Rice Council, past president of theLouisiana Rice Growers Association, andchairman of the Rice Promotion Board. Heis on the waterfowl committee of the U.S.Rice Foundation and chairman ofOperation Quackback, a project to provide

habitat for waterfowl on agriculture fields.He is a member of a committee promotingthe use of Best Management Practices tocontrol erosion and improve water quality.He enjoys hunting waterfowl and othergame species and flying his airplane.

District 9

Virginia Burkett, Ph.D of Many wasreelected to the LWF Board representingDistrict 9 which includes DeSoto, RedRiver, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn andVernon Parishes. She is a research scientistat the National Wetlands Research Centerin Lafayette. She has 26 years professionalexperience in wildlife and fisheries manage-ment and research. She has served asdeputy secretary and secretary of theLouisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries and is a member and has been anofficer of numerous professional organiza-tions. She has also served on the LouisianaForestry Commission and the Gulf ofMexico Fisheries Management Council andpresently is serving on national and interna-tional panels concerned with climate changeimpacts. Her hobbies include flying, hikingand camping, and she chairs the board ofdirectors of the Taylor House Shelter forDomestic Violence Victims in her commu-nity. Dr. Burkett has been involved in activ-ities of the Louisiana Wildlife Federationfor almost 20 years.

The other at-large directorship forDistrict 9 will remain vacant until the nextelection unless the Board makes an appoint-ment to fill the vacancy in the interim.

Virginia Burkett, Ph. D., District 9 At-large Director

Leonard J. “Lenny” Hensgens, District 7 At-large Director

Jerome C. “Jerry” Haas, Jr., District 7 At-large Director

ipate in camping, birding, boating and naturephotography along with other outdoor activ-ities like gardening. Some are mainly birdersand canoe paddlers. We all are concernedabout our environment. We are a conserva-tion organization, an organization that iscontinually promoting and fighting for cleanwater, clean air, and clean soil. Without cleanwater Louisiana will not continue to havegood fishing and the abundance of aquaticlife we enjoy; without clean air we all sufferalong with the plants and other animals weshare the Earth with; and without clean andfertile soil, terrestrial life cannot be sustained.Polluted water affects soil and air; polluted airit affects soil and water, so the chain must stayclean for all living creatures, including Homosapiens. With a clean environment we canmanage our state’s natural resources for thebenefit of all.

I plan to visit with many of LWF’s affil-iate clubs during the year. Recently, LWFSecretary Jay Huner and his wife Judy,Executive Director Randy Lanctot and I vis-ited the Acadiana Sportsmen’s League for theclub’s annual Awards Banquet program. Ialso attended the Jefferson Rod and GunClub’s annual fish fry held at the Elks Lodgein Metairie. Both clubs have good conserva-tion programs and are active at the LWFannual convention. I also keep my atten-dance with the East Ascension SportsmanLeague, my home club.

The Acadiana Sportsmen’s League has anexcellent program for awards. Each year itpresents one or more “Sportsman Emeritus”awards. Individuals receiving this award donot have to be from the Acadiana area or amember of the club. The award is in recog-nition of a lifetime of conservation accom-plishments. This year’s recipients were ClarkHoffpauer and Janice H. Little. Clark, a for-mer waterfowl biologist with the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries(LDWF), is now an airplane pilot in Alaskabush country. Clark went to Alaska duringthe Valdez oil spill, worked on this projectuntil completion, then opted to stay. Clarkwas originally from the Acadiana area.

Janice H. Little, a research fisheries biol-ogist working out of the Monroe office,retired from the LDWF after 37 years of ser-vice. She was recognized for her longtimefisheries work in our state. Janice was the sec-ond lady in 100 years to be elected Presidentof the American Fisheries Society (AFS), aworldwide professional organization. She

President’s Column: Continued from page 3


served on many national, regional and statecommittees for the State of Louisiana, AFS,Southeastern Association of Fish and WildlifeAgencies and many other organizations. Shehas brought many honors to our state.

I congratulate the Acadiana Sportsmen’sLeague for a program recognizing many ofour state conservationists that have notreceived the credit for conservation work theydeserve. Louisiana has had numerouswildlife, fisheries, and conservation workerswho have received recognition on a regionalor national basis, but have been overlooked inour state. The LWF’s annual conservationawards program provides an opportunity torecognize such worthy individuals as well asorganizations and businesses. We will beannouncing the opening of nominations inOctober for the awards that will be presentedat next year’s LWF convention, scheduled forFeb. 28 - Mar. 2 in Shreveport.

A Louisiana Wildlife Federation Club inevery parish is our goal. Smitty, our 1st VP isworking hard with the District VicePresidents to establish clubs in parishes thatdo not have one. The LWF does have indi-vidual members in all parishes, but a clubwould add strength. Most of our organizedclubs are in south Louisiana. A few yearsback, club strength was in north Louisiana.We need to work on our north Louisianaparishes to balance our membership.

Many important conservation issues willbe addressed this year, and we will work onthem for the betterment of our state and theenvironment. Some issues are: water resourcedevelopment including surface, ground andhabitat water quality; planning and fundingto control invasive species; continue theimplementation of the 15 year conservationand recreation plan for the Atchafalaya Basin;acquisition and reopening of Elmer’s Island;increasing the capacity of the LouisianaWildlife Federation by raising public aware-ness of the organization and its conservationmission; and other needed environmentaland conservation projects.

As members you can help by sendinginformation to us on various conservationissues in your parish or district. This wouldhelp in keeping your state officers abreast ofwhat is going on in our state. The manage-ment, protection and utilization of our nat-ural resources is a team effort, so let’s all pitchin and make our state a better state for all.

Yours in conservation,

Joe L. Herring

and Advisory Task Force have demonstrat-ed good will and dedication to the task.All are to be commended for the workdone thus far. Of course, “It’s not over tilit’s over” to quote baseball great, YogiBerra.

You may have heard a little aboutWhite Lake in recent weeks. White Lakeis a 71,000-acre tract of fresh water marsh,lake and rice fields in Vermilion Parishthat was donated to the state this pastsummer by BP/Amoco for conservationpurposes. Sounds good, huh? But thedeal got complicated fast when it wasfinally understood by the public that,although the wildlife preserve was donatedto the State of Louisiana, the donorrequired the property to be managed by aprivate entity instead of the LouisianaWildlife and Fisheries Commission(LWFC) and Department of Wildlife andFisheries (LDWF). The principalsinvolved in this deal have not been able toexplain, at least to the satisfaction of theLouisiana Wildlife Federation, why thisunprecedented arrangement is necessary.But we are still listening. It is theFederation’s position that state-ownedwildlife lands should be administered bythe agencies established and authorized bylaw to assume such responsibility, in thiscase, the LDWF and the LWFC. We havesubmitted to the Legislature, theGovernor and BP recommendations torestructure the agreements that have set upthe management and control of the WhiteLake Property so that it can be managedby the State, through the LDWF andLWFC, in compliance with all the publicinterest safeguards afforded by theAdministrative Procedures Act and sun-shine laws under which state agencies arerequired to operate. In response to areporter’s question concerning his(Governor Foster’s) thoughts about LWF’srecommendations, he was quoted as say-ing that LWF (that’s us) has no legitimacy.What do you think about that?

If you would like to have more infor-mation about how the White Lake dealwas set up and the Federation’s specificrecommendations, please contact the LWFoffice.

One last but extremely importantmatter that all conservationists, and espe-cially hunters, should stay abreast of is thespread of CWD (Chronic Wasting

Disease) in domestic and wild cervids(deer and elk). There is not much in theway of conclusive science available abouthow the disease infects these animals andhow it spreads, but the potential impacton wild deer and elk herds and the recre-ation and hunting industry these impor-tant natural resources support is huge.The disease has been found in “domestic”(alternative livestock; shooting pens) ani-mals in Minnesota, Colorado, SouthDakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska,Montana and Alberta and Saskatchewan,Canada; and in wild animals inWisconsin, Wyoming, Colorado, SouthDakota, Nebraska, New Mexico andSaskatchewan. The Louisiana Wildlifeand Fisheries Commission adopted a banon importing any deer or elk into the statelast May, and adopted other rules to mon-itor the transport of domestic deer and elkwithin the state. The Louisiana WildlifeFederation urges full cooperation withthese and any other reasonable andresponsible actions to protect our wilddeer herd. Testing may show that CWD isalready here. But maybe not.

A big welcome and thanks to all ofyou who joined the Louisiana WildlifeFederation this year, and thanks also tothose of you who faithfully renew yourmembership. Due to a reduction in staffand a very challenging and productiveyear, we have failed to publish this maga-zine in 2002 until now, so many of youwill be receiving this magazine for the firsttime. Please excuse and bear with us. Ihope you will enjoy reading this issue andpromise that you will be receiving the nextissue soon. Thanks again. A partial list ofnew members follows.

Director’s Column: Continued from page 3

Another major part of the fish hatcheryis the 4,300 square foot Visitor Center. Ithouses more than 10,000 gallons of aquariacontaining a wide array of creatures thatinhabit Louisiana’s waters. There is a turtleexhibit which features a 135 pound alligatorsnapping turtle and a 7,000 gallon riverineaquarium which is the home for variouslarge river species. A 50 seat theater is avail-able for educational programs. Hatcherytours can be arranged, and picnic tables areavailable under a large pavilion. To arrangefor hatchery tours and educational programscontact Angela Capella at 318/748-6914.

Booker Fowler: Continued from page 22

-EJD Builders, Inc.Karoline Davies, Baton Rouge

-Hancock BankFrank Dedman, Baton Rouge

-Frank’s RestaurantRemi Delouche, Baton Rouge

-Neopost-American MailingJoe Dimaggio, New Orleans

-The Rose Garden of Jefferson, Inc.Ronald Duplessis, Baton Rouge

-Duplessis Cadidllac-VolvoJay Dykes, Jr., Baton Rouge

-Dykes Electric, Inc.James Edwards, Baton Rouge

-The Shaw Group, Inc.Milton R. Eichmann, M.D.,

NatchitochesConnie Fabre, Baton Rouge

-Focused DevelopmentsRoy Fair, Natchitoches

-Fair Property ManagementJacob Fakouri, Baton Rouge

-E. Jacob Construction Co., Inc.James W. Firnberg, Jr., Pres.,

Baton Rouge-School Aids, Inc.

David Fletcher, Dry ProngRalph P. Fontcuberta, Jr., Kenner

-BFMCharles J. Fox, Baton Rouge

-Cedars Home FurnishingsLawrence Frost, Baton Rouge

-Frost-Barber, Inc.Grady C. Galiano, GallianoRonald Garlepied, Jr., PrairievilleRichard Gill, Natchitoches

-CP-Tel Company, Inc.Brace Godfrey, Baton Rouge

-Adams and Reese, LLPJim Greely, Baton Rouge

-Regions BankJonathan Greer, Baton Rouge

-The Greer GroupRichard L. Guidroz, P.T., Natchitoches

-Natchitoches Rehab ServicesTony Gustwick, Natchitoches

-Northwestern State UniversityJames N. Hall, Port Allen

-Petrin CorporationJohn Hendry, Baton Rouge

-John Hendry Insurance AgencyWayne Hodes, Metairie

-New Orleans SaintsHarvey Hoffman, Baton Rouge

-Fraenkel Company, Inc.Jessie Hoffpauir, Natchitoches

-Valley Electric Membership

Devin Holley, Baton Rouge-Treads & Care Tire Company

Glenn W. Hough, Natchitoches-Valley Air, Inc.

Rick Hudson, NatchitochesFederico Icaza, Kenner

-Three Plus, Inc.Bob Jackson, Baton Rouge

-Attorney At LawJeffrey L. Janies, M.D., Baton Rouge

-The Women’s ClinicRichard T. Johnson, Natchitoches

-L.H. Johnson WholesaleWilliam B. Johnson, Baton RougeRandall D. Keator, II, O.D.,

NatchitochesSharon Kleinpeter, Baton Rouge

-Cox CommunicationsCharles A. Landry, Baton Rouge

-Attorney At LawDale Landry, Port AllenGregory Lee, DelhiHonorable Harry Lee, Harvey

-Jefferson Parish Sheriff ’s OfficeHenry Locklar, CEO, Baton Rouge

-DemcoTommy Lofton, Baton Rouge

-The Lofton CorporationMax Luna, Baton Rouge

-Agway Systems, Inc.E. Joe Martin, III, Baton Rouge

-ITI Technical CollegeDon J. Matherne, Baton Rouge

-Percy J. Matherne Contractor, Inc.Clay Mayeaux, Natchitoches

-Widgeon Investments, Inc.James W. McNeil, Baton RougeFaris Michael, Natchitoches

-Michael & AssociatesJohn Milazzo, Baton Rouge

-Campus FederalBen R. Miller, Jr., Baton Rouge

-Kean, Miller Law FirmBill O’Hara, Metairie

-Sonitrol Loss PreventionHays D. Owen, Baton Rouge

-The Baton Rouge Water Works, Co.Chris Patton, RustonJanice H. Pellar, Baton Rouge

-EMCO CompanyHarold Petit, Harahan

-Johnstone SupplyDavid R. Pitts, Baton Rouge

-Pitts Management Associates, Inc.Jerry Polk, Buras

-J. & P. Drugs, Inc.John Dale Powers, Baton Rouge

-Powers & Willard, LLPSharon Procell, Natchitoches

-Mail Boxes, Etc.

James H. Queyrouze, Metairie-Crescent City Restaurant Group, LLC

Michael P. Rainwater, RustonJoseph M. Rault, Metairie

-Rault Resources, Inc.Philip Rebowe, Metairie

-Rebowe & CompanyBill Reich, Baton Rouge

-Reich AssociatesEd Renton, Kenner

-State MachineryDave Roberts, PrairievilleScott Rogers, Baton Rouge

-1stCo, Inc.Mike Rourke, Baton Rouge

-AAA Rent AllFiral L. Ryder, NatchitochesJohn P. Sandifer, M.D., NatchitochesArnold Saucier, Baton Rouge

-Southern Fastener & Tool Co., Inc.Gerard Schexnayder, Gretna

-Quaid Insurance AgencyJorge Serrano, Baton Rouge

-Cintas CorporationDorothy M. Severson, CovingtonGeorge M. Simon, Jr., Baton Rouge

-Baton Rouge Blue Print & SupplyGlyn Singley, AngieMike Small, Walker

-M&S Electrical ContractorsSteve Smuck, Metairie

-SchumachersDanny Spencer, ZacharyKenneth Starks, Natchitoches

-Starks Construction, Inc.John F. Stumpf, Jr., HarveyCarroll W. Suggs, MetairieVictoria Theriot, Baton Rouge

-Financial Consulting Services, Inc.Wayne E. Thomas, MetairieE. Graham Thompson, Baton Rouge

-Whitney National BankTransfinancial Companies, Inc.,

Baton RougeMichael G. Vienne, D.D.S.,

NatchitochesKathy Vilas, Baton Rouge

-Vilas & Company, Inc.Neil Wagoner, Baton Rouge

-HNTB CorporationValery Watts, Livingston

-V. Watts FurnitureMike & Darla Webb, Natchitoches

-Clearwater Pools & SpasPatrick T. Wheat, NatchitochesEd White, Metairie

-Ed White & Associates, Inc.Miles Williams, P.E., Baton Rouge

-Sigma Consulting Group, Inc.Leonard C. Wyatt, Jr., Baton Rouge


New ($50 to $99): Continued from page 13

New Members (to $49)11/1/01 through 6/30/02

Robert Allen, Jr., Saint GabrielEric Arman, Baton RougeWallace F. Armstrong, Baton RougeF. M. Becnel, VacherieTerry Bennett, Baton RougeDrew Bickham, JacksonRonnie Bourgeois, Saint FrancisvilleJohn Boyette, SulphurBob Breaux, Baton Rouge

-Total Computer Systems, Inc.Sherri Bronson, Baton RougeRick Bryan, Pineville

-Rick Bryan StudioGreg Burke, NatchitochesLarry R. Burke, NatchitochesJames Busby, Lake CharlesChris R. Cardino, KeithvilleChris Carter, CollinstonMichael M. Ciaccio, Winnfield

-McDonald’sConnor Clarke, MetairieHolly B. Clegg, Baton RougeDannie Collins, NatchitochesDon Collins, NatchitochesFrederick Cook, IV, Baton RougePatti Craig, Baton RougeStephen Creed, Baton Rouge

-R. Gale Creed CompanyShane Cross, BakerMike Culotta, Baton RougeEddie Daniel, JacksonFrank H. Davis, Baton RougeSteve Davis, West MonroeMarilyn V. Dawdy, SulphurBob Dean, Baton Rouge

-Bob Dean Enterprises, Inc.Jim Delahoussaye, Breaux BridgeMichael A. DeLaune, DuplessisRicky G. Deville, Baton RougeJanet Dicharry, Baton RougeVerne Dicharry, Baton Rouge

-Brew-Bacher’s of B.R., Inc.William Dickerson, Franklinton

-3-D ConstructionBret Diez, Baton Rouge

-Bolick DistributorsEd Dranguet, NatchitochesGiles J. Duplechin, GretnaWilliam H. Easter, III, Lake CharlesRonald W. Edwards, ChoudrantMichael J. Falgoust, Baton RougeDr. Samuel E. Field, Jr., SunshineJohnny Fife, Baton RougeJohn J. Finan, Jr., MandevilleRicky Forbes, AngieDavid W. Fox, ShreveportDamian Fryoux, Lafayette

U. J. Garafula, Baton Rouge-V’s Holding Company

Sherry Garrett, Natchitoches-Garrett Business Machines

Tony P. Gautreaux, ChauvinPendery Gibbens, Baton Rouge

-College Drive Mini-StorageS. P. Gibbens, Jr., Baton Rouge

-College Drive Mini-StorageKenneth R. Gill, KentwoodFred J. Grace, Baton Rouge

-Grace & Hebert ArchitectsMike Guillory, LafayetteTheodore M. Haik, III, New IberiaKen Hale, Natchitoches

-Bank of MontgomeryD. Rick Hargis, NatchitochesBob Hazel, Baton Rouge

-A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.Gerald W. Hendricks, ShreveportBetty Hertzog, NatchezDon Hidalgo, Baton Rouge

-Hidalgo Health AssociatesFrank S. Hines, Natchitoches

-Hines, Jackson & HinesLewis C. Hines, NatchitochesJimmy L. Hollis, MarionLouis F. Hyams, NatchitochesWilliam L. Jenkins, Baton RougeDaryl Khoury, Lake CharlesGerald D. Kimble, GretnaLeroy E. Knighten, MaringouinDavid E. Koch, New OrleansFloyd A. Koepp, Jr., CovingtonJack T. Landry, KennerDewayne Lenard, DownsvilleCornelius Lewis, Baton RougeStanley Longlois, NatchitochesMark E. Marley, NatchitochesCarroll S. Mayer, Jr., Baton RougeJack McCain, Natchitoches

-McCain PropertiesBarney Miller, FlorienJohn C. Miller, Baton RougeThomas M. Miremont, Baton RougeEnyart Mitchell, Natchitoches

-Mitchell & Prewitt, ConsultantsJames D. Morgan, LacombeJoe Morgan, Natchitoches

-Con Agra PoultryMike Musumeche, New IberiaJullie M. Nesbit, Baton RougeJake L. Netterville, Baton RougeFay Norman, NatchitochesNeal Pace, MarionRussell Patin, Jr., Breaux BridgePhyllis Perron, Baton Rouge

-Phyllis Perron & Associates, Inc.David D. Persac, Baton Rouge

-Persac Properties, Inc.

Jack Persac, Baton Rouge-Persac Insurance Agency, Inc.

James Marc Poche, JacksonWayne M. Ponson, RacelandJesse A. Poole, Natchitoches

-J.A. Poole, Inc.Lee Posey, Natchitoches

-Posey’s Sports CenterTrace W. Pourciau, Baton RougePat Prather, Baton Rouge

-Baton Rouge Press, Inc.Ron Prewitt, Natchitoches

-Mitchell & Prewitt, ConsultantsGeorge W. Pugh, Baton RougeAlton Rachal, NatchitochesRoger P. Richard, Baton RougeJason E. Roberts, MansfieldArthur E. Rose, BoyceOren W. Russell, Springfield

-Oren W. Russell & AssociatesPaul P. Salvant, Baton RougeLucien Savage, FarmervilleJoseph K. Scott, TallulahW. Ray Scott, Natchitoches

-Cane River Insurance, Inc.Bill Selig, Baton RougeMrs. C. W. Shaddock, Jr., Lake CharlesDarren L. Short, Ponchatoula

-Short’s Custom Vinyl SidingCynthia W. Spring, Fresno, CAJohn A. Spustek, Baton RougeTerri Tartaglia, LulingClark W. Taylor, Baton Rouge

-CWT Management, Inc.T. G. Teer, MonroeErnest C. Trahan, CameronJohn C. Trouth, SulphurSylvia D. Ulmer, Metairie

-St. Angela Merici SchoolNestor Vicknair, Baton Rouge

-Viking Distributors, Inc.Brian K. Vines, ManyNeil A. Waddell, ShreveportEdward Ward, Jr., NatchitochesRobert H. Ward, Lake CharlesWilliam D. Weaver, PollockBobby G. White, ShreveportMarvin Womack, CrowvilleGeorge A. Wroten, Bossier CityGlen Wynn, HomerC. Scott Yeager, Jr., Pineville


Louisiana hunters, fishers and boaters areurged to help prevent the spread of a noxious,fast-growing weed that threatens Louisiana’s

aquatic ecosystems, according to LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries biologistmanager Charles Dugas. Officials worry thatthe plant, which reproduces through regener-ation and can grow at an extremely rapid rate,could easily overrun marshes, rice fields, andnavigation channels, even the IntracoastalWaterway. Giant salvinia can regenerate itselffrom a single leaf or spore, and can cover up40 square miles in just three months.

“It is very important that boats and trail-ers are cleaned off after being taken out of thewater. The best way to prevent this plant fromspreading to more waterways is to make sureno leaves or pieces of the plant are carried byyour boat or trailer,” said Dugas. “Boots andwaders should be checked and cleaned eachtime, too. This plant can grow from even thesmallest leaf.”

Dugas says that the plant is easily identi-fiable. The leaves are bright green with a fuzzytexture and are about the size of a quarter. Hesuggests cleaning boats and trailers with a highpressure wash at the landing after they arepulled from the water. Checking wheel wells,intake pumps, and axles is also important. If

the plant is discovered by hunters or fishersafter returning home, Dugas recommendssimply disposing of it in a trash bag to prevent

it from infesting additional areas.Giant salvinia, or Salvinia molesta, is

native to Brazil. It was first seen in Louisianathree years ago at Toledo Bend Lake, where itwas recently brought under control. The trop-ical plant grows as a mat on top of the water,up to three feet deep, thus choking out otherplants and depleting the oxygen supply for fishand other aquatic animals. It also restrictswater flow and can impede navigation.

LDWF biologists are teaming up withother agencies to find the best method to killoff or control giant salvinia. The plant hasshown a low tolerance for cold water temper-atures found at Toledo Bend, but warmerwaters in Cameron Parish are a concern.Herbicides have produced the most consistentresults, but are costly, and it is difficult to reachall plants with traditional spraying methods.

Experts say occasional rises in the salinityof canals and water bodies in the Cameronarea may help control giant salvinia. Biologistscontinue to search for more effective means ofcontrol. A weevil that has been successful incontrolling the plant in other parts of theworld has been approved for release in Texasand Louisiana and is being tested at ToledoBend Lake. Biologists are hopeful that theweevil or other biological controls can supple-ment herbicide application in the fight againstgiant salvinia.

Prevent Spread of Giant Salvinia


Giant Salvinia

The Giant Salvinia might well be pretty and have the appearance of a nicely mowed lawn, but it will choke up thewaterways and deprive many of the enjoyment of free waterways.


Water is now flowing through massivemetal gates at the Davis Pond FreshwaterDiversion project, 23 miles up theMississippi River from New Orleans. The$119.6 million project, the world’s largestfreshwater diversion project, will reintroduce

fresh water, nutrients and sediment to theBarataria estuary, which stretches south tothe Gulf of Mexico. According to LouisianaGovernor Mike Foster, Davis Pond is one ofthe most important projects in the fightagainst the loss of our coast. It is located inthe middle of the area that’s experiencingsome of the highest rates of land loss in thestate. “The Caernarvon FreshwaterDiversion Project shows that these projectsdo a lot more than reduce salinity - they actu-ally build new marsh,” said Foster. “Thisproject should build marsh where we need itmost. It’s an example of the type of projectswe want to focus on as a priority in ournation’s conservation agenda.”

The key project feature is a reinforced-concrete diversion structure, built into themainline Mississippi River levee, with four14- by 14-foot gates. It can divert up to10,650 cubic feet per second to help restorevanishing wetlands that stretch to the Gulf ofMexico.

Davis Pond is the second major freshwa-ter diversion project built by a partnership ofthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and theLouisiana Department of Natural Resources.The Caernarvon project, opened in 1991, is15 miles down river from New Orleans andhas the capacity to divert up to 8,000 cubic

feet per second. At Davis Pond, water flowsthrough a two-mile outflow channel tospread into a ponding area that covers mostof the project’s 10,084 acres. A far greaterarea will benefit. The project is expected topreserve 33,000 acres of marsh and benefit

777,000 acres of marshes and bays, the latterbeing equal to Rhode Island’s land area. Byimproving marsh conditions, Davis Pond isexpected to provide average annual benefitsof $15 million a year for fish and wildlife,including $300,000 for recreation. As anadditional benefit, the restoration of theBarataria wetlands will help to protect homesand jobs from the destructive force of hurri-canes. By absorbing energy, wetlands reducehurricane storm surges as compared with theopen water created by wetland loss. It takesone to three miles of wetlands to reduce ahurricane surge by one foot.

Oysters will thrive on the salt-freshwatermix created by the diversion. However, theprocess will push the location of these bene-fits closer to the sea, while the nearer oysterbeds must be relocated. A great deal of effort,including up to $7.5 million of project cost,is going into oyster lease relocation.

Davis Pond is operated by the PublicWorks Department of St. Charles Parishunder the direction of the LouisianaDepartment of Natural Resources.Diversion rates will be based on salinity lev-els in the Barataria estuary and recommenda-tions made by the Davis Pond AdvisoryCommittee. The 19-member advisory com-mittee has representatives from: DNR; the

Corps; U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency; National Marine Fisheries Service;U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. NaturalResources Conservation Service; LouisianaDepartment of Environmental Quality;Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries; Louisiana Department of Healthand Hospitals; Barataria-TerrebonneNational Estuary Program; St. Charles,Jefferson, Lafourche and Plaquemines parish-es; landowners; shrimpers (2); oyster fisher-men and recreational fishermen.

While Davis Pond’s capacity is almost aslarge as the annual flow of the Potomac River,which averages 11,900 cubic feet per second,the project’s diversions will have minimaleffects on water levels in the Mississippi Riverand the Barataria estuary, according to JackFredine, the Corps’ project manager sincebefore construction began in 1997. Most ofthe diversion is expected to occur during theriver’s high-water season in the first half ofthe year. But the structure will be closedwhen storms and tides are expected toincrease stages by more than 1.5 feet in LakesCataouatche and Salvador. At maximumflow, Davis Pond would add three inches ofwater to Lake Cataouatche, one inch to Lake

Salvador and none at all to Lac desAllemands.

In addition to the diversion structureand oyster relocations, the Davis Pond pro-ject includes levees along the outflow channeland east and west of the 9,300-acre pondingarea, a pumping station for levee-interceptedstorm water, a rock weir on the pondingarea’s border with Lake Cataouatche to thesouth, and the relocation of six lanes of high-way and five sets of railroad tracks. Costs ofthe Davis Pond and Caernarvon freshwaterdiversion projects were shared 75 percentfederal and 25 percent state.

World’s Largest Freshwater Diversion Project Opened

Davis Pond freshwater diversion structure. The outflow channel at the top of the photo conveys Mississippi River waterinto Barataria estuary.

Davis Pond outflow channel runs (R) out toward LakesCataouatche and Salvador.


Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery is a warmwater fish hatchery and visitor’s center locat-ed on 200 acres in central Louisiana. Theexpansive facility is made up of 73 ponds, 16concrete raceways, a large hatchery buildingcontaining 40 twenty-foot fiberglass race-

ways, an egg incubation room, brine shrimphatching cabinets, a spawning room, a feedroom, a walk-in freezer, and diagnostic andchemical laboratories. All of this technologycombines to form the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries prima-ry fish production facility.

The idea of Booker Fowler was“spawned” from the limitations that theDepartment faced in filling the demand forfish fingerlings. Construction started on the$12 million facility in 1993. In 1996,Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery began opera-tion, taking its name from one of Louisiana’sfirst hatchery pioneers. Booker Fowler, theman, was the manager of the state’s first fishhatchery - Beechwood.

The mission of Booker Fowler is tosupport the management strategies of theDepartment’s Inland Fisheries Division biol-ogists, providing them with healthy finger-lings. The hatchery is currently producingFlorida largemouth bass, paddlefish and sev-eral species of catfish. Hatchery activities areramped up during the spring, when paddle-fish fry (larval fish) hatch and largemouthbass spawn. By May, the paddlefish have

grown into fingerlings and are ready forstocking, catfish begin spawning and bassreach fingerling size. From late April toJune, the bass fingerlings are harvested andstocked in area waters. Catfish productionbegins in June, with advanced fingerlingsready to stock in November when watertemperatures cool.

The Booker Fowler facility is speciallydesigned to rear fish from eggs to fingerlings.The main wet lab contains a spawning roomand an egg incubation room. There are also40 fiberglass troughs to hatch and rear thelarval fish before they are moved to cultureponds for growing. Several raceways arecovered for the light-sensitive paddlefish.Seventy-three fish ponds are on site and usedfor fish production. There are 55 one-acre,15 one-quarter acre and three one-third acreponds. Each pond is supplied with electricaloutlets and two air valves, one of which isconnected to an air lift that constantly sup-plies air and water circulation to the pond.In all, there are over 60 acres of surface waterat the hatchery. Due to construction prob-lems, not all of the ponds are functional, butfish production has been maintainedthrough coordinated efforts with the federalfish hatchery in Natchitoches. When all 73ponds are operational, fingerling productionis expected to increase drastically.

LDWF annually receives requests fromInland Fisheries biologist supervisors tostock waterbodies with fish produced atBooker Fowler. Requests were submittedthis year for stocking Florida largemouthbass fingerlings in 50 Louisiana waterbodies.The department has two general require-ments when considering a waterbody forstocking. First, only public waterbodies willbe considered. A public waterbody is onethat is no more restricted to the general pub-lic than to any other group or individual.Second, the department must have authori-ty to set harvest regulations and sample thefish populations. If these requirements aremet, then the waterbody is evaluated todetermine the best stocking plan.

While fish production is the mainobjective of Booker Fowler, it is not the onlyactivity that goes on there. The facility alsoboasts diagnostic and chemistry laboratoriesfor mixing chemicals used in aquacultureand water quality testing, and for holding,diagnosing and treating diseased fish.

Booker Fowler Hatchery Makes Fish; Educates Year End Appeal 2001 Donors

Richard C. Adkerson, New OrleansDon & Jean Ainsworth,

Denham SpringsA. M. Alexander, M.D., AlexandriaDick Allain, New IberiaE. H. Allen, Oak Ridge

-Bank Of Oak RidgeShelly Antoine, LacombePaul A. Arceneaux, Lafayette

-O’Neal Steel, Inc.Lindsey J. Aucoin, EuniceJoe N. Averett, Jr., ShreveportFrank R. Bacque, M.D., LafayetteMyron B. Bailey, Jr., M.D., Monroe

-The Orthopaedic Clinic of MonroeJoseph Bazile, Metairie

-Bazile Distributors, Inc.William P. Benjamin, Greensboro, NCCarol L. Bergholz, Bossier CityDudley J. Bertrand, West MonroeDr. Alfred Bessell, Beaumont, TXJ. Preston Biglow, New OrleansMart J. Black, HoumaDale Blair, ShreveportHugh C. Blair, CovingtonClyde Bolton, Franklin

-Bolton Cane CompanyJohn W. Bordelon, Lafayette

-Home BankMary F. Bourgeois, JeanerettePat Brown, Baton Rouge

-Baton Rouge/Brown ClaimsRussell H. Bulloch, M.D.,

West MonroeJames J. Buquet, Jr., Houma

-Buquet Dist. Co., Inc.Michael Bussy, Lake ArthurKen P. Carstens, WoodworthArnold G. Chauvin, Port AllenEugene C. Colley, MarreroJohnny Conrad, Morgan City

-Johnny’s Propeller Shop, Inc.Nathan A. Cormie, Lake CharlesTed Crawford, RayvilleMaxwell Crochet, Bourg

-Crochet Boat Company, Inc.Honorable A. G. Crowe, SlidellJessie Daigle, CameronGlen Daigre, PrairievilleMark Daughenbaugh, D.D.S.,

Lake CharlesBob Dennie, GeismarJon Roland Dobson, ChestnutJohn P. Dudenhefer, III, New OrleansDonna G. Dunnegan, SlidellW.P. Duplessis, GonzalesDwight Easterly, Jr., Denham SpringsDaniel Edgar, Franklin

-St. Mary Seafood, Inc.Edwin O. Edgerton, III, M.D.,

Continued on page 35Continued on page 17

Guy Badeaux of New Iberia took big bass honors at this year’sLouisiana Top-Six Tournament on Toledo Bend with this 9.5 lb.beauty. Could it be one of the bass reared at the Booker Fowlerhatchery and stocked in the lake? The lunker was released tofight again.

and a possession limit of eight; king and clap-per rails, September 21 to 29, with a dailylimit of 15 in the aggregate and a possessionlimit of 30; sora and Virginia rails, September21 to 29, with a daily limit of 25 in the aggre-gate and a possession limit of 25 in the aggre-gate; gallinules, September 21 to 29, with adaily limit of 15 and a possession limit of 30.The 70-day mourning dove season will beheld in 3 segments: September 7 to 15,October 12 to November 24, December 21 toJanuary 6. The daily limit for mourning dovesis 12 in the aggregate, with a possession limitof 24. Also, beginning this year, eurasian col-lared doves and ringed turtle-necked doves canonly be taken during the open mourning doveseason. There is no bag limit on eurasian col-lared doves or ringed turtle-necked doves, pro-vided that a fully feathered wing and headremain attached to the carcass of the bird.Fully dressed eurasian collared doves andringed-necked turtle doves (those without a

fully feathered wing and head naturallyattached to the body) shall be included in thedaily bag limit for mourning doves.

The season dates, limits and regulationsfor early migratory bird season are included inthe 2002-03 hunting season pamphlet and arealso available on the Louisiana Department ofWildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) website:www.wlf.state.la us

‘02/ ‘03 Trapping SeasonAt its August meeting, the LWFC adopt-

ed a declaration of emergency which set thestatewide fur harvest season in Louisiana. Thecommission also gave the LDWF secretaryauthority to extend or shorten the adoptedseason as necessary.

The 2002-2003 fur harvest season willbegin November 20, 2002 and remain open

until March 31, 2003, statewide. This will bethe first season that trappers may also partici-pate in the Louisiana Coastwide NutriaControl Program. In this program, licensedtrappers will receive a payment of $4 pernutria tail delivered to collection centers estab-lished in coastal Louisiana. This program isdesigned as an economic initiative for trappersto help control the nutria population incoastal Louisiana. Any trapper who wishes toparticipate must submit the completed appro-priate application beginning October 1, 2002.

‘02/ ‘03 Oyster Season SetOpening and closing dates for the 2002-

2003 oyster season were set at the August 1,2002 meeting of the LWFC. The oyster sea-son in the following areas will open one-halfhour before sunrise on September 4, 2002 andwill close one-half hour after sunset on April 1,2003: the Louisiana Public Oyster SeedGrounds not currently under lease in the areabordered on the north by the Mississippi GulfOutlet and on the south by the MississippiRiver and North Pass, the sacking only area ofthe public grounds which is generally LakeFortuna and Lake Machias to a line fromMozambique Pt. to Pt. Gardner to Grace Pt.at the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, theHackberry Bay Oyster Seed Reservation, andthe outside portion of the Atchafalaya-Vermilion Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds asdescribed in LAC 76:VII.509.

The oyster season in the Bay GardenePublic Oyster Seed Reservation will open one-half hour before sunrise on September 4, 2002and close one-half hour after sunset on April15, 2003. The oyster season in the LouisianaPublic Oyster Seed Grounds not currentlyunder lease located in the area bordered on theeast by the Louisiana/Mississippi state line andon the south by the Mississippi River GulfOutlet, including that portion of Lake Borgnedescribed in LAC76:VII.513, will open one-half hour before sunrise on September 23,2002 and close one-half hour after sunset on

April 1, 2003.The oyster season in the Bay Junop

Public Oyster Seed Reservation will open one-half hour before sunrise on September 4, 2002and close one-half hour after sunset onOctober 4, 2002.

The following areas will remain closed tooyster harvest for the 2002-2003 oyster sea-son: Sister Lake Oyster Seed Reservation, thePublic Oyster Seed Grounds in portions ofLake Mechant, Lake Tambour, Lake Chien,Lake Felicity, Deep Lake and Barataria BayPublic Oyster Seed Grounds (as described inLAC 76:VII.517), and that portion of theAtchafalaya-Vermilion Bay Public Oyster SeedGrounds described in LAC 76:VII.507.

The season for Calcasieu Lake publictonging area will open one-half hour beforesunrise on October 15, 2002 and will remainopen until one-half hour after sunset on April30, 2003. However these conservation actionswill not supercede public health closures.

The commission authorized the LDWFsecretary to take emergency action to closeareas if oyster mortalities are occurring or todelay the season or close areas where signifi-cant spat catch has occurred with good proba-bility of survival, or where it is found thatthere are excessive amounts of shell in seedoyster loads. The secretary is also authorizedto take emergency action to re-open areas pre-viously closed if the threat to the resource hasended. Public notice of any opening, delay orclosure of a season will be provided at least 72hours prior to such action.

Alligator Season SetThe statewide wild alligator season has

been set by the LWFC to run fromWednesday, August 28 through September30.

The season was set following a presenta-tion and recap of last year’s alligator harvest byNoel Kinler. According to Kinler, the 2001harvest was up from the previous year. With



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an average length of just over seven feet,31,457 alligators were harvested. An addi-tional 3,126 alligators averaging 5.8 feet wereharvested as part of the “bonus tag program,”aimed at increasing the collection of alligatorsbetween four and five feet in length. The esti-mated wild hide and meat value of the entire2001 harvest was $8.9 million. The depart-ment reported that statewide alligator popula-tions are considered “stable to increasing.”They also anticipate that current marsh condi-tions should result in average nest productionfor 2002.

Abandoned Crab Trap RemovalEffort Underway

Abandoned or lost crab traps become lit-ter in coastal waters, a loss to crabbers and aproblem to shrimpers and recreational anglers.

Wire traps can foul propellers and nets, andkill sea life unnecessarily. Approximately 20-30 percent of crab traps are lost or abandonedannually, according to Vince Guillory,Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries crab study leader. Louisiana’s crab-bers, through the Louisiana Crab Task Force,are taking steps to address this problem proac-tively and are seeking the help of others using

coastal waters.Posters to encourage recovery of derelict

crab traps are ready to be placed at crab andshrimp docks, and at commercial marinasthroughout the coastal region. The poster isbased on the 1999 common-float law requir-ing recreational or commercial shrimperssnagging a derelict trap to mark it or removeit. If the trap is derelict, the shrimpers arerequired by law to take it to shore. If the trapis still usable, the shrimper is urged to attachan empty bleach bottle to the trap. The bleachbottle serves as a warning-float to boaters andfishermen of the abandoned trap on the bot-tom, preventing unnecessary gear damage.

Thereafter, any crabber coming across thefloat-marked trap can reclaim it if it is his/hers,recovering the $10-20 cost of a trap he or shemight have lost. When recovering a trap, acrabber should return the float to anyshrimper so that it can be used again. All crabtraps have ownership tags.

The poster will soon be printed inVietnamese to accommodate that non-English speaking group of shrimpers, saidMark Schexnayder, Louisiana Sea GrantFisheries Coastal Advisor. Louisiana SeaGrant, LSU AgCenter and the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries pro-duced the poster.

The Louisiana Crab Task Force is alsostudying long term solutions to this problem.They are interested in improved gear andmethods to reduce user conflicts and reducethe mortality of sea life that may becometrapped in the derelict gear.

For more information about the efforts ofthe Louisiana Crab Task Force to care forcoastal waters, contact Jerald Horst ofLouisiana Sea Grant at 504-838-1170.

LWFC Bans Deer and Elk ImportationThe Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries

Commission has announced a declaration ofemergency and a notice of intent banning theimportation of deer and elk into the state ofLouisiana. The move by the Commissionprohibits the transporting of all kinds of livedeer and elk across state lines and restricts thetransferring of deer and elk between licensedfacilities within the state.

The action was prompted by the increasein the number of cases of Chronic WastingDisease (CWD) in wild and captive deer andelk across the country. According to LDWFbiologists, the ban will help prevent the inad-vertent introduction of CWD into Louisiana.

Little is known about the disease and how itspreads. It is also very difficult to detectbecause there are no live tests that can be con-ducted and the disease can incubate for up tofive years. Eight states have reported findingCWD in captive and free-ranging deer and elkherds. The condition is neurodegenerative,similar to Mad Cow disease, and is always fatalto the animal affected. CWD is thought to belimited to deer and elk and does not infect

humans.A CWD outbreak in Louisiana could be

catastrophic for Louisiana’s deer populationand the related recreational hunting industrywhich is estimated to have an annual econom-ic impact of $600 million. Along with the res-olution to ban importation, the commissionpassed a resolution to authorize the euthaniza-tion of any live deer or elk confiscated duringinterstate transport, or unpermitted intrastatetransport, or found unlawfully penned.

CWD Clarification for HuntersThe what, where and why of chronic

wasting disease (CWD) are addressed in a flyerprepared for hunters by the WildlifeManagement Institute and distributed as apublic service by the National Shooting SportsFoundation. State agencies, sportsmen’s clubs,hunting clubs, sporting goods stores, shootingranges and conservation organizations areencouraged to get copies of this free flyer fordistribution to their members and clientele.The flyer, entitled “Questions and Answers onChronic Wasting Disease for Hunters,” iden-tifies the disease, its ecological unknowns andits uncertainties for hunters, particularly those



who pursue white-tailed deer. The informa-tion included in the flyer is the best availableon the subject as of July 2002. Hunters arealso encouraged to check for periodic updateson the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance’sweb site at www.cwd-info.org. For copies ofthe flyer, contact Jodi DiCamillo with NSSFat 203/426-1320.

Spring Gobbler Season Dates Proposed The LWFC adopted a notice of intent to

set wild turkey hunting season dates for 2003as follows: Area A, March 22 to April 20; AreaB, March 22 to April 13; and Area C, March22 to March 30. It was also proposed that thedaily bag limit and seasonal bag limit remainat one and two gobblers respectively. Thenotice of intent is followed by 120 days ofpublic comment. The season dates are to beratified at the November meeting of the com-mission. A few boundary changes wereincluded in the proposal. In Area A, a small

portion of Pointe Coupee would be closed forrestocking. In Area B, all of Jackson Parishwould be opened and the portion of MadisonParish east of U.S. 65 would move into thearea from Area C. In Area C, Caddo Parishwould be added. It was proposed that Dewey

Wills Wildlife Management Area be closed toturkey hunting. A combination of lottery andopen hunts was suggested for Boise-VernonWMA. And a youth lottery hunt was to beadded at Jackson-Bienville. On federal lands,a handicapped lottery hunt was proposed forthe Indian Bayou area. Lake OpheliaNational Wildlife Refuge is to add four days ofopen hunt, under the notice of intent.Biologists also recommended shortening theseason at Tensas National Wildlife Refuge to16 days.

New Bowhunting WMA — the AcadianaConservation Corridor EstablishedFollowing up on legislation sponsored by

Senator Joe McPherson of Woodworth thattransferred land along I-49 from the Louisiana

Department of Transportation andDevelopment to the LDWF, the LWFCapproved the establishment of a wildlife man-agement area (WMA) for the tract at itsAugust meeting. The new WMA called the isa 2285-acre parcel described as the approxi-mately 30 mile long scenic easement lyingbetween the I-49 right-of-way westward to theBayou Boeuf-Cocodrie Diversion Canal,beginning just north of the community ofWashington in St. Landry Parish, and extend-ing northward through Evangeline, Avoyelles,and the southern portion of Rapides parishes.

There were specific stipulations set out inthe legislation authorizing the property trans-fer including restriction of hunting on the areato archery-only, no timber cutting, no all-ter-rain vehicles, no access from I-49. The legis-

lation also requires that the land be main-tained in its natural state. The season willopen October 1 and close on January 31.

Commission Adopts Rules For Nuisance Quadrupeds

At its August meeting the LWFCapproved regulations that will enable home-owners to remove various species of nuisancewildlife without permit year-round duringdaylight hours when they are conclusivelyproven to be creating a nuisance or causingdamage to property. Squirrels, rabbits, foxes,bobcats, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoons, coy-ote, armadillo, skunk, nutria, beaver, andopossums may be trapped alive and relocatedto suitable habitat without permit. Relocationcan occur only with consent of the owner ofthe land on which the animal will be placed,and with humane treatment of the animal tobe moved.

Louisiana Shines Again at the InternationalYouth Hunter Education Challenge The 2002 NRA International Youth

Hunter Education Challenge was held July 21through July 26 in Mansfield, Pa. Once again,Louisiana youth led the way and collectedmany of the top prizes. The Desoto YouthSportsmen Senior Team brought home secondplace overall. The team was led by CoachAlan Bounds and consisted of NathanMitchell, Alex Troegel, Caleb Morgan andChet Carpenter. Chet Carpenter was award-ed first place in the overall individual compe-tition as well.

The Desoto Youth Sportsmen JuniorTeam finished in first place overall. They wonthe top spot by finishing first in five events,including the shotgun, rifle, archery andhunter safety trail events. The team wascoached by John Pat Clemons and BryanCobb and the participants were

T.J. Hawthorne, Charlie Edwards,Jonathan Clemons and Daniel Cobb. CharlieEdwards finished second in the overall indi-vidual category.

The Desoto Youth Sportsmen Teamcompeted at the international event followingthe great showing at the Louisiana event heldin May. They finished with most of the teamand individual awards including the“Sportsmanship Award.” This team continuesLouisiana’s excellent representation at the




international competition with local teamswinning ten “Grand Champion” awards, two“Sportsmanship” awards, one “VolunteerInstructor” award and many other individualawards over the 17 years that the state has beenrepresented.

The only advanced hunter educationprogram that Louisiana has is the “YouthHunter Education Challenge” which here-to-fore has been jointly sponsored by theLouisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries (LDWF) and the LHEIA (LouisianaHunter Education InstructorsAssociation).This year the LDWFAdministration elected to withdraw thedepartment’s traditional support of this pro-gram. An appeal went out to the volunteer

instructors who responded by taking on moreof the load and most of the LDWF HunterEducation Coordinators showed up on theiron time as volunteers to make this year’s eventone of the best ever. During the weekend ofMay 18-19, 2002, 130 participants fromseven clubs traveled to Camp Grant Walker todemonstrate their skills in the eight“Challenge” events. The Desoto YouthSportsmen Team walked off with most of theteam and individual awards including the cov-eted “Sportsmanship Award”. Judging fromthe success of these young sportsmen in theinternational competition, Louisiana has canbe proud to have the top youth sportsmen inthe nation.

Turkey Hunters Bag ShotgunsLouisiana Chapter of the National Wild

Turkey Federation announced the winners oftheir annual shotgun drawing at the July 2meeting of the LWFC. Three commissionmembers drew three turkey hunters’ namesfrom over 1,600 turkey harvests reported atvolunteer check stations around the state.Mike Freeman of Ruston, Edward Taylor ofNatchitoches and Chad Theriot of Raceland“will each be presented with a Mossburg 835shotgun,” said Paul Ferrell, the NWTF repre-

sentative who presided over the drawing. TheNational Wild Turkey Federation is a key part-ner with LDWF in maintaining Louisiana’swild turkey population.

USDA Launches Farm Bill Implementation Website

U.S. Department of Agriculture haslaunched a website aimed at helping farmers,ranchers and the general public learn the latestinformation about the new farm bill. Thewebsite can be directly accessed from USDA’sofficial website at http://www.usda.gov/farmbillor by simply clicking on the 2002 Farm Billicon on USDA’s main website athttp://www.usda.gov/. The 2002 Farm Billicon also appears on USDA agency websites.The website includes farm bill programdetails, questions and answers, program appli-cations and sign-up forms, as well as other

important materials from USDA agencies onfarm bill implementation. The website alsocontains advanced electronic applications tohelp program applicants receive program ben-efits faster and more efficiently. The websitewill help farmers, ranchers and others locateinformation through one site rather thansearching through web pages of the manyagencies that make up USDA. Information isindexed by farm bill title and by agency. Userswill be able to access specific agency informa-tion through the site and easily return to thehome page by clicking on the Farm Bill 2002logo located throughout USDA agencies’ webpages.

Information posted on the site includes:· A comparison of 1996 Farm Bill provi-

sions and 2002 provisions prepared by theEconomic Research Service;

· Fact sheets in English and Spanish thatcover the changes in conservation programsadministered by the Natural ResourcesConservation Service;

· Information from the Farm ServiceAgency on program details and instructionson how to calculate new yields;

· On-line applications and electronicforms to help make processing time more effi-

cient.The website will be updated regularly as

new information and program announce-ments become available. The “What’s New”link will alert users to updates and addedinformation.

2003 State Duck Stamp Competition The Louisiana Department of Wildlife

and Fisheries has chosen the Redhead as thespecies to be represented on the 2003Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp orLouisiana Duck Stamp. The Redhead is arather large bodied duck, slightly smaller thanthe mallard. As the name implies, the male ofthis species has a red head, similar to the can-vasback which was selected for the 2002Louisiana stamp and print. The breast of thedrake is black with a gray back and white belly.The hen has a tawny brown head and body.

Both sexes have a long, black-tipped, blue-gray bill. Redheads are diving ducks that willdive to great depths to feed on animal matteror plants that grow on lake bottoms.Louisiana is an important wintering site forredheads and they are most abundant in largerafts along the Chandeleur Islands with peakcounts of 25,000. In recent years, Louisianahas become the number one harvest state forredheads within the Mississippi Flyway. Innortherly nesting areas, a large proportion ofhens lay their eggs in the nests of other red-heads and even in the nests of other species ofducks and coots, a practice referred to as nestparasitism.

Entries for the competition will beaccepted beginning Oct. 21, 2002 until 4p.m. on Oct. 25, 2002. To enter, an artistmust submit an original, unpublished work ofart, along with a signed and notarized artist’sagreement and $50 entry fee. Entries shouldbe addressed to Robert Helm, LouisianaWaterfowl Conservation Stamp Program,Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA



70808, or P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, La.70898.

Judging for the art competition will bebased on the following criteria:

1. Accuracy of form, size, proportion,color and posture.

2. Level and accuracy of detail inplumage, eyes, feet and bill.

3. Appropriateness, accuracy and detail indepiction of bird habitat.

4. Attractiveness and creativity in compo-sition, subject, background and lighting.

5. Suitability for reproduction as stampsand prints.

The winning design will be selected by apanel of judges with experience in waterfowlbiology and/or artistic method. Judging willtake place on Oct. 30, 2002 at LDWF head-quarters in Baton Rouge. The competition isopen to artists 18 years of age and older and isopen to artists nationwide. Employees ofLDWF and members of their immediate fam-ilies are ineligible.

The Louisiana Waterfowl ConservationStamp program was authorized by theLouisiana Legislature in 1988. The programwas created to generate revenues for conserva-tion and enhancement of waterfowl popula-tions and their habitats in Louisiana. Duringthe last 14 years, more than $6 million hasbeen generated for wetland conservation.Approximately $3.5 million has been spent onland acquisition.

Tips For Safe Boating• Always follow navigation rules. If you

are not sure of the rules, take a boating safetycourse. Courses are offered by the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries, theU.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. PowerSquadron. Check http://www.wlf.state.la.usfor more information about upcoming classesor call 1-800-268-7853.

• Always wear life jackets. Even the mostexperienced swimmers can find themselves introuble. Make sure life jackets are worn byeveryone in the boat (of whatever age) andthat they are worn properly.

* Be aware of others around you andwatch out for other boaters. Always make anymoves or course changes obviously and early,without waiting until the last minute.

* Turn on boat lights early. Whether youare leaving for your favorite pre-dawn fishingspot, or heading back to the ramp at dusk, besure you can see and others can see you.

* Decrease speed around turns. Expect tomeet other boaters around the next turn andanticipate their actions.

* Make sure your boat is well-equippedand in compliance with the law. If you aren’tsure what equipment is mandated for yourboat, take a boating course.

• Reduce speed when close to other boats.Many accidents occur when boats travel fasterthan their pilots can maneuver.

• Be sure that the boat’s horn works andalways use proper sound signals.

• Be aware of and obey directional rules –stay to the right, just as on the highway; ski incounterclockwise direction; always pass port-to-port, unless prior signals have been agreedto by both boats, or other immediate action isnecessary to avoid imminent collision.

• Most importantly: USE COMMONSENSE!

Plaquemines Spotted Sea Trout Bust Last April, LDWF enforcement officers

arrested seven people and seized 1,480 spottedseatrout in Plaquemines Parish. Surveillancein the Venice area eventually led LDWF offi-cers to a secluded dock on the MississippiRiver in the Bootheville area, where the spot-ted seatrout were being loaded onto a refriger-ated truck. Carl Holloway, 30, of Bootheville,Jonathan Dardar, 20, of Venice, JulienneCreppel III, 33, of Venice, and ThomasHubert, 24, of Bootheville were arrested andcharged with taking spotted seatrout with netsin closed season, taking spotted sea trout dur-ing illegal hours, taking or possessing seatroutin excess of 100 percent of the limit, and usinga saltwater gill net illegally. Tuan Nguyen, 41,of Venice, Marshall Hall, 42, of Venice andLac Nguyen, 36, of Bootheville, were chargedwith possession of spotted sea trout in excessof 100 percent of the limit.

Taking spotted seatrout with nets inclosed season, taking spotted seatrout duringillegal hours and using a saltwater gill net ille-gally are Class Six violations for which thepenalties are a fine of up to $950, up to 120days in jail, or both, plus court costs and for-feiture of anything seized. In addition, upon

conviction the offender shall forfeit any spot-ted sea trout permit or commercial fisherman’slicense and shall be barred from obtainingthese licenses or permits for the remainder ofthe period for which it was issued plus oneyear.

Possession of spotted sea trout in excess of100 percent of the limit is a Class Fouroffense, for which the penalty is up to $750 infines, up to 120 days in jail, or both, pluscourt costs and forfeiture of anything seized.The civil restitution for the value of the seizedspotted sea trout is expected to exceed$20,000. Most of the seized fish were donat-ed; however, a sample was kept for evidentiarypurposes. A refrigerated truck and a 1994GMC pickup truck were also seized.Numerous LDWF officers participated in thecase, including agents from both districts ofRegion 8, agents from the Covert Section andagents from the Special Investigations Unit ofthe Enforcement Division.

LWFC Adopts Nutria Bounty ProgramThe Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries

Commission announced a notice of intent fora new nutria program that will fall under theadministration of the Louisiana Departmentof Wildlife and Fisheries. The CoastwideNutria Control Program is designed toencourage the harvest of 400,000 nutria a yearby providing economic incentive. In April2002, the Coastal Wetlands Planning,Protection, and Restoration Act Task Forceapproved funding for the program, which willpay $4 per nutria to participants. Thedemand for wild fur, including nutria, hasbeen declining as a result of changes in inter-national markets. The new program is aimedat stimulating the harvest of nutria therebyreducing the damage they cause by overgraz-ing wetland plants. The plan calls for the pay-ment of $4 per nutria to participating trap-pers. Participants in the program must havevalid Louisiana trapping license and submit anutria control program participant applica-tion. Part of the application requires a taxreceipt and a description of the property to behunted or trapped, and the signature of thelandowner indicating permission for the trap-



per to harvest nutria on the property.Applications submitted to the Department, orits contractor, by October 1 will be processedby the opening of trapping season.Applications received after that will beprocessed on a first come, first served basis.The Department will establish collection sta-tions across coastal Louisiana where the nutriatails will be turned in. Only fresh, well-pre-served, or individually frozen nutria tails willbe collected, and they must measure at leastseven inches in length. The nutria may onlybe harvested during the trapping season, andmay be taken by any legal method. However,if taken with a shotgun, only steel shot may beused. For the purpose of the program, onlynutria taken in “Coastal Louisiana” will beaccepted. “Coastal Louisiana”is defined as thearea bounded on the north by Interstate 10from the Louisiana-Texas line to Baton Rouge,Interstate 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell, andInterstate 10 to the Louisiana Mississippi line.

Grosbec Hunters ArrestedTwo Pierre Part residents were arrested on

August 6 for alleged violations stemming froman illegal grosbec (night heron) hunt. Thearrests came after a high speed chase and sub-sequent altercation. State and federal citationswere issued.

Roger D. Gros, 49 and Barney B.Pantinople, 41, were each cited for taking fed-erally protected birds - grosbec or night herons- for which there is no season, and flight froman officer. Gros was additionally charged withstate violations in Assumption Parish for dri-ving while intoxicated,driving left of center,reckless operation of a vehicle, battery of apolice officer and resisting arrest.

Lt. Les Rulf and Senior Agent DavisMadere of the LDWF responded to a com-plaint of illegal hunting and staked out theroute it was believed the suspects would take.Around 10:30 p.m., the officers saw Gros andPantinople in a pick-up truck towing an alu-minum boat on a trailer. The officers attempt-ed to stop the vehicle, but the subjects fled anda chase ensued. Pantinople surrendered, butGros continued to flee. He then abandonedthe vehicle and fled on foot with officers inpursuit. Gros was stopped and after a briefstruggle taken into custody. Twelve fullydressed night herons and a shotgun wererecovered at the scene. The night heroncharge will be prosecuted in Federal Court inLafayette. In addition, the two men werebooked into the Assumption Parish Jail.

Because of Gros’s previous criminalrecord, his bail was set at $40,000 by JudgeJohn Peytavin. The penalty for taking or pos-sessing federally protected birds is a fine up to$5,000, up to six months in jail or both, andpossible loss of hunting privileges.

Deer Farmer Cited For Possessing Wild Whitetail Fawns

LDWF enforcement officers cited MartyA. Starks, 34, of Many, on July 27, in SabineParish forallegedly possessing spotted fawnsillegally. Norman L. Hardy, 36, of Many, was

also cited in the case for taking a spotted fawn.Senior Agent Maury Leone and Agent

B.J. Shoemaker issued the citations afterresponding to a complaint that Starks pos-sessed two spotted fawns that had beenallegedly taken from the wild. Starks possessesa Louisiana Department of Agriculture andForestry alternative livestock permitallowinghim to farm pen-raised deer. Officers ques-tioned Starks about the two spotted fawns, buthe denied that they had been caught from thewild. He further stated that they had beenborn in his pen to one of his deer.

Officers then questioned Hardy, whogave a written statement that he had caught aspotted fawn from the wild and had given it toStarks. When Starks was questioned again, headmitted that the two spotted fawns had beentaken from the wild. Starks was cited for twocounts and Hardy wascited for one count oftaking and/or possessing spotted fawns. Starkswas also issued a civil summons to pay restitu-tion in the amount of $1,049.08 for the deer,which were seized. Lt. Jim Day assisted in thecase. The penalty for taking and/or possessinga spotted fawn is a fine of up to 750, up to 30days in jail, or both.

Spec King Captured — TwiceOn two occasions less than a month

apart, LDWF oficers cited Bruce W. Norcise,36, of New Orleans for allegedly taking over

the limit of speckled trout in the IndustrialCanal in New Orleans.

The first incident occurred on July 18,when officers set up surveillance on Norcise ashe fished in the canal. Norcise allegedlycaught and kept 39 speckled trout, 14 over thedaily limit of 25. He was cited for taking overthe limit of speckled trout and for no runninglights on his vessel.

Less than a month later, on August 13,enforcement officers again set up surveillanceon Norcise at the same location, after receivinginformation that he was continuing to takeover the limit of speckled trout. Once again,Norcise was observed catching more than thedaily limit of specs, this time catching andkeeping 41 fish. In an almost exact replay ofthe first incident, Norcise was cited for secondoffense, taking over the limit of speckled trout,and for no running lights.

The fish were seized in both incidents.The penalty for taking over the limit of speck-led trout first offense is a fine of up to $350,not more than 60 days in jail, or both, pluscourt costs. For the second offense, the fine isup to $550, up to 60 days in jail, or both, pluscourt costs. An additional fine of $25 per fishover the limit is mandated for each offense.The penalty for no running lights is $50 forthe first offense, and $100 for the secondoffense.

Officers participating in the cases wereSergeant Scott Keller, Senior Agents KrisBourgeois , Rachel Zechenelly, Jason Russo,and Agents George Robinson, and JasonGernados.

Jonesville Man Arrested For Crappie/Drug Violations

LDWF enforcement officers arrested twoJonesville men in March in connection withalleged illegal fishing and drug violations onBursley Bayou in Catahoula Parish. PatrickDaymon Bass, 27, and Merthyr R. Mount,27, were booked into the Catahoula ParishSheriff ’s Office, with bond set at $30,000 forMount and $15,000 for Bass. They were citedfor taking and possessing game fish illegally,


using illegal mesh gill nets, taking commercialfish without a commercial license, takingcommercial fish without commercial gearlicense, and possessing over the limit of fresh-water game fish. In addition, agents citedMount for possessing a controlled substance,and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Officers observed the subjects in thebayou, pulling illegal gill nets containing fishinto their boat just after daylight. The subjectswere stopped as they returned to shore nearthe end of Coldiron Road. Upon inspectionof the boat, agents discovered approximately1000 yards of illegal, two-inch square-meshgill net and 126 crappie. Agents found Mountalso in possession of drug paraphernalia andsuspected methamphetamine.

The violations of taking and possessinggame fish illegally and using illegal mesh gillnet each carry a penalty of a $400 to $450fine, or up to 120 days in jail, or both, pluscourt costs and forfeiture of seized items uponfirst conviction. The violations of taking com-mercial fish without a commercial fishinglicense, and taking commercial fish without acommercial gear license, each carry a fine ofup to $500, or up to 90 days in jail, or both,plus court costs upon first conviction.Possessing over the limit of freshwater gamefish carries a penalty of up to $350, or up to60 days in jail, or both, plus court cost uponfirst conviction.

If convicted of possessing a schedule IIcontrolled dangerous substance, Mount couldface up to $5000 in fines and five years in jail.The penalty for possessing drug paraphernaliais a fine of up to $500 and six months in jailupon first conviction, and a fine of up to$1000 and one year in jail upon second con-viction. One 16-foot boat with motor andtrailer, the 1000 yards of gill net, the 126 crap-pie, and the drug-related items were all seizedin connection with the violations. LDWFofficers participating in the case were Lt.Kenneth Hedrick, Sgt. Brian McDowell, Sr.Agent James Parish, Sr. Agent Joe Tarver, Sr.Agent Charles Ward, Sr. Agent Gary Neal, andSr. Agent John Barker.

Baton Rouge Man Cited For Killing KiteAn East Baton Rouge Parish man was

cited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlifeand Fisheries on April 18 for taking aMississippi Kite. Troy David Lavergne, 24, ofBaton Rouge, received a federal citation afterenforcement officers responded to a tip abouta man shooting the bird on April 17.

Lavergne’s neighbor reportedly saw Lavergneshooting a 12-gauge shotgun in his yard.Several minutes later the kite crash landed inthe neighbor’s yard. East Baton RougeAnimal Control was called by the neighbor topick up the bird. The wounded kite wastransported to the LSU Raptor RehabilitationUnit by EBR Animal Control, where it under-went surgery. The kite was eventually eutha-nized due to the severity of it’s wounds. Thepenalty for taking nongame birds is a fine ofup to $500, imprisonment for not more than6 months, or both. LDWF officers investigat-ing the case were Senior Agents CliffComeaux and Jason Dreher and Cadet CodyVillar.

LDWF Lunker Bass ProgramLouisiana anglers are invited to donate

live “lunker” bass of 12 pounds or morecaught in local waters to the LDWF’s “LunkerBass Program.” In return, the fisherman willreceive a free replica of their fish and a certifi-cate of appreciation. The donated fish will behoused and maintained, and spawning will beattempted at Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery.The goal of the program is to increase the dis-tribution of the genes that produce exception-al-size bass and increase the overall average size

of bass in the state.The current Louisiana record for large-

mouth bass is 15.97 pounds, caught at CaneyLake in 1995. LDWF biologist PaulWhitehead expects this record to be brokensoon. It’s possible that the record will be bro-ken once, maybe even twice, in the next threeyears, according to Whitehead. Fishermenwho would like to participate are asked to calltheir local LDWF office when the fish iscaught. Department personnel are available topick up the fish at any time. Anglers may alsocall the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 to report their lunker.

Coast 2050 Feasibility StudyDepartment of Natural Resources

Secretary Jack Caldwell and the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers have signed an agreementto begin a coast wide feasibility study for theCoast 2050 Plan. Both agencies agreed thatthis is the next step in turning the large-scaleCoast 2050 Plan strategies into funded pro-jects. This Comprehensive CoastwideEcosystem Restoration Feasibility Study(CCERFS) will provide the basis forCongressional funding for large-scale projectsthrough the Water Resources DevelopmentAct (WRDA). The intent is to present thestudy’s findings to Congress in 2004.

The Coast 2050 Plan was completed in1998 and has been the basis of on-goingBreaux Act (Coastal Wetlands Planning,Protection and Restoration Act, or CWPPRA)projects since that time. But a larger scaleeffort is needed. The current effort is directedtoward a programmatic implementation ofthe larger ecosystem-level projects that are out-side the funding scale of CWPPRA. Anexample of one such project now complete isthe Davis Pond River Reintroduction Project,with a construction budget of $107 million.

The CCERFS will provide the next levelof information necessary to obtain federalfunding by providing project-specific detailsin support of the conceptual strategies. Thestudy will ultimately form the basis for a con-gressional authorization request for WRDA2004 as a programmatic allocation of funds.In contrast to previous WRDA feasibilitystudy efforts, this new effort will draw moreheavily on the expertise of other federal andstate agencies. The Environmental ProtectionAgency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,National Marine Fisheries Service, NaturalResources Conservation Service, LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries, and theGovernor’s Office of Coastal Activities will allcontribute more actively in the feasibilitystudy process. The study will be a 50/50 cost-share between the state and the Corps totalingabout $8.6 million. State coastal officialsexpect to have a draft of the report by mid-2003.

Larto Man Arrested For Game Fish Violations

Enforcement officers from the LDeWFarrested a Larto man and seized 711 crappieand 54 bream last February in connectionwith alleged game fish violations at Larto Lakein Catahoula Parish. Austin Sanders, 51, wascited for taking game fish illegally and for tak-ing or possessing over the limit of freshwatergame fish. Agents observed Sanders in a boat,




raising hoop nets in the lake near his resi-dence. After emptying the hoop nets, Sanders

landed his boat and carried a white bucket upthe shore to his residence. He was stopped bythe officers as he walked back up the shore, ona second trip from his boat, carrying two morewhite buckets containing crappie and bream.After obtaining a search warrant, the officerssearched a small shed in the subject’s yard anddiscovered an additional 41 fresh crappie andtwo freezers containing 588 whole, frozencrappie packaged in 41 separate plastic bags.

One 16-foot aluminum boat, a 25-horse-power outboard motor, three hoop nets andall the game fish were seized in connectionwith the violations. Sanders was also served acivil restitution summons for $3,610.36 forthe value of the illegally taken fish. LDWFofficers participating in the case were Sgt.Brian McDowell, Sr. Agent James Parish, Sr.Agent Robbie Roberts, Sr. Agent John Barker,Lt. Kenneth Hedrick, Sr. Agent Joe Tarver, Sr.Agent Charles Ward, Sr. Agent Bill Futrell, Sr.Agent Russ Kiser, and Sr. Agent Gary Neal.

LDWF Steps Up efforts Against LitterbugsThe Louisiana Department of Wildlife

and Fisheries has initiated an aggressive effortto help prevent littering in Louisiana. Thegoal is to clean up and maintain a healthyenvironment for wildlife and the citizens whoenjoy the state’s land and waterways. TheDepartment, in cooperation with the Officeof the Governor, is incorporating anti littereducational material in all hunter and boatingeducation classes. Col. Winton Vidrine,Enforcement Division administrator,acknowledged the importance of eliminatinglitter. He pledged that enforcement officerswill continue to work aggressively to bring alllitter law violators to justice. LDWF SecretaryJames H. Jenkins, Jr. agreed saying, “We mustmaintain Louisiana’s ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’distinction. Outdoor enthusiasts should beproud of our state. When it comes to natural

resources, Louisiana ranks number one onmany lists. We want our state to be numberone in clean woods and waters, too.”

LDWF Works To Improve Fishing at Veteran’s Home

Recent efforts by the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries helpedimprove a fishing pier at the NortheastLouisiana War Veterans’ Home in Monroe.LDWF biologists worked to enhance the habi-tat around the pier and make it more attractiveto fish. The 35-foot pier was originally con-structed by the Association of GeneralContractors, according to the retirementhome’s administrator Ken Houston. The res-idents have been spending a lot of time on thepier, but have not enjoyed much success.LDWF Fisheries Biologist Mike Wood wascontacted to help increase the fish population.

LDWF biologists unloaded about 36yards of sand, which was donated by theOuachita Parish police jury, around the pillarsat the bottom of Bayou DeSiard, and placedbrush nearby to make the area around the pierattractive to fish, mainly crappie, bass andbluegill. Wood said they used methods devel-oped while researching and constructing arti-ficial reefs in other areas, and will use this siteas a test area.

“It is nice to put the research to use in away that will immediately improve the qualityof life for these individuals,” said Wood. Andwith the home being located across the bayoufrom their office, LDWF biologists will beable to continue to monitor the progress of thesite.

Even though there has not been muchsuccess until now, many residents havebecome regulars at the pier. According toHouston, there are 15 to 20 “die-hard” fisher-men. So far, the largest fish pulled out was afour-pound bass taken by resident SonnyGriggs. The pier has become sopopular it hasbeen fitted with an electrical outlet to rechargethe electric scooters and wheelchairs of theanglers.

LDWF Updates Strategic PlanThe revised strategic plan for the

Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries covers fiscal years 2003 through2007. The 2003 fiscal year begins July 1.

Among the objectives in the plan are:• To achieve a two percent reduction in

the number of boating accidents annually per100,000 registered boats.

• To decrease the number of huntingaccidents to no more than five annually per100,000 licensed hunters.

• To increase the total economic impactof the seafood industry on the state’s economyfrom the 1996 base year by an average of 1percent real growth annually.

• To provide wise stewardship on allLDWF wildlife management area and refugelands, including performing maintenance oraccess enhancements on at least 8 percent ofthe land base and 90 percent of the road andtrail areas each year.

• To annually exceed by 1 percent thelong term national trend of [the number of ]hunting license holders.

• To increase the number of acres of pri-vate lands on which technical assistance is pro-vided to enhance wildlife habitat.

• To increase the number of age-basedstock assessments from four to six marine fin-fish species.

• To improve effects of current manage-ment measures, thereby ensuring that nomajor fish species are over-fished.

• To increase the number of workinghatchery ponds from 70 to 113, in order tomeet stocking requests.

• To increase the number of lakes evaluat-ed for Florida bass stocking success from 20per year to 30 per year.

• To increase the public’s awareness of thedepartment’s management of the state’swildlife and aquatic resources by conductingnew and expanded public information cam-paigns.

•To increase the readership of theLouisiana Conservationist magazine and toinclude non- traditional interest groups.

The strategic plan is a five-year plan, andis revised and updated every three years toensure that progress is measured and main-tained. A condensed version of the 2003-07strategic plan is available on the Departmentwebsite (www.wlf.state.la.us).

LWFC Designates Natural AreasThe Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries

Commission has designated 28,000 acres ofland as “natural areas. “ The lands are locatedon Department of Wildlife and Fisherieswildlife management areas throughout thestate. In accordance with the LDWF GeneralForest Management Plan, adopted andendorsed by the commission in October1995, acreage from each WMA selected as anatural area will be protected from outside


influence and disturbance. Natural area man-agement guidelines govern the use of the land,which will protect sensitive wildlife and plantpopulations found in the area. The guidelinesinclude limitations on mineral explorationand timber removal. No new roads or trailswill be constructed and removal of non-nativeplants will be encouraged.

Since 1959, the department has acquired440,000 acres of land dedicated as WMAs.The WMAs were created to conserve dwin-dling bottomland hardwood forests and theirwildlife populations. Creation of natural areaswill aid in protection of fragile forest systemsthat are threatened by outside influences.

“The natural areas will be especially help-ful in protecting some of our more delicateforest systems,” said LDWF forester KennethRibbeck. “They will also be very useful toconserve special forest characteristics that areused to monitor our management of the area.”

WMA Maps Available On LDWF WebsiteUpdated maps of Louisiana wildlife man-

agement areas (WMAs) are available to thepublic electronically by visiting the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries’ website.The maps, which can be downloaded in PDFformat and printed, can be found by accessingthe ‘Hunting, Fishing and Boating’ section ofthe Department’s website atwww.wlf.state.la.us and clicking on.....“Wildlife Management Areas.”

As always, printed copies of WMA mapsare available free of charge at LDWF regionaloffices around the state or from theDepartment’s library located on the first floorof the LDWF headquarters building at 2000Quail Dr. in Baton Rouge. A map of anyWMA or a state map showing the locations ofall Louisiana WMAs can also be requested byelectronic mail addressed mailto: [email protected] or bywriting to Librarian, P. O. Box 98000, BatonRouge, LA 70898-9000. In addition to thename of the WMA for which a map is request-ed, each request must include a name and aphysical address to which the map can bemailed.

“Each year, LDWF revises maps for the51 WMAs across the state reflecting changesin boundaries, roads and other features tofacilitate public access and increase publichunting opportunities,” noted Randy Myers,LDWF land acquisition program manager.“It’s important that people have up-to-datemaps when using the WMA system.”

Before downloading the maps, web usersare encouraged to download the latest versionof Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is availablefree on the LDWF website.

ExxonMobile Grant Benefits Catahoula Lake

The LDWF received a $50,000 grantfrom the ExxonMobil Foundation in 2001 tobe used for the improvement and manage-ment of Catahoula Lake. The total sum of thegrant is to be divided over a five-year period.LDWF received the first $10,000 of the grantin March 2001. The money was used toimprove public access and parking at each ofthe three major boat landings on the lake.This effort has allowed for much more effi-cient access for the thousands of hunters,boaters and other public users of CatahoulaLake. These improvements were especiallynoticeable, and appreciated, during the fallwaterfowl hunting season.

In 2002, the next installment will be usedfor scientific surveys of the lake. During thefall, vegetation surveys will be conductedalong transect lines that cross the lake. Theresults will be compared to vegetation surveysthat were conducted over 20 years ago in thesame areas. This information will help deter-mine whether management plans should bealtered to achieve maximum wildlife benefits.A bathymetry survey, which maps out the bot-tom of a waterbody, is also planned to measurethe depth of French Fork Channel. Thischannel drains most of the northern part ofthe lake during the annual summer drawdown.

Historically important to northern pin-tails and mallards, in recent years the lake hasaccounted for as much as 25 percent of thetotal North American population of canvas-back. Some of the peak counts in recent yearshave been 500,000 total ducks and 250,000pintails. Over 20 species of shorebirds, withconcentrations amounting to 20,000 individ-uals, use the lake intensively during fall migra-tion each year. Due to its significance as amigratory stopover site for migrating water-fowl and shorebirds, it represents one of only17 U.S. sites to be designated a Wetland ofInternational Importance by the RamsarConvention.

Catahoula Lake, located 20 miles north-east of Alexandria in central Louisiana, isowned by the state and managed by theLDWF.

Recreational Licenses for 2002/03 Recreational hunting and fishing licenses

for 2002-2003 went on sale June 1. Thelicenses will be valid through June 30, 2003.Louisiana sportsmen have three options avail-able when purchasing. Licenses may be pur-chased over the Internet atwww.wlf.state.la.us, by calling 1-888-765-2602, or at any local license vendor. Mostrecreational licenses are available throughthese methods. When using the toll-freenumber or the website, Visa or Mastercardmay be used. Check with your local licensevendor for their preferred method of payment.Hunters are reminded that all persons bornafter September 1, 1969, must show proof ofcompletion of a hunter safety course in orderto purchase any hunting license.

National Hunting and Fishing DayCelebrations Scheduled

National Hunting and Fishing Dayevents will be held at five separate locationsthroughout the state. At each event, severalactivities are planned. Among them arecanoeing, fishing clinics, target shooting, duckcalling contests and various expert demonstra-tions. Louisiana game and seafood dishes willbe available for sampling, along with other freefood and drinks. Admission is free, and fami-lies are encouraged to attend.

In Baton Rouge, the event will be held atWaddill Outdoor Education Center, begin-ning at 9 a.m. The Natchitoches ShootingRange will play host to the event starting at 9a.m. In Minden, the celebration will takeplace at Bodcau Wildlife Management Area at10 a.m. The Monroe LDWF office will haveactivities beginning at 10 a.m. Events inWoodworth are scheduled for theWoodworthShooting Range from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thepublic is encouraged to be on the lookout formore information in their area as the dayapproaches.

WMA Fishing Holes EnhancedAngling at Red River/Three Rivers

Wildlife Management Areas should get aboost from projects recently completed by theLDWF. In a cooperative effort with the USArmy, Corps of Engineers who needed borrowmaterial to shore up portions of the Red RiverLevee adjacent to the WMA, LDWF was ableto get the Corps to strategically dig two 20-acre borrow pits so that they would providegood fish habitat. Normally, borrow pits areonly dug two to three feet deep. But in this



case, the pits were dug to depths of six to eightfeet, as per the recommendation of LDWFfisheries biologist Mike Ewing. Fish attractorswere built from some of the leftover trees, andboat ramps were constructed in each of thenew ponds.

Construction of the ponds was complet-ed in 1999, but the severe drought conditionsaffecting the state left them dry until 2001.When normal rainfall returned, the pondsfilled, and the department’s Inland FisheriesDivision began stocking fish last fall. So far,approximately 77,000 bream and 7,000 bassfrom the department’s Booker Fowler FishHatchery have been stocked in the WMAstwo new ponds and one adjacent, older bor-row-pit pond.

The drought of 1999-2000 also providedanother opportunity to enhance outdoorrecreation in the adjacent Three RiversWildlife Management Area. Lower SunkLake, a natural lake with a normal surface areaof 880 acres and an average depth of four feet,completely dried up. While this caused theloss of the total fish population in the lake, italso made for good working conditions forwildlife biologist Lowrey Moak and his crew.Taking advantage of the situation, they wereable to improve the access road to Lower SunkLake landing, build a new concrete boat land-ing and improve boat channels in the lake.They also installed a new water control struc-ture to improve water retention, and theybegan measures to control the encroachmentof willow trees onto the lake bed. When therain returned in 2001, the lake refilled and theimprovements continued. The departmentbegan restocking the lake, and has placedsome 330,000 bream, 11,000 channel catfishand 85,000 bass to date. Department biolo-gists expect the newly stocked fish to grow andreproduce rapidly in this fertile habitat.

Fishing Improved at Lake Chicot PierLouisiana Department of Wildlife and

Fisheries Inland Fisheries Division personnelhave laid a bed of sand and gravel near the400-foot fishing pier on the south end ofChicot Lake. The lake is located withinChicot State Park, just north of Ville Platte.LDWF’s efforts are expected toconcentratespawning of bluegill, crappie, bass and otherfish near the pier. “The ultimate goal of theproject is to increase fishing success for adultsand children who utilize the pier on a dailybasis,” said Jody David, LDWF fisheries dis-trict supervisor.

A total of 20 yards of sand and 14 yardsof pea gravel were unloaded near the pier. Thematerials were purchased by Louisiana StateParks. A barge provided by the US ForestService was used to move the material to thepier area. LDWF also constructed artificialreefs using plastic feed pallets donated byCargill – Nutrena Feeds in Lecompte, andplaced them along the fishing pier. To sub-merge the reefs, Barry Concrete in Opelousassupplied concrete free of charge. The struc-tures should improve habitat and serve as fishattractors. Assisting in the artificial reef con-struction and placement was the Boy ScoutTroop 36 in Evangeline Parish. LastrapesGarden Center in Opelousas also donatedmaterials.

CWD Found In New MexicoA mule deer collected from the White

Sands Missile Range has tested positive forChronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and thedirector of the New Mexico Department ofGame and Fish declared an Animal HealthEmergency Tuesday, closing the state to anyimportation of deer or elk. Director Larry Bellsaid the positive test was confirmed Monday,June 17, by the Wyoming State VeterinaryLaboratory. This is the first positive test forCWD in the state of New Mexico . “We areclosing the borders to the importation ofcervids because Chronic Wasting Disease hasbeen identified here and we want to isolate itand prevent its spread,” Director Bell said.Even though CWD is not known to occuroutside the deer family, the Department willbegin testing some oryx on White Sands. TheDepartment already has submitted 140 sam-ples for testing this fiscal year. TheDepartment will continue to sample the headsof deer and elk killed during the coming fallhunting seasons. As an incentive for hunters

to cooperate, those who submit heads withinthe 48-hour period will be entered in a draw-ing for oryx and Valle Vidal elk huntingauthorizations. In addition, the agency isdeveloping an action plan for dealing withCWD, although at this point Director Belldoes not anticipate the killing of thousands ofanimals as other states are doing.

Persons Cited For Selling/Buying Wild Fawn

Two men have been cited for allegedspotted fawn violations. On June 6, Joseph J.Manuel, 30, of Oberlin, and Jameson R.Laird, 28, of Pitkin were issued citations forpossessing a spotted fawn. Jameson Laird wasalso cited for selling deer illegally. LDWFconservation officers received a tip regardingthe illegal possession and sale of a spottedfawn. The tip led them to Laird’s residence.Laird attempted to mislead the officers butthey were ultimately able to locate the illegaldeer in Allen Parish at Joseph Manuel’s resi-dence. The officers determined that Manuelwas in the process of trying to obtain an alter-native livestock license from the LouisianaDepartment of Agriculture. Prior to receivingthe license and paperwork stipulating whereand how to legally acquire domesticated deer,Manuel obtained the fawn taken illegally fromthe wild by Laird. Deer taken from the wildare not a legal source of stock for alternate live-stock licensed deer farms. Laird had taken thefawn from the wild near his residence. Thepenalties for possessing a spotted fawn and forselling deer include fines of up to $750 and upto 30 days in jail. A civil restitution summonsfor the value of the fawn was also issued in theamount of $524.24. The fawn was seized.

Cat Island NWR Offers Hunting Opportunities

The recently-established Cat IslandNational Wildlife Refuge located in WestFeliciana Parish will have its first hunting sea-sons this fall. The refuge was established pri-marily to conserve and manage a uniqueforested wetland wildlife habitat on a peninsu-la of land jutting out into the Mississippi Riverabove Baton Rouge about 30 mile aboveBaton Rouge. It lies about 5 miles to the westof St. Francisville. Refuge hunting seasons willinclude archery for deer and squirrel, rabbitand woodcock according to the state huntingregulations. However, archery hunters(regardless of age) must possess proof of com-pletion of the International Bowhunter



Education Course to hunt on the refuge.Waterfowl hunting will be permitted onTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday untilnoon. A free refuge hunting permit and otherrequired state and federal licenses and stampsare required to hunt on the refuge. Refugehunting permits are available at the refugeoffice. Two lottery hunts for deer will be heldin November — muzzleloader on Nov. 9-10and modern firearms on Nov. 23-24. Allother hunting on the refuge will be closed onthe two lottery hunt weekends.

At 28 feet on the Baton Rouge gauge, theCat Island forest begins to flood. Access torefuge roads is restricted at lower stages.When the River is up, hunters and other visi-tors should call the refuge headquarters todetermine if the refuge roads are open to vehi-cles. To request a refuge brochure which con-tains all the details and regulations for thehunting season, as well as lottery hunt appli-cation call the Cat Island National WildlifeRefuge office at 225/635-4753 or write to P.O. Box 1936, St. Francisville, LA 70775 orstop by the refuge office at 5720 CommerceStreet in St. Francisville.

Mandalay NWR Hunts PlannedMandalay National Wildlife Refuge will

be offering recreational hunting opportunitiesfor the public this fall and winter. Hunts willinclude an open archery deer and feral hogseason and a lottery waterfowl hunt for adultand youth applicants. These programs havebeen developed primarily to provide a qualityhunting experience for youngsters and adultswho may not have the opportunity to huntelsewhere. The Mandalay NWR is a U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service refuge managed with-combined goals of conserving wildlife habitatand providing opportunities for public landuse. It is located 5 miles southwest of Houma,Louisiana in the vicinity of Lake Hatch.Access to the refuge is by boat only, as there areno roads on the refuge.

Archery Deer and Feral Hog HuntThe archery hunt for deer and feral hogs

will be held concurrently with the full State ofLouisiana Deer season, October 01, 2001-January 31, 2002. Bowhunting will beaccording to the regulations of the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries, exceptwhere refuge rules are more specific. The huntis open to all hunters with proof of completionof the International Bowhunters EducationProgram. The daily possession limit will be

one either sex deer; there will be no possessionlimit on feral hogs. Hunters will be requiredto check in and out daily at a Refuge Self-clearing Check Station before and after hunt-ing. Firearms are not allowed in boats or onhunters. Only portable stands may be usedand must be dismantled or removed fromtrees after each days use. A stand or blind lefton the refuge overnight may be used by anyhunter on a first-come, first-served basis. Nobaiting is allowed and hunters may use theRefuge only between 4:00 AM and one hourafter sunset daily. Archery hunting will beclosed north of the Intracoastal Canal fromNovember 02, 2002 to January 19, 2003.

Lottery Waterfowl HuntLottery hunts are scheduled to begin on

November 02, 2002, and continue throughJanuary 19, 2002. Hunts will be held onWednesdays and Saturdays during theLouisiana waterfowl hunting season, as well asthe two additional State Youth Waterfowldays. Five permittees will be chosen for eachhunt date by lottery drawing from applica-tions received at the refuge office by close ofbusiness on Tuesday, October 15, 2002. Fivefloating blinds with boat hides have beenplaced on the refuge for this program. Blindshave a maximum capacity of 3 persons andpermittees will need to furnish their own boat,decoys, and necessary equipment. Allhunters,regardless of age, must possess aLouisiana Hunter Safety Certification card orequivalent from another state to be includedin the lottery drawing or participate in thehunt.

Hunters may apply as either a Youth orAdult group. Youth group applicants willreceive preference in the drawing. Selectedapplicants will be notified by mail. Hunts willbe primarily for ducks, coots, and gallinules,although any legal migratory birds may beharvested from theblinds. All hunters, regard-less of age, must possess a valid Hunter SafetyCertification card.

Requirements for Adult Groups are asfollows:

1. One adult will apply and he/she will beallowed two guests.

2. Applicants must be as least 18 years ofage by the final application date (Oct. 15,2001).

3. All guests under 18 years of age mustbe accompanied by an adult (21years or older)supervisor.

Requirements for Youth Groups are as

follows:1.One adult will apply and supervise at

least one, and no more than two, youthhunters.

2. Youth hunters are limited to youthsbetween the ages of 10 and 17 years at thetime of the drawing.

3. The adult supervisor (parents,guardians, uncles, etc) must be at least 21 yearsof age.

The adult supervisor will be allowed toharvest his or her limit of waterfowl, howeverprimary emphasis will be placed on theyouth(s) harvesting their own limit(s).

To apply for a Mandalay NWR LotteryWaterfowl Hunt permit you must submit acompleted Mandalay NWR Lottery HuntApplication form. The application form isavailable at the Refuge headquarters and onthe Refuge website. An original or copy of theform may be filled out and submitted.Applications must be received at theMandalay NWR headquarters by 4:30 PM onTuesday, October 15, 2001. Applications maybe submitted by U.S. Mail, hand delivery, fax,or e-mail.

Applicants drawn will qualify for the firsthunt date in which they are drawn and cannotbe drawn for another date. In the case that allapplicants for a given date have been previous-ly drawn, applicants may be drawn for anadditional hunt date. It is the intent of theFish and Wildlife Service to have as manyyouth and adults participate in these hunts aspossible, with a special emphasis on younghunters. A refuge hunt orientation programwill be held for applicants selected in the lot-tery. Permits will be issued at that time.

Hunters interested in either hunt pro-gram are encouraged to contact the MandalayRefuge office by visiting 3599 Bayou BlackDrive, Houma, LA 70360, calling (985) 853-1078, or by e-mail at [email protected] .Refuge information, including maps, regula-tions, and the lottery application can also befound at:http://southeast.fws.gov/mandalay/index.html.

Scoping Meetings For Shrimp Amendment13 and Snapper Rebuilding ProgramThe Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Management Council (Council) will holdscoping meetings to receive comments on asupplemental environmental impact state-ment (SEIS) for Shrimp Amendment 13 andfor the rebuilding program for red snapper.During the development of Amendment 13,



the Council will consider additional issues andmanagement measures to dealwith any prob-lems identified during the scoping process.The SEIS will also include an assessment ofthe impacts on the biological, physical, andhuman environment, as well as the

shrimp fishery and other fisheries. Thepotential that impacts on endangered orthreatened species and marine mammals with-in the Gulf of Mexico will also be analyzed.

The purpose of Amendment 13 is toestablish definitions of maximum sustainableyield (MSY), optimum yield (OY), the over-fishing threshold, and the overfished condi-tion for managed shrimp stocks in the Gulf.Amendment 13 may also include alternativesto require vessel monitoringsystems (VMS) onshrimp vessels fishing in the exclusive eco-nomic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf, as well as alter-natives to improve bycatch reporting and tofurther reduce bycatch in the shrimp fishery.The Council will develop a SEIS to assess theimpacts of possible actions as discussed herein.Some of the issues to be considered are by-catch reduction, definitions of MSY and OY,overfishing threshold and overfished condi-tion for the stocks that are managed, closedareas, enforcement of closures and vessel track-ing devices, catch and by-catch reportingmethodology.

The results of several analyses indicatethat the red snapper resource in the Gulf ofMexico is overfished such that the stock bio-mass is below the level needed to sustain a har-vest at the maximum sustainable yield (MSY).Therefore, the stock needs to be rebuilt basedon the 1998National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS) National Standard Guidelines. InMay 2001, the Council submitted to NMFSa regulatory amendment to the Reef FishFishery Management Plan (FMP) that modi-fied the current rebuilding plan and was con-sistent with NMFS guidelines. NMFS hassubsequently determined that the actionstaken by the Council have an environmentalimpact sufficient to warrant a SEIS rather thanthe environmental assessment that accompa-nied the initial regulatory amendment.

In order to develop a SEIS, scoping meet-ings are needed to solicit public input on theenvironmental impacts of the rebuilding plan.Alternatives to the plan for which input isbeing sought include definitions for maxi-mum sustainable yield (MSY), optimum yield(OY), theminimum stock size threshold(MSST) (below which a stock is considered tobe overfished), and the maximum fishing

mortality threshold (MFMT) (above which astock is considered to be undergoing overfish-ing). The proposed SEIS also considers alter-native rebuilding plans that willrebuild thestock within 31 years or less and are based onvarious rebuilding strategies. The SEIS willalso include an assessment of the impacts onthe biological, physical, and human environ-ment, as well as impacts to the red snapperfishery and other fisheries. The poten-tialimpacts on endangered or threatenedspecies and marine mammals within the Gulfof Mexico will also be analyzed.

Because juvenile red snapper are a com-ponent of the shrimp trawl bycatch andthrough Shrimp Amendment 13 the Councilwill consider further bycatch reduction mea-sures, the scoping meetings for red snapperwill be held immediately following the scop-ing meetings for Shrimp Amendment 13 tothe Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP).The Shrimp Amendment 13scoping meetingswill begin at 6:00 p.m. and the red snapperscoping meetings will start immediately fol-lowing their conclusion.

On Monday, September 23, 2002, thescoping meetings will be held at the NewOrleans Airport Hilton, 901 Airline Drive,Kenner, LA 70062; 504-469-5000. Otherscoping meetings will be

held in Biloxi, Mobile, Panama City,Apalachicola and Tampa. Copies of the scop-ing documents for these meetings can beobtained by calling the Council office at 813-228-2815 (toll-free 888-833-1844), or can bedownloaded from the Council website(http://www.gulfcouncil.org).

No Snakehead Fish In LouisianaWith recent national attention on the

discovery of snakehead fish in various easternU.S. waters, a number of fishermen havecalled LDWF Inland Fisheries biologists withreports of unusual fish. So far, none have been

found to be this invasive species. Two reportsturned out to be bowfin (choupique), another

was probably an American eel, and one wasnot even a fish; it wasan amphiuma, an aquat-ic salamander with a snake-like shape.

Snakeheads include some 28 species ofair-and-water-breathing fish native to Asia andAfrica. Several species are popular with aquar-ists, and some are grown for food. The hardi-ness and predatory nature of these fish havecaused concern for their probable impacts tonative species if populations become estab-lished in the United States. They have beenfound in the natural waters of eight states,with some occurrences of reproducing popula-tions.

Introduction of non-native species to ourwaters has been detrimental to existing fishpopulations, and is illegal. Even if invasivespecies do not actually devour existing fish,they can displace local species’ positions in theecosystem. Such is undoubtedly the case withthe European carp and the Asian (grass, silver,and bighead) carps that are now common inmanyLouisiana waters.

Louisianians are reminded to neverrelease fish from aquaria into natural waters orto move fish between natural water systems.Pond stockings should be made with approvedspecies from permitted producers (LDWF willsupply a producer list on request). If anunusual fish is caught, please take it to thenearest LDWF office for identification by afisheries biologist. For more information,contact Dr. Glenn Thomas at 225-765-2641.



Join the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

You will never be sorry!

West MonroeFrank Edwards, AmiteFrank Ehret, Jr., MarreroH. M. Favrot, Jr., MetairieHenry J. Ferguson, PrairievilleHarold Fontenot, Opelousas

-St. Landry HomesteadRobert C. Fortenberry, M.D.,

New OrleansRonald C. Francis, D.V.M., Slidell

-Slidell Veterinary Hospital, Inc.Darryl A. Gisclair, Golden MeadowMary An Godshall, MetairieRichard W. Goudeau, Baton RougeAlbert S. Greene, Jr., Baton Rouge

-Acoustical Specialties & Supply, Inc.Kim Hagie, Baton RougeJohn W. Hamilton, Jr., MonroeSusan Moss Hayden, Baton RougeRobert N. Helm, M.D., New RoadsDewey J. Helverson, Alexandria

-The Money Shack, LLCLeonard J. Hensgens, CrowleyRev. Willis R. Henton, New IberiaWilliam H. Herke, Ph.D, Baton RougeJ. L. Holmes, Ville Platte

-J. L. Holmes FarmJames J. Hoth, M.D., Baton RougeWalter O. Hunter, Jr., ShreveportRichard Blake Ingraham, Houston, TXGeorge M. Johnson, Jr., Forest Hill

-George Johnson Nursery, Inc.Pam Kaster, ZacharyRichard Kater, Baton Rouge

-Richard’s PrintingJ. Thomas Kilroy, M.D., Baton RougeJames V. King, Lafayette

-Rig Tools, Inc.Joe Kontur, SlidellDurwood Kuhn, ColumbiaJ. P. Labouisse, III, New OrleansBobby J. Lane, CarencroRichard Dale LaValley, LafayetteLouis P. LeBlanc, Jr., D.D.S.,

Golden Mdw.Margaret D. LeBleu, JenningsArthur J. Lebreton, LafayetteBrent S. Lemoine, Baton Rouge

-B&T Environmental ServicesTerry J. Louviere, Sr., BurasWilliam G. Madary, II, Arabi

-Pres., International Coffee Corp.Kenny Mangrum, GonzalesDr. & Mrs. Alfred A. Mansour,

AlexandriaPhilip W. Marks, III, CovingtonThomas Mathews, AlexandriaFred L. Mattei, SlidellJ. Erwin Maxwell, Tallulah


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Year End Appeal 2001 Donors: Continued from page 22



Those of us that rise very early (or sleepwith the bedroom window open during thecool months) know that the first bird to speakin the predawn stillness of late winter is thecardinal, our dashing redbird. He sings with

a voice much bigger than his size, exuberantwith the expectations of a mate, and a bounti-ful Spring. Even when there is no sign of anew season, and the world outside seems draband cold, the cardinal’s song calls us to joinhim in preparing for the days ahead.

Maybe I was just noticing it for the firsttime, but to my observation, the predawnsong of the red bird commenced much earlierthis year. It was barely January, it seemed,when the little cock cardinals in my neighbor-hood first pierced the still morning darknesswith their staggered chorus.

Usually there’s a simple explanation forsuch things in Nature. But as the days unfold-ed towards Spring, I became aware of some-thing else.

An old friend, a man who reveled in thewonders of Nature like no other I’ve known,was also preparing for Spring, but in anotherway and in another place. V. J. was dying.

I knew V. J., or Virgil as his wife Mariealways called him, because he was an activeconservationist with the East AscensionSportsman’s League and an officer of theLouisiana Wildlife Federation when he andother Federation leaders hired me over 20years ago. I learned more about “Veej,” as Icalled him, a few years later when he served as

LWF President in 1984-85 and was my “bigboss.” Being humble and a little on the shyside, Veej was an unlikely chairman of whatcould sometimes be a cantankerous bunch offellow LWF directors and affiliate club leaders.But he was highly respected by his peers in theFederation.

Veej was a little different than the normalFederation leader. He didn’t have a huntinglease or a bass boat, he had a nature trail andfeeding stations for all the wildlife that lived inthe woods behind his house. And he had apirogue that he joyfully paddled up and downthe Petit Amite and other streams and bayousjust to see what was going on. His curiosityand interest in all the “little” things in Nature,things that he could enjoy close to home, ledhim to write about his observations and sharethem with the community. His “BackyardPickin’s” column was a regular feature in theEASL’s monthly newspaper, a publication forwhich V. J. served as editor for many years.He also contributed his work to the weeklyGonzales newspaper. That’s how most peoplenew Veej, through his keen observations andloving commentary about wild creatures. In away, he wrote what many of us felt, but werenot gifted enough to express, ourselves.

On my last visit to see V. J., at the funer-al home, I mentioned the redbirds to his wife,Marie. Up until the end, V. J. kept the feed-ers filled so he could enjoy the entertainmentof his feathered friends through the windowof his room. Marie told me that the morningafter he died, the redbirds he cherished somuch were tapping at the window glass, per-haps not understanding, trying to wake himup.

With the thought that it’s the time ofyear when we could use some relief from theheat, I have printed one of V. J. Bourque’smany wildlife sketches, this one about whathe saw one late winter day on the bayou nearhis home. Thanks, Veej, and so long. - ed.

A Cold Swimby V.J. Bourque, Jr.It was a dreary afternoon. It was cold,

and a light rain misted the area. I was in myback yard filling the bird feeders that the car-dinals, titmice, chickadees, goldfinches andsquirrels had emptied through the day.

As I was filling the feeder at the edge ofthe river, I heard a loud “kersplash” from nearmid-stream. It did not sound like the splash

of a jumping fish. It sounded instead as ifsomething had been thrown into the water.

I looked up to see ripples radiating froman area near the middle of the river between alarge cypress tree near where I stood and anoak tree on the far bank. The bare branchesof the cypress and the leafy green branches ofthe live oak nearly touched above the dis-turbed water.

As I stood looking at the river, I noticedthat in the center of the ever widening rippleswas what appeared to be a stick. However, the“stick” was moving across the current andtoward the base of the cypress tree only a fewyards from where I stood.

It took only moments to realize that the“stick” was in reality a squirrel. I had oftenwatched squirrels crossing the river throughthe treetops. There are several places wherebranches of trees from either side of the rivernearly touch. The squirrels use these places ashighways between their home range and myfeeders. However, this was the first time thatI had seen a squirrel fall, it is obvious that iteither slipped from a branch or jumped fromone tree to another and missed its mark. Ineither event, it found itself taking anunplanned swim.

The squirrel reached the cypress tree andbegan crawling up the trunk. It was hard tobelieve that this was one of the fluffy gray-brown creatures that I regularly saw feeding inmy yard. With its wet fur plastered to its bodythis squirrel looked more like a drowned rat.It was a tiny, black, skinny looking creature.

After crawling several feet up the trunk ofthe tree, it stopped and shook itself like a dogcoming in out of the rain. After this vigorousshaking it again resembled a squirrel, althoughits color was still very dark. It then scamperedup to a high branch where it crouched andwatched me as I went about filling the birdfeeders.

The entire scene took only a minute or soto unfold, but it was a memorable minute.Maybe it was the wet branches that caused thesquirrel to fall, or perhaps it was just that thiswas a clumsy squirrel. Whatever the reason, Iwas able to watch, on that afternoon, a sur-prised squirrel take an unexpected swim justoutside my window.

That’s one of the joys of wildlife watch-ing. You can always expect the unexpected.Nothing is orchestrated in the out-of-doors.Things happen spontaneously.

So Long Gentle Pal

V. J. Bourque, with his wife Marie receives the LouisianaOutdoor Writer’s Association Arthur Van Pelt Award for alifetime of conservation achievement. The photo is notdated, but judging from the youthful appearance of thepresenter, LOWA member and state senator JoeMcPherson, it had to be about 1990 or so. (Marie stilllooks great; the senator, a little gray, ah, whiter.)


by Doug Inkley, National WildlifeFederation Senior Science Advisor

There seems to be something in thehuman genome that fears snakes. Their strangeappearances, the formidable weaponry some-times accompanied by toxic poisons, and theirrare cause of death to humans are no doubtconducive to these reactions. And although

some people have either overcome or simply donot seem to have this fear, they are in theminority. The truth is, your odds of death froma snake bite are far less than being killed in anauto, train or airplane crash. However, this factand the knowledge that snakes help controlrodent populations seem to do little to allayhuman fears.

Let us first deal with the reality of beingbitten by a snake. As all snakes swallow theirprey whole, swallowing your relatively largewrithing body with long legs and pointy elbowsis out of the question. Simply put, snakes real-ly are not interested in making a meal out ofyou. So hunger is not an issue for you and asnake, unless you are the one that is hungry.

Ah yes, you are thinking that snakes dobite humans. Yes, they do. But rarely. Snakesstrike for defense, but this is risky business forthe snake. Taking on a hawk with talons, aweasel with sharp teeth, or a human toting asharp spade or shotgun is not like big timewrestling where both sides always come backfor another match in the future. In the daily lifeand death struggle snakes are much better offavoiding conflicts they can’t win.

Studies of rattlesnakes have shown thattheir first line of defense when approached byhumans is to remain camouflaged and unde-tected; after all, avoidance of conflict is the leastrisky strategy. If approached closer, a rat-tlesnake will attempt to slip away and escape ifthe opportunity presents itself.

If you get too close, rattlesnakes respondwith a heart-stopping rattle of their tail. That

rattle is like a big huge neon warning sign. Itsays, “Hey Buddy, I’m over here and you are toodarned close for me for my own comfort soplease get the heck away from me because if youdon’t I will reluctantly bite you with myinfrared-guided sharp fangs and poisonousvenom.” Nobody I have ever met was struckwhen they heeded the warning.

More often than not, a bite from a rat-tlesnake is either from stupidity or carelessness.Note the cases of three of my friends who havebeen bitten by a rattlesnake. The first was a rat-tlesnake researcher studying a rattlesnake den inWyoming. He did not wear protective chaps asa matter of practice and kept alert whenapproaching the den. One day he decided towear his protective chaps and, feeling protected,became careless as he approached the den. Hewas harmlessly struck on the chaps. The moralof this story is to keep alert when you are in poi-sonous snake country.

The second was another rattlesnakeresearcher who was milking venom from a rat-tlesnake in the research laboratory. As he wascarefully milking the snake he was momentari-ly distracted as someone entered the room. Not

paying attention, this is when he was bitten.He was hospitalized but recovered completely.

And the last was, as the victim said after-wards, an act of stupidity. He encountered arattlesnake in the road and, in a misguidedmoment of machismo, decided to ignore thesnake’s warning messages and try to catch it.Well, the snake got him first. The self-describedfool recovered completely and now heedsnature’s warnings. He has not been bittensince.

The point of all this is that snakes do notreally want to mess with you. And in fact, aspart of nature they are enjoyable to havearound, to a degree. Where I live in the “coun-try”, many homes are a hundred years old ormore with thick field-stone walls. Located nearfields and woods, they seem to attract black ratsnakes, perhaps because they are so common.

My neighbors have pretty much becomeaccustomed to finding shed skins in the atticand, upon occasion, encountering a live snakein the house. No big deal. They say the snakeskeep the mouse population down. And that isa good point, as effective predators they eatmice, and as prey they are important food forlarger predators like hawks and some predatorymammals.

I noticed in the past month or two that Ihad not found any mice in my own home, butreally didn’t think much more about it. At leastnot until I came home from work one day lastweek. Noticing that my house cat Sassafras wasnot in her usual spot to greet me at the door, Icalled out her name. In response I heard aslightly plaintive meow and I headed up thebedroom to check her out. To my surprise, shewas sitting peacefully on the floor next to thebed and gazing at a black rat snake that wascalmly curled up around the sewing machinelegs about for feet away. This snake wasn’t afoot long. It wasn’t two or three feet long. Itwasn’t even four feet long. This big old snakewas five feet long!

After overcoming my initial surprise (nofainting or screaming occurred), I put on a pairof gloves, gently held the snake down with abroom and grabbed it behind the head. Stillsurprisingly calm, the snake did rattle its tail asthough imitating a rattlesnake and trying tosend the message to keep away. I carefullyreleased my visitor outside, in the brush pile Ihad built for wildlife, and it immediately glidedaway into the tangle.

It’s nice to have snakes around.

Snakes: Our Most Fearsome Friends

Black rat snake. Photo by Leaonard Lee Rue, III.


Louisiana Wildlife Federation pastpresident Keith Saucier was recognized atthe National Wildlife Federation’s annualmeeting earlier this year with the “CharlieShaw Conservation Partnership Award.”The award is bestowed on NWF staff andaffiliate leaders who have made outstand-ing contributions to the advancement ofthe NWF/affiliate partnership.

The award is named after and present-

ed in honor of the late Charles Shaw.Charlie Shaw was a teacher, a business-man, an entrepreneur, a skilled fund raiser,a bass angler and a friend of wildlife andpeople who care about conservation. Mostof all he was a mentor. He coached,shared, and led – first as a private busi-nessman, then as executive director of theNorth Carolina Wildlife Federation andfinally as a regional executive for NWF.He felt strongly about the role the NWFfield staff played in achieving the missionof advancing conservation through NWFaffiliates and knew that effective affiliateleadership and commitment to a joint mis-sion was essential for the successful team-work to achieve on-the-ground conserva-tion victories. He is best remembered for

fostering strong partnerships betweenNWF and its affiliates and for mentoringnew leaders.

In presenting the Charlie ShawAward, NWF President Mark Van Puttencited Saucier’s special efforts to protect theArctic National Wildlife Refuge from oiland gas development, activities that wouldhave ruined the wilderness character ofthat pristine habitat. Saucier made two

trips to Washington to speak with electedofficials about the issue. The initial effortwas aborted enroute to the Capitol on thefateful day of September 11, 2001 andentailed a long drive back fromWashington to his home in Gonzales whenall planes were grounded. Undeterred,Saucier rescheduled and returned to DCfor the meetings. Ultimately, Congressspared ANWR from mineral development,at least for this time around.

In addition to Saucier, two longtimeNWF staffers received a Shaw Award,Vickie Seastrom and Tom Dougherty. Theactual award is a round crystal, 9 incheshigh, with an etched likeness of CharlieShaw.

Saucier Receives CharlieShaw Award

LWF past president Keith Saucier (C) received the Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award at the annual meeting ofthe National Wildlife Federation last March. NWF staffers Vicki Seastrom and Tom Dougherty also received the award.

Richard T. Mayeux, HammondSheldon J. McManus, Lake Charles

-McManus Construction, Inc.Edward R. McMullen, MetairieNoel Mills, M.D., New OrleansWilda D. Miskimins, LafayetteWillie L. Mount, Lake CharlesHenry J. Navarre, IV, Port AllenJohn B. Noland, Baton Rouge

-Bank One Centre - North TowerLinda L. North, Fort Walton, FLAlan J. Ostrowe, M.D., Baton Rouge

-Pain Management ServicesJohn J. Owens, Jr., MetairieRobert E. Parnell, Choudrant

-Choudrant ExxonRonald F. Peck, Sr., LafayetteDarren Perry, PerryWayne Pierre, New Orleans

-Bon Ton CafeSal Piscitello, Baton RougeNorval J. Pitre, MontegutPatrick J. Pitre, Cut OffRena Pitts, Ferriday

-Pitts Farms Management, Inc.Ruby J. Porter, PinevilleWalter Preau, AlexandriaArnold Preban, Grand IsleJames H. Prince, Lafayette

-Stone Energy CorporationDouglas P. Raymond, Warrenville, ILCharles A. Ricard, Baton RougeCarl J. Richard, CrowleyRussell Richard, Youngsville

-Richard Ranches, Inc.Calvin Peter Riche, Braithwaite

-General Contractor, Inc.Frank M. Riling, Lake CharlesFrank R. Rizzo, Jr., M.D., Monroe

-Rizzo Medical ClinicCynthia Schneller, MetairieR. Karl Schroeder, MarksvilleJoe E. Sedberry, Jr., Baton RougeJ. L. Sewell, VidaliaDudley Smith, Houma

-Petroleum Laboratories, Inc.Leonard E. Stafford, New OrleansRose M. Thibodaux, LafayetteC. Cabell Tutwiler, New IberiaEdgar F. Veillon, New OrleansNelson Verdun, ThibodauxKarl A. Vincent, LafayetteCharles S. Walker, MD, Baton RougeWebb Walpole, ShreveportFred C. Webre, M.D., LafayetteLaura Weems, Alexandria

-Laura Weems InteriorsE. D. White, PinevilleBetty Wisdom, New OrleansLawrence J. Yoakum, Baton RougeRobert A. Young, Metairie

Year End Appeal 2001 Donors: Continued from page 35


Administration Stumbles on Warmingand Leadership

by Mark Van Putten, President and CEOof the National Wildlife Federation

President Bush enjoys broad support at

home and abroad for his efforts to lead theworld in the fight against terrorism. But aseries of recent missteps in the President’scontinuing dance around the issue of globalwarming may well deal a serious blow toU.S. prestige internationally, not to mentionour long-term environmental and economicsecurity.

The State Department recently deliv-ered to the United Nations its U.S. ClimateAction Report 2002. The report stated forthe first time this administration’s officialdetermination that global warming will haveserious repercussions throughout America,including possible water shortages and severeheat waves, along with the disruption or dis-appearance of coastal and meadow ecosys-tems - resources that provide important eco-logical and economic benefits.

For an administration that has refusedto map out a responsible path of Americanleadership to solve global warming, the

admission was stunning. The report offereda glimmer of hope that perhaps thePresident, who has not been persuaded byour global allies on this issue, would begincontemplating real action now that thestakes for Americans have been so starklyacknowledged. That hope was short lived.

On the very day that Japan followed thelead of the European Union, ratifying theKyoto protocol to slash global warming pol-lution, President Bush disavowed his ownreport. Asked about the key conclusion bythe administration’s scientists that humanactivity was causing global warming, thePresident replied only that he had “read thereport put out by the bureaucracy.” Thatdemeaning and dismissive phrase showedworld leaders the President’s willingness toignore the findings of even his own scientistsand bury his head in the ideologically-drivensand of alleged “uncertainties” about globalwarming.

By distancing himself from a legitimatework product of White House environmen-tal advisors - based upon years of work bytop scientists - President Bush showcased hiscommitment to environmental policiesbased, not on sound science, but wishfulthinking. He made it crystal clear that norudder of reality will alter our nation’s mis-guided course of isolationism on this criticalissue.

Although the President continues totrumpet his “plan” for addressing globalwarming, it’s no secret that the voluntary,long-term approach he put forward willactually allow U.S. emissions to grow, notshrink. The fact that carbon dioxide andother heat-trapping gases cause climatechanges for the decades or centuries theyremain in the atmosphere merely under-scores the need for common sense solutionsinstead of common place rhetoric.

As U.S. global warming pollutionincreases, adding to our existing contribu-tion of fully one-quarter of global emissions,continued climate change will pose anunprecedented threat to America’s wildlife,wild places and quality of life. Whether it’sthe loss of trout and salmon from favoritefishing holes or the disappearance of migra-tory birds from ecosystems they help sup-port, the effects of unchecked global warm-ing will hit home for people nationwide.

The President’s approach will also take a

direct toll on the economy by jeopardizingAmerica’s technology leadership in interna-tional energy markets, which are expected tototal more than $10 trillion over the next 20years. As other nations ramp up productionand design of cleaner, more efficient energytechnologies, the Bush approach offers stag-nation. If we fail to change course, we mayfind that tomorrow’s “Silicon Valley” islocated in Europe or Japan.

Seeing the danger ahead, even somebusiness leaders are calling for more decisiveaction on global warming. A coalition ofelectric utilities from across the nation iscalling for new laws to curb carbon dioxideemissions from the nation’s power plants.

These businesses seek new guidelinesbecause they must soon make billions of dol-lars of investments in technologies that willlikely become obsolete when the nationeventually (and inevitably) gets serious aboutcutting emissions. To allow these utilitiesand other American businesses to lead thecharge against global warming, the govern-ment must level the playing field with mar-ket-based regulations that reward progressinstead of pollution. Failure to take respon-sible action today will simply cost the nationmore in the future.

Our hope for progress now rests withCongress. In an attempt to begin filling theleadership vacuum left by the President, theSenate recently agreed to establish an emis-sions reporting requirement to satisfy thepublic’s right to know how much globalwarming pollution is coming from thenation’s large emitters. The next step forCongress is to enact the bipartisan CleanPower Act, which will significantly reduceemissions of major pollutants - includingcarbon dioxide - from the nation’s powerplants.

It’s up to Congress to help Americarecover from the President’s latest stumbleon global warming. U.S. and global eco-nomic and environmental health depend onit. The rest of the world will be watching.And the perception of U.S. internationalleadership is very much on the line.

GUEST EDITORIAL

Lowering emissions from power plants and other sourcesis critical to reducing the accumulation of greenhousegases that are believed by many scientists to contributeto global climate change.


The 34th annual Louisiana WildlifeFederation State Duck and Goose CallingContest will be held Saturday, October 19,2002 at the Waddill Wildlife Refuge andOutdoor Education Center off FlanneryRoad in Baton Rouge. The contest issanctioned by the World ChampionshipDuck Calling Contest Committee ofStuttgart, Arkansas and conducted underthe auspices of the Baton RougeSportsmen’s League.

Registration opens at 9 AM, and thecompetition begins with the junior divi-sion of the blue/snow goose category at 11AM. All callers registering for the contestswill receive a Louisiana Wildlife

Federation waterfowl logo T-shirt.Registration fee (per contest entered) is $5for junior and intermediate callers, and$10 for adults. Contestants must beLouisiana residents.

Contest categories are blue/snowgoose, specklebelly, duck, andmouth/voice calling for geese.Male/female will compete together in theADULT (17 and older), INTERMEDI-ATE (14-16) and JUNIOR (under 14)divisions; the voice/mouth calling catego-ry will be an open competition with no

age divisions.Winners will receive commemorative

plaques and state champion jackets.Winners in the duck calling divisions willbe eligible to represent Louisiana at theworld duck calling contest in Stuttgart onNovember 29-30 and be eligible to receivea $400 expense aid for competing in the

World Contest. The winner and run-ner-up in each of the competitions will beeligible to draw

for a Charles Daly 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun chambered for 3”shells, with camo synthetic stock andmulti-choke system.

All participants in the duck callingcompetitions must be registered by 12Noon to comply with the World Contestqualifying rules requiring close of registra-tion one hour before competition begins.Preregistration is available by mailing: fullname, birth date, home address and phone#, contest category/categories entered(duck, blue/snow, specklebelly,voice/mouth ) and the entry fee for eachcontest entered to LWF; P. O. Box 65239;Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239. Makechecks payable to Baton RougeSportsmen’s League.

Last year’s winner in the adult divi-sion was Lyle Wells of Ponchatoula whowon in the duck, blue/snow and speckled-belly goose categories, the first time incontest history that the same caller won all3 Adult Division competitions. CadeJeffers of Paradis won the Intermediateduck calling competition and BobbyJorden of Lafayette captured his secondconsecutive title in the Junior Divisionduck calling. Jorden went on to finish sec-ond in the Junior World Duck CallingContest in Stuttgart, Arkansas. RickyCanik of Grand Chenier repeated as win-ner of the voice/mouth calling category forgeese. Lex Theriot of Grand Chenier wonboth the blue/snow and speckled-bellygoose calling categories in theIntermediate Division while HunterCanik, also of Grand Chenier won both ofthese goose calling categories in the JuniorDivision.

Contest sponsors are welcome.Contact Carl Gremillion at 225/752-0288for more information on becoming asponsor.

DISTRICT 1Little Tchefuncte River AssociationSt. Bernard Sportsmen’s League

DISTRICT 2Clio Sportsman’s LeagueJefferson Rod and Gun ClubLake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

DISTRICT 3Acadiana Bay AssociationIberia Rod and Gun ClubPlaquemine Sportsman’s League

DISTRICT 4Claiborne Parish Hunting and Fishing Club

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 6American Sportsmen Against PoachersBaton Rouge Sportsmen’s LeagueCitizens For A Clean EnvironmentCFACTEast Ascension Sportsmen’s LeagueLake Maurepas SocietyTriangle “T” Sportsmen’s League

DISTRICT 7Acadiana Sportsmen’s LeagueHoy Hunting ClubSouthwest Louisiana Wildlife AssociationWestlake Hunting Club

DISTRICT 8Avoyelles Wildlife FederationBayou Bassmasters of AlexandriaRapides Wildlife Association

DISTRICT 9Louisiana Toledo Bend Lake AssociationSouth Toledo Bend Civic AssociationToledo Bend Bi-State Alliance

STATEWIDEAssociation of Louisiana Bass ClubsBayou State Bowhunters AssociationLa. Chapter, National Wild Turkey

FederationLa. Chapter Safari Club InternationalLouisiana Charter Boat AssociationLouisiana Trappers and Alligator Hunters

AssociationUnited Commercial Fishermen’s Association

A F F I L I A T EC L U B S

C L U B N E W S

34th State Duck and Goose Calling Contest Set

Ricky Canik of Cameron put on another amazingperformance during last year’s competition in the goosecalling without the aid of a calling device (voice/mouth)category.


is a teacher at St. Theresa of Avila Schooland its summer camp director. She wantedthe campers to be able to use New River tolearn canoeing and kayaking skills but was

concerned about water quality. From thatconcern grew “Revive New River,” an orga-nization dedicated to restoring New River toa community asset from a community eye-sore. Ms. Landreneau has served as presi-dent of the organization for the past twoyears. During that time she has spearheadedmany projects to gain the community’s sup-port and get things done.

To get the public’s attention, it was heridea to place 8-foot tall egret silhouette’salong the bayou banks. She organized ariver cleanup and a project to plant nativeLouisiana irises along the banks. Under herleadership, Revive New River hosted twopublic meetings, along with the EastAscension Sportsman’s League, to learnabout Corps of Engineers’ studies toimprove the quality of the bayou. Ms.Landreneau is currently in the process ofacquiring some property along New Riverwhich she hopes to landscape into a nativeLouisiana garden, outdoor classroom andlaunch site for her campers and others who’dlike to wet a paddle.

Last year’s St. Theresa Avila yearbookwas dedicated to Julie Landreneau for heroutstanding contributions to her school andher dedication to improving New River. Sheis a tireless advocate for the project and says,

“Rivers are getting cleaned up all over thenation. Why can’t it happen in Gonzales,Louisiana.”

Oak Grove Primary School Tag Students –Youth Conservationists of the Year

Kids, like butterflies, can be sensitivebarometers of changes in the environment.Take the 36 pre-K through 4 students fromOak Grove Primary School in Prairieville,for example. They noticed that the once-open space in their neighborhoods wasbeing lost at a rapid rate to development,and along with it the butterflies that calledthose places home. So the kids took action.With the help of their teacher, JudyMcIntyre, they hosted a community butter-fly garden symposium where they created 36informational booths. At the booths theygave away milk weed plants that wouldattract butterflies to home gardens, theyshowed films on butterflies, gave awayflower seeds and booklets from theCooperative Extension Service on butterfly

gardening and raised money for monarchhabitats in Mexico. One hundred and sev-enty visitors from the community attendedthe event. The University of Kansas was soimpressed with the students’ efforts that ithas featured the students’ ButterflyGardening Symposium on its web site. Thestudents have maintained a butterfly gardenfor the past several years that is used by all736 students at the school. The garden hasattracted sulphurs, Gulf fritillaries, mon-archs, tiger swallowtails, luna moths andothers. Last fall they raised 70 monarchsand released them in time for the fall migra-tion.

Students involved in the program were:Khorizon Dunn (pre-K), Tyler Schlaudecker(1st grade), 2nd graders — Christian

Anderson, Robert Anderson, Eric Babin,Lauren Brave, Brett Burns, Kai Ducre,William Huye, Shane Lightfoot, SaraMoore, Kyle Stroda, Sean Walsh, JacobWilliams; 3rd graders – Morgan Broussard,Chase Dupeire, Mayrie Irving, KendallJohnson, Seth Klug, Paige Pittman, DanielPrejean, Elliot Rodrigue, Megan Romaire,Benjamin Sanders, Samuel Schwartz, EricaSweeney, Dylan Windsor; 4th graders –Jared Braud, Seth Brown, Rocko DelPriore,Joseph Harlan, Chelsea Howack,Christopher LeBright, Shelby Schexnailder.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC –Conservation Corporation of the Year

Marathon Ashland Petroleum (MAP) ispart of a growing trend along the MississippiRiver Corridor to “Save a Place forWildlife.” The company has instituted aWildlife Management EnhancementProgram at its plant site in Garyville, whichincludes a large tract of property north ofAirline Highway. A key part of the project

has been the establishment of a wildlifehabitat enhancement team comprised of 14members, 13 from MAP and one contractor.The team members have conducted severalwildlife inventories and have developed amanagement plan to preserve and enhancethe area. The entire plant site is beingreviewed for opportunities to provide habi-tat elements that will make the area moreattractive for wildlife. So far, purple martinhouses have been placed around the refineryand bird baths and feeders have been placedaround the plant’s administrative officecomplex. Ten wood duck nest boxes havebeen installed at various locations in prox-imity to water as well as bluebird nest boxesalong fence lines. The fence line around theplant’s tank farm was planted with oleander

Julie Landreneau, Volunteer Conservationist of the Year.

Oak Grove Elementary School Tag students receive a certificate of commendation from Governor Foster and a copy of thespecial monarch butterfly edition of Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine autographed by Dr. Gary Noel Ross.

Corps Biologist........Awards: Continued from page 7


to provide cover for birds and other wildlife.One of the objectives of the program is

community service and involvement. Tothat end, MAP employees transplanted

excess shade trees from the plant entranceroad to East St. John Elementary School,and an additional 75 trees purchased fromthe Louisiana Office of Forestry were plant-ed at East St. John and Garyville MagnateElementary Schools to enhance habitat onthe school grounds as part of the Adopt-A-School program MAP participates in.Opportunities for more community involve-ment and education are being exploredincluding hosting a wildlife habitat work-shop at the plant’s recreation center andbecoming more involved with the CorporateLands for Learning Program. The wildlifehabitat enhancement team is planning morewetland site inventories, nature trails, aboardwalk, observation tower and wild-flower meadow in preparation for an ambi-tious schedule in 2002.

Based on MAP’s and the habitat team’scommitment to an ongoing program ofhabitat development and enhancement onthe plant site, the team has applied for certi-fication through the Wildlife HabitatCouncil for the Corporate Wildlife HabitatCertification Program.

Barry J. Guillot – Conservation Educator of the Year

Barry J. Guillot of Luling teaches 7thand 8th Grade science at Harry HurstMiddle School in Destrahan. But he’s noordinary science teacher. He’s a master of

the “hands-on” approach to teaching, to get-ting students interested and involved in theirwork – learning. A few years ago, Mr.Guillot initiated a school-based wetland

conservation project called the LaBrancheWetland Watchers. He and his studentsadopted a site in the LaBranche wetlandswhere the Bonnet Carre Spillway meets LakePontchartrain. The project enhances learn-ing, appreciation of the environment andunderstanding of environmental issues whilegiving students an opportunity to feel whatit’s like to make a positive contribution tothe community.

Last year Mr. Guillot and his studentstook eleven service trips involving 1200 5th,6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Theyplanted trees, bagged trash, collected waterquality data and hosted field trips foryounger students. During 2001, his stu-dents, partners and volunteers logged11,000 hours of volunteer service to wetlandconservation. In April, 2001, Hurst Middlewas the first middle school from Louisianato be recognized with a PresidentialNational Service Learning Leader SchoolAward.

The effectiveness of Barry Guillot’s edu-cation program is evident in the response ofthe students who have been awakened to thewonders of nature around them and moti-vated by the serious business of understand-ing and conserving the ecosystem. It hasstimulated more enthusiasm for their class-room work and improved performance inthe fundamentals of math, social studies andlanguage arts to which Mr. Guillot hasapplied the lessons the students have learnedin the field, thus integrating environmental

education into the required curriculum.Word has gotten around about the suc-

cess of his methods and he has been calledupon frequently to share his approach to ser-vice-learning, hands-on environmental edu-cation with other teachers through presenta-tions and workshops. Last year he present-ed at the Louisiana EnvironmentalEducation Symposium and the Metrovision“School to Career Workshop”, and facilitat-ed a workshop on fundraising for volunteerwater monitoring projects. He also coordi-nated a 2-day workshop for teachers called“Swamp School” that was attended by 11teachers from Houston, Texas and 16Louisiana teachers from 6 different parishes.Swamp School exceeded the participants’expectations and made Louisiana a focalpoint for environmental service-learning.He has been selected as one of ten peoplefrom across the nation to serve on theNational Service Learning PartnershipMembership Committee which will work tomake materials available to teachers whowant to start projects similar to LaBrancheWetland Watchers.

Senator D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux –Conservation Legislator of the Year

Although not as scarce as endangeredspecies, lawmakers who carry the banner ofconservation in the Louisiana Legislatureare, well, let’s just say they’re not behind

every bush. When one is located, a littleappreciation is in order. Senator ButchGautreaux of Morgan City is one such law-maker.

Senator Gautreaux has long had aninterest in fish and wildlife resources andtheir conservation. Representing St. Mary

Conservation Legislator of the Year, Senator ButchGautreaux receives his award from Karen Gautreauxrepresenting Governor Foster.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum represented by plant manager Rich Bedell, Danny Duhe, Donnie Hackler and Kerry Brignacreceived the Conservation Corporation of the Year Award from Karen Gautreaux of the Governor’s office and NWF’s Dr.Earl Matthew.


Parish, a coastal parish with a rich wildlifeheritage, Senator Gautreaux was a naturalchoice for the Natural ResourcesCommittees of both the House and theSenate (he served in the Louisiana House ofRepresentatives for one term prior to beingelected to the Louisiana Senate) where hehas been instrumental in looking after thestate’s natural resources, and their users.

Senator Gautreaux has been one of theLegislature’s strongest advocates for coastalrestoration, and he has been especially help-ful in authorizing and funding the State’s15-year Conservation and Recreation Planfor the Atchafalaya Basin, a fish and wildlifehaven and as fine an example of the“Sportsman’s Paradise” as there is in thestate. Thousands of people for many years

have been working to keep it “Wet andWild”, including Senator Gautreaux.

Gary Noel Ross – ConservationCommunicator of the Year

Dr. Gary Noel Ross is a professionallepidopterist, award-winning author andphotographer, educator and conservationist.He believes that the exceptional beauty, pop-ularity and symbolism of butterflies makesthese insects uniquely suitable as subjects toinspire the public to greater appreciation ofnature, and ultimately, to become betterstewards of the global environment. As hesays, his goal is not so much to make every-one butterfly experts, but to “open theminds, hearts and souls of mankind to theGlory of Creation.”

Dr. Ross is retired from SouthernUniversity, but he has rejoined the teachingranks, bringing his unique enthusiasm forNature to students of Baton RougeCommunity College. Last year, Dr. Rosshad several publishing milestones including

the special monarch edition of LouisianaWILDLIFE Federation magazine and pho-tographs in National Geographic. He waspublished in 16 journals and periodicalsand, in addition, over 100 of his photoswere published, including those selected forthe Baton Rouge Earth Day butterfly poster.He is in great demand as a speaker and self-lessly contributes his time and talents to fur-ther the interest in butterflies and the natur-al world. Be it advising butterfly festivals,presenting at Earth Day events or just talk-ing butterflies to school kids, Gary NoelRoss brings home his message of science, lifeand nature.

Little Tchefuncte River Association –Conservation Organization of the Year

A lot of the conservation work beinghonored this year has been a reaction to therelentless pressure of development on ournatural resources. Perhaps the greatestonslaught of development is occurring in St.Tammany Parish. But one group has stoodup to bring some sanity to the process.

The Little Tchefuncte RiverAssociation (LTRA) began in 1989 with justa handful of folks who hoped to protect theTchefuncte River and its adjoining lands inWashington, Tangipahoa and St. TammanyParishes. Initially, all it could do was react tothe seemingly endless proposals for subdivi-sions, re-zoning and the subsequent clear-ing, filling, grading and bulldozing of thenatural landscape. Despite its efforts inwriting letters, attending and speaking outat parish planning meetings to protect theriver, monitoring requests for zoning vari-ances and proposing river protection resolu-tions to all three parishes, LTRA was notsucceeding in getting parish authorities toembrace the concept of planning and landconservation.

Motivated by an article in the Times-Picayune predicting the inevitability ofsprawl development for the New Orleansmetropolitan area (including St. TammanyParish), LTRA decided to sponsor a voteropinion poll on the issue. It raised nearly$10,000 to commission and execute a statis-tically valid poll. When the results werepublished, indicating that voters wereannoyed with the failure of government toresponsibly guide development, the St.Tammany Parish Police Jury authorized acomprehensive parish-wide land use andgrowth management plan.

With this victory under its belt, LTRAdirected its attention back to the river. In

2000, LTRA was one of only 20 organiza-tions (out of 400 applicants) to receive aWatershed Assistance Grant of $22,450from River Network, a national river conser-vation organization, for its project “BuildingPartnerships on the Little Tchefuncte and

Tributaries.” In 2001, assisted by the grantfunds, LTRA was able to do the propertytitle research to identify the landownersalong the river and its tributaries in 3 parish-es and create a data base of these stakehold-ers. It also organized the “Little TchefuncteRiver Rally” held last October to educateand get more people involved in caringabout preserving the river environment.With the help of the Lake PontchartrainBasin Foundation, LTRA is also establishinga water quality monitoring network to takesamples along the river. It has produced amap of the river and its tributaries with allroads and section lines, providing a handytool for showing the spatial relationship ofproposed developments to the river. Lastyear, LTRA entered into cooperative agree-ments with the Lake Pontchartrain BasinFoundation, Washington Citizens forConservation, the Louisiana NatureConservancy and the Louisiana Departmentof Wildlife and Fisheries (administrator ofthe Louisiana Natural and Scenic StreamsProgram – the Tchefuncte is a designatedscenic stream in the program) to help insurethe long-term health of the entireTchefuncte River watershed.

From a purr, to a roar, the LittleTchefuncte River Association has made adifference in taking on the real juggernaut ofunlimited growth to help design a better,more liveable future for wildlife and people.

Gary Noel Ross, Ph. D., Conservation Communicator of theYear, receives his award from Karen Gautreaux with theGovernor’s office and NWF’s Dr. Earl Matthew.

David Campbell receives the Conservation Organization ofthe Year Award on behalf of the Little Tchefuncte RiverAssociation.


As development sprawls across ourcountry, there is an ever- increasing need

for habitat creation, restoration andpreservation, and wildlife needs yourhelp. If you consider yourself a “naturalteacher” and would like to help facilitatethe training of habitat stewards in

Louisiana, we hope you will considerbecoming a Habitat Stewards™ host.

The Habitat Stewards™ Program is

the mentoring program of the NationalWildlife Federation’s Backyard WildlifeHabitat Program™ which promotes thecreation, restoration, and preservation ofwildlife habitat at home, at school, and

where we recreate, worship and work.The Habitat Stewards are the folks whoare trained as the conduits or workforcefor the habitat creation.

What is a Habitat Stewards Host?A Habitat Stewards Host is an indi-

vidual that works in partnership withNWF to administer the Habitat Stewardstraining program at the community level.Each host facilitates the Habitat Stewardstraining and acts as the liaison betweenNWF and individual Habitat Stewardsvolunteers before, during, and after thetraining is completed.

What are a host’s responsibilities?

As a Habitat Stewards Host, youwould be responsible for:

–educating yourself through the Hosttraining manual;

–recruiting Habitat Stewards candidates;–planning and facilitating at least one

Habitat Stewards training;–following up with your Habitat

Stewards volunteers at least four times peryear;

–reporting periodically to NWF on theprogress being made by the HabitatStewards volunteers.

How do I become a host?

In order to become a HabitatStewards Host, you must first complete aseries of learning activities designed toprepare you to train future HabitatStewards volunteers. These activities arecontained in Part One of the HabitatStewards Host Manual. To preview thehost manual to see whether you are inter-ested in becoming a Habitat StewardsHost visit our website at:http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/hosting.cfm

If you have any further questions, orhave decided you would like to become ahost, please contact one of your regionalNWF educators, Marya Fowler or AliceNance at 512-476-9805 or

Email mailto:[email protected] ormailto:[email protected].

“Calling all Nature Enthusiasts— Wildlife Needs Your Help!”“Calling all Nature Enthusiasts— Wildlife Needs Your Help!”

Habitat Stewards get to observe a lot of neat things around the yard like this little mockingbird fledgling grippinga thorny perch.


The National Wildlife Federationwould love to have you as a guest speaker atone of its Schoolyard Habitats professionaldevelopment workshops. The SchoolyardHabitats® Program provides non-tradition-al teaching methods that are easily integrat-ed across the curriculum. Workshopsdemonstrate how teachers can bring the nat-ural world into their classroom and the class-room out into nature.

Workshop topics include: CreatingSchoolyard Habitats, Discovering Habitats,Access Nature, On the Brink of Extinct andWade into Wetlands. NWF workshops aretypically between 6 and 8 hours in length.Guest speakers are asked to give a 30-minuteto one hour presentation. The NWF educa-tor facilitating the workshop will suggest anappropriate presentation topic such as nativeplants and their wildlife value, Louisianahabitats and the native wildlife that depend

on them, or endangered species. Dependingupon the site where the workshop is beingheld, the presentation could either be a slideshow or an outside habitat value tour of the

site. The NWF educator and guest speakerwill work together to tailor a presentation forthe specific workshop. Another way you canhelp is by sharing with teachers, administra-tors and informal educators how they canbecome a workshop host. The fee is $35 perperson ($50 for Creating SchoolyardHabitats or Access Nature). Group rates areavailable.

Becoming a Schoolyard Habitats workshop host is easy!

-Contact your regional NWF educator,Marya Fowler, to book a workshop.512-476-9805 x 20 or:mailto:[email protected]

-Help NWF identify 20-30 participantsfor the workshops. (NWF will create flyer)

-Secure a workshop location-Coordinate logistical needs

Workshop hosts receive the following:-Free workshop registration-Free Nature Scope curriculum kit

-A school-year subscription to Your Big BackYard, Ranger Rick or National WildlifeFederation Magazine for the entire class (upto 30 copies).

If you have any questions or would liketo receive some education brochures to sharewith educators in you area, contact MaryaFowler, NWF Senior Educator, Tel.512-476-9805 ext. 20 ormailto:[email protected]

HELP WANTED! Nature Education Needs YOU!

Naturalist Greg Grandy shows preschoolers a speckled king snake at “Wildlife Day” last Spring in downtown Baton Rouge.

Kids check out the Gulf Coast Toad and other yard critters from the compost pile at “Wildlife Day.”


Wildlife-related recreation continues to bepopular in America, with 39 percent of all U.S.residents 16 years old and older participating inactivities such as hunting, fishing, and birdwatch-ing, according to preliminary results from the2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, andWildlife Associated Recreation, conducted by theInterior Department’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service.In 2001, more than 82 million Americans

engaged in wildlife-related recreation in the U.S.,an increase of five million in comparison with thelast survey conducted in 1996. These recreation-ists spent more than $110 billion pursuing their

activities. These expenditures accounted for1.1% of the gross domestic product.

Fishing is one of the Nation’s favorite pas-times, with 34 million anglers age 16 or older,each spending an average of 16 days fishing in2001. Anglers spent more than $35 billion ontrips, equipment, and other items for their sport,averaging more than $1,046 apiece. More than

28 million people went freshwater fishing, whilenine million people went saltwater fishing. Whilethe number of anglers held steady compared tothe last Survey in 1996, expenditures declined by17 percent.

Thirteen million Americans age 16 and

older hunted an average of 17.5 days each in2001. They spent more than $20 billion on theiractivities and equipment, or $1,581 apiece.Nearly ll million hunters sought big game such asdeer and elk on l53 million days. Roughly fivemillion hunters pursued small game, includingsquirrels and rabbits, on 60 million days. Threemillion migratory bird hunters spent 29 milliondays hunting for birds such as doves and ducks.And one million hunters spent l9 million dayshunting other animals such as raccoons andwoodchucks.

Although the number of all huntersdeclined by seven percent from 1996 to 2001, thenumber of big game and migratory hunters heldsteady. The declines were in small game (-22%)and other animal hunting (-31%). Huntersexpenditures did not change significantly from1996 to 2001.

More than 66 million adults B 31 percent ofall Americans B participated in feeding, observ-ing, and photographing wildlife and spent $40billion. Twenty-two million people, or 33 per-cent of this total, took outings of one mile ormore away from home to participate in theseactivities. Sixty-three million, or 95 percent,enjoyed wildlife-related activities around theirhomes. Some 54 million enthusiasts fed birdsand other wildlife around the home, while morethan 42 million observed wildlife and 14 millionphotographed wildlife around the home. Almostl3 million people maintained plantings or naturalareas for the benefit of wildlife around the home,and 11 million visited public parks or naturalareas to enjoy wildlife within a mile of home.From 1991 to 1996, the number of peopleobserving, feeding, and photographing wildlifeincreased by five percent, while their expendituresremained constant at $510 apiece.

The U.S. Bureau of Census interviewed80,000 households in the United States to deter-mine participants in wildlife-associated activities.From this initial phase, 30,000 sportsmen andsportswomen and 15,000 wildlife watchers wereselected for detailed interviews about their partic-ipation and expenditures in 2001. The finalNational report will be released in October 2002;individual state reports will be released starting inNovember 2002.

The 2001 National Preliminary Survey ofFishing, Hunting, and Wildlife AssociatedRecreation is posted at http://federalaid.fws.gov/.

National Survey of Hunting/Fishing andRelated Recreation PreviewedNational Survey of Hunting/Fishing andRelated Recreation Previewed

Louisiana Wildlife Federation, September 2001,

N. J. Allemand, LockportDiane Allen, Baton Rouge

-Diane Allen & AssociatesJohn B. Benton, Jr., MindenJacques F. Bezou, CovingtonOscar J. Bienvenu, Jr., M.D., NatchitochesBren Bishop, Pearl River

-Standard MaterialsDavid Bondy, Baton Rouge

-LUBA Workers’ CompScott M. Burke, MarreroBrian A. Carroll, NatchitochesMarc Couvillion, Baton Rouge

-Tiger Billboard Advertising, LLCJessie Daigle, CameronRichard T. Daspit, Sr., Baton RougeChief R. Davis, Robeline

-Chief Environmental Surveys, Inc.Delacroix Corporation, New OrleansP. J. Demarie, III, Madisonville

-New York Life Insurance Co.F. K. Dowty, LafayetteRobert C. Funderburk, Baton Rouge

-Attorney at LawLuther Gordon, Baton Rouge

-Gordon & Sandifer Auto Service

Lane Grigsby, Baton Rouge-Cajun Constructors

Don Head, West Monroe-Northeast Louisiana Buckmasters

Jeremiah R. Honea, PlauchevilleGeorge Jenne, Baton RougeNorwyn E. Johnson, TallulahNanette Kelley, Baton Rouge

-The Powell Group, Inc.Jacque P. Kuchta, MetairieVolker Leyerzapf, Baton Rouge

-Exxon Mobil ChemicalRay Main, Metairie

-Main Electronics, Inc.Steve Mathies, New Orleans

-CH2M Hill, Inc.Finley Matthews, Alexandria

-Matthews MemorialPaul C. P. Mc Ilhenny, Avery IslandDr. John W. Melton, Lake CharlesJohnnie & Sharon Miller, FlorienMichael Moore, M.D., ShreveportHelmut A. Mundt, MandevilleDaniel T. Murchison, Natchitoches

-Murchison & MurchisonWilbert Nelson, Natchitoches

-Nelson Equipment & Truck

J. W. Nixon, Baton RougeRod Osburn, Baton Rouge

-Dolese Brothers CompanyKenneth C. Pailet, MetairieRonald E. Pender, BlanchardRobert D. Phillips, Baton RougeMarvin Ragland, Jr., Baton RougeKevin P. Reilly, Jr.,Baton RougeBill Rigell, Baton RougeTracy Rutledge, Baton Rouge

-B.F. Anderson & Company, Inc.Juan Saurez, Metairie

-Office DepotSidney G. Servat, RayneWayne Stabiler, Baton Rouge

-Wayne Stabiler Catering, Inc.Vincent J. Stassi, Houma

-Houma Toyota, IncSammy Terito, Baton Rouge

-Apex Industries CorporationRobert A. Thomas, Ph. D., MetairieJimmy C. Thompson, Baton RougeTerry Tranchina, Slidell

-Honaker Funeral Homes & CemeteriesStephen W. Wheat, M.D., NatchitochesRobert Yarborough, Baton Rouge

-Manda Fine Meats

Sponsor MembersFirst-time $100 or greater LWF Contributing

members are entitled to receive a sponsor plaquefor their home or office. We extend our gratefulappreciation to the following Sponsor Members

of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Theirsupport and that of all our loyal members isdirectly responsible for the Federation’s growthand success.

Please enroll me as a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation

Name:

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Email:

Check preferred member category below, attach your payment, and mail to:LWF, P.O. Box 65239 Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239.

Sustaining – $35 (LWF lapel pin or logo license plate)

Sponsor – $100 (sponsor plaque)

Business – $50 (LWF logo T-shirt; M - L - XL)

Corporate – $1,000 (framed, limited edition s/n wildlife print)

Basic/Student – $15

Payment enclosed but don’t send me anything but Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine.

Please send information about your ( ) individual or ( ) corporate life membership.

All levels of membership include a subscription to Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine.

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