Bastrop hunter kills 180-class opening-day buck despite muggy weather  - Opening day (Nov. 19) in Area 4 dawned warm and muggy, and Bastrop insurance agent Bardell Bostick decided to sleep in that morning. However, his hunting buddy talked him into going to his stand that afternoon, and he’s glad he did.

Find it all at The Boat Show In New Orleans!  - The Mercedes-Benz Superdome floor will be covered with boats of all kinds Feb. 2-4 during The Boat Show, which offers those looking for great deals one-stop shopping in a family friendly atmosphere.

February issue of Louisiana Sportsman on its way  - The staff of Louisiana Sportsman is putting the finishing touches on the February issue, and sending it to the off-site printer today (Jan. 19). It's 260 pages thick, and it's loaded with everything you need to know to have success in the field and on the water next month. Look for it in your mailbox and on newsstands beginning early next week.

Husband gives wife permission to down 160-class buck  - As a first-grade teacher at Sterlington Elementary School, Melissa Winkler is accustomed to her students asking her permission for things they want or need to do. The shoe was on the other foot Jan. 2 when Winkler phoned her husband to get his approval before shooting a big buck she was looking at 90 yards away – she had shot a 9-point earlier in the season, and he wanted her to hold off on shooting another buck unless it was larger. This buck obviously was: From her vantage point, she could count 10 points. With hubby’s okay, she shot and downed a huge-racked deer that actually sported 12 points (13 if a broken point was counted).