Help a hunter out

Experienced hunters are needed to serve as mentors in southeast Louisiana

The Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program (LHHP) is now accepting participants for the 2012-13 hunting season.

The LHHP, launched by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), matches experienced hunters with persons who would like to learn how to hunt, but have no family member or friend with the necessary skills. Experienced hunters, registered through LHHP, serve as mentors to help new hunters, referred to as apprentices, with learning the skills necessary to become independent hunters.

Currently there are a few openings for apprentice hunters in north and west central Louisiana. The only requirement for apprentice hunters is that they be 10 years of age or older. Youth, young adults and even seniors who want to learn to hunt are eligible.

There is also a need for experienced hunters willing to serve as mentors in southeast Louisiana, particularly in the New Orleans metro area. The only requirements for mentors is that they be 18 years of age or older, pass a background check and are willing to pass along their hunting skills to a novice hunter.

LDWF will conduct background checks on all mentor applicants, pair apprentices with mentors and provide training and support to mentors. For more information on the LHHP, or for mentor/apprentice applications, visit the LDWF website at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/louisiana-hunting-heritage-program or contact John Sturgis at 225-763-5448 or jsturgis@wlf.la.gov, or Karen Crabtree at 318-766-8144 or kedwards@wlf.la.gov.