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One of the good guys has gone home
On March 15, Dr. George Dugal passed away at his home in Lafayette. He was 84, a retired dentist, a good husband, father, grandfather and so much more. […]
Game Warden
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Turkey time
The 2015 spring gobbler hunting kicked off last month, with staggered closings through the end of April […]
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Becoming a wildlife enforcement agent
Even as children we all have an idea of what we want to be when we grow up. Fireman, policeman, doctor and nurse are all professions the kindergarten class has in its sights. […]
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Picking the right outfitter
Like a lot of other hunters, my first experiences out west were do-it-yourself (DIY) hunts on public land. […]
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What to do after the hunt
As with any other service industry, some game processors and taxidermists are better than others. Here’s some tips on choosing the right ones. […]
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The loss of dog hunting
Like many hunters throughout Louisiana and the other Southeast states, I grew up hunting deer with dogs. Members of the family kept deer hounds, and we anxiously awaited the “with or without dogs” segment of deer season. […]
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Illegal night hunting
One dark Friday night in early November 1977, under the direction of an older, more-experienced wildlife enforcement officer, I parked the Bronco overlooking a large area of recently harvested soybean fields. […]
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Mistaken identity
I was a young officer working my first year on the job when I walked into a little country store in Avoyelles Parish near Bordelonville one day. Being new to the area and not knowing anyone, a lot of time was spent meeting local folks and learning my way around. […]
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Hunting camp preparedness
If you own or lease land for hunting, there are a hundred jobs that need doing. Let’s examine those concerns and do some advanced planning. […]
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On offshore patrol
Louisiana’s wildlife enforcement agents patrol some very diverse land and water habitat in the sportsman’s paradise. From hills and creek bottoms to river and coastal plains, from freshwater lakes and streams to fresh and brackish water marshes wildlife agents cover it all. […]
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Smart boating
In last month’s column we took a look at some of the required training and safety equipment for boats operating on public waterways. A working knowledge of safety rules acquired in the boating education course and good safety equipment are the basics for becoming a safe boat owner/operator. […]
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Summer safety
Summer is finally here after a cold winter and lingering cool spring. Warmer temperatures put us in the mood to get out on the water for a variety of boating activities. […]
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Innovative sentencing
Wildlife enforcement agents don’t follow every case as it works it’s way through the justice system. Penalties for minor offenses such as fishing without a license or the various boating infractions are usually handled as bond forfeiture or a fine amount listed in the statute: The offender pays the fine to the sheriff’s office in the parish where the offense occurred, and that’s the end of it. […]
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Protecting Louisiana’s wild turkeys
Reestablishing wild turkeys in Louisiana was one of the department’s success stories unfolding during my career. Being there to see turkeys return and being able to contribute to the effort were job benefits from my prospective. […]
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Contest fraud stinks
Hunting and fishing tournaments and contests are a big part of the outdoor industry. Though I never had any desire to participate in such competitions, many of my friends do and more power to them. […]
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Crappie crooks
February can be a little slow, as far as hunting and fishing goes. Hunting seasons are ending. The fish aren’t spawning yet, and besides it’s still pretty cold for getting in a boat. […]