Since 1988, we anglers fishing along the Louisiana coast have operated under regulations allowing us to keep 25 trout and five redfish per day. And that latter limit could have been even more liberal were it not for the redfish wars that ended commercial exploitation of that species.[…]
There are some things I avoid like the plague. The dentist, for example. Yeah, I know I should go more often, but I hate the entire experience. Nothing personal. I just hate it (and it usually costs me loads of money). So I avoid anything dealing with dentists until I have a tooth that is killing me.[…]
Scientific research is vital to ensuring that our hunting and fishing regulations are effectively conserving the natural resources of the state we all love. And normally I’m all for more study.[…]
When Gov. Bobby Jindal raided the constitutionally protected Artificial Reef Program, outdoorsmen were up in arms. The man who came to office on the coat tails of this state’s hunting and fishing community proved beyond any shadow of doubt that he was anything but “the sportsmen’s friend” he had claimed.[…]
Fishing is at the heart of Louisiana outdoor life. Sure, we love to hunt, but that’s only allowed for a few months each year. Fishing season, on the other hand, never ends.[…]
Old dogs can learn new tricks. Proof of that came in January when the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Mike Wood announced that slot limits should be dropped on six lakes that have been part of the state’s quality-lakes system for more than 20 years.[…]
Three short years ago, a little lake snuggled into the crescent of the Mississippi River southwest of New Orleans rose to world prominence when Kevin VanDam boated 20 fish worth 69 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Bassmaster Classic by a stunning 10 pounds.[…]
“Wow, that’s awful! Why on earth (would you) kill this poor creature? Damn!”[…]
Ever been in a restaurant with your significant other and have the family from hell seated right next to you? You know the family I’m talking about: The one with three kids throwing nonstop tantrums while their parents seem oblivious to the chaos.[…]
As a kid, I spent as much time as possible in the woods on the 600-acre working ranch on which we lived on the edge of Baton Rouge. During the summer, when I wasn’t sitting on a tractor bush-hogging a pasture or helping in the hay field, I ranged through the 300 acres of hardwoods doing whatever struck me at the time.[…]
When my kids were young, I was determined they would be as eaten up with hunting and fishing as I was. They were dragged along on trips as often as possible, and the lessons stuck — at least with my son.[…]
My introduction to Toledo Bend was almost 20 years ago this month when I drove to the reservoir for a Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association meeting. Former Louisiana Sportsman editor Todd Masson and I jumped on John Dean’s boat, and spent a broiling-hot day dropping plastics into 30 feet of water.[…]
It’s all the rage to bash governmental agencies. Folks are tired of taxes, tired of the political wrangling that prevents much from happening (which might be a good thing) and turned off by partisan sniping reminiscent of spoiled children.[…]
When Bobby Jindal was running for the governorship in 2007, he said all the right things during an interview with this magazine.[…]
Regional management of red snapper just won’t work. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act under which snapper management is conducted simply won’t allow for it. Nope. Won’t work. Can’t do it. Won’t do it.[…]
Last July I wrote about my hope for the Louisiana coast, which seems to be melting away like so much candle wax, because of projects funded by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.[…]