Louisiana Sportsman

May 4, 2026

James 'Cowboy' Fernandez, who co-founded Sure-Shot Game Calls and helped develop the first double-reed duck call, passed away last week in Beaumont. The world champion caller was 86.

Inventor, founder of Sure-Shot game calls passes away

August 24, 2018 From News Reports

Sure-Shot Game Calls co-founder and world champion caller James “Cowboy” Fernandez passed away last week in Beaumont, Texas at the age of 86.[…]

Whitetail deer program manager Jonathan Bordelon (left) and private lands biologist Justin Ebarb inspect plants browsed by deer during a late June survey.

Summertime prep for fall hunting

August 24, 2018 Keith LaCaze

A line from a Mark Chesnutt song goes: “It’s too hot to fish, and too hot for golf and too cold at home.” I have an amen for his estimation of the current fishing and golf conditions, and am happy to report good weather at home.[…]

Agents cite alleged alligator violators

August 23, 2018 From News Reports

Enforcement agents on patrol near Catahoula cited two men for alleged alligator violations in St. Martin Parish on Aug. 19.[…]

If you want to consistently bag a buck like the author’s, pay attention to the little details.

Time is short

August 22, 2018 Bill Garbo

My goodness, where has the time gone? In another month, SEC football games will be playing live on television, and the opening of archery season for deer will be less than 30 days away.[…]

Josh Chauvin shows off a couple of big bullfrogs he speared caveman-style during daylight hours this summer.

Apex Predator: Daytime bullfrog spearing

August 21, 2018 Josh Chauvin

Hunting massive bullfrogs during the daytime is one of my favorite summertime activities. After shooting many frogs with my bowfishing rig, I wanted to take the experience to the next level: So this year I went after them caveman-style with my throwing spear.[…]

The author has been practicing since late last month, and typically shoots 20 arrows per session in exercises designed to simulate hunting scenarios he might encounter at the Atchafalaya Delta WMA.

Public Rambling: Now’s the time for scouting

August 21, 2018 Ricky Aucoin

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! It’s officially time to put in the preseason work. Get up, get going and get out to your favorite hunting spot for some scouting.[…]

Total duck numbers are down by 13 percent from 2017, but the total of 41.2 million birds is still 17 percent higher than the long-term average.

Duck numbers down in 2018

August 20, 2018 From News Reports

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday released its report on 2018 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service.[…]

Many clubs encourage all family members to participate.

What about rules?

August 15, 2018 Capt. Steve Himel

For a club to operate smoothly, there should be clear rules in place that reflect the wishes of the members, and above all, they must be fairly enforced for everyone. […]

This father-and-son team both took a buck in the same morning. Many clubs are geared toward family participation.

Organizing your own hunting club

August 15, 2018 Capt. Steve Himel

If you think you have what it takes to organize your own hunting club, here’s how to get started.[…]

Mature bucks are the trophies that hang on the wall, and are usually 4- to 6-year-old deer.

How to age white-tailed deer: Part IV

August 12, 2018 David Moreland

Learn how to age the bucks that most hunters mount, the 4- to 6-year-old deer that are exhibiting their best antler growth.[…]

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is cautioning the state's deer hunters about the use of urine lures, which are unregulated by state and federal agencies and according to the LDWF, could potentially contain chronic wasting disease.

LDWF cautions hunters on using deer urine lures

August 3, 2018 From News Reports

As hunting season approaches, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is cautioning deer hunters about the use of urine lures because the products could potentially contain chronic wasting disease. […]

Taking a trophy buck like this is possible in hunting clubs that are properly organized and managed.

Get the most bang for your buck

August 1, 2018 Capt. Steve Himel

You’ve dreamed about it — a private sanctuary loaded with trophy deer, abundant food plots, all-weather stands, improved roads, a beautiful lodge and a great group of friends and family to share it with. […]

Birchwood Casey’s Bushwacker Rimfire Target

August 1, 2018 Dan Kibler

I inherited a .22 WMR rifle several years ago upon the death of my father-in-law, and until a few weeks ago, I didn’t really shoot it very much because I’m not all that keen on punching holes in paper just for fun.[…]

Off Grid Tools’ Survival Axe

August 1, 2018 Dan Kibler

My son, the Eagle Scout, is in his late 20s now, but I can only imagine how he’d have been the toast of his troop 10 years ago if he’d showed up at camp with an Off Grid Tools’ survival axe.[…]

Bow prep now is time well spent

August 1, 2018 Sammy Romano

It’s time to prepare for the upcoming bowhunting season, and what you do now could very well determine outcomes later this fall.[…]

The 2018 World Waterfowl Calling Championships facilitated by Team Real Duck will be held all weekend long starting tonight at the La. Outdoor Expo at the Cajundome in Lafayette.

World Waterfowl Calling Championships this weekend in the Cajundome

July 27, 2018 From News Reports

If you’ve been brushing up your calling skills in anticipation of duck season this fall, you can see how you measure up this weekend at the Louisiana Outdoor Expo in the Cajundome in Lafayette.[…]