Hunting seasons are winding down. This can be a tough time of year for locals to cope with. The season always closes too soon and very abruptly. A hunter’s way of life for the past several months is suddenly finis. It is a pure shock to the system.
It’s time now to sleep in late and reminisce about the really good hunts you enjoyed this season. If your loved one has a perpetual vacant stare on his face, or if you catch him fondling his duck calls, please be patient.
Have your favorite hunter relax and breathe deep. Get out this copy of Lagniappe and read the following article to him. This is the true story of an event that occurred this season in the magnificent hardwood forest of sweet home Louisiana.
Tensas and Big Lake Wildlife Management Areas are vast refuges that provide some great habitat for wildlife. They sit side-by-side. They’re home to beaucoup hunters in search of the ever-popular whitetail deer.
Johnny Willis and his hunting brethren have educated themselves and know these hunting grounds better than the streets of Oakdale, where they’re from. Each season they’re as ready as they can get to create new deer hunting adventures.
Johnny Willis with his magnificent buck.
Johnny was up early and armed with his old faithful black powder rifle. He was hunting in a flooded area and slipped on his boots for the walk-in. Once on the stand, he slipped out of his cold boots and slipped on his favorite fuzzy slippers. Life was good, and it’s not a rule that your feet have to be cold when you are hunting. Johnny was in his element. He settled in for a beautiful sunrise Louisiana style.
The morning stillness was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of an animal walking in the water. Johnny froze up and scanned his area. Small ripples in the water grabbed his attention, and his eyes focused on a giant buck. The deer was head-down, scent-checking at only 60 yards.
He had halted behind several saplings, offering no possibility of a clear shot, so Johnny held his fire and breathed quietly. Both hunter and buck were locked up and not moving. Time stood still, but not for long.
A hunter’s nightmare was about to occur. A four-wheeler broke the silence and approached. The buck immediately responded, throwing his head up to locate the intruder. In his alert position, his head cleared the obstruction, offering Johnny a limited, but doable, neck shot.
He dropped this magnificent buck in a foot of water with a sweet shot that is stamped forever in his memory. The mature buck was a heavy-horned eight point that scored 157 5/8 inches of horn. His 6-inch bases and 22-inch spread put him in the select class of a buck of a lifetime.
Hopefully the preceding article has had a calming effect on your special hunter. Hunter withdrawal symptoms should begin to be relieved.
If anxious behavior persists, have him scan the article again.
A sure cure is to mention that spring fishing season is up next, and this could be his year. Watch for that special glimmer to return to his eye and you’re home free!
Head coach Lance Guidry is quietly putting together an awesome staff of football coaches who just happen to have been great players at McNeese. It’s a great idea, en route to a great season. Go Cowboys!
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