Now we’re having some fun. Hunting seasons are full blown, and a blast of good old, cold Arctic air that’s colder than a witch’s you-know-what just blew through! It’s time to bundle up and go hunting.
We’re on the eve of duck and goose season openings, and all is well. There should be enough birds down to make the opening interesting and fairly easy to roll out of bed for. These wicked cold fronts should begin freezing over up north and pushing big numbers south to sweet Louisiana.
The “C Team” — from left: “Captain” J. Warshaw, Chris Warshaw — “Eating Champion,” Charlie Snead — “Head of Maintenance,” Justin Parkhurst — “Security Coordinator”
A local group of avid waterfowlers made a dream trip recently to sharpen their hunting skills in advance of the season. They landed in Winnipeg, Canada, armed and dangerous. Jamie Warshaw headed up this bunch with his second in command, his first-born Chris. Veterans Charlie Snead and Justin Parkhurst rounded out the “C (Cajun) Team.”
The hunts were over dry fields of mostly oats and barley with nary a drop of water! Single-man lay-down blinds were the ticket and were freshly grassed each day. There were beaucoup mallards with a few fine pintails to add a little variety. Also, there was no shortage of Canadian geese for lagniappe.
“Those boys from Louisiana” left them shaking their heads. They could grass their own blinds, shoot to kill and even blow a duck call effectively. Mainly, they were real nice guys to hunt with; guys who would eat pretty much everything in sight. Young Chris narrowly out-ate Charlie for the Heavyweight at the Table Award, making his old man proud.
Big bunches of mallards in groups of up to 50 kept the hunters smiling with great decoying shots. All their hunts were loaded with action and reminiscent of how good hunting in Louisiana once was.
Speaking of road trips, here’s the story of a good one:
Shard Morris and his 12-year-old man-child, Nathan, left the California west coast hell-bent for Louisiana. The vacation crew landed in Winn Parish for a chance at a bayou buck. They hooked up with veteran deer hunter Jim Hebert, and this trip was on.
Nathan was psyched for an opportunity at his first deer and had an unusually hard time getting to sleep. He dreamed of a buck, but would not turn down a mature doe.
Nathan and his deer. Welcome to Louisiana!
As fate would have it, his dream came true. A nine-point buck appeared out of nowhere, and Nathan readied himself for the shot. He went on automatic pilot as he settled the crosshairs on the buck’s sweet spot. His aim was true, and just like that — score one up for the young hunter.
After enduring a bout of the adrenalin shakes, Dad and son had the traditional high five ceremony, and it just does not get much “mo betta.” Neither will ever forget every nuance of this gold-star Louisiana hunt. Jim Hebert was all smiles.
Winter weather is upon us, and it feels real good. Being exposed to the harsh cold is guaranteed to make you really appreciate the confines of a warm house and a hot meal. Enjoy your time in the great outdoors. Scoring an animal is lagniappe. Happy hunting!
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