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LOUISIANA 


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amily  Fishing  Fun 


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Louisiana  Conservationist 
ISSN  0024-6778 
Volume  56,  No.2 
Baton  Rouge,  LA  70808 


Comments 


Dwight  Landreneau 
Secretary 


I'm  really  excited  to  take 
my  new  post  here  at  the 
Department  of  Wildlife 
and  Fisheries.  It  gives  me 
great  pleasure  to  serve  a  group  with  such  commitment  to 
Louisiana's  natural  heritage.  When  Governor  Blanco  asked  me  to 
be  the  Secretary,  I  agreed  without  hesitation. 

My  career  in  outdoors  and  conservation  began  nearly  27  years 
ago  when  I  went  to  work  for  the  LSU  Ag  Center  as  the  St.  Landry 
Parish  4-H  Agent.  I  became  a  County  Agent  in  1982;  and  in  1985 
I  became  a  fisheries  agent.  I  hunted  and  fished  throughout  my 
youth  and  have  always  been  interested  in  outdoor  issues.  As 
many  of  you  may  know,  I  was  the  Assistant  Secretary  at  the 
Department  of  Culture,  Recreation  and  Tourism  for  more  than  six 
years,  and  now  I  have  a  chance  to  work  with  new  people  on  new 
projects  and  effect  positive  changes  for  the  state  of  Louisiana. 

Here  at  LDWF,  I  plan  to  bring  a  balanced  approach  to  conserva- 
tion. We  are  lucky  to  have  an  able,  highly  trained  staff  of  biolo- 
gists, enforcement  agents  and  educators  who  represent  the  depart- 
ment well.  Their  work  is  the  basis  of  the  management  plans 
implemented  by  the  department  and  the  Louisiana  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries  Commission.  Throughout  my  tenure,  I  plan  to  get 
involved  and  visit  with  the  men  and  women  in  the  field  who  col- 
lect data,  manage  lands,  teach  hunter  safety  and  enforce  our 
wildlife  and  fisheries  laws. 

My  experiences  with  the  LSU  Ag  Center  and  Culture, 
Recreation  and  Tourism  have  resulted  in  great  working  relation- 
ships with  other  agencies  around  the  state.  I  intend  to  make  the 
most  of  my  associations  with  LSU,  Southern  University,  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  and  all  other  agencies  with  a  stake  in 
our  wildlife  and  fish.  They  will  also  find  my  door  open. 

Of  course  the  reason  for  all  of  the  work  we  do  here  at  LDWF  is 
the  benefit  to  you,  the  hunters,  anglers,  commercial  fishermen  and 
outdoors-people  of  Louisiana.  Customer  service  will  be  among  the 
highest  priorities  for  the  department  under  my  administration. 
My  experience  has  taught  me,  too,  that  it  is  possible  to  balance  the 
needs  of  user  groups  with  the  integrity  of  the  environment.  While 
at  CRT,  I  led  initiatives  in  low-impact  construction  that  did  not 
interfere  with  the  natural  habitat,  but  still  allowed  people  to  inter- 
act with  nature.  It  is  important  to  conserve  and  preserve  the 
wealth  of  our  assets,  but  there  is  no  reason  to  do  so  unless  people 
can  use  them. 

I  look  forward  to  serving  you,  our  great  state  and  the  abundant 
resources  we  all  share. 


Kathleen  Babineaux  Blanco,  Governor 
Dwight  Landreneau,  Secretary 
Janice  W.  Lansing,  Undersecretary 
Phil  Bowman,  Asst.  Secretanj 
John  Roussel,  Asst.  Secretary 


Wildlife  and  Fisheries  Commissioners 

Bill  Busbice  Jr.,  Chairman,  Lafayette 
Wayne  J.  Sagrera,  Vice  Chairman,  Abbeville 
Terry  D.  Denmon,  Monroe 
Billy  Broussard,  Pecan  Island 
Henry  M.  Mouton,  Lafayette 
Jerry  Stone,  M.D.,  Baton  Rouge 


Division  Administrators 

Bennie  Fontenot,  Inland  Fisheries 
Karen  Foote,  Marine  Fisheries 
Tommy  Prickett,  Wildlife 
Brandt  Savoie,  Fur/Refuge 
Col.  Winton  Vidrine,  Enforcement 

Magazine  Staff 

Marianne  Burke,  Information  Director 

Janice  Collins,  Editor 

Thomas  Gresham,  News/Media  Relations  Manager 

Linda  Allen,  Circulation  Manager 

Joel  Courtney,  Audio/Visual  Manager 

JeffDeGraff,  Public  Information  Officer 

Jill  Wilson,  Public  Information  Officer 

Copyright  2004  by  the  Louisiana  Department  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries.  This  publication  is  not  responsible 
for  unsolicited  manuscripts,  photographs  or  other 
materials. 

The  Louisiana  Conservationist  (USPS  #320-300)  is 
published  bimonthly  by  the  Louisiana  Departmeitt  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries,  2000  Quail  Drive,  Baton  Rouge, 
LA  70808,  225/765-2918.  Periodical  postage  paid  at 
Baton  Rouge,  LA  and  additional  mailing  offices. 
POSTMASTER:  send  address  changes  to  Louisiana 
Conservationist,  P.O.  Box  98000,  Baton  Rouge,  LA 
70898. 

Regulations  of  the  U.S.  Department  of  the  Interior 
strictly  prohibit  unlawful  discrimination  in  departmental 
federally  assisted  programs  on  the  basis  of  race,  color, 
national  origin,  age  or  handicap.  Any  person  who  believes 
he  or  she  has  been  discriminated  against  in  any  program, 
activity  or  facility  operated  b\j  a  recipient  of  federal 
assistance  should  ivrite  to:  Director,  Office  for  Equal 
Opportunity.  U.S.  Department  of  the  Interior, 
Washington,  D.C.  20240. 


This  public  document  was  published  at  an  average  cost  of  $51 ,751 .60. 
Approximately  22.000  copies  of  this  document  -were  published  at  an 
average  printing  cost  of  $23,91 0.44.  The  total  cost  of  all  printing  of  this 
document  averages  $23,910.44.  This  document  was  published  for 
Department  of  Wildlife  and  Fisheries,  2000  Quail  Drive.  Baton  Rouge, 
Louisiana,  70808,  by  LSU  Graphic  Services,  to  provide  information  on 
outdoor  opportunities  in  Louisiana.  This  material  was  printed  in  accor- 
dance with  the  standards  for  printing  by  state  agencies  established  pur- 
suant to  R.S.  43:31 .  Printing  of  this  material  was  purchased  in  accor- 
dance with  the  provisions  of  Title  43  of  the  Louisiana  Revised  Statutes. 





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8 


Special  Spring  Arrivals 

Experience  the  spectacular  migration  of  neotropical  songbirds  along  Louisiana's  coast. 
By  jimmy  Ernst  &  Nancy  Higginbotham 

Just  Around  the  Corner 

A  turkey  season  forecast  with  tips  on  bagging  a  gobbler  this  year. 
By  Fred  Kimmel 

Families  Hooked  on  Fishing 

Take  your  children  fishing  for  a  "reel"  good  time. 
By  Jill  Wilson 

Spanish  Lake 

A  history  of  this  scenic  and  recreational  mecca. 
By  Marty  Cannon 

Pen-reared  Game  Birds:  Panacea  or  Problem? 

Insight  into  the  controversial  issue  of  releasing  pen-raised  quail,  turkey  and  ducks. 
By  Fred  Kimmel 

Our  Turn  to  Learn 

An  insider's  look  at  LDWF's  "Becoming  an  Outdoors  Woman"  workshop. 
By  Janet  Abbott 


Jellyfish  in  Your  Favorite  Bass  Hole? 

By  Jim  Hyde 


Bridge  Lighting  at  Lake  D'Arbonne 


DEPARTMENTS 

on    Lawlines 

*-'*'      Boating  Safety  for  the  Future 
By  Major  Keith  LaCaze 

O'l     Species  Profile 

Orange  Falcate  Butterfly 

^     Conservation  Notes 

^^     LDWF  news  briefs 

0  A     Along  the  Way 

A  column  by  Pete  Cooper  Jr. 

1C    LA  Cuisine 

^  *-*     Chef  Holly  Clegg  shares  recipes  from  Trim  &  Terrific: 
Entertaining  the  Easy  Way. 


Published  by  the  Department  of  Wildlife  and  Fisheries  in  the  interest  of  conservation  of  Louisiana  natural  resources. 


Front  Cover 
Northern  Oriole 

PI w to  by  Joint  R.  Ford 

Back  Cover 
Largemouth  Bass 

Photo  by  Doug  Stamm 


BY 

JIMMY  ERNST 

&  NANCY 

HIGGINBOTHAM 


Louisiana  is  not  often  described  as  a 
wealthy  state.         However,      most 

Louisianians  would  agree  that  we  are 
indeed  rich.  Not  necessarily  in  dollars  and 
cents,  but  in  just  about  everything  else. 
Our  wealth  comes  in  various  forms:  our 
unique  heritage  and  culture,  our  food  and 
festivals,  and  especially  our  highly  diverse 
flora  and  fauna  which  gave  rise  to  the 
state's  nickname,  the  Sportsman's 
Paradise.  In  terms  of  bird  diversity, 
Louisiana  is  among  the  richest  in  the 
nation. 

Louisiana  has  a  tremendous  variety  of 
wildlife  habitats  throughout  the  state.  The 
piney  woods  occur  in  the  north,  west  and 
central  parts  of  the  state  as  well  as  in  the 
Florida  parishes.  Bottomland  hardwoods 
can  be  found  along  the  major  river 
drainages  including  the  Red,  Ouachita  and 
Atchafalaya  rivers  as  well  as  the  mighty 
Mississippi.  In  the  southwestern  part  of 
the  state  are  prairies  and  coastal  cheniers 
and,  along  the  coast,  the  marshes.  All  of 
these  different  habitat  types  provide  a  wide 
range  of  conditions  that  attract  numerous 
bird  species. 

Due  to  Louisiana's  geographic  location, 
the  state  witnesses  a  spectacular  event  that 
occurs  twice  a  year.  Many  birds  that 
migrate  to  Central  and  South  America  for 
the  winter  pass  through  Louisiana,  situated 
at  the  southern  end  of  the  Mississippi 
Flyway,  on  their  way  south  in  the  fall  and 
again  on  their  return  trip  in  the  spring. 
There  have  been  457  different  species  of 
birds  recorded  in  Louisiana.  Only  two 
other  states,  Texas  and  California,  have 
recorded  significantly  higher  numbers  of 
bird  species.  During  spring  and  fall 
migrations,  numerous  bird  species  that  are 
only  here  for  a  brief  time  can  be  seen  along 
the  coast.  Fall  is  a  good  time  to  look  for 
these  birds  when  the  summer  temperatures 
begin  to  moderate  and  those  first  cool 
fronts  make  their  way  into  the  state.  Some 
may  be  seen  at  feeders,  but  the  majority  are 
neotropical  migrants,  which  tend  to  be 
insectivorous  birds  that  do  not  frequent 
bird  feeders.  To  see  those,  birders  must 
venture  into  wooded  areas.  Local  parks, 
nature  centers  and  even  that  little  patch  of 
woods  in  the  back  of  the  subdivision  are 
good  places  to  look  for  migrant  species. 

Springtime,  however,  is  by  far  the  best 
time  to  see  migrant  species  in  Louisiana. 
Thousands  of  spectators  visit  southwest 
Louisiana  in  the  spring  to  see  the  birds 


when  they  return  from  their  wintering 
grounds.  The  birds  have  to  cross  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  and  Louisiana  is  the  first  land 
they  come  to  after  the  long  trip.  If  the 
birds  are  lucky,  they  will  ride  in  on  a  south- 
ern tailwind  which  helps  to  carry  them 
inland.  If  the  bird  watchers  are  lucky, 
there  will  be  a  north  wind  making  it  diffi- 
cult for  the  birds  to  make  good  headway. 
In  this  case,  the  birds  usually  land  the  first 
chance  they  get  to  rest  and  feed.  These 
events  are  referred  to  as  "fall-outs"  when 
the  birds  are  literally  falling  out  of  the  sky. 
It  is  possible  to  see  incredible  numbers  of 


4    Louisiana  Conservationist 


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March/April  2004    5 


Lucky  birders 

may  catch  a 

glimpse  of  the 

Blackburnian 

Warbler  (right)  or 

Rose-breasted 

Grosbeak  (below). 


Photo  by  John  R.  Ford 


birds  perched  in  the  trees  and  shrubs  along 
the  coast  and  especially  in  the  cheniers. 
Cheniers  are  ridges  that  parallel  the  coast 
and  rise  a  toot  or  two  above  sea  level  and 
usually  support  thick  stands  of  live  oak  and 
other  trees.  These  provide  the  only  forest- 
ed habitat  for  many  miles,  so  many  of  the 
migrant  species  congregate  in  these  areas 
while  they  regain  their  strength  for  the  rest 
of  the  journey 

BIRDING  ALONG  THE  COAST 

Shorebirds,  gulls  and  terns  can  be  seen 
along  the  beaches,  while  long-legged  wad- 
ing birds  and  secretive  marsh  birds  are 
found  in  the  marshes,  and  lots  of  warblers, 
thrushes,  vireos,  tanagers,  orioles  and  other 
land  birds  prefer  the  forested  areas. 
Exceptional     birds     seen     along     coastal 


Louisiana  include  Reddish  Egrets,  Roseate 
Spoonbills  or  even  a  Peregrine  Falcon. 
Some  of  the  more  colorful  birds  that  may 
be  seen  are  the  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak, 
Northern  Oriole,  Northern  Parula, 
Blackburnian  Warbler,  Hooded  Warbler, 
Yellow-throated  Vireo,  Magnolia  Warbler, 
Scarlet  Tanager  and  the  American  Redstart 
just  to  name  a  few.  Often  a  bird  rarely 
seen  in  Louisiana  will  show  up  on  the  coast 
during  a  "fall-out."  This  might  be  a  west- 
ern species  that  was  headed  for  Texas  and 
was  blown  off  course  by  a  storm  during  its 
flight  and  may  include  species  such  as  the 
Northern  Wheatear  and  the  Yellow-headed 
Cowbird.  These  exceptional  sightings  are 
special  occasions  for  the  serious  birder. 
Sighting  one  of  these  rare  species  generates 
as  much  excitement  for  an  avid  birder  as 
when  a  hunter  bags  a  trophy  buck. 

WHERE  TO  GO 

These  birds  will  be  passing  through 
Louisiana  beginning  in  March  and  lasting 
into  June,  with  the  bird  sightings  peaking 
from  mid-April  to  mid-May  There  are 
many  locations  accessible  to  the  public  to 
help  you  catch  a  glimpse  of  some  of  them. 
The  primary  locations  or  "hot  spots"  are 
the  southwestern  coastal  areas  in  Cameron 
Parish.  National  wildlife  refuges  includ- 
ing Sabine,  Cameron  Prairie  and  Lacassine 
offer  trails  and  viewing  areas  and  in  some 
cases  elevated  viewing  platforms. 
Rockefeller  State  Wildlife  Refuge  on  the 
eastern  end  of  Cameron  Parish  includes 
some  excellent  viewing  from  Price  Lake 
Road  through  the  marsh  and  visitors  can 
see  many  bird  species  from  their  vehicles. 
Highway  82  along  the  coast  near  Holly 
Beach  is  an  excellent  location  to  see  shore- 


6    Louisiana  Conservationist 


birds,  gulls  and  terns.  The 
Hollyman-Sheely  Songbird 
Sanctuary,  about  a  ten-acre 
tract  of  wooded  chenier  off 
of  Highway  82,  is  another 
choice  site  for  spring  migra- 
tion birding.  Other  loca- 
tions to  see  gulls  and  terns 
are  near  the  Calcasieu  River 
Ship  Channel  ferry  and  the 
jetties  at  the  mouth  of  the 
channel. 

WHAT  TO  BRING 

For  optimal  birdwatching, 
two  pieces  of  equipment  are 
essential.    One  is  a  good  pair 
of  binoculars  and  the  other  is 
a  good  field  guide.    Binoculars  are  critical 
to  give  you  a  close-up  look  at  the  birds,  and 
the  field  guide  is  necessary  for  identifica- 
tion.   Many  of  the  birds  likely  to  be  seen 
will  be  unfamiliar  to  most  and  since  many 
species  appear  similar,  it  takes  a  good  ref- 
erence book  for  identification.    For  more 
information  on  this,  see  "Birding  Basics" 
in   the  March/April   2003   issue  of  the 
Louisiana  Conservationist. 

Other  essential  equipment  includes  the 
right  clothing.  The  weather  on  the  coast 
is  unpredictable  at  this  time  of  year  but  it 
is  certain  to  be  windy.  Whether  you  face 
a  cold  wind  from  the  north  or  a  warm, 
moist  wind  off  the  gulf,  you  will  likely 
need  a  jacket  and  a  hat.  Sunglasses  are  a 
good  idea,  too. 

Few  other  places  in  the  world  offer  this 
type  of  opportunity.  If  you  have  any 
interest  in  birds,  make  the  drive  to  the 
coast  and  experience  this  remarkable  nat- 
ural event  at  least  once  in  your  life.  See 
how  many  different  birds  you  can  find 
and  remind  yourself  of  the  wealth 
Louisiana  has  to  offer.  I'll  bet  you  can 
even  find  a  good  place  to  eat  along  the 


The  Indigo  Bunting 
(left)  is  often  seen  at 
backyard  feeders  and 
along  brushy  edges 
of  wooded  areas 
throughout  spring 
and  summer. 


way. 


i 


Jimmy  Ernst  is  a  Biologist  Supervisor  in  the 
LDWF  Fur  and  Refuge  Division.  He  has  been 
employed  with  LDWF  for  11  years.  Nancy 
Higginbotham  is  a  Non-game  Biologist 
Supervisor  also  in  the  Fur  and  Refuge 
Division. 


The  Reddish  Egret 
(below)  is  a  species 
of  concern  in 
Louisiana.  Along 
coastal  tidal  flats 
and  salt  marshes, 
it  is  a  rare  and 
treasured  sight. 


Photo  by  James  C.  Leupold/USFWS 

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March /ArRiL  2004  7 


2004  Turk 


n  Forecast 


Many  hunters  consider  the  Eastern  wild  turkey  to  be  among  North  America's 
most  challenging  game  animals.  Hearing  the  excited  gobble  of  an  adult  torn 
on  a  beautiful  spring  day  is  the  pinnacle  of  the  hunting  experience  for  dedi- 
cated turkey  hunters.  This  spring,  some  25,000  Louisiana  hunters  will  take  to 
the  field  with  dreams  of  bagging  a  gobbler.  Abundant  turkey  populations  in 
many  regions  of  the  state  will  make  those  dreams  a  reality  for  hunters  with 
the  right  combination  of  luck  and  skill. 


The  general  turkey  season  opens  on  the 
fourth  Saturday  in  March  in  Louisiana's 
three  turkey  hunting  areas.  This  year  the 
specific  dates  are  as  follows:  Area  A,  from 
March  27  to  April  25;  Area  B,  from  March 
27  to  April  14;  and  Area  C,  from  March  27 
to  March  31.  Dates  for  the  Kisatchie 
National  Forest,  national  wildlife  refuges 
and  wildlife  management  areas  may  vary 
from  these  statewide  dates,  so  hunters 
should  check  the  2004  Turkey  Hunting 
Regulations  pamphlet  for  specific  informa- 
tion on  public  lands. 

For  the  first  time  in  Louisiana,  the  2004 
turkey  season  will  feature  a  youth-only 
hunt  the  weekend  before  the  regular  sea- 
son opens.  This  hunt  is  restricted  to  private 
land  located  in  Areas  A,  B  and  C.  During 
this  special  youth  hunt,  hunters  must  be 
under  16  years  old  and  accompanied  by  an 
adult.  However,  only  the  youth  may  hunt. 
Youth  hunters  participating  in  this  special 
hunt  must  possess  a  hunter  safety  certifi- 
cate or  proof  of  successful  completion  of 
the  hunter  safety  course.  If  the  accompa- 
nying adult  possesses  a  hunter  safety  cer- 
tificate, this  requirement  for  the  youth  is 
waived.  Hunters  planning  to  participate 
in  this  youth  hunt  should  consult  the  2004 
Turkey  Hunting  Regulations  pamphlet  for 
a  complete  description  of  the  youth  hunt 
regulations. 

If  the  weather  cooperates,  most  hunters 
will  have  an  excellent  opportunity  to  bag  a 
gobbler  this  spring.  Probably  the  most 
important  predictor  of  hunter  success  is  the 
number  of  two-year-old  gobblers  in  the 
population.  Based  on  the  results  of  the 
department's  2002  production  survey,  gob- 
blers in  this  age  class  should  be  abundant 
in  the  northern,  central  and  western 
regions  of  the  state.  Production  was  lower 
in  the  south-central  and  southeastern 
regions  of  Louisiana.  While  the  produc- 
tion survey  is  a  useful  tool,  it  is  important 
to  remember  that  it  serves  as  an  indicator 
of  turkey  production  over  a  broad  area. 
Turkey  populations  on  any  given  piece  of 
property  will  be  influenced  by  the  quality 
of  the  habitat  and  may  vary  considerably 
from  the  generalization  the  survey  pro- 
vides. 

Turkey  hunting  opportunities  abound 
on  public  land  in  Louisiana.  The  Kisatchie 
National  Forest,  Big  Lake  WMA,  Bodcau 
WMA,  Ft.  Polk  WMA,  Jackson-Bienville 
WMA,  Red  River  WMA,  Sherburne  WMA, 
Three  Rivers  WMA,  and  Tensas  National 


Wildlife  Refuge  are  among  some  of  the  bet- 
ter public  lands  available  for  turkey  hunt- 
ing. Again,  be  sure  to  consult  the  2004 
Turkey  Regulations  pamphlet  for  specific 
seasons  and  regulations  for  these  public 
areas. 

Regardless  of  where  they  hunt,  individ- 
uals can  improve  their  chances  of  bagging 
a  gobbler  by  devoting  a  little  time  to 
improving  their  skills  and  preparing  for  the 
hunt.  Hunters  will  be  more  successful  if 
they  do  some  pre-season  scouting  to  locate 
and  pattern  gobbling  birds.  While  it  is  not 
necessary  to  be  a  champion  caller,  a  turkey 
hunter  should  be  proficient  at  making  a 
couple  of  basic  calls.  Perhaps  one  of  the 
most  overlooked  qualities  successful 
turkey  hunters  have  is  patience.  Modern 
hunters  often  have  a  hard  time  putting 
away  their  watches.  Remember  that  wild 
animals  do  not  consult  the  clock  as  they  go 
about  their  daily  activities,  so  hunters 
should  be  patient  and  let  things  develop  as 
the  turkeys'  schedules  dictate.  Weather 
will  also  play  a  role  in  hunter  success. 
Clear,  calm,  warm  days  are  the  turkey 
hunter's  best  friend. 

In  many  respects,  these  are  the  "good 
old  days"  for  turkey  hunters  in  Louisiana. 
Restoration,  management  and  protection 
efforts  of  the  department  and  private  land 
managers  over  the  past  40  years  have 
resulted  in  healthy  and  expanding  turkey 
populations.  Louisiana  has  come  a  long 
way  since  1947  when  only  six  parishes  con- 
tained ten  or  more  flocks  of  wild  turkeys 
and  the  extinction  of  wild  turkeys  in 
Louisiana  was  a  distinct  possibility.  The 
restoration  of  wild  turkeys  is  an  accom- 
plishment all  conservationists  can  be  proud 
of.  However,  the  job  is  not  done. 
Maintaining  healthy  wild  turkey  popula- 
tions for  the  future  requires  an  ongoing 
commitment  to  manage  and  protect  our 
wild  turkeys  and  the  habitat  they  require.        * 


Fred  Kimmel  is  the  Upland  Game  Program 
Manager  for  the  Louisiana  Department  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries  and  a  frequent  contribu- 
tor to  Louisiana  Conservationist. 


March/April  2004    9 


Families  Hooked^n  Fishing 


Photo  courtesy  of  Water  Works  Wonc 


BY 
JILL  WILSON 


When  I  was  a  youngster,  my  papaw  taught  me  how  to 
fish.  He  delighted  in  taking  me,  my  sisters  and  my  par- 
ents on  frequent  fishing  trips.  Of  course,  "fishing"  meant 
digging  up  worms  (and  getting  as  dirty  as  I  wanted),  cul- 
tivating an  interest  in  nature,  and  occasionally  plopping  a 
cane  pole  into  the  water.  I  never  caught  a  whole  lot  more 
than  those  bees  that  swam  in  my  grape  Shasta,  but  it  was 
time  well-spent.  Ask  anyone  who  went  fishing  as  a  child 
and  you'll  find  similar  memories.  Studies  indicate  that 
initiation  into  fishing  occurs  most  often  through  familial 
ties,  and  few  would  disagree  that  fishing  with  family  is 
not  so  much  about  fishing,  but  about  family  and  the  qual- 
ity time  spent  together. 


10    Louisiana  Conservationist 


Back  then,  I  don't  remember  feeling  the 
tug  between  the  natural  world  outside  and 
video  games  inside.  Barbie  and  Atari  could 
never  contend  with  the  world  of  fun  wait- 
ing for  me  outdoors.  But  children  today 
have  endless  indoor-oriented  distractions 
and  options.  Countless  video  games,  com- 
puter programs,  movies  and  television 
shows  bombard  the  senses. 

The  days  when  children  spent  the  bulk 
of  their  free  time  playing  outdoors  con- 
trasts sharply  with  the  present.  Many  of 
today's  youth  commonly  opt  to  sit  in  front 
of  computers  or  televisions  for  fun.  And 
though  technology  is  often  blamed  for  this 
evident  shift,  we  should  remember  that 
advances  in  technology  have  also  helped  us 
develop  more  efficient  means  to  catch  fish 
of  higher  quality  and  quantity  and  also 
ensure  the  protection  of  the  natural  aquatic 
resources  in  our  world. 

Nowadays,  most  of  us  would  find  it  dif- 
ficult indeed  to  replace  a  child's  video 
games  with  a  sand  box  or  swingset.  Rather, 
how  about  reincorporating  some  of  the  fun 
that  fishing  has  to  offer  into  your  ever 
shrinking  family  time!  Taking  children 
fishing  is  an  excellent  way  to  teach  them 
about  nature  and  encourage  outdoor  stew- 
ardship. Other  benefits  are  the  very  quali- 
ties many  anglers  cite  as  reasons  they  enjoy 
fishing:  a  sense  of  challenge  and  accom- 
plishment, an  opportunity  to  connect  to 
nature  and  others  and  the  peaceful,  relax- 
ing feeling  derived  from  a  relatively  simple 
endeavor. 

So  how  do  you  get  your  children  or 
grandchildren  involved  in  the  recreational 
and  educational  opportunities  available 
through  fishing?  The  answer  may  be  as 
simple  as  merely  asking  them  to  come 
along. 

A  2003  survey  conducted  by  the  nation- 
ally recognized  research  firm  Responsive 
Management  of  Harrisonburg,  Virginia, 
uncovered  many  interesting  factors  related 
to  fishing  participation  among  our  nation's 
youth,  particularly  those  aged  eight  to  18. 
According  to  the  survey,  50  percent  of 
youth  surveyed  were  very  interested  in 
going  fishing,  and  an  additional  35  percent 
were  a  little  interested  in  going  fishing. 
Among  youth  who  had  fished  in  the  previ- 
ous year,  45  percent  said  that  they  would 
like  to  fish  a  lot  more  than  they  currently 
do. 

Of  those  who  were  interested  in  going 
fishing,  a  large  majority  said  that  being 


asked  by  their  father  or  mother  would 
encourage  them  to  go  fishing.  Highest- 
ranking  answers  for  this  multiple-response 
question,  "Whom  would  you  most  like  to 
go  fishing  with?",  were  friend  (80%),  father 
(78%),  another  family  member  (75%)  and 
mother  (72%). 

While  kids  seem  eager  to  go  fishing  with 
their  families,  other  studies  suggest  that 
parents  and  grandparents  as  well  would 
respond  with  delight  to  an  invitation  from 
a  child  to  go  fishing.  However,  common 
constraints  such  as  time,  energy  and  lack  of 
fishing  holes  nearby  are  often  cited  by 
adults  and  children  alike.  For  tips  on  com- 
batting these  and  other  challenges,  there 
are  numerous  fishing  organizations,  many 
with  internet  sites,  that  provide  a  wealth  of 
resources.  For  example,  the  Recreational 
Boating  and  Fishing  Foundation  offers  the 
following  suggestions  for  getting  your  chil- 
dren "hooked"  on  fishing. 

Most  adult  anglers  fish  for  relaxation,  to 
be  with  friends  and  family  and  for  the 
sport,  but  kids  want  action!  The  primary 
motivation  for  them  is  the  simple  joy  of 
catching  fish.  So  the  best  way  to  make  sure 
your  kids  enjoy  their  next  fishing  trip  with 
you  is  to  take  them  to  a  spot  where  there 


Taking  children 
fishing  is  an 
excellent  way  to 
teach  them  about 
nature  and 
encourage  outdoor 
stewardship. 


March  /April  2004    11 


Whether  fishing  by 

land  or  by  boat, 

children  should  always 

wear  well-fitted  life 

jackets  and  use 

appropriate-sized  gear. 


are  plenty  of  fish  just  waiting  to  be  caught, 
especially  fish  that  bite  often  and  are  easy 
to  reel  in. 

First  outings  with  children  should  be  to 
places  where  there  is  a  guarantee  of  catch- 
ing a  lot  of  fish,  but,  of  course,  you  should 
teach  them  not  to  take  more  than  they  can 
use  or  exceed  the  legal  limit.  These  lessons 
will  reinforce  respect  for  other  living 
things  as  well  as  emphasize  the  impor- 
tance of  resource  management.  Make 
your  children  part  of  the  preparation:  look- 
ing at  maps,  digging  worms  and  picking 
out  bait  or  snacks  will  give  them  a  sense  of 
anticipation  and  some  control  regarding 
the  outing. 

Fishing  with  your  kids  is  a  great  oppor- 
tunity to  explain  how  the  food  chain  works. 
They'll  learn,  for  example,  that  each  type  of 
fish  has  a  favorite  bug  to  eat-remember, 
anything  "yucky"  to  a  nine-year-old  is  par- 
ticularly cool-and  this  will  help  them  learn 
how  each  lure,  fly  or  type  of  live  bait  will 
help  them  catch  a  specific  type  of  fish.  Bass, 
for  example,  eat  a  wide  variety  of  wiggly 
things  like  crickets  and  worms,  each  hav- 
ing its  own  qualities  that  elicit  kids'  giggles 
and  crinkled-up  noses. 

Take  frequent  breaks  with  your 
child-especially  if  he  or  she  is  under  the 
age  of  ten-and  make  sure  you  head  home 

Photo  courtesy 


before  the  trip  becomes  a  bore.  Don't 
expect  young  children  to  be  able  to  sit  qui- 
etly in  a  boat  or  on  the  dock  for  hours  wait- 
ing for  a  nibble.  You  can  still  use  break  time 
as  a  learning  experience.  Let  them  relieve 
pent-up  energy  by  allowing  them  to  run 
around  chasing  butterflies  or  catching  tad- 
poles. Bring  a  clear  jar  to  catch  ladybugs  or 
minnows  and  after  a  short  observation 
time  learning  to  appreciate  little  creepy- 
crawlies,  help  your  kids  return  them  to  the 
place  they  found  them.  Getting  your  chil- 
dren to  appreciate  nature  will  help  them 
grow  to  become  responsible  outdoor 
lovers. 

Don't  expect  to  do  any  serious  fishing 
yourself  when  you  take  your  children  for 
their  first  experience.  Your  role  is  teacher 
and  helper  as  your  kids  enjoy  the  thrill  of 
their  first  catch.  After  their  first  few  trips, 
they  will  probably  want  to  do  most  things 
themselves,  and  you  will  have  plenty  of 
opportunity  to  fish  yourself.  Parents  who 
focus  on  helping  children  first  are  sure  to 
have  a  successful  first  outing. 

Fishing  from  a  boat  can  be  a  particularly 
enjoyable  experience,  but  one  that  requires 
an  additional  lesson  on  boating  safety. 

Lots  of  kids  today  believe  that  dinner 
comes  in  a  nicely  wrapped,  colorful  pack- 
age from  the  fast  food  joint  around  the  cor- 

of  Water  Works  Wonders      ner-      But   if  YOU    let   them 

help  you  cook  your  catch 
after  an  outing  on  the  lake 
or  at  the  beach,  they'll 
understand  where  our 
food  comes  from.  As  they 
prepare  and  serve  your 
feast,  their  pride  will 
show  on  their  faces  as  the 
family  enjoys  the  meal  the 
kids  helped  bring  to  the 
table. 

Remember,  the  most 
important  goals  when  tak- 
ing your  kids  fishing  are 
to  have  fun  and  spend 
family  time  together. 
And  by  participating,  you 
and  other  anglers  provide 
vital  funding  and  play  an 
indispensible  role  in  sus- 
taining resources  and  pro- 
moting safe  and  responsi- 
ble use  of  our  nation's 
waters.  According  to  the 
Recreational  Boating  and 
Fishing    Foundation,    on 


average,  83  percent  of  state  fish  and 
wildlife  agencies'  total  freshwater  fish- 
eries/aquatic resource  management  budg- 
et is  supported  by  fishing  license  sales  and 
Sport  Fish  Restoration  funds.  These  funds 
are  derived  from  motorboat  fuel  taxes  and 
a  special  excise  tax  on  fishing  tackle  and 
equipment.  Sport  Fish  Restoration  funds 
also  support  boater  education  and  safety 
programs  around  the  country. 

Based  on  current  Louisiana  regulations, 
residents  and  nonresidents  younger  than 
16  years  of  age  and  residents  who  have 
reached  60  years  of  age  prior  to  June  1, 
2000,  and  have  lived  in  the  state  for  two 
years  prior  to  application  are  not  required 
to  obtain  licenses.  Proof  of  age  must  be 
carried  on  person.  Don't  forget  to  look  for 
free  fishing  days  and  the  numerous  fishing, 
boating  and  aquatic  stewardship  events 
that  happen  throughout  the  year,  many  of 
which  occur  during  National  Fishing  and 
Boating  Week,  June  5-13,  2004.  For  more 
information,  please  contact  the  Louisiana 
Department  of  Wildlife  and  Fisheries  at 
225/765-2800  or  visit  our  website  at 
www.ivlf.state.la.us.  % 


/;'//  Wilson  is  an  LDWF  Public  Information 
Officer  and  Louisiana  Conservationist  staff 
writer. 


Take  your  kids  to  a  spot  with  plenty  of  fish  just 
waiting  to  be  caught.  Like  Colby  Vidrine,  above,  they 
will  thank  you  with  a  smile  from  ear  to  ear. 


RELATED  ORGANIZATIONS,  PROGRAMS,  SITES  AND  RESOURCES: 

The  Recreational  Boating  &  Fishing  Foundation  (unmii.rbff.org)  is  a  nonprofit  organization  whose  mission  is  to  increase  partic- 
ipation in  recreational  angling  and  boating  and  thereby  increase  public  awareness  and  appreciation  of  the  need  for  protecting, 
conserving  and  restoring  this  nation's  aquatic  natural  resources. 

Water  Works  Wonders  (umnv.umterworkswonders.org)  provides  information  on  fishing,  boating  and  caring  for  the  water.  Their 
website  is  packed  with  useful,  localized  information.  Get  out  on  the  water  and  see  where  it  takes  you. 

FishingWorks.com  (www.FishingWorks.com)  strives  to  connect  the  world's  fishermen,  including  the  40+  million  licensed  anglers 
in  the  United  States,  with  the  over  45,000  providers  of  fishing-related  products  and  services  on  the  Internet. 

The  Future  Fisherman  Foundation  (www.futurepshennan.org)  is  the  non-profit  educational  arm  of  the  American  Sportfishing 
Association.  Its  purpose  is  to  improve  the  quality  of  human  life  by  teaching  people  to  fish,  and  by  promoting  stewardship  of 
aquatic  resources. 

Reel  Kids  Fishing  Club  (mgfx.com/fishing/nssocs/ReelKids/)  is  a  club  and  magazine  devoted  to  teaching  kids  about  angling.  "Reel 
Kids  Get  Hooked  for  Life!" 

The  Step  Outside  program  (www.stepoutside.org)  is  a  resource  for  current  target  shooters,  archers,  hunters  and  anglers.  Here 
you  can  learn  how  to  share  your  favorite  activity  with  friends  or  family  members  who  have  never  had  an  opportunity  to  try 
traditional  outdoor  sports. 


March/April  2004  13 


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STORY  BY 
MARTY  CANNON 

PHOTOS  BY 
ANN  MCMAHON 


"Urban  sprawl"  is  a  phrase  that  seems 
more  applicable  to  Los  Angeles  spilling 
over  into  the  southern  California  country- 
side or  New  York  City  spreading  out  in  the 
Northeast.  Unfortunately  it  happens  here 
in  Louisiana  too  and  to  some  of  the  most 
pristine  lands  in  the  nation. 

Just  south  of  Baton  Rouge,  not  far  off  of 
Interstate  10  near  Prairieville  lies  an  entire 
ecosystem  ripe  with  life  and  history  over- 
shadowed by  the  growth  of  the  state's  capi- 
tol  city.  Spanish  Lake  has  for  ages  provid- 
ed a  flourishing  habitat  for  humans  and 
animals  alike.  Its  seeming  demise  over  the 
past  few  decades  has  been  vanquished 
thanks  to  energetic  and  passionate  souls 
that  find  a  different  type  of  "life"  from  its 
black  waters  and  diverse  systems. 

The  13,000-acre  backwater  swamp  has 
been  a  catch  basin  for  Baton  Rouge's  rain 
runoff  for  thousands  of  years.  When  Bayou 
Manchac  caught  a  portion  of  the 
Mississippi  River  before  the  intense  levying 
of  the  past  century  it  forced  river  water 


into  the  dark  cypress  swamp,  pushing 
water  into  nearby  forests  and  smaller 
waterways  like  Bayou  Paul  in  St.  Gabriel. 
The  waters  that  brought  life  to  so  much  of 
Louisiana  created  a  sanctuary  for  wildlife 
so  grand  that  generations  of  man  have 
reaped  its  bounty. 

For  thousands  of  years,  native  Indians 
used  the  Mississippi  and  Manchac  (Mobile 
Indian  derivation  of  Imashaka  for  "rear 
entrance")  as  a  short  cut  between  Baton 
Rouge  and  New  Orleans  via  the  Amite 
River,  Pass  Manchac  and  into  Lake 
Pontchartrain  and  its  multitude  of  water 
passages.  The  coursing  Mississippi  poured 
silt  into  the  surrounding  lands  building  up 
areas  like  Highland  Road  which  runs  near 
LSU  and  lesser-known  spots  with  names 
like  Flag  Prairie  and  Bluff  Swamp. 

just  before  the  dawn  of  the  18th  century, 
a  Frenchman  named  Pierre  Le  Moyne, 
Sieur  dTberville,  navigated  up  the 
Mississippi  River  and  used  the  east  pas- 
sage of  Bayou  Manchac  to  head  back  to  his 


14    Louisiana  Conservationist 


home  base  in  New  Orleans.  Iberville  was 
exploring  routes  for  the  growing  French 
presence  in  the  southern  stretch  of  the  New 
World.  He  passed,  and  even  rested,  at  the 
mouth  of  Alligator  Bayou,  the  entrance  to 
Spanish  Lake. 

Over  the  course  of  the  18th  and  19th  cen- 
turies, European  settlements  slowly  started 
to  form  along  the  Mississippi  River.  The 
Catholic  French,  and  then  Spanish,  crowns 
saw  the  Manchac/ Spanish  Lake  area  as  an 
opportunistic  settlement  that  would  buffer 
the  growing  English  presence  in  Baton 
Rouge. 

Then  came  the  Acadians.  The  odds  were 
against  these  people  with  origins  in 
Canada,  but  their  strength  forged  a  culture 
unique  in  its  own.  Again,  Spanish  Lake 
provided. 

Over  time,  the  rich  lands  of  Manchac 
and  Spanish  Lake  became  a  haven  for  other 
ethnic  groups  like  the  Africans,  Scotch, 
Dutch,  Irish,  Acadians,  British,  French  and 
Spanish.  Though  economically  poor,  these 
immigrants  were  in  a  land  that  provided 
plenty. 

While  today  the  hunting  and  fishing  of 
Alligator  Bayou  and  Spanish  Lake  are  for 
sport,  during  the  Depression-era,  they 
were  a  means  of  survival. 

L.J.  Harelson  was  a  product  of  the 
Depression  and  lived  a  life  of  hardship  and 
happiness  on  Spanish  Lake.  He  has  lived 
for  over  seventy  years  in  St.  Gabriel  along 
the  banks  of  Bayou  Paul  and  some  of  his 
more  memorable  years  were  during  the 
Depression  when  he  was  molded  into  the 
man  he  is  today.  Recently,  he  began  writ- 
ing his  memoirs  about  his  family  and  this 
way  of  life  long  gone. 

"We  used  to  put  in  behind  Murphy's 
when  the  flood  waters  came  up,"  he 
recalled  one  afternoon  not  long  ago  over  a 
cup  of  coffee.  "Grandpa  Boss  would  trap 
mink  and  coons  back  there  and  we'd  collect 
moss  from  the  trees  to  sell.  Grandpa  Boss 
used  to  get  twenty  to  twenty-five  dollars 
for  mink  pelts  back  then.  That  was  good 
money." 

"We  fished  too.  Me  and  Sonny  Boy 
would  run  trot  lines  back  there.  We  used 
copper  wire  for  the  lines.  We  would  use 
P&G  soap  and  sawyer  worms.  Those  were 
big  white  worms  we  would  get  out  of  rot- 
ting trees  because  they  stayed  on  so  long. 
We  also  used  chicken  guts.  We  used  to 
catch  a  bunch  of  catfish  out  of  there." 

"When    the    backwater    was    in    the 


Spanish  Lake  swamp,"  Harelson  wrote  in 
his  memoirs,  "we  would  set  bush  lines  in 
the  woods  for  catfish  or  trot  lines  in 
Alligator  Bayou  at  Spanish  Lake.  One  time 
Uncle  Vince  and  Daddv  had  set  a  line  at  the 
mouth  of  Alligator  Bayou.  Daddy,  Webb 
(Harelson's  brother)  and  I  went  to  check 
and  re-bait  the  lines.  As  we  started  down 
the  line  we  found  just  the  heads  of  catfish 
on  some  of  the  hooks.  As  we  went  further 
(we)  felt  something  pulling  very  hard  on 
the  line.  It  was  a  huge  loggerhead  turtle 
tangled  up  in  the  line.  I  guess  it  was  eating 
the  fish  and  got  hooked  up  in  the  line. 
Daddy  managed  to  get  the  turtle  in  the 
boat  and  killed  it  with  the  hatchet.  When 
we  got  the  turtle  home  Daddy  weighed  it 
on  the  pecan  scale.  It  weighed  eighty-three 
pounds.  We  ate  turtle  for  a  long  time." 

Like  most  game  animals  found  around 
the  lake,  turtles  were  highly  prized  for 
their  meat  since  store  bought  meat  was  so 
rare  in  rural  areas.  Harelson  told  of  times 
when  they  would  wade  next  to  a  flat  boat 
near  old,  rotting  trees  in  the  lake.  Stepping 
around  and  on  the  backs  of  hibernating 
loggerhead  or  alligator  snapping  turtles, 
they  would  then  reach  down  and  grab 
their  tails  and  hoist  them  into  the  boat. 
How  they  knew  which  end  was  the  tail  is 
still  a  mystery. 

And  the  ducks  that  could  be  taken  can 
only  be  glimpsed  through  the  words 
Harelson  wrote  about  those  days  as  well. 
"Ducks  were  plentiful  in  winter.  We  would 
hunt  them  in  the  woods  during  the  day 
and  shoot  them  when  they  came  in  to 
roost.    Grand  Prairie  was  a  favorite  roost- 


Looking  south  across 
Spanish  Lake  to  the 
Mississippi  River 
beyond,  it  is  hard  to 
imagine  that  the 
Baton  Rouge  metro 
area  exists 
just  northeast  of 
this  wilderness  area. 


March/April  2004    15 


For  years  various 

organizations  have 

worked  to  preserve 

the  Spanish  Lake 

area.  Alligator 

Bayou  Tours  has 

secured  a  portion  of 

the  property  for 

touring,  preservation 

and  educational  use. 


ing  place.  I've  seen  the  sky  black  with 
clucks  coming  in  to  roost  just  before  sunset. 
Daddy  was  a  very  good  shot  on  flying  birds 
and  always  used  his  12-gauge  Remington 
automatic  shotgun." 

Spanish  moss  also  graced  most  South 
Louisiana  swamps.  In  Harelson's  youth, 
the  moss  was  used  to  fill  beds  and  pillows. 
"That  was  a  messy  job,"  Harelson  said  of 
the  work  in  curing  moss  to  sell.  "First  of  all 
you  had  to  pick  the  green  moss.  We  used  a 
stick  or  long  pole  with  a  notch  or  nail  at  the 
end.  You'd  stick  it  up  in  the  moss  and  twist 
it  pulling  down  the  moss.  You  had  to  wet 
the  moss  and  leave  it  out  so  the  outer  layer 
would  rot  off,  then  you'd  let  it  dry." 

Crawfish  had  not  yet  been  recognized  as 
an  epicurean  specialty,  but  for  the  people  of 
the  swamp,  the  little  crustaceans  were 
another  source  of  sustenance.  The 
Harelsons  boiled  what  they  caught  on  the 
stove  in  salty  water.  Complex  seasoning 
packages  came  later.  Whether  it  was  tur- 
tles, rabbits,  ducks  or  crawfish,  the  people 
that  settled  near  Spanish  Lake  might  have 
struggled  but  they  never  went  without. 

Today  people  can  venture  into  the  beau- 
tiful swamp  by  canoe,  boats  or  Alligator 


Bayou  Swamp  Tours  and  hear  Jim  Ragland 
tell  how  he  and  Frank  Bonifay  organized 
the  development  of  the  Bluff  Swamp 
Wildlife  Refuge  and  Botanical  Gardens  to 
ward  off  lumbering  in  the  lake  area. 

The  Alligator  Bayou  Tour  hosts  a  large 
tour  boat  for  excursions  into  the  swamp, 
Acadian-style  lodging  for  visitors  that 
want  to  get  close  to  nature  and  educational 
programs  that  support  research  and  learn- 
ing. 

And  the  tradition  of  hunting?  It  has 
hardly  faded  from  the  cultural  landscape. 
The  majority  of  land  around  Spanish  Lake 
is  owned  by  private  individuals  or  hunting 
clubs.  Deer  is  the  major  big  game  item  for 
these  people.  The  past  50  years  have  seen 
an  increase  in  deer  populations  due  to  the 
growth  of  urban  areas  all  around  the  basin 
area.  Waterfowl  continue  to  frequent  the 
swamp,  though  not  in  the  large  numbers 
that  Harelson  described.  Wood  Ducks  and 
coots  make  up  a  majority  of  the  migratory 
wild  fowl  there.  However,  the  turkey  pop- 
ulation is  making  a  comeback  after  its  rein- 
trod  uction  by  the  Louisiana  Department  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries  back  in  the  1990s. 
Above  all,  squirrel  and  rabbits  are  probably 
the  most  sought  after  game  in  the 
area. 

So  the  ecotourism  industry  and 
sportsmen  alike  have  temporarily 
saved  the  Spanish  Lake  basin 
from  ever  being  lost.  It  will  take  a 
continual  awareness  of  the  pre- 
cious state  of  this  tremendous 
resource,  but  as  environmental 
and  habitat  awareness  continue  to 
be  a  focus  of  these  people,  there 
will  always  be  the  life-giving 
water  called  Spanish  Lake. 

Spanish  Lake  can  be  accessed 
through  Alligator  Bayou  and  can 
be  found  by  taking  Exit  166  off  of 
1-10  at  Highland  Road.  Follow 
the  signs  to  the  gravel  Alligator 
Bayou  Road.  * 


Marty  Cannon  is  a  junior  high 
teacher  in  Lafayette.  His  lave  of 
hunting  and  fishing  prompted  him  to 
write  about  his  outdoor  passions  and 
pursuits. 


™*^~       T? 


X 


1 


Pen-reare 

Panacea  m  Problem 


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Birds 


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Photo  by  Dave  Moreland 

One  of  the  most  persistent  issues  in  the 
world  of  game  bird  management  is  that  of 
releasing  pen-reared  birds  into  the  wild. 
On  the  surface,  it  would  seem  that  supple- 
menting the  wild  population  of  quail, 
ducks  or  turkeys  would  be  a  good  idea. 
However,  the  simplest  solution  is  not 
always  the  best. 

The  idea  of  releasing  pen-reared  birds  to 
increase  wild  populations  is  not  new.  For 
many  years  wildlife  agencies,  including 
the  Louisiana  Department  of  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries  (LDWF),  operated  hatcheries  for 
raising  and  releasing  game  birds  into  the 
wild.  Most  of  these  hatchery  programs 
were  abandoned  as  evidence  of  their  inef- 
fectiveness mounted.  In  addition,  con- 
cerns arose  regarding  impacts  pen-reared 
bird  releases  could  have  on  wild  birds. 

In  response  to  these  concerns,  regula- 
tions were  adopted  to  protect  wild  birds 
from  the  potential  negative  impacts  of  pen- 
reared  bird  releases.  In  Louisiana,  pen- 
reared  birds  may  be  released  only  on 
licensed  hunting  preserves  and  under  field 
trial  or  dog  training  permits.  Even  in  these 
circumstances  there  are  health  standards 
the  pen-reared  birds  must  meet  and  restric- 


tions on  the  types  of  birds  that  may  be 
released.  Methods  of  release  are  also  regu- 
lated. Bobwhite  quail,  turkeys  and  mal- 
lards are  the  species  most  often  involved  in 
release  activities  in  Louisiana. 

During  the  1940s  and  early  1950s  LDWF 
operated  at  least  three  quail  hatcheries. 
Bobwhite  quail  raised  in  these  hatcheries 
were  released  throughout  Louisiana. 
During  this  period  two  studies  were  con- 
ducted to  monitor  the  impact  of  the  pro- 
gram. Both  studies  concluded  that  few 
birds  survived  long  enough  to  contribute 
to  the  breeding  population  and  the  impact 
of  releases  on  hunter  success  was  insignifi- 
cant. These  results  led  the  department  to 
end  the  quail  stocking  program  in  1952. 

As  wild  quail  populations  have 
declined  in  Louisiana  and  across  the 
nation,  interest  in  releasing  pen-reared 
birds  has  resurfaced.  In  response,  several 
studies  in  recent  years  have  been  conduct- 
ed to  assess  the  survival  of  pen-reared 
birds.  Not  surprisingly,  the  results  are 
very  similar  to  what  investigators  ascer- 
tained over  50  years  earlier.  In  Louisiana, 
radio-telemetry  was  used  to  track  the  sur- 
vival of  33  pen-reared  female  bobwhites 


STORY  BY 
FRED  KIMMEL 


March  /April  2004    17 


Data  indicate  that 

long-term  survival  of 

pen-reared 

mallards  is  low 

compared  to 

wild  ducks. 


released  on  Sandy  Hollow  Wildlife 
Management  Area  in  1995.  Within  three 
days  of  release,  52  percent  of  the  birds  were 
dead  and  all  but  one  was  dead  within  32 
days.  A  similar  study  was  conducted  in 
Virginia  to  test  the  effectiveness  of  a  com- 
mercially available  bobwhite  release  sys- 
tem. The  average  survival  of  pen-reared 
birds  of  game  farm  origin  was  1.6  days 
when  released  in  the  fall  and  3.8  days  when 
released  in  spring.  In  both  of  these  recent 
studies,  nearly  all  of  the  mortality  was  due 
to  predation. 

These  results  should  not  be  surprising 
when  you  consider  that  even  wild  bob- 
whites  have  a  tough  time  surviving  for 
long.  About  75  percent  of  the  wild  bob- 
whites  that  hatch  will  die  within  one  vear. 
Annual  survival  of  the  wild  bobwhites  that 
manage  to  live  through  the  critical  first  few 
weeks  may  be  as  low  as  50  percent.  When 
it  comes  to  survival  in  the  wild,  wild  bob- 
whites  have  advantages  their  pen-reared 
kin  lack.  Wild  bobwhites  have  learned 
predator  avoidance  from  wild  parents  and 
they  have  genes  derived  from  generations 
of  natural  selection.  It  should  come  as  no 
surprise  that  quail  hatched  and  raised  in 
pens,  then  released  into  foreign  environ- 
ments, do  not  live  long. 

Some  quail  hunting  plantations  and 
hunting  preserves  have  had  success  in 
developing  methods  of  raising  and  releas- 
ing quail  that  improve  survival  during  the 
hunting  season.  Extensive  feeding  pro- 
grams are  often  an  important  component 
of  these  programs.  Additional  birds  are 
released  at  the  beginning  of  each  hunting 
season  or  periodically  throughout  the  sea- 


son. However,  available  information  sug- 
gests that  these  releases  do  not  make  a  sig- 
nificant contribution  to  the  breeding  popu- 
lation. 

Experience  with  pen-reared  wild 
turkeys  is  very  similar  to  that  of  pen-reared 
bobwhite  quail.  During  the  1940s  and 
1950s  many  wildlife  agencies,  including 
LDWF,  attempted  to  restore  wild  turkey 
populations  by  releasing  wild  turkeys 
raised  on  game  farms.  It  soon  became 
apparent  that  these  game  farm  wild 
turkeys  were  not  the  answer  to  restoring 
wild  turkey  populations.  The  very  charac- 
teristics that  allowed  these  game  farm 
birds  to  be  successfully  raised  in  captivity, 
such  as  lack  of  wildness,  kept  these  birds 
from  prospering  in  the  wild. 

In  some  states  mallards  are  released  into 
waterfowl  habitat  to  supplement  wild 
waterfowl  populations,  but  Louisiana  does 
not  allow  releases  of  this  type.  The  mis- 
guided goal  of  these  releases  is  to  provide 
more  ducks  for  hunters  and  augment  wild 
breeding  populations.  Available  data  indi- 
cates that  long-term  survival  of  pen-reared 
mallards  is  low  compared  to  wild  ducks. 

Why  then  do  many  biologists  have  con- 
cerns about  releasing  pen-reared  game 
birds?  After  all  most  of  the  birds  don't  live 
long,  so  what  could  it  harm?  The  spread 
of  disease  from  pen-reared  birds  to  wild 
birds  is  one  area  of  concern.  When  birds 
are  released,  it  is  not  just  the  bird  that  is 
turned  loose  into  the  environment,  but  all 
the  organisms  the  bird  carries  are  released 
as  well.  Typically,  captive  birds  are  raised 
in  crowded  conditions,  creating  ideal  con- 
ditions for  transmission  of  parasites,  bacte- 


18    Louisiana  Conservationist 


ria  and  viruses.  Not  only  are  birds  exposed 
to  the  disease  agents  carried  by  the  birds 
sharing  the  pen  with  them,  in  some  cases 
disease  agents  from  birds  long  gone  remain 
in  the  soil  or  in  the  cages. 

A  number  of  factors  can  influence  the 
impact  disease  from  pen-reared  birds  can 
have  on  wild  birds.  The  number  and 
health  of  the  released  birds,  the  extent  of 
their  contact  with  wild  birds  and  the  densi- 
ty of  wild  birds  in  the  release  area  are  some 
of  the  factors  that  can  influence  the  poten- 
tial for  disease  transmission. 

Disease  in  wild  game  birds  can  be  very 
difficult  to  detect.  In  most  cases,  determin- 
ing if  pen-reared  birds  are  the  source  of 
disease  in  wild  birds  can  be  even  more  dif- 
ficult, if  not  impossible.  Often  birds  afflict- 
ed with  disease  do  not  die  from  the  disease 
per  se.  Rather  they  are  weakened  and  suc- 
cumb to  predation  before  the  disease  kills 
them  directly.  Other  times  disease  may  not 
kill  a  bird,  but  the  stress  on  its  system  will 
result  in  low  reproductive  success.  When 
birds  die  from  disease,  their  carcasses  are 
usually  scavenged  and  disappear  within  a 
few  hours.  As  a  result  disease  outbreaks  in 
game  birds  and  other  wildlife  often  go 
undetected. 

Advocates  of  game  bird  releases  some- 
times point  to  the  lack  of  evidence  that 
pen-reared  birds  spread  disease  to  wild 
birds  as  proof  that  it  does  not  happen.  Yet 
it  has  been  documented  that  pen-reared 
birds  can  harbor  diseases  and  parasites 
that  can  be  lethal  to  wild  birds.  Diseases 
such  as  histomoniasis  (blackhead),  avian 
pox,  Mycoplasma  infections  and  ulcerative 
enteritis  (quail  disease)  are  known  to  occur 
in  pen-reared  quail,  pheasants  and/or 
turkeys.  Duck  virus  enteritis  (duck  plague) 
can  be  common  in  pen-reared  ducks. 
Evidence  suggests  that  pen-reared  birds 
have  at  times  been  the  source  of  disease  in 
wild  waterfowl,  wild  turkeys  and  wild 
quail.  In  light  of  this  information,  most 
biologists  take  a  cautious  approach  and 
advocate  measures  to  protect  wild  game 
birds  from  diseases  that  may  be  introduced 
by  pen-reared  birds.  After  all,  virtually  no 
reputable  commercial  poultry  producer 
would  allow  the  introduction  of  birds  into 
his  flock  from  a  source  whose  health  status 
was  questionable.  Our  wild  game  birds 
should  at  least  have  the  same  protection. 

Another  area  of  concern  relates  to  pre- 
dation and  whether  the  presence  of  large 
numbers  of  pen-reared  birds  can  affect  pre- 


dation rates  on  wild  birds.  In  other  words, 
are  predators  attracted  to  an  area  that  has 
unusually  high  numbers  of  easily  caught 
pen-reared  birds  available?  If  so,  the  con- 
centration of  predators  to  a  local  area  and 
conditioning  of  these  predators  to  seek  out 
pen-reared  birds  might  spill  over  and  result 
in  higher  predation  rates  on  wild  birds  as 
well.  Studies  in  Texas  and  Georgia  suggest 
that  this  may  happen.  Both  studies  found 
that  wild  bobwhite  survival  was  lower  on 
sites  where  large  numbers  of  pen-reared 
quail  were  released  than  on  control  areas 
where  there  were  no  pen-reared  birds. 

Genetic  impacts  are  a  third  area  of  con- 
cern. Wild  birds  have  adapted  so  that  their 
chances  of  surviving  and  reproducing  are 
maximized.  Their  physical  characteristics, 
breedmg/nestmg/brooding  behavior,  breeding 
chronology  and  predator  avoidance  behav- 
ior are  among  the  crucial  genetic  traits  to 
reproductive  success  and  survival  in  the 
wild.  Interbreeding  between  pen-reared 
and  wild  birds  is  thought  to  occur,  but  the 
impact  of  such  interbreeding  is  not  well 
understood.  Intuitively,  it  would  seem  that 


Many  hunting 
preserves  supplement 
their  quail  with 
pen-raised  birds, 
though  these  releases 
do  not  make  a 
significant 
contribution  to  the 
breeding  population. 


i 

1 

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, 

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I    «=;^~.^. 

-  j.  y\ 

k  \ 

March  /April  2004    19 


Habitat  preservation 

and  improvement  are 

the  only  long-term 

solutions  for 

protecting  the  wild 

turkey  population. 


such  interbreeding  would  be  detrimental 
to  the  population  by  lowering  nest  success 
and  survival  of  offspring. 

In  addition  to  the  potential  negative 
impacts  on  reproduction  and  survival, 
interbreeding  has  been  documented  to 
actually  threaten  the  viability  of  some 
species  of  ducks.  Interbreeding  and 
hybridization  with  released  pen-reared 
mallards  have  nearly  eliminated  the  Grey 
Duck  of  New  Zealand  and  the  Hawaiian 
Duck.  Mallard  genes  can  now  be  detected 
in  Florida's  mottled  ducks  and  biologists 
are  concerned  that  hybridization  with  mal- 
lards of  pen-reared  origin  will  result  in 
elimination  of  mottled  ducks  as  a  distinct 
species  in  Florida.  The  same  could  happen 
to  Louisiana  mottled  ducks. 

Besides  the  biological  concerns  raised  by 
pen-reared  bird  releases,  there  are  also 
legal  issues  to  consider.  This  is  especially 
true  when  mallard  releases  occur  in  areas 
used  for  wild  waterfowl  hunting.  Conflicts 
with  federal  waterfowl  hunting  regula- 
tions, particularly  those  concerning  the  use 
of  live  decoys  and  baiting,  can  occur. 

LDWF  has  developed  regulations  to 
accommodate  the  needs  of  hunting  pre- 
serves, field  trial  organizations  and  bird 
dog  trainers  to  release  pen-reared  birds 
and  at  the  same  time  protect  our  wild  game 
birds.  These  regulations  impose  limita- 
tions on  the  species  of  birds  that  may  be 
released,  how  they  may  be  released,  and 


mandate  certain  bird  health  requirements. 
Licensed  hunting  preserves  must  obtain 
birds  from  a  producer  participating  in  the 
National  Poultry  Improvement  Plan 
(NPIP).  The  NPIP  is  a  USD  A  program  that 
involves  testing  and  certification  to  ensure 
that  birds  are  free  of  certain  diseases.  Field 
trial  organizations  that  release  birds  on 
wildlife  management  areas  for  field  trials 
must  submit  a  sample  of  their  birds  for  dis- 
ease testing  prior  to  approval  to  hold  the 
field  trial.  Hunting  preserves  that  use  pen- 
reared  mallards  can  only  operate  north  of  I- 
10  and  in  areas  where  there  will  not  be  sig- 
nificant interaction  with  wild  waterfowl. 
Pen-reared  mallards  must  be  released  in  a 
controlled  fashion  and  any  surviving 
ducks  must  be  recaptured  each  day. 
Pheasants  may  carry  blackhead,  a  disease 
that  can  cause  significant  wild  turkey  mor- 
tality. Therefore,  hunting  preserves  are  not 
allowed  to  release  pheasants  in  areas  with 
significant  wild  turkey  populations  or 
areas  where  the  wild  turkey  population  is 
expected  to  grow.  Pen-reared  wild  turkeys 
cannot  be  released  or  possessed  in 
Louisiana  under  any  circumstances. 

There  is  a  legitimate  role  for  the  use  of 
pen-reared  birds  for  recreation  and  dog 
training,  provided  that  releases  are  con- 
ducted in  accordance  with  the  applicable 
regulations.  However,  pen-reared  birds 
should  not  be  viewed  as  means  to  restore 
wild  game  bird  populations.  In  most 
instances,  a  lack  of  wild 
game  birds  indicates  habitat 
deficiencies.  The  only  long- 
term  solution  is  to  engage  in 
the  difficult  but  rewarding 
work  of  habitat  improve- 
ment. For  information 
regarding  game  bird  habitat 
management  and  improve- 
ment, contact  the 
Department  of  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries,  Wildlife  Division 
at  225/765-2350.  i 


Fred  Kimmel  is  the  Upland 
Game  Program  Manager  for 
the  Louisiana  Department  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries  and  a 
frequent  contributor  to 
Louisiana  Conservationist. 


20    Louisiana  Conservationist 


Becoming  an  Outdoors  Woman...  the  title 
says  it  all.  A  weekend  for  women  to  learn 
about  the  out-of-doors,  commune  with  the 
wild  and  match  wits  with  nature,  the  ele- 
ments and  one  another.  A  chance  to  learn 
canoeing,  firearms  safety,  shooting  basics, 
photography,  archery,  camp  cooking,  boat 
trailering...  the  list  goes  on  and  on. 
Registering  for  the  Becoming  an  Outdoors 
Woman  (BOW)  weekend  sponsored  by  the 
Louisiana  Department  of  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries  was  something  I  had  to  do! 

Did  I  believe  I  would  become  Grizzlette 
Adams  or  Wilhemenia  Tell  in  one  week- 
end? Would  I  return  home  with  the  ability 
to  track  down  and  kill  large  game,  or  small 
game  for  that  matter,  with  only  a  sharp 
stick  and  a  rock?  Not  a  chance.  But  in  the 
classes  I'd  signed  up  for,  I  knew  I  would 
learn  the  basics  of  handguns,  outdoor  pho- 
tography, canoeing  and  muzzleloading  all 
in  one  weekend. 

Armed  with  a  list  of  suggested  items  to 
take  to  camp,  I  went  shopping.  Flashlight, 
check.  Water  bottle,  check.  Rain  poncho... 
rain?  Missing  from  my  list  were  some 
essential  survival  items  -  my  make-up,  a 
curling  iron.  How  would  I  survive?  Did  I 
have  the  strength  to  cut  the  cord  to  my 
blow  dryer?  I  would  soon  find  out! 

The  flat  land  of  southern  Louisiana 
turned  into  gently  rolling  hills  dotted  with 
pine  trees,  making  the  drive  from  Baton 
Rouge  to  Camp  Grant  Walker  a  pleasant 


one.  The  campground  was  easy  to  find  and 
after  checking  in,  I  found  my  assigned 
dorm,  unpacked  and  got  ready  for  my  first 
class. 

I'd  never  been  to  camp  as  a  child  so  this 
was  a  first  for  me.  Bedding  was  bunk  bed 
style  and  it  was  suggested  that  I  store  my 
clothing,  towels  and  other  items  on  an 
upper  bunk  and  sleep  on  the  bottom.  As  I 
unpacked  my  bag,  laying  out  my  clothes 
and  towels,  my  weekend  comrades  began 
to  trickle  in,  carrying  bags  and  suitcases  of 
all  shapes  and  sizes.  I  watched  out  of  the 
corners  of  my  eyes  as  they  began  to 
unpack.  Soon  I  was  openly  staring.  Small 
coffee  pots,  blow  dryers  and  a  large  array 
of  other  items  began  to  appear,  spreading 
out  on  the  shelf  surrounding  the  big  mirror 
in  the  center  of  the  room.  A  small  ice  chest 
found  its  way  to  the  foot  of  a  bed  several 
bunks  down  and  a  bag  of  Easter  candy  lay 
on  the  top  bunk.  Chocolate?!  Why  hadn't 
I  thought  of  that? 

I  headed  back  to  the  cafeteria  for  lunch 
and  assembly.  General  ground  rules  of 
Camp  Grant  Walker  were  laid  out  for  us: 
what  to  do  in  case  of  an  emergency,  assem- 
bly after  each  meal,  Saturday  night  festivi- 
ties. Then  we  were  turned  loose  to  attend 
our  classes. 

A  basic  handguns  class  was  first  on  my 
list.  I  own  a  handgun,  which  I'd  never 
fired,  so  this  class  promised  to  be  the  per- 
fect opportunity  to  get  a  feel  for  my  own 


STORY  BY 
JANET  ABBOTT 

PHOTOS  BY 
TODD  BUFFINGTON 


March  /April  2004    21 


A  participant  in  the 

horseback  riding  class 

(above)  learns  how  to 

mount,  dismount  and 

ride  into  the  sunset. 


The  author  makes  her 

own  decoy  in  a  Wood 

Duck  carving  class 

(right). 


weapon.  I'd  already  taken  a  firearms  safe- 
ty course,  a  pre-requisite  for  the  basic 
handguns  class,  so  I  made  my  way  to  the 
firing  range.  There  were  nine  other  ladies 
present,  an  eclectic  group  of  housewives, 
secretaries,  doctors  and  lawyers.  A  few 
had  their  own  pistols  and  one  or  two  had 
even  fired  them  before,  but  most  of  us  were 
beginners.  After  the  instructors  explained 
firing  line  safety  and  the  basics  of  loading 
and  unloading  our  weapons,  we  donned 
eye  and  ear  protection  and  began  to  shoot. 
The  kick  of  that  first  recoil  was  jarring,  not 
to  mention  scary,  but  it  didn't  take  long  to 
get  used  to  the  feel  of  the  pistol  in  my 
hands  and  to  eventually  do  as  the  instruc- 
tors advised  and  squeeze  the  trigger  in  an 
easy,  fluid  controlled  movement.  Annie 
Oakley  I'm  not,  but  I  did  manage  to  hit  the 
target  a  few  times. 

After  our  Friday  afternoon  class,  we  had 
dinner  then  assembled  for  announcements. 
Afterward,  mini-classes  in  knife  sharpen- 
ing and  night  sounds  were  offered,  as  well 
as  a  night  hike  to  Stuart  Lake.  Many  ladies 
used  this  time  to  get  reacquainted  and 
renew  old  friendships  formed  at  previous 
BOW  camps. 

Not  much  of  a  late-night  person,  I  was 
yawning  by  10:00  p.m.  Back  at  the  dorm,  I 
grabbed  my  toiletries  and  a  towel  and 
headed  for  the  bathhouse.  After  a  quick 
shower  and  even  quicker  trot  back  to  the 
dorm  in  the  brisk  March  night  air,  I  crawled 
into  my  bunk  and  was  asleep  in  no  time. 

My  first  full  day  of  activities  dawned 
bright  and  dry...  and  early!  After  breakfast, 
I  was  off  to  my  second  class,  outdoor  pho- 
tography.     The   course   description    had 


advised  bringing  a  manual  camera  if  one 
was  available,  so  I'd  borrowed  my  brother- 
in-law's  for  the  occasion.  The  classroom 
portion  of  the  class  was  relatively  short, 
but  informative,  and  in  no  time  we  were  on 
our  way  to  Stuart  Lake  in  Kisatchie 
National  Forest  to  put  our  newfound 
knowledge  to  the  test. 

The  lake  and  surrounding  park  were 
beautiful,  the  weather  nice  and  cool.  We 
each  went  in  our  own  directions,  taking 
photographs  of  whatever  our  budding 
artistic  visions  prompted  us  to  aim  our 
view  finders  at.  Before  we  knew  it,  our 
time  at  the  lake  was  up  and  we  headed 
back  to  camp.  We  gave  our  film  to  the 
instructor  for  one-hour  processing  so  that 
our  photos  could  be  displayed  at  that 
night's  assembly. 


After  lunch  and  noon  assembly,  I  was  off 
to  the  camp's  swimming  pool  for  some 
pointers  on  basic  canoeing.  I'd  never  been 
in  a  canoe  in  my  life,  so  I  watched  and  lis- 
tened intently,  making  sure  I  could  handle 
anything  that  came  my  way  while  on  Big 
Creek.  The  teachers  discussed  canoes, 
paddles  and  other  equipment,  as  well  as 
paddling  techniques,  including  different 
strokes  and  tips  important  to  safe  canoe- 
ing. When  all  of  our  questions  were 
answered,  we  headed  for  the  water. 

Once  at  Big  Creek  the  class  was  divided 
into  pairs,  fitted  for  life  jackets  and  let  loose 


22   Louisiana  Conservationist 


on  the  water.  Unfortunately,  I  didn't  find 
out  until  later  that  my  partner  had  never 
been  in  a  canoe  in  her  life  either!  The  over- 
hanging branches  and  other  growth  along 
the  banks  of  the  creek  shaded  us,  making 
the  day  a  bit  cooler.  The  water  wasn't  too 
deep  and  the  current  wasn't  too  fast,  just 
enough  to  help  move  us  along  at  a  steady 
pace.  We  paddled  and  maneuvered 
around  fallen  limbs  and  trees  in  the  water, 
ducking  under  those  that  seemingly  barred 
our  progress.  Then  the  gauntlet  appeared 
before  us,  a  right  angle  curve  in  the  creek 
where  the  current  picked  up  a  bit  and  the 
water  was  criss-crossed  by  tree  branches 
and  trunks,  both  above  and  below  the  sur- 
face. It  was  to  be  our  downfall.  I  don't 
know  if  we  zigged  when  we  should  have 
zagged  or  the  distribution  of  our  weight  in 
the  canoe  shifted  too  far  in  one  direction  at 
one  time,  but  we  earned  the  distinction  of 
being  the  only  canoe  to  tip  over  that  year! 

Saturday  night  assembly  was  an  experi- 
ence in  itself.  After  dinner  everyone  gath- 
ered in  the  conference  room  for  a  night  of 
entertainment,  including  a  fashion  show, 
contests,  skits  and  even  impromptu  stand- 
up  comedy.  We  learned  what  the  well- 
dressed  female  hunter  would  be  wearing 
that  year,  judged  a  turkey  calling  contest 
performed  by  the  Talking  Turkey  class, 
then  laughed  till  our  sides  hurt  at  the  antics 
of  our  dorm-mates  and  the  amateur  stand- 
up  comedians. 

When  the  laughter  died  down,  we 
moved  outside  for  the  Saturday  night  bon- 
fire. A  light  chill  hung  in  the  March  night 
air,  making  it  perfect  bonfire  weather.  By 
the  time  we  gathered  our  sodas,  snacks  and 
folding  chairs  and  made  our  way  to  the 
clearing  where  logs  and  sticks  had  been 
piled  earlier  in  the  day,  the  fire  was  roaring. 
Orange  and  yellow  flames  licked  the  dark 
background  of  the  nighttime  sky,  casting 
long  shadows  over  the  area  and  warming 
our  faces  and  hands.  We  laughed  and 
shared  our  experiences  of  the  day.  Around 
midnight,  I  realized  that  if  I  was  going  to 
get  up  in  time  for  my  last  class,  it  was  time 
to  hit  the  sack. 

Sunday  was  another  pretty  day.  After 
breakfast  I  headed  to  the  firing  range  for 
muzzleloading.  The  instructors  were  wait- 
ing with  ancient-looking  yet  modern  rifles. 
As  with  handguns,  we  spent  some  time 
getting  familiar  with  our  weapons-the 
strength  of  the  black  powder,  how  to  load 
and  prime  the  rifle  and  how  to  clean  it  after 


each  shot.  It  was  a  lot  to  remember,  more 
than  just  putting  a  bullet  into  a  gun  and 
pulling  the  trigger,  but  it  wasn't  long  before 
I  had  the  hang  of  it.  I  soon  became  com- 
fortable with  the  recoil  of  the  rifle  and  even 
moved  up  to  a  few  more  grains  of  powder. 
Before  the  class  was  over,  I'd  made  satisfy- 
ing contact  with  several  different  targets 
that  had  been  set  up  for  us. 

All  too  soon  my  weekend  was  over,  and 
it  was  time  to  go  home.  After  the  muzzle- 
loading  class,  I  returned  to  the  dorm, 
packed  my  things  and  loaded  them  into  my 
car.  As  I  made  the  drive  back  to  Baton 
Rouge,  I  went  over  my  weekend  experi- 
ences in  my  mind,  coming  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  all  of  the  classes  had  been  inter- 
esting, informative  and  fun.  Later  I  bought 
a  camera  of  my  own  and  have  since  used 
the  skills  I  learned  at  BOW  to  take  wonder- 
ful pictures. 

Although  the  title  of  the  program  is 
Becoming  an  Outdoors  Woman,  there  are 
more  than  just  outdoor  skills  to  be  learned. 
I  wasn't  exactly  raised  a  "city  girl"  but  I 
learned  many  new  things  about  myself  and 
realized  that  with  a  little  direction,  I  can  do 
anything.  That  knowledge  will  last  me  a 
lifetime.  * 


Janet  Abbott  is  an  Administrative  Specialist  II 
in  tlie  LDWF  Enforcement  Division.  A  depart- 
ment employee  of  22  years,  Janet  has  attended 
B.O.W.  five times. 


Always  a  popular 
course,  Campfire 
Cuisine  provides 
instruction  on 
various  styles  of 
outdoor  cooking. 


,.~S2r3i 


March/April  2004    23 


Jellyfish  in 
Your  Favorite 
Bass  Hole? 


BY 
JIM  HYDE 


LDWF  File  Photo 


Are  you  one  of  the  lucky  few  who  has  spotted  these  ethereal  creatures  in  a  body  of  fresh  water?  Few  fishermen  are 
mentally  prepared  for  them,  and  if  reported  to  fishing  buddies,  a  sighting  may  be  considered  just  another  "fish  story." 

This  was  my  father's  reaction  when  I  first  saw  jellyfish  in  Toledo  Bend  Reservoir.  He  just  chuckled  and  said,  "Yeah, 
sure!"  When  I  finally  prevailed  on  him  to  take  a  look,  he  did  a  double-take,  rubbed  his  eyes  and  said  that  we  must 
both  be  crazy. 

How  could  jellyfish  be  in  a  freshwater  lake?  One  possible  explanation  was  that  juveniles  might  have  been  brought 
in  by  seabirds,  which  frequent  the  reservoir  during  winter  months,  and  that  they  might  then  have  grown  for  a  time  in 
the  plankton-rich  waters.  The  second  possibility  was  that  freshwater  jellyfish  actually  exist.  Why  not? 

A  recent  article  in  Aquatics  by  Robert  Korth  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin  reported  the  presence  of  jellyfish  in  a 
quarry  lake  in  central  Wisconsin.  He  was  able  to  collect  some  samples  and  positively  identify  them  in  a  university  lab- 
oratory as  Craspedecusta  sowerbii,  the  only  freshwater  jellyfish  known  to  North  America.  They  are  rarely  observed,  even 
by  limnologists,  but,  as  with  other  organisms  such  as  mushrooms,  algae  and  insects,  they  may  suddenly  appear  in 
quantity  when  conditions  become  favorable  and  then  disappear  for  years. 

C.  sowerbii  differs  from  saltwater  jellyfish  in  that  it  possesses  a  "velum,"  a  thin  membrane  extending  inward  from 
the  edge  (ring  canal)  of  the  umbrella-shaped  medusa  to  the  centrally  located  mouth  (manubrium).  These  parts  are 
nearly  devoid  of  color,  and  the  little  jellyfish  would  be  virtually  invisible  were  it  not  for  the  large  sex  organs  (gonads) 
that  hang  from  its  underside.  It  is  very  small,  ranging  in  size  from  barely  visible  to  about  that  of  a  quarter.  Like  its 
marine  cousins,  it  has  many  tentacles  with  thousands  of  cells  possessing  stinging  structures  (nematocysts)  to  stun  its 
planktonic  prey.  However,  the  nematocysts  are  unable  to  penetrate  human  skin. 

This  jellyfish  reproduces  both  asexually  and  sexually,  although  some  populations  may  be  all  male  or  all  female. 
Fertilized  eggs  fall  to  the  bottom  as  larvae  which  develop  into  polyps.  These  may  bud  and  branch  to  form  colonies  of 
polyps,  which  in  turn  may  further  bud  to  form  the  medusa,  or  jellyfish  as  we  know  it.  Buds  may  also  become  "frus- 
tules,"  minute  larvae  that  break  off,  crawl  away  from  the  parent  polyp  and  start  a  new  polyp  colony.  During  winter 
the  medusae  ball  up  to  form  "podocysts,"  which  may  be  transported  by  birds  and  other  wildlife. 

Are  these  fascinating  creatures  new  to  Louisiana?  They  are  native  to  the  Yangtze  River  system  and  were  not  report- 
ed outside  China  until  1880,  when  they  were  found  in  London.  They  are  believed  to  have  also  entered  the  United  States 
in  the  1880s  and  have  now  been  recorded  in  46  states,  most  recently  by  Nebraska. 

There  are  four  known  sightings  in  Louisiana,  the  first  of  which  was  in  1936:  two  in  southeastern  Louisiana,  one  in  a 
gravel  pit  near  Shreveport  and  now  Toledo  Bend  Reservoir.  Thus  Craspedecusta  sowerbii  is  yet  another  example  of  a  for- 
eign, invasive  species,  although  it  seems  to  pose  no  threat. 

If  you  spot  one  of  these,  please  report  it  to  Jim  Hyde,  Sabine  River  Authority,  at  (800)259-LAKE.  ^ 


Jim  Hyde  is  a  Sanitarian /Biologist 
with  the  Sabine  River  Authority,  Toledo  Bend. 


24    Louisiana  Conservationist 


Photo  by  Ryan  Daniel/Mike  Wood 


In  December  2003,  the  D'Arbonne  Lake 
Commission  completed  a  unique  bridge 
lighting  project,  which  promises  to  increase 
fishing  success  at  the  lake  and  boost  rev- 
enue in  the  surrounding  area.  Lake 
D'Arbonne,  a  man-made  lake  of  16,000 
acres,  is  located  in  the  town  of  Farmerville 
in  Union  Parish.  The  lake  is  already  known 
for  producing  some  of  the  largest  crappie 
in  the  nation,  but  the  new  lighting  project 
will  help  fishermen  take  advantage  of  a 
bumper  crop  of  white  perch  in  the  lake  this 
year  and  years  to  come. 

The  lighting  project,  which  will  encour- 
age and  facilitate  night  fishing  at 
D'Arbonne,  was  achieved  by  installing 
twelve  high-intensity  street  lamps  under 
each  bay  of  the  Highway  33  overpass 
bridge.  The  lights  along  this  stretch  pro- 
vide a  well-lit,  sheltered  area  for  night  fish- 
ing. Fishing  for  crappie  is  usually  done  at 
night  with  a  lantern;  minnows  are  attracted 
to  the  lights  shining  into  the  water  and  they 
in  turn  attract  crappie  and  other  fish.  The 
newly-lighted  area  is  protected  from  wind 


and  rain  and  allows  room  for  up  to  100 
hundred  boats  to  safely  share  the  site. 

Some  fishing  piers  in  Louisiana  are 
lighted,  but  from  above,  not  below  like  the 
D'Arbonne  Lake  bridge.  These  lights  actu- 
ally shine  into  the  water.  Since  the  project 
is  an  original  one,  work  on  it  was  specially 
designed  and  had  to  be  done  from  a  barge. 
The  $22,000  project  was  funded  by  the 
D'Arbonne  Lake  Commission  and  super- 
vised by  the  Louisiana  Department  of 
Wildlife  and  Fisheries  (LDWF)  and  the 
Department  of  Transportation  and 
Development  (DOTD).  Electricity  is  being 
provided  by  the  Union  Parish  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

The  D'Arbonne  Lake  Commission 
invites  you  to  take  advantage  of  this  spe- 
cial project,  which  is  just  one  of  many 
attractions  on  this  beautiful  and  bountiful 
lake.  It's  sure  to  shed  some  light  on  your 
next  fishing  expedition.  For  more  informa- 
tion about  the  recently  completed 
D'Arbonne  Lake  Bridge  Lighting  Project, 
contact  Larry  Turner  at  318/397-5774.      ^ 


March/April  2004    25 


Loggy  Bayou 


Loggy  Bayou  Wildlife 
Management  Area  is  located 
in  the  southernmost  part  of 
Bossier  Parish,  approximately  20 
miles  southeast  of  Bossier  City.  Its 
4,211  acres,  owned  by  the  Louisiana 
Department  of  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries,  are  easily  reached  by 
automobile  via  U.S.  Highway  71. 
An  all-weather  road,  constructed  by 
LDWF,  crosses  the  interior,  and  the 
northern  portion  is  accessible  by 
boat  and  automobile. 

Loggy  Bayou  is  one  of  the  few 
remaining  bottomland  hardwood 
tracts  in  northwest  Louisiana. 
Dominant  tree  species  are  hackber- 
ry,  ash,  elm,  honey  locust  and  native 
wild  pecan.  Overcup  oak, 
water  oak,  willow  oak  and 
striped  oak  are  sparsely  scat- 
tered throughout  the  forest 
area.  Several  hundred  acres  .  .„■•■ 
of  the  open  fields  have  been  ,:."\ij' 
planted  to  native  pecan,  .'*?-' 
striped  oak,  water  oak  and  ^S^ 
Cherrybark  oak  seedlings. 
Some  underplanting  of  the 
same  seedlings  has  been 
accomplished  in  the  forested 
areas. 

The  understory  consists  of 
dense  stands  of  red  haws,  rat- 
tan, trumpet  vine,  dewberry, 
poison  ivy  and  seedlings  of 
dominant  forest  types.  Each 
summer  approximately  40 
acres  are  planted  in  food 
plots. 

The  flat  terrain,  typical  of 
the  alluvial  flood  plain  of  the 
Red  River,  is  subject  to  annual 
flooding  from  backwaters  of 

26    Louisiana  Conservationist 


the  Red  River.  The  water  regime  of 
the  area  creates  an  ideal  situation 
for  a  number  of  reptile  and  amphib- 
ian species. 

Common  wildlife  species  in  the 
area  include  beavers,  Wood  Ducks, 
Great  Blue  Herons,  Barred  Owls, 
Red-shouldered  Hawks,  gray  squir- 
rels and  white-tailed  deer. 
Numerous  species  of  both  transient 
and  resident  birds  use  the  area  dur- 
ing the  year.  The  Prothonotary 
Warbler,  White-Eyed  Vireo  and 
Great  Crested  Flycatcher  are  com- 
mon summer  residents.  Winter 
sparrows  include  the  White-throat- 
ed, Song  and  Swamp  sparrows. 

Photo  courtesy  of  T.  Buffington/S.  Hebert 


An  active  beaver  lodge  is  visible 
from  the  bridge,  which  is  a  good 
viewing  site  for  aquatic  wildlife 
species.  The  nature  trail  receives 
public  use  from  bird  watchers  and 
nature  study  groups.  Early  spring 
viewing  offers  the  greatest  opportu- 
nities, particularly  for  wood  war- 
blers. A  public  boat  launching  ramp 
and  greentree  reservoir  have  been 
constructed  and  are  used  by 
hunters  and  fishermen.  Overnight 
camping  is  allowed  throughout  the 
entire  year  on  designated  camping 
areas. 

The  area  is  open  to  public  hunt- 
ing for  deer,  doves,  quail,  rabbits, 
squirrels,   ducks  and   other  game 
species.      Rules,  regulations 
and    season    dates    can    be 
found  in  the  hunting  regula- 
tions    pamphlet     available 
from     the    department    or 
.  license  vendors.     Maps  are 
available  at  the  local  region 
offices  and  on  the  internet  at 
www.wlf.state.la.us. 

To  reach  Loggy  Bayou 
I  WMA  from  Ringgold,  LA, 
travel  west  on  La.  Hwy  154 
for  approximately  nine  miles 
to  the  east  end  of  the  Lake 
Bistineau  Spillway.  Turn 
south  on  Bienville  Parish 
Road  511  for  0.5  miles  to  the 
Loggy  Bayou  boundary  sign. 
Turn  west  on  the  bridge. 
Additional  information  may 
be  obtained  by  contacting  the 
LDWF  Minden  office  at  P.O. 
Box  915,  Minden;  Louisiana 
71055  or  by  phone  at 
318/371-3050. 


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Great  craft  ideas  for  scouts,  students  or  anyone  who 
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Earth  Day  Posters 

Our  most  enchanting 
Louisiana  Butterflies 
(1996),  Louisiana  Birds 
(1999),  Louisiana 
Wildflowers  (2000)  and 
Butterflies  of  Southern 
Gardens  (2001). 

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set  of  four. 


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lines 


BY  MAJ.  KEITH  LACAZE 

Boating  Safety  For  The  Future 

As  the  more  than  330,000 
recreational  boats  registered 
in  Louisiana  are  launched  this 
spring,  two  significant  additions  to 
existing  boating  safety  regulations 
will  be  in  effect.  Both  will  result  in 
safer  waterways  for  all  boaters  and 
enhance  the  wildlife  enforcement 
agent's  ability  to  effectively  enforce 
safety  regulations  and  educational 
requirements.  The  Boating  Safety 
Rules  of  the  Road  for  Vessels  were 
adopted  by  the  Louisiana  Wildlife 
and  Fisheries  Commission  in 
September  of  2003.  The  Rules  of 
the  Road  for  Vessels  or  Navigation 
Rules,  which  set  a  standard  of  oper- 
ation for  vessels  on  the  water,  are 
not  new.  They  have  been  estab- 
lished, listed  and  included  in  boat- 
ing education  courses  for  quite 
some  time.  But  up  to  this  point  they 
have  not  carried  the  force  of  law  in 
Louisiana. 

Wildlife  enforcement  agents 
investigating  boating  accidents  fre- 
quently determine  that  many  boat- 
ing accidents  and  the  resulting 
injuries  and  deaths  are  caused  by 
failure  to  adhere  to  these  simple  and 
common  sense  rules.  Many  colli- 
sions between  vessels  could  have 
been  avoided  if  the  operators  had 
known  and  been  in  compliance  with 
the  rules. 

There  are  20  listed  Rules  of  the 
Road  for  Vessels.  The  following  are 
just  three  of  the  rules  and  are  includ- 
ed here  only  as  an  example  of  these 
simple  requirements:  "1.  Vessels 
passing  head-on  shall  each  keep  to 
their  respective  right.  3.  When  ves- 
sels are  passing  at  right  angles,  the 
vessel  on  the  left  will  yield  right-of- 
way  to  vessel  on  the  right.  8.  Vessels 
will  not  abruptly  change  course 
without  first  determining  that  it  can 
be  safely  done  without  risk  of  colli- 
sion with  another  vessel." 

A    complete    listing    of    all    20 
Navigation  Rules  may  be  found  in 
30    Louisiana  Conservationist 


the  boating  safety  course  manual 
entitled  "Boat  Louisiana,  A  Course 
On  Responsible  Boating,"  or  at  our 
website  www.wlf.state.la.us,  in  the 
boating  section. 

In  the  past,  violations  of  naviga- 
tional rules  had  no  criminal  conse- 
quences unless  the  enforcement 
agent  could  determine  careless  or 
reckless  operation  of  the  vessel. 
This  is  difficult  to  do  unless  the 
behavior  resulted  in  an  accident  and 
could  be  proved  by  an  accident 
investigation  or  eye-witness 
accounts.  Those  responsible  for 
accidents  resulting  in  property  dam- 
age, death  and/or  injury  frequently 
faced  no  criminal  consequences  for 
their  actions.  In  addition,  the  possi- 
bility of  an  arrest  or  citation  for  vio- 
lation of  navigational  rules  will  serve 
as  a  deterrent  to  those  who  think  the 
rules  don't  apply  to  them. 

While  enforcement  of  boating 
regulations  on  the  water  is  vitally 
important,  equally  important  is  edu- 
cation of  the  boating  public.  LDWF 
has  offered  a  National  Association 
of  State  Boating  Law  Administrators 
(NASBLA)  approved  boating  safety 
class  for  a  number  of  years. 
Attendance  has  been  recommend- 
ed but  not  mandatory.  This  changed 
during  the  2003  Regular  Session  of 
the  Louisiana  Legislature  when 
House  Bill  No.  560  by 
Representatives  Jack  Smith  (D, 
Franklin)  and  Wilfred  Pierre  (D, 
Lafayette)  was  enrolled  as  Act  921 
and  became  law.  The  act  reads  in 
part:  "A.  Except  as  provided  in 
Subsection  B  of  this  Section,  no 
person  born  after  January  1,  1988, 
shall  operate  a  motorboat  powered 
by  a  motor  in  excess  of  ten  horse- 
power unless  he  has  successfully 
completed  a  boating  safety  class 
approved  by  the  National 
Association  of  State  Boating  Law 
Administrators  (NASBLA).  A  person 
who  has  completed  an  approved 
boating  safety  class  shall  be  in  pos- 
session of  evidence  of  such  com- 
pletion when  operating  such  a  boat. 

B.  A  motorboat  may  be  operated 
if  any  person  on  board  or  participat- 
ing in  any  boating  activity  from  the 
motorboat  is  over  the  age  of  eight- 
een and,  if  required  to  have  com- 


pleted a  boating  safety  course 
under  the  provisions  of  Subsection 
A  of  this  Section,  has  completed  the 
required  boating  safety  course. 

C.  A  violation  of  this  Section  shall 
be  a  class  one  violation  subject  to 
penalties  and  enforcement  proce- 
dures as  set  forth  in  R.  S.  56:31, 
except  that  an  offender  who  com- 
pletes a  NASBLA-approved  boating 
safety  class  within  one  year  after 
final  adjudication  shall  not  be 
required  to  pay  civil  penalty.  If  not 
fewer  than  thirty  days  prior  to  the 
hearing  date  for  the  offense  an 
offender  provides  proof  that  he  has 
completed  a  class,  there  shall  not  be 
a  hearing,  and  the  violation  shall  be 
expunged  from  the  person's  record." 

While  the  boating  safety  class  is 
now  required  for  anyone  born  after 
January  1,  1988,  it  is  still  recom- 
mended for  everyone.  The  class 
offers  a  great  deal  of  boating  infor- 
mation including  the  navigational 
rules  discussed  earlier.  Anyone  who 
spends  time  in  a  boat  for  any  pur- 
pose will  find  the  eight  hour  course 
time  well  spent.  Check  the  website 
or  call  your  nearest  LDWF  region 
office  for  class  dates  and  locations. 

Half  of  those  who  die  in  boating 
accidents  are  not  simply  recreation- 
al boat  riding  or  water  skiing.  So 
those  who  "only"  use  a  boat  to  get 
to  the  hunting  or  fishing  spot  and 
back  should  reconsider  the  need  for 
training  and  precautions.  Eighty-five 
percent  of  those  involved  in  boating 
accidents  who  are  wearing  a  per- 
sonal floatation  device  (PFD)  or  life 
jacket  survive. 

Several  of  the  boating  accidents, 
fatal  and  otherwise,  in  Louisiana 
during  the  past  year  occurred  at 
night.  If  a  nighttime  boat  ride  is 
planned,  be  sure  to  have  a  working 
spotlight,  running  lights  and  PFDs. 
Nighttime  boating  should  only  be 
attempted  by  an  operator  who  is 
very  familiar  with  the  waterway. 

Remember  these  tips:  Take  good 
care  of  the  boat.  Know  the  environ- 
ment and  how  it  is  affected  by 
weather,  tide  and  any  other  factors. 
Stay  sober  and  alert.  Wear  a  PFD 
anytime  the  boat  is  moving.  Boat 
smart,  boat  sober,  and  keep  the 
odds  in  your  favor. 


Svecies  Profile 


Falcate  Orangetip 

Anthocharis  midea 


With  a  wingspan  just  over 
an  inch,  the  falcate 
orangetip  is  a  small  but- 
terfly typically  seen  only  briefly  in 
the  early  spring.  Both  sexes  have  a 
falcate,  or  hooked  forewing,  with  a 
black  dot  in  the  middle  and  a  solid- 
ly marbled  hind  wing. 
However,  the  tip  of  the 
male's  forewing  is 
orange  bordered  by 
black,  and  the  female's 
is  usually  white. 

Falcate  orangetips 
are  found  from 
Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut  west  to 
southern  Wisconsin 
and  Missouri  and 
south  to  coastal 
Georgia,  the  northern 
portions  of  the  Gulf 
states  and  central 
Texas.  These  little 
butterflies  require 
trees  nearby  and  often 
occur  in  open  decidu- 
ous woodlands,  pine 
barrens  and  low-lying 
young  woods  near 
streams  or  swamps. 

For  many  butterfly 
watchers,  spotting  a 
falcate  orangetip  sig- 
nals the  arrival  of 
spring.  In  Louisiana, 
the  species  normally 
appears  only  in  early 
to  mid-April  and  only  in  upland 
oak-hickory  forests,  such  as  those  in 
the  central  and  northern  portions  of 
the  state. 

Like  most  butterflies,  falcate 
orangetips  experience  a  four-stage 
life  cycle.     In  the  spring,  females 


deposit  orange,  conical  eggs,  usual- 
ly one  per  host  plant.  The  eggs 
hatch  as  yellowish-green  larvae 
which  feed  on  the  host  flower  and 
develop  into  blue-green  caterpillars 
with  lateral  white  stripes.  As  they 
reach  the  end  of  their  larval  phase, 


Photo 


the  caterpillars  change  from  green 
to  brown  and  must  find  a  place  to 
pupate,  usually  on  twigs  or  the 
branches  of  small  trees.  Once  situ- 
ated, the  caterpillars  weave  silken 
threads  to  attach  themselves  to  the 
trees.      These  encasements,  called 


chrysalises,  are  elongated  cone-like 
extensions    that    resemble    thorns. 
Adult  butterflies  emerge  from  this 
form  the  following  year.  Amazingly, 
falcate  orangetips  can  delay  emer- 
gence until  conditions  are  just  right 
(even  up  to  two  years),  an  adapta- 
tion with  which  helps 
them       survive       dry 
springs. 

The  genus  name  of 
the  falcate  orangetip  is 
derived  from  the  Greek 
antlio,  "flower,"  and 
charts,  "favor,"  mean- 
ing "flower  loving." 
As  this  name  suggests, 
falcate  orangetips  favor 
small,  white-flowered 
plants  as  nectar 
sources.  Depending  on 
abundance  in  the  area, 
hairy  bitter  cress,  win- 
ter cress  and  pepper- 
grass  are  commonly 
visited. 

In  1991,  Gary  Noel 
Ross,  frequent  contrib- 
utor      to       Louisiana 
Conservationist,  discov- 
ered a  colony  of  falcate 
orangetips  on  the  che- 
niers       in       Cameron 
Parish.      The  colony's 
surprising   presence   is 
linked  to  the  cattle  pas- 
tures       and        robust 
by  Gary  Noel  Ross     Pennsylvania        bitter 
cress  plants  which  sprout  from  hoof 
prints  there.    Falcate  orangetip  but- 
terflies have  also  been  sighted  in 
Acadia,  Caddo,  East  Baton  Rouge, 
Jackson,       Lincoln,       Livingston, 
Natchitoches,    Webster    and    West 
Feliciana  parishes. 

March/April  2004    31 


CONSERVATION 

note* 


AMERICAN  PEREGRINE 
FALCON  MONITORING  PLAN 

The  U.S.  Fish  and  Wildlife  Service 
issued  its  monitoring  plan  for  the 
American  peregrine  falcon  in  the 
continental  United  States.  The  bird 
was  removed  from  the  Federal  list 
of  threatened  and  endangered 
species  in  1999,  and  the  monitoring 
plan  is  designed  to  make  sure  that 
American  peregrine  falcons  contin- 
ue to  thrive  without  the  protection 
of  the  Endangered  Species  Act. 

WADDILL  REFUGE  POND 
RENOVATION  PROJECT 

The  two  1-1/2-acre  ponds  at 
LDWF's  Waddill  Refuge  on  Flannery 
Road  in  Baton  Rouge  are  currently 
undergoing  renovations  in  order  to 
improve  fishing  success  for  the 
numerous  visitors  who  frequent  this 
refuge.  Fishing  success  had 
dropped  off  in  recent  years  due  to 
an  imbalance  in  fish  populations  in 
both  ponds. 


The  pond,  traditionally  used  for 
National  Hunting  and  Fishing  Day 
activities,  will  be  refilled,  treated 
with  gypsum  to  clarify  the  water  and 
restocked  with  channel  catfish  in 
February.  The  second  pond  will  be 
stocked  with  bluegill  sunfish  and 
largemouth  bass  after  renovations 
are  made  to  allow  for  more  spawn- 
ing areas  in  this  pond. 

LDWF  EMPLOYEES  HONORED 

Recipients  of  LDWF  2003  Employee 
Recognition  Awards  received  their 
honors  at  the  December  meeting  of 
the  Louisiana  Wildlife  and  Fisheries 
Commission. 

This  year's  Secretary  Awards 
went  to  Janis  Landry  and  Cathy 
Greeson.  Customer  Service  Award 
winners  were  Deborah  Thornton, 
Chris  Broussard,  Rashita  Williams, 
Cindy  Harris  Kemp,  Patricia 
Faulkner,  Vince  Cefalu  and  Kristi 
Butler. 

Special  Achievement  by  a  Team 
recognition  went  to  Joel  Courtney 
and  Thomas  Gresham;  Captain 
Brian  Clark,  Sergeants  Scott  Keller, 
Stephen  McManus  and  Bryan  Marie 
and  Senior  Agent  Kris  Bourgeois; 
James  Brooks  (deceased),  Todd 
Buffington,  Jimmy  Butcher,  Don 
Carpenter,  R.  Marty  Edmunds, 
Jonathan  Glasscock,  Jeffry 
Johnson,  M.  Leslie  Johnson,  N. 
Richard  McMullan,   Danny  Timmer 


and  Larry  Waldron;  and  Gil  Blalock, 
Tracy  Cloud,  Scott  Delaney  and 
Jackie  Wise. 

Top  honors  of  the  day  went  to 
Employee  of  the  Year  Award  winners 
Mary  Hebert  and  Elaine  Moore  in  the 
Administrative  Support  category, 
and  Tammy  Calix,  Tim  Morrison, 
Guthrie  Perry  and  Senior  Agent 
Jerry  Stassi  of  Enforcement  in  the 
Professional  category. 


LWFC  SALUTES 
LONG-TIME  EMPLOYEE 

At  their  December  meeting,  the 
Louisiana  Wildlife  and  Fisheries 
Commission  recognized  Paul 
Dwight  Brasseaux  as  the  employee 
with  the  longest  recorded  tenure 
with  the  state.  Brasseaux  began 
his  career  at  LDWF  on  January  1, 
1953,  as  a  Refuge  Warden  and  Boat 
Operator  on  State  Wildlife  Refuge. 
In  1975,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
New  Iberia  office  as  a  Wildlife 
Specialist.  From  1985  through 
1987,  he  was  instrumental  in 
restocking  the  pelican  population  at 
North  Island  and  Raccoon  Island. 
Though  he  has  seen  many  changes 
in  the  department  and  the  state  as  a 
whole,  he  has  remained  a  constant. 
Brasseaux  retired  from  the  depart- 
ment on  January  5,  2004.  His  ded- 
ication and  hard  work  are  com- 
mended. 


;    '%s 


32    Louisiana  Conservationist 


CHANGES  TO  LWFC 

The  Louisiana  Wildlife  and  Fisheries 
Commission  elected  new  officers  at 
their  December  meeting.  Bill 
Busbice  Jr.  was  elected  to  succeed 
Chairman  Terry  Denmon  and 
Wayne  Sagrera  was  elected  to 
succeed  Vice-Chairman  Lee 
Felterman. 

The  commission's  final  meeting 
of  2003  also  saw  two  members 
complete     their     terms.  Lee 

Felterman,  exiting  Vice-Chairman, 
and  Thomas  Kelly  bid  farewell  to 
the  commission. 

Billy  Broussard  was  introduced 
as  the  newest  member  of  the  com- 
mission at  the  January  meeting. 
Broussard  will  fill  the  vacancy  cre- 
ated when  Thomas  Kelly  complet- 
ed his  term.  Other  vacancies  will 
be  filled  by  appointment  from  the 
new  gubernatorial  administration. 


NEW  REEF  SITE 

Continuing  the  cooperative  effort 
by  LDWF  and  the  Lake 
Pontchartrain  Basin  Foundation  to 
construct  artificial  reefs  in  Lake 
Pontchartrain,  80  concrete  reef 
balls  were  dropped  into  the  lake  on 
January  14.  The  1400-pound  con- 
crete balls  will  help  promote  fishing 
opportunities  in  the  lake. 

The  balls  are  specially  designed 
to  promote  fishery  habitat  forma- 
tion. They  are  dome-shaped  hollow 
cement  structures  with  large  holes 
to  allow  water  to  flow  through  them. 
For  more  information,  contact  Rick 
Kasprzak  at  225/765-2375. 


2004  LCM  CALENDARS 
STILL  AVAILABLE 

LDWF's  library  offers  a  wide  variety 
of  posters,  books  and  subscrip- 
tions to  the  award-winning  maga- 
zine that  will  make  any  Louisiana 
sportsman  happy.  They  are  also 
great  ideas  for  family  and  friends 
outside  of  the  state. 

The  2004  edition  of  the  Louisiana 
Conservationist  calendar,  now 
available  for  $8,  pays  tribute  to  the 


many  programs  maintained  by  the 
department  and  highlights  many  of 
the  state's  outdoor  opportunities. 

LDWF's  Library  is  open  Monday 
through  Friday,  from  8:00  a.m.  until 
4:30  p.m.  The  library  is  located 
inside  LDWF  Headquarters  at  2000 
Quail  Drive  in  Baton  Rouge.  It  can 
also  be  reached  at  225/765-2934. 

IMPROVEMENTS  TO 
TURKEY  POPULATION 

A  joint  effort  between  LDWF  and 
Cleco  Corporation  will  enhance  the 
wild  turkey  population  on  the  West 
Bay  Wildlife  Management  Area  and 
help  improve  maintenance  on 
power  line  rights  of  way.  Food  plots 
will  be  planted  along  the  corridors 
that  contain  power  lines  in  the  WMA 
that  will  help  feed  baby  turkeys  and 
reduce  plant  and  tree  overgrowth 
around  the  lines. 

"The  future  of  wildlife  population 
is  dependent  on  the  survival  of  its 
young.  This  project  offers  both 
cover  and  food  for  the  baby  turkeys, 
helping  to  ensure  viability  of  a 
brood,"  offered  LDWF  biologist 
Wendell  Smit.  For  more  informa- 
tion, contact  Tommy  Prickett  at 
225/765-2348 

NEW  WATERFOWL 
PROJECT  ANNOUNCED 

LDWF  announced  the  opening  of  a 
new  waterfowl  project  in  the  lower 
Atchafalaya  Basin,  the  first  water- 
fowl impoundment  on  Attakapas 
Wildlife  Management  Area.  It  is 
located  near  the  end  of  Crew  Boat 
Chute,  adjacent  to  the  Atchafalaya 
River,  about  seven  miles  northeast 
of  Franklin. 

Major  contributors  to  this  proj- 
ect, which  converted  an  area  of  low 
productivity  into  a  highly  productive 
waterfowl  management  unit,  are 
LDWF,  Hunt  Oil  Company,  Ducks 
Unlimited  and  the  Atchafalaya 
Basin  Program  within  the 
Department  of  Natural  Resources. 

Hunters  may  hunt  the  area  under 
the  same  regulations  as  the  remain- 
der of  Attakapas  WMA.  Call  Patrick 
Deshotels  for  further  information, 
337/948-0255. 


14. 
15. 


STATEMENT  OF  OWNERSHIP,  MANAGEMENT 
AND  CIRCULATION 

(Required  by  39  U.S.C.  3685) 
Publication  title:    Louisiana  Conservationist 
Publication  No.:    USPS  #320-300 
Filing  date:    11/1/03 
Issue  frequency:    bi-monthly 
No.  of  issues  published  annually:    6 
Annual  subscription  rate:   $12 

7.  Complete  mailing  address  of  known  office  of 
publication:    2000  Quail  Dr..  Baton  Rouge,  LA 
70808. 

8.  Complete  mailing  address  of  headquarters  of 
general  business  officer  of  publisher:  2000  Quail 
Dr..  Baton  Rouge,  LA   70808. 

9.  Full  names  and  complete  mailing  addresses  of 
publisher,  editor  and  managing  editor:    Publisher, 
Louisiana  Department  of  Wildlife  and  Fisheries, 
2000  Quail  Dr.,  Baton  Rouge,  LA  70808:  Editor, 
Janice  Collins,  2000  Quail  Dr.,  Baton  Rouge,  LA 
70808:  Managing  Editor,  Marianne  Marsh  Burke, 
2000  Quail  Dr.,  Baton  Rouge,  LA   70808. 

10.  Owner:    Louisiana  Department  of  Wildlife  and 
Fisheries  (nonprofit)  2000  Quail  Dr.,  Baton  Rouge, 
LA   70808;  mailing  address,  P.O.  Box  98000, 
Baton  Rouge,  LA   70898;  no  stockholders. 

11.  Known  bondholders,  mortgagees  and  other 
security  holders  owning  or  holding  1  percent  or 
more  of  total  amount  of  bonds,  mortgages  or 
other  securities:    none. 

12.  For  completion  by  nonprofit  organizations 
authorized  to  mail  at  special  rates.    The  purpose, 
function  and  nonprofit  status  of  this  organization 
and  the  exempt  status  for  federal  income  tax  pur- 
poses:   has  not  changed  during  the  preceding  12 
months. 

13.  Publication  name:    Louisiana  Conservationist 
Issue  date  for  circulation  data  below:    1 1/1/03 
Extent  and  nature  of  circulation: 
Average  number  copies  each  issue  during 
preceding  12  months: 

A.  Total  no.  copies  (net  press  run):    24,500 

B.  Paid  and/or  requested  circulation: 

1 .  Sales  through  dealers  and  carrier, 
street  vendors  and  counter  sales 
(not  mailed):    none 

2.  Paid  or  requested  mail  subscriptions 
(include  advertisers  proof 
copies/exchange  copies):   24,500 

C.  Total  paid  and/or  requested  circulation  (sum 
of  75b- 7  and  1Sb-2):   24,500 

D.  Free  distribution  by  mail  (samples, 
complimentary  and  other  free):    none 

E.  Free  distribution  outside  the  mail  (carriers  or 
other  means):    none 

F.  Total  free  distribution  (sum  of  15d  and  15e): 
none 

G.  Total  distribution  (sum  of  15c  and  15f): 
23,980 

H.    Copies  not  distributed: 

1.  Office  use,  leftovers,  spoiled:    1,000 

2.  Return  from  news  agents:    none 
I.   Total  (sum  of  15g,  15h-1  and  15h-2):    24,500 

Percent  paid  and/or  requested 

circulation:    100 
Actual  no.  copies  of  single  issue  published 
nearest  to  filing  date: 

A.   Total  no.  copies  (net  press  run):    24,500 
Paid  and/or  requested  circulation: 

1 .  Sales  through  dealers  and  carrier, 
street  vendors  and  counter  sales 
(not  mailed):    none 

2.  Paid  or  requested  mail  subscriptions 
(include  advertisers  proof  copies/ 
exchange  copies):    23,980 

Total  paid  and/or  requested  circulation  (sum 
of  1 Sb-1  and  1 'Sb-2):    23,980 
Free  distribution  by  mail  (samples, 
complimentary  and  other  free):    none 
Free  distribution  outside  the  mail  (carriers  or 
other  means):    none 

Total  free  distribution  (sum  of  15d  and  15e): 
none 

Total  distribution  (sum  of  15c  and  15f): 

23,980 

Copies  not  distributed: 

1.  Office  use,  leftovers,  spoiled:    1,000 

2.  Return  from  news  agents:    none 
Total  (sum  of  15g,  15h-1  and  15h-2):    24,500 

Percent  paid  and/or  requested  circulation:    100 

16.  This  statement  of  ownership  will  be  printed  in 
the  Nov/Dec  2003  issue  of  this  publication. 

17.  Signature  and  title  of  editor:    Janice  Collins, 
Editor 

I  certify  that  all  information  furnished  on  this  form 
is  true  and  complete.    I  understand  that  anyone 
who  furnishes  false  or  misleading  information  on 
this  form  or  who  omits  material  or  information 
requested  on  the  form  may  be  subject  to  criminal 
sanctions  (including  fines  and  imprisonment) 
and/or  civil  sanctions  (including  multiple  damages 
and  civil  penalties). 


B. 


H. 


I. 


March  /April  2004    33 


Aloii'j  the  Way . . . 

The  Big   BaSS  By  Pete  Cooper  Jr. 


Back  when  only  Louisiana 
strain  bass  inhabited 
Louisiana  waters,  my  father 
promised  that  he'd  mount  the  first 
one  I  caught  weighing  five  pounds 
or  more.  But  even  the  best  of  inten- 
tions can  go  awry. 

From  age  12  to  the  time  I  started 
LSU,  I  caught  a  lot  of  bass.  At  first 
they  came  from  the  bayou  that  par- 
allels Kings  Highway  near  my  home 
in  Shreveport.  Later  my  parents 
allowed  me  to  fish  Myer's  Lake 
across  the  levee,  a  remote  set  of 
ancient  Red  River  channels.  Once  I 
got  my  driver's  license,  I  began  to 
explore  more  distant  places  like 
Wallace  Lake,  Bistineau  and  Bayou 
Dorcheat.  Three-pounders  became 
fairly  common,  but  I  can't  recall 
even  hooking  one  of  mounting  size. 

During  my  senior  year  in  high 
school  my  friend  Scott  introduced 
me  to  a  lure  that  has  become  a  life- 
long favorite.  It  was  created  by  bit- 
ing about  a  half-inch  off  the  head  of 
a  six-inch  purple  plastic  worm  and 
threading  it  onto  the  single  hook  of  a 
#1  Barracuda  Spoon.  A  slow,  steady 
retrieve  made  it  wiggle  like  a  little 
snake.  My  first  four-pounder  fell  to  it 
that  spring. 

While  returning  to  Baton  Rouge 
after  the  Easter  holidays  of  my 
sophomore  year  at  LSU,  and  always 
traveling  with  at  least  a  casting  rod, 
a  friend  and  I  decided  to  make  a  few 
casts  in  a  bar-pit  alongside  the  old 
highway  in  the  West  Atchafalaya 
Floodway.  While  walking  along  the 
pit's  bank,  we  quickly  caught  three 
nice  largemouths.  Upon  exploring 
the  area,  we  discovered  Two 
O'Clock  Bayou  and  the  bar-pits  that 
surrounded  much  of  it. 

Back  then,  Two  O'Clock  was 
almost  wild,  and  only  small  boats 
with  small  outboards  or  paddles 
could  access  it,  so  few  people 
fished  there. 

Created  from  excavations  of  dirt 
34    Louisiana  Conservationist 


needed  to  form  the  base  of  US  190, 
most  of  the  pits  were  small.  Some 
were  deep,  but  they  were  all  full  of 
bass. 

My  friend  and  I  rented  a  wooden 
skiff  from  the  camp  on  the  east  side 
of  the  bayou,  paddled  south 
beneath  the  old  highway  and  finally 
entered  a  pit  just  to  the  west  of  the 
bayou.  There,  my  companion 
caught  the  biggest  spotted  bass  I 
had  ever  seen:  4  3/4  pounds  on 
commercial  fish-house  scales  in 
Krotz  Springs.  We  later  discovered  it 
was  awfully  close  to  being  the 
largest  spot  ever  caught  in 
Louisiana,  but  at  the  time  we  didn't 
know  that  and  ate  it. 

Friends  and  I  later  fished  the 
bayou  and  its  bar-pits  from  my  11  - 
foot  duck-boat.  One  of  them  was 
Scott,  and  it  came  to  pass  that  on 
March  9,  1967,  he  rang  my  phone, 
claiming  he  had  a  surprise  for  me. 

I  was  a  senior  by  then,  sharing  an 
apartment  with  Allain,  a  long-time 
hunting  and  fishing  buddy.  I  had 
also  met  my  future  wife  Barbara  and 
to  top  it  off,  I  was  doing  relatively 
well  with  the  books,  though  not  well 
enough  to  make  up  for  a  poor 
beginning  in  my  parents'  eyes. 
Therefore  I  did  not  discuss  my  hunt- 
ing and  fishing  activities  with  them. 

When  Scott  arrived  at  the  apart- 
ment, he  opened  the  trunk  of  his  car 
and  proudly  revealed  a  Wizard  out- 
board motor,  circa  1950  and  some- 
thing less  than  10  horsepower.  It 
cost  him  20  dollars.  Deciding  to  skip 
my  one-thirty  class,  I  gathered  my 
fishing  tackle  and  off  we  went 
toward  Two  O'Clock  Bayou. 

Our  destination  was  the  big  north 
pit,  its  eastern  end  pocked  with 
small,  willow-clad  islands.  We  rent- 
ed a  skiff,  fired  up  the  outboard  and 
putt-putted  our  way  up  the  bayou  to 
the  pit.  We  began  to  work  the  edges 
of  the  little  islands,  me  with  the 
BS&W.  I  caught  the  first  fish,  a  year- 


ling. Scott  got  the  next  one,  a  three- 
pounder,  and  later,  having  cast  at  a 
cluster  of  submerged  willows  at  the 
edge  of  one  of  those  islands,  I  got 
the  big  one.. 

For  the  rest  of  that 
afternoon-and  for  the  only  time  I  can 
remember-l  lost  interest  in  fishing, 
spending  most  of  the  time  simply 
gawking  at  that  great  bass.  That 
evening  at  the  same  commercial 
fish-house  in  Krotz  Springs  where 
the  big  spot  had  been  weighed,  we 
discovered  it  weighed  six  pounds 
even-one  for  the  wall. 

But  how  could  I  tell  my  father 
that  I  caught  it  when  I  was  supposed 
to  have  been  in  class?  Even  if  I  fab- 
ricated a  tale,  he  would  eventually 
find  out  the  truth  (as  parents  do). 

Back  at  the  apartment,  I  put  the 
fish  in  the  fridge,  cleaned  up,  then  I 
picked  up  Barbara  for  the  weekly 
bridge  game,  arriving  back  at  the 
apartment  to  find  Allain  and  his  date. 

At  that  time  he  owned  one  of  the 
original  Polaroid  cameras,  and  I  had 
been  thinking  that  since  the  fish 
would  not  be  mounted,  I  might  at 
least  get  some  pictures  of  it. 
Unfortunately,  the  camera  was  with 
his  parents.  Not  willing  to  give  up,  I 
recalled  that  sometimes  Baton 
Rouge's  "Morning  Advocate"  would 
run  a  picture  of  a  noteworthy  catch. 
I  wrapped  my  fish  in  newspaper,  and 
Barbara  and  I  got  into  the  car  and 
headed  to  the  newspaper  office. 

Two  blocks  from  the  apartment 
another  student  ran  his  car  through 
a  yield  sign  and  hit  mine,  smashing 
the  radiator  and  the  fan. 

I  took  the  bass  from  the  car  just 
before  the  wrecker  towed  it  away. 
The  investigating  police  officer  was 
quite  sympathetic  and,  after  seeing 
the  fish,  noted  what  a  really  nice  one 
it  was-definitely  newsworthy.  Then 
Barb  and  I  walked  back  to  the  apart- 
ment where  I  cleaned  the  fish  and 
we  subsequently  ate  it-no  mount, 
no  picture,  only  the  memory  of  the 
way  it  all  happened. 

I  would  shortly  earn  my  degree, 
get  a  good  job  in  the  oil  field,  marry, 
and  become  the  father  of  my  par- 
ents' first  grandchild.  But  ten  years 
passed  before  I  told  them  about  the 
big  bass. 


THE  LOUISIANA  KITCHEN 

Banana  Cheesecake  with 
Caramel  Sauce  and  Walnuts 

1  c.  reduced  fat  vanilla  wafer  crumbs 

2  Tbsp.  margarine,  melted 

2  (8  oz.)  pkgs  reduced-fat  cream 
cheese,  softened 

1  c.  sugar 

2  Tbsp.  cornstarch 
2  eggs 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 


egg  white 

1/2  c.  mashed  bananas 

c.  fat-free  sour  cream 

Tbsp.  lemon  juice 

tsp.  vanilla  extract 

tsp.  ground  cinnamon 
1/4  c.  chopped  walnuts,  toasted 
2  bananas,  sliced 
1  (12.25-ounce)  jar  caramel 
topping,  warmed 


Preheat  the  oven  to  350°F.  Coat  a  9-inch 
springform  pan  with  nonstick  cooking 
spray.  In  a  small  bowl,  mix  vanilla 
wafer  crumbs  and  margarine  and  pat 
the  mixture  into  the  bottom  and  up  the 
sides  of  the  prepared  springform  pan. 

In  another  mixing  bowl,  beat  cream 
cheese,  sugar  and  cornstarch  until 
creamy.  Add  the  eggs  and  egg  white, 
one  at  a  time,  beating  after  each  addition 
just  until  blended.  Add  the  mashed 
bananas,  sour  cream,  lemon  juice,  vanil- 
la and  cinnamon,  mixing  until  com- 
bined. Transfer  the  filling  to  the  crust- 
lined  springform  pan.  Bake  for  1  hour, 
or  until  the  center  of  the  cake  is  just 
about  set.  Remove  from  the  oven  and 
transfer  the  pan  to  a  wire  rack  to  cool 
completely  at  room  temperature. 
Refrigerate  until  well  chilled.  To  serve, 
top  the  cheesecake  with  the  walnuts  and 
sliced  bananas  and  drizzle  with  the 
caramel  sauce.  Makes  10  to  12  servings. 

Wild  Rice  Fruit  Pilaf 

1  Tbsp.  margarine 
1/2  c.  chopped  onion 
6  cups  canned  beef  broth 
1  1/4  c.  wild  rice 


:leQ9 


Great 

Menu5 


Photo  by  David  Humphreys 


1  1/4  c.  brown  rice 

1  c.  dried  cranberries,  cherries, 

or  a  mixture 
1/4  c.  sherry 
1  c.  sliced  green  onions 
1/2  c.  chopped  fresh  parsley 
1/3  c.  walnut  halves,  toasted 
1  tsp.  dried  thyme  leaves 
Salt  and  pepper,  to  taste 

In  a  large  pot  over  medium  heat,  melt 
the  margarine.  Add  the  onion  and  cook, 
stirring,  until  tender,  3  to  5  minutes. 
Add  the  beef  broth,  wild  rice  and  brown 
rice,  and  bring  to  a  boil.  Reduce  the 
heat,  cover  and  simmer  until  the  rice  is 
tender,  45  to  60  minutes. 

Meanwhile,  in  a  small  bowl,  add  the 
dried  fruit  and  sherry,  let  sit  for  10  min- 
utes and  drain  the  fruit.  When  the  rice  is 
done,  stir  in  the  reserved  fruit,  green 
onions,  parsley,  walnuts,  thyme,  salt  and 
pepper.  Makes  10  to  12  servings. 


Shrimp  Chipotle  Cups 

3  doz.  won  ton  wrappers 

1  1/2  c.  shredded  reduced-fat 

Monterey  Jack  cheese 
1  c.  cooked,  peeled  and  coarsely 

chopped  shrimp 
1  c.  chopped  roasted  red  peppers, 

drained 
1  c.  chipotle  salsa 
1/2  c.  sliced  green  onions 

Preheat  the  oven  to  350°F.  Coat  a  mini 
muffin  pan  with  nonstick  cooking 
spray,  and  press  a  won  ton  wrapper 
into  each  cup.  Bake  7  to  9  minutes,  or 
until  golden  brown. 

Meanwhile,  in  a  bowl,  combine  the 
cheese,  shrimp,  roasted  red  peppers, 
salsa  and  green  onions.  Remove  the 
cooked  won  tons,  fill  each  with  some  of 
the  shrimp  mixture,  and  continue  bak- 
ing 8  to  10  minutes,  or  until  the  cheese  is 
melted.  Makes  36  cups. 

Recipes  from  Holly  Clegg's 

Trim  &  Terrific:  Entertaining  the  Easy  Way. 

uiww.hollyclegg.com 


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