Columns
Contest fraud stinks
Hunting and fishing tournaments and contests are a big part of the outdoor industry. Though I never had any desire to participate in such competitions, many of my friends do and more power to them.[…]
Columns
Columns
Preparation meets opportunity
When selecting a monthly topic for Happy Trails, my usual goal is to write about something that will allow me to share the knowledge and experience that I have gained through more than 40 years of chasing whitetails. I also like to provoke thought and discussion about certain topics and issues.[…]
Columns
Redcicles
As we get deep into winter, many kayak anglers hang up their paddle, preferring to wait until the first signs of spring make thoughts of getting back on the water more appealing.[…]
Bass Fishing
Chikara crankbaits
Bass fishermen are tying on a hot product from Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits. Surprisingly, it isn’t a soft plastic like the ever-popular Senko. In fact, it’s a hard bait with an attitude.[…]
Columns
Will you kill a gobbler this spring?
The theme this year for the National Wild Turkey Federation is “Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt.” This is also the theme for the Federation’s new initiative that has set three goals or objectives: conserve and enhance 4 million acres of critical upland wildlife habitat, recruit 1.5 million new hunters, and open access to 500,000 new acres for hunting and other outdoor recreation.[…]
Apex Predator
The Apex Predator brings along an umbrella and fishes rain or shine
With warmer temperatures on the horizon, most outdoorsmen seriously begin hitting the bays and bayous with the arrival of spring.[…]
Columns
Fishcation planning begins now
On the aftermath of Icepocalypse 2014, most flyfishers can’t begin to think about wading a cold stream with snow-covered mountain peaks as a backdrop. But come August, they will think differently. […]
Ask Captain Paul
The Freeport Sulphur Mine near Garden Island Bay
Dear Capt. Paul:
What are the coordinates of where the Freeport sulphur facility used to be on Garden Island Bay? What is the name of the pass they were on: Southwest or South pass?[…]
Columns
When a mullet is king
Biologists like writing about cool fish — odd fish, fish that are a swimming riddle. This month’s guy (or more properly “guys”) is that.[…]
Columns
Don’t be stupid: Wear a PFD
Fishing is at the heart of Louisiana outdoor life. Sure, we love to hunt, but that’s only allowed for a few months each year. Fishing season, on the other hand, never ends.[…]
Columns
Manchac swamp stranding shows importance of survival gear
If you’ve ever traveled Interstate 55 south to New Orleans, you have passed over that exotic, and almost mystical area between two of Louisiana’s major lakes — Lake Maurepas, and Lake Pontchartrain.[…]
Columns
Crappie crooks
February can be a little slow, as far as hunting and fishing goes. Hunting seasons are ending. The fish aren’t spawning yet, and besides it’s still pretty cold for getting in a boat.[…]
Columns
Panko Trout
Private chef Tracy “T.L.” Bayles used a lot of Panko bread crumbs when he cooked in restaurants, and now likes Panko so much that he seldom uses other bread crumbs.[…]
Columns
Does the moon really matter?
As regular readers of “Happy Trails” have come to know, I am a trail/scouting camera fanatic, and use the data I derive each season from my web of cameras to tell me when and where deer, and bucks in particular, move on my personal hunting property.[…]
Columns
Stand up and fish
After three days of northwest winds, the winter cold front left the water in Fourchon only inches deep and muddier than the Mississippi. These conditions don’t build high expectations.[…]
Bass Fishing
You can’t beat crawfish
A Louisiana bass fishing pro getting ready for his fifth season on the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament trail said there’s no question about one of the artificial lures he’ll nearly always be throwing when the bass and the money are on the line in 2014.[…]