PICTURE PERFECT Scenic River Photo Contest Winners Capture Beauty of Louisiana Waterways - Louisiana Conservationist
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Winter 2020
PICTURE
PERFECT
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Scenic River Photo DL
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Contest Winners
Capture Beauty of
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Louisiana Waterways 1970 - 2020
LETTER FROM
Winter 2020 | Volume 71 | No. 4
THE SECRETARY
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
John Bel Edwards, Governor
Jack Montoucet, Secretary Dear Reader,
Robert Shadoin, Deputy Secretary
Bryan McClinton, Undersecretary This year has certainly been challenging for Louisiana. If battling the COVID-19
Randy Myers, Assistant Secretary pandemic wasn’t enough, we’ve suffered through not one, not two, but five, yes
Patrick Banks, Assistant Secretary five, hurricanes this year.
Chad Hebert, Colonel-Enforcement
LOUISIANA WILDLIFE & FISHERIES COMMISSION Hurricane Laura was certainly the worst, devastating southwest Louisiana, in par-
William D. “Bill” Hogan, Chairman ticular Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. We’ve all seen the damage from Laura
Jerri G. Smitko, Vice Chairman with so many homes and businesses sustaining catastrophic losses. Drive through
Andrew Blanchard Lake Charles on I-10 and you’ll see all the blue tarps covering so many of our fel-
Dusty J. Guidry low citizens’ roofs.
Alfred R. “Al” Sunseri
Chad J. Courville If that wasn’t enough, those folks have had to deal with Hurricane Delta six weeks
William J. “Joe” McPherson later, which made landfall just 12 miles east of where Laura hit.
THE CONSERVATIONIST STAFF The storms, along with the pandemic, have taken a toll on many aspects of the
Ed Pratt, Press Secretary, Publisher Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Many of our employees
Rene LeBreton, Public Information Director are dealing with rebuilding from these powerful storms while at the same time
Robert “Trey” Iles, Managing Editor performing their duties. I am so proud of their work and resolve.
Adam Einck, Contributing Editor
Becky Chapman, Creative Director, Graphic Designer But, we’ve also taken a hit in places where the spotlight doesn’t necessarily shine
Joel Courtney, Photographer, Multimedia bright. Take for instance Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, that spreads across Cameron
Sherry Morton, Contributing Writer and Vermilion parishes. It suffered devastating damage from Laura then Delta.
Gabe Giffin, Photographer You can read more about it on page 22 in this issue of the Conservationist. It will
take a lot of time and money to repair one of the nation’s premiere refuges.
Copyright 2020 by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisher-
ies. This publication is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts,
photographs or other materials. We’ve also suffered serious timber loss throughout the state. About $1.1 billion
Louisiana Conservationist is published quarterly by the Louisiana De-
will be lost in timber. Additionally, about 758,000 acres, representing about 5
partment of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, percent of the state’s 15 million forested acres, were damaged.
LA 70808, 225-765-2800.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Louisiana Conservationist, Our proud and productive fishing industry also suffered financially because of the
P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898. storms and the pandemic. We continue to work to help those affected.
Regulations of the U.S. Department of Interior strictly prohibit unlaw-
ful discrimination in the departmental federally assisted programs on Like everyone else, I hope 2021 will bring better circumstances for our state and
the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person citizens. But, the challenges are daunting. Not only do we recover from the losses
who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any pro-
gram, activity or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance caused by the storms and pandemic but we must do so with shrinking financial
should write to: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Depart- resources.
ment of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.
This public document was published at a total cost of $3,877.54. 5,000 It’ll be tough but the people who work at LDWF are as good as they come. I’ve
copies of this public document were published in the first printing at seen that personally throughout 2020. And I know that you’ll be able to count on
a cost of $ 3,877.54. This document was published by OTS-Production
Support Services, 627 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 for the
them in the future as we strive to maintain Louisiana’s standing as the “Sports-
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to provide information man’s Paradise.”
on opportunities in Louisiana. This material was printed in accordance
with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant
to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance
with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Sincerely,
Jack Montoucet, LDWF Secretary
CONTENTS
Louisiana Conservationist
Winter 2020
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov
2
Scenic Rivers Program 50th Anniversary
Photo Contest Winners
8
Plan Your Adventure
LDWF’s Interactive Map An Invaluable Tool
for Hunters, Anglers, Outdoor Enthusiasts
Sherry Morton
10
Waterbody & Wildlife
Management Area Spotlight
Lake Fausse Pointe/Dauterive Lake & Dewey W. Wills WMA
12
Career Builder
LDWF Enforcement Division Introduces
Colonel Chad Hebert
Adam Einck
14
SNAKES
The Non-Problem That Won’t Go Away
Jeff Boundy
17
Clear Blue Wonder
Far Off The Louisiana Coast, Pelagic Birds
Thrive In The Gulf Of Mexico
Robert Dobbs
20
Winter Wonderland
A Few Adjustments Can Help Anglers
Enjoy Fishing During Colder Winter Months
Alex Perret, Jeff Sibley, Rebecca Hillebrandt & Jason Adriance
22
A Severe Blow
Assessing Hurricane Damage At
Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
Trey Iles
24
Times Gone By
Moccasins - No Such Thing
Jeff Boundy
25
Then & Now
LDWF’s ALAS Program Honored With 2019
Louisiana Youth Conservation Organization Award At LDWF, we’re outdoor enthusiasts. We manage more than 1.6 million acres of lands and
Trey Iles waterways on our wildlife management areas (WMAs) to provide Louisiana residents and
visitors with an array of opportunities to discover, explore, and have fun in Louisiana’s outdoors,
COVER PHOTO: First place winner from canoeing and hiking to birding, wildlife watching, and berry-picking. Our WMAs are for
of the Scenic Rivers Program everyone, not just hunters and fishermen. Our staff works hard to conserve the unique habitats
50th Anniversary photo contest - and species found throughout our state so we can keep passing down our rich outdoor traditions
Amateur Photographer Category.
to the next generation.
- Photo by Karen Boudreaux
Learn more at: www.wlf.la.gov/page/wmas-refuges-and-conservation-areas
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 1
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The LDWF Scenic Rivers staff would like to extend a sincere thank you to our friends and supporting
colleagues from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the Louisiana Wildlife Foundation, the Louisiana Nature
Conservancy and the Pontchartrain Conservancy. Our 50th Anniversary celebration plans and photography
contest would not have been possible without their support.
If you would like to support the Scenic Rivers Program and its mission to protect our designated streams
please visit www.lawff.org/la-scenic-rivers.
CATEGORY: PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
1st PLACE
Tchefuncte River Ripples
Margaret Crosby of
Mandeville, LA
3rd PLACE
Abita River
Edward Estapa of
Madisonville, LA
2 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020
2nd PLACE
Sunrise on Blind River
Gregory LeBlanc of
Lafayette, LA
HONORABLE MENTION
Whiskey Chitto Creek
Jason Saucier of Cottonport, LA
Ribbon graphics by K. J. Pargeter, freepik laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 3
5 Scenic Rivers DL
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PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
S C E NI
1970 - 2020
CATEGORY: AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER
1st PLACE
Tchefuncte
Summers
Karen
Boudreaux of
Mandeville, LA
4 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020
3rd PLACE
Brown Pelican In Tree
(Bayou Des Allemands)
Rick Erbach of
Metairie, LA
2nd PLACE
Bayou Bartholomew
Greg Harper of
Monroe, LA
HONORABLE MENTION
In Blind River We Trust
Travis Moore of Baton Rouge, LA
Ribbon graphics by K. J. Pargeter, freepik laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 5
5 Scenic Rivers
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CATEGORY: YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER
1st PLACE
Peace
(Tchefuncte River)
Olivia Currier of
Covington, LA
6 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020
HONORABLE
MENTION
Quite River (Bogue Falaya River)
Juliette Andry of Covington, LA
2nd PLACE
X Marks the Spot
(Bayou Bartholomew)
Lexi Harper of
Monroe, LA
3rd PLACE
Bayou Bartholomew
Lexi Harper of
Monroe, LA
Floating Down Stream
(Whiskey Chitto Creek)
Jessica Phillips of Boyce, LA
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 7
TO ACCESS THE MAP...
To access the map, simply
go to LDWF’s home page
at www.wlf.louisiana.
gov, scroll to the bottom
and select “Begin Your
Adventure.” Enjoy exploring!
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
LDWF’s Interactive Map An Invaluable Tool For Hunters, Anglers, Outdoor Enthusiasts
story by SHERRY MORTON,
H
LDWF Public Information Originally launched in the summer of 2017, the Outdoor
Explorer map was developed to help seasoned outdoor en-
thusiasts and newcomers alike. The tool makes it easier for
the public to enjoy the outdoors, as well as helping them
Have you ever discovered something existed, only to make hunting and fishing trips more successful.
wonder, “Where has this been all my life?” Get ready for it - Research shows that barriers to hunting and fishing in-
because if you didn’t already know about the interactive map clude “lack of information” or “lack of access.” Specifically,
available on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisher- people don’t know where to hunt and fish or how close fish-
ies’ (LDWF) website, you should! ing/hunting access is to them. But in many cases, it isn’t a
The map, officially known as the “Louisiana Outdoor Ex- lack of access, but a lack of knowledge about where to fish or
plorer,” is an innovative tool that offers something for almost hunt. This map is a way the public can learn where to find the
everyone - hunters, anglers and even those who just love the abundant opportunities our state has to offer.
outdoors. This interactive map allows users to select “layers” The map features four categories of information that can
that show the geographic locations of various outdoor-relat- be “layered” onto the map of Louisiana: “Go Hunting,” “Get
ed resources. on the Water,” “Get Outside” and “Get in Touch with Us.”
8 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020The interactive map allows GET ON THE WATER
users to select layers of data, The map’s “Get on the Water” tab includes a wealth of
which can be overlaid with information to help anglers plan their fishing trips. Here, us-
one another, to customize the ers can find the exact locations of fishing license vendors,
map for each user’s needs. boat launches, publicly accessible banks and piers, stocked
With this much information lakes, artificial reefs, fishing piers and oil and gas platforms.
in one spot, the possibilities
Another layer allows users to view all the basins within
are endless. The image to the
the state. What’s more, users can layer multiple filters to-
left shows the “Get Outside”
gether on the map, so that one or more filters is active at one
tab selected, with the “Wildlife
Management Areas” and
time. This wealth of data makes the tool a remarkably useful
“Natural & Scenic Rivers” layers (and entertaining) resource for anglers.
turned on. GET OUTSIDE
The “Get Outside” tab is for outdoor adventurers! On this
tab, users can view locations of outdoor education centers,
wildlife management areas, refuges, conservation areas, and
federally managed lands.
You can use the Louisiana Another helpful way to plan an outdoor adventure is to
Outdoor Explorer map to toggle on the layer that shows the locations of all the water-
find waterbodies that are
designated as Scenic Rivers. bodies within the state that are designated as part of the state’s
We are currently celebrating Natural and Scenic Rivers System - a program that exists to pre-
the 50th anniversary of the serve and enhance Louisiana’s rivers, streams and bayous.
system. We encourage you to
visit these beautiful sites! GET IN TOUCH WITH US
As an added bonus, the map also offers a way for the
public to easily identify contacts in LDWF field offices - the of-
fices close to where they live. When users click on the “Get in
Touch with Us” tab, they can use layers that identify, by topic,
who to contact in their region.
This tab shows the location of wildlife field offices, fisher-
ies area offices and regional enforcement offices.
BONUS FEATURES
In addition to all the features listed above, the map has
a few other features that can be customized to further en-
hance your experience of the Louisiana Outdoor Explorer.
First, users can adjust the look of their base map. Options
allow the user to show streets, topographic data, terrain in-
formation, satellite imagery, etc.
The map also features a measurement tool. This allows
GO HUNTING users to define the parameters of a certain geographic loca-
Under the “Go Hunting” tab, hunters can find information tion, and the map automatically calculates the size of it - in
that will help to prepare for a hunting trip, such as where to acres, hectares, miles, kilometers, feet, etc. It also allows
purchase a hunting license. They can also turn on layers that users to view the distance between points on the map, as
show the locations of LDWF-managed areas that allow hunt- selected by the user. And, finally, it displays the latitude and
ing as well as federally managed lands where they could hunt. longitude of any selected location on the map.
But perhaps the most exciting feature for a hunter is the Finally, the map allows the users to view their current lo-
ability to view biologist-estimated deer breeding periods by cation, zoom in or out on the map, and to print the map view
geographic location. This feature can be overlaid with loca- they’ve selected.
tions of hunting-accessible areas, so a user can use this to One more important point is that the map is mobile
pinpoint the best hunting spot to find rutting deer within a friendly. This allows users to operate the interactive tool even
specific time frame. Not a bad way to plan a hunt! while on the go.
This section also allows users to view the statewide zones
for hunting deer, doves, waterfowl, geese, turkey and alliga- BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE
tors. There’s also a tool to help hunters find locations of deer The Outdoor Explorer is a fun, interactive way to visualize
processors who participate in the “Hunters for the Hungry” boundaries related to LDWF rules and regulations, but also a
program, in the event a hunter wants to donate some of his good way to discover new places to explore in Sportsman’s
harvest. Paradise.
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 9SPOTL LAKE FAUSSE
POINTE /
DAUTERIVE
LAKE
DEWEY W.
WILLS WMA
LAKE FAUSSE POINTE / DAUTERIVE LAKE
SIZE: 17,000 acres
MAXIMUM DEPTH: 8 feet
PUBLIC PIERS AVAILABLE: 1
PUBLIC ACCESS BOAT LAUNCHES AVAILABLE: 4
NUMBER OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS: 0
COMMON FISHING SPECIES: Largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie,
bluegill, red ear sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Lake Fausse Pointe and Dauterive Lake are
FUN From January to May 2020, there were
seven bass recorded weighing in between
two separate lakes but function as one natural lake. Dauterive Lake is located
north of Lake Fausse Pointe, about 30 miles southeast of Lafayette. Since this
FACT
8 - 10 lbs. The largest one, weighing 9.21 system is mostly shallow, the majority of crappie and largemouth bass don’t
lbs., was caught on May 16. have to go far during spawning season. Large cypress trees provide viable
habitat and can be found along the entire perimeter of the lake. A portion
of the lake called Sandy Cove (known to locals as “the best spawning habitat
in the world”) is a shallow area (2-4 ft.), which is home to multiple aquatic
plant species. Submerged vegetation in this area provide ample cover for big
spawning females. The bar pits near the state park are the deeper areas in the
lake. These areas are also popular to anglers targeting bass and crappie. Lake
Fausse Pointe State Park, which provides many outdoor activities, is located on
SCUBA DIVING FISHING the shores
BOATING of thePHOTOGRAPHY
lake. BOAT LAUNCHES BIRDING
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE:
SCUBA DIVING FISHING BOATING PHOTOGRAPH
SCUBA DIVING FISHING HIKING
BOATING HUNTING
SCUBA DIVING
PHOTOGRAPHY FISHING
WATER
BOAT SKIING
LAUNCHES BOATING
SCUBABIRDING
DIVING
SWIMMING PHOTOGRAPHY
FISHING
CAMPING BOATING
BOAT
PIER LAUNCHES
FISHING BIRDING
PHOTOGRAPHY BOAT LAUN
10 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020
SCUBA DIVING FISHING BOATING SCUBA DIVING
PHOTOGRAPHY FISHING
BOAT LAUNCHES BOATING
BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY BOATHIKING
LAUNCHES HUNTING
BIRDING WATER SKIING SWIMMINGIGHTWATERBODY & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
DEWEY W. WILLS
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
ACREAGE: 63,984
LOCATION: Located in LaSalle, Catahoula, Rapides parishes.
Dewey W. Wills WMA is located approximately 20 miles
northeast of Alexandria. The area is easily accessible via
Louisiana Highway 28 East.
OWNER: LDWF, LaSalle Parish School Board, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
DESCRIPTION: The forest cover is a mixture of bottomland
hardwoods. The major overstory species are overcup, nuttall
and willow oak; bitter pecan; ash; and elm. The understory of
the lower elevations is composed mainly of swamp privet, native
grasses and forbs and seedlings of the overstory. On the higher
elevations, the understory is composed of deciduous holly,
hawthorn, smilax, swamp dogwood, peppervine, rattan vine,
dewberry, blackberry, palmetto and seedlings of the overstory.
POPULAR GAME SPECIES: Game species available on
Dewey W. Wills WMA include deer, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon,
waterfowl and woodcock. Trapping is permitted for the
following furbearers: raccoon, nutria, beaver, mink, bobcat, fox
and coyote. LDWF maintains five concrete boat ramps. There
is excellent recreational and commercial fishing in this area.
Forest Management on Dewey W. Wills WMA Common recreational species include largemouth bass, white
bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and other species of sunfish.
Prior to establishing Dewey W. Wills as a WMA, the timber in Common commercial species include buffalo, carp, drum, gar,
this area was harvested, creating an open canopy. Through shad and catfish.
LDWF’s wildlife management program, livestock was removed HOW TO ENJOY: LDWF maintains four primitive camping
from the area, stimulating understory production. The forest areas. There is a deer youth and physically challenged season
canopy has now closed and browse plants have been reduced. and deer youth lottery hunt. There is also a small
SCUBA DIVING
game
FISHING BOATING
emphasis area. Additionally, the public can partake in a
In recent years, a combination of conditions known as oakSCUBA DIVING recreation
FISHING alligatorBOATING
lottery. PHOTOGRAPHY BOAT LAUNCHES BIRDING
decline has developed on the area, killing a significant portion
of overstory trees, primarily nuttall oaks. LDWF has modified ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE:
its forest management program to fight oak decline.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SCUBA DIVING FISHING BOATING PHOTOGRAPHY BOAT LAUNCHES BIRDING HIKING HUNTING WATER SKIING
SCUBA DIVING FISHING
HIKING BOATING
HUNTING
SCUBA DIVING PHOTOGRAPHY
WATER SKIING
FISHING
SCUBA DIVING BOAT LAUNCHES
BOATING
SWIMMING
FISHING BIRDING
CAMPING
PHOTOGRAPHY
BOATING PHOTOGRAPHY
BOAT
PIER LAUNCHES
FISHING
LAKE FAUSSE POINTE / DAUTERIVE LAKE
For more information contact:
200 Dulles Dr. Lafayette, La. 70506
337-735-8699
www.wlf.la.gov/resources/category/freshwater-inland-fish/inland-
FISHING BOATING PHOTOGRAPHY BOAT LAUNCHES BIRDING
waterbody-management-plans
HIKING HUNTING
SCUBA DIVING SCUBA
WATER DIVING
SKIING
FISHING SWIMMING
BOATING CAMPING
PHOTOGRAPHY PIERLAUNCHES
BOAT FISHING BIRDING
GOLFING COMMERICAL FISHING CABIN RENTALS
HIKING HUNTING WATER SKIING
HIKING HIKING
SWIMMING
HUNTING HUNTING
CAMPING
WATER SKIING WATER
PIER SKIING
FISHING
SWIMMING SWIMMING
CAMPING
DEWEY W. WILLS WMA
For more information contact: 318-487-5885
www.wlf.la.gov/page/dewey-w-wills
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 11
SHOOTING RANGE
GOLFING HIKING HIKING
HUNTING HUNTING
WATER SKIING WATER SKIING
SWIMMING SWIMMING
CAMPING CAMPING
PIER FISHING PIER FISHINGCAREER BUILDER
LDWF Enforcement Graduating class of 1993. Col. Hebert is at
front, far right. New LDWF Enforcement Colonel
Chad Hebert Enjoying The Job Of A
Lifetime
F
story by ADAM EINCK, LDWF Public Information
For some people picking a career is extremely difficult
and something they never can quite fully grasp, which usually
leads to a lot of indecision in their 20s with multiple starts
and stops at new career choices.
For newly promoted Col. Chad Hebert of the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement
Division, that is something he never had to deal with as he
knew from an early age that he wanted to become an LDWF
enforcement agent.
“I knew when I was a young teenager that I wanted to be
a game warden,’’ Hebert said. “My dad was in law enforce-
ment and I knew that I wanted to be in law enforcement and
I knew I wanted to have a job in the outdoors. I can remem-
ber hunting in Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area
when I was about 14 and we got stopped by a game warden
and I remembered thinking how cool of a job that would be.
Because you are a cop and you get to be where everyone
goes hunting and fishing.”
Hebert is a native of Schriever and grew up fishing and
hunting with his cousins and uncles in and around Lafourche
Parish.
“First time I went hunting I was probably about 10 years
old when I went squirrel hunting with my cousin and then
moved on to ducks, deer and fishing,’’ Hebert said. “I have
loved hunting and fishing ever since.’’
12 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020Hebert finished high school and earned his required 60 any holes in me. He told me my face was bleeding and I was
hours of college credit before applying to become an LDWF taken to the hospital by ambulance.”
agent. Hebert was accepted into the LDWF academy in 1993 At the hospital, Hebert found out he had bullet frag-
when he was 21 years old. ments buried in his face on his cheek and in his wrist. Doctors
“The academy came easy to me since I knew that was were able to remove the shrapnel from his wrist, but Hebert
where I wanted to be and I was young and ready to begin my still has the bullet fragment in his face.
career,” said Hebert. “I can still feel the bullet fragment in my cheek and it is
At the academy, Hebert was awarded the physical fit- a constant reminder about what transpired that night,” said
ness, marksmanship and overall achievement awards. Then Hebert. “Luckily, I was able to basically escape that situation
after graduating from the academy on Nov. 5, 1993, he start- without any serious physical injury.”
ed his LDWF agent career based out of Assumption Parish Hebert later found out that he came upon a drug deal
for a year and a half before being stationed back home in gone wrong where the driver of the vehicle murdered the
Lafourche Parish. During this part of his career, Hebert was passenger and dumped his body outside of the vehicle when
promoted to Senior Agent. Hebert pulled up.
“At the start of my career I couldn’t believe they were After this harrowing encounter, Hebert returned to duty
paying me to do the job,” said Hebert. “I got issued a boat and and he was promoted to the sergeant of Lafourche Parish in
a truck and I spent all of my time outdoors, which is where I 2005 and then to the lieutenant over Lafourche and Terre-
wanted be on my off time too.” bonne parishes and Grand Isle in 2009.
It was during his time as a senior agent in Lafourche Par- “Patrolling Terrebonne Parish, Lafouche Parish and
ish that Hebert had an encounter that resulted in a firefight. Grand Isle areas was very challenging because of the remote-
On Feb. 2, 2001, Hebert was on patrol in an isolated area ness of the marsh and vast waters of the gulf made it difficult
on Clovelly Road in Cutoff around 8 p.m. He was supposed to to navigate before the days of these fancy GPS,’’ Hebert said.
meet his co-worker, Sgt. Ted Dewitt, to hand off some paper- “We usually used the lights from bridges and other navigable
work. As Hebert was looking for Dewitt’s vehicle he spotted a markers to aid us in navigation in those days. But, I also en-
vehicle stopped on the road. joyed my time as a field agent as I got to catch people break-
There was a body lying next to the passenger side of the ing conservational laws. For me that was enjoyable because it
vehicle. Hebert then turned on his lights and called the in- meant I was helping the ethical hunters and fishermen doing
cident into dispatch. Hebert then saw a man get out of the it the right and legal way.”
driver’s side with a pistol. In 2013, Hebert was promoted to captain and in charge
“I thought I was coming up on a suicide situation at first, of the statewide strike force. This promotion also brought He-
but when I saw the man get out of the driver’s side I immedi- bert to LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge. The promotion
ately knew I was in big trouble and I sought cover inside my put Hebert on the oyster, crab and shrimp task forces as well
vehicle,” said Hebert. as the department liaison for the Joint Enforcement Agree-
Hebert was able to lay as flat as he could on the seats. ment program. Hebert was promoted to major in 2017.
The man fired three rounds at Hebert with a .357 pistol. He- In 2018, Hebert was promoted to lieutenant colonel on
bert was then able to return fire hitting the man in the chest. the administrative side and put in charge of the budget, train-
Dewitt then arrived on the scene and found the man with a ing, boating safety and emergency services amongst other
gunshot wound to the chest unresponsive. duties. Then after the patrol lieutenant colonel retired at the
“I was still in the truck when my partner showed up,’’ end of 2019, Hebert absorbed the patrol side putting him in
Hebert said. “I didn’t know if I hit him or not until my partner charge of the enforcement regions and communications.
confirmed that he was down. I then asked my partner if I had “I learned a lot through my entire career during every
step,’’ Hebert said. “I have pretty much served every spot
there is to serve in the Enforcement Division. I was a field
agent for a while, then supervisor of a parish or two, then a
captain for a region that covers the whole state, and then at
headquarters I learned how the administrative duties work.”
In July of 2020, Hebert reached the highest rank in the
Enforcement Division as colonel.
“When I started out in my career I never strived to be-
come colonel,’’ Hebert said. “I was just doing my job at the
best of my abilities and the promotions followed. But now
that I’m colonel, I just want to continue to do the job at the
best of my abilities and do what’s right for the agents and the
department.”
Hebert is a lifelong resident of Schriever and is married to
his wife, Rachel, of 25 years and together they have a 19-year-
old daughter, Kamryn, and a 17-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Col. Hebert’s truck shown after a shootout he was involved in
during 2001.
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 13SNAKES
The Non-Problem That Won’t Go Away
story by JEFF BOUNDY, Former LDWF Herpetologist
Photo by Ansel Oommen (forestryimages.org)
I “I want to report a snake,” went the introduction to a
phone message left at my office. The message was hours old,
so by now children had been rushed inside and dogs dragged
by their leashes to safety behind locked doors.
The neighbors have been texted, and in anxious fear, they
take occasional, trembling glances from windows as they post
vigil for the supposedly deadly trespasser. The snake’s lair has
been identified as the neighbor’s backyard shed, under which
it crawled, and no doubt lies in wait, its engorged fangs seek-
ing release in a child’s leg. The authorities have been notified.
What the snake saw: As the snake made its way slowly
across the lawn, frequently tasting for odors in this new ter-
ritory, a shadow passed over it. Glancing to the side, it was
frightened to see a giant object, many stories high, making
menacing motions. The snake froze in fear, looking about
for cover. In the opposite direction, just a few feet away, it
saw a black strip of shelter, and deciding the cover was close
enough, raced beneath the shed. After about 20 minutes of
calm, it looked out from under the shed, and satisfied that
the danger had passed, slithered to a wall of vegetation, un-
der a fence and along another row of cover until it reached
tall weeds. Fifteen minutes later it was within a thicket of bri-
ars at the edge of a wood lot, where it resumed tasting the
ground for potential prey.
A day after the king snake had moved on a neighbor de-
clared, based on verbal description from “Snake Report Guy,”
that it was a water moccasin. Two boxes of mothballs had
been acquired, which were flung under the shed by the brav-
est of the locals. The Brave One and the remainder of the
group, those not inside peering out windows, backed up a
safe distance as they waited for the moccasin to forsake its
hideout and flee the toxic vapors to an onslaught of hoes and
shovels. For several years the specter of the snake remained,
and kids would point to the place where the snake had been
seen, always taking a glance around as if it would one day
come out, maybe today.
Or maybe not, which is usually the case. When I receive
a call about a snake that is in someone’s yard, I can confi-
dently tell the caller that the snake will move on and not be
Dekay’s Brown Snake seen again - or at least in sufficient cases that I have a better
14 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020Speckled King Snake
Rat Snake
record than the weather man. Why is this person calling me Your yard probably has snakes in it. There are two types
in the first place? Is there an issue with having a snake in the of yard inhabitants: permanent residents of one or more pen-
yard? Perhaps the homeowners association requires continu- cil-sized species, and at times larger snakes that are just pass-
ing education exams for its residents: ing through. The king snake in the introductory paragraph
was of the latter group - a snake with a large territory in pas-
Which one of the following does not belong here: tures, ditches and woods that occasionally included a yard.
a. gray squirrel However, much of the movements of such snakes is through
b. chickadee crawl-over country that must be traversed when seeking op-
c. ribbon snake timal zones that contain food and cover. These are dangerous
d. Rottweiler travels in which the snake exposes itself and is most likely to
be encountered. The snakes have no big picture of their sur-
Being the statewide point-of-contact for snake questions roundings, and may reach a barrier, such as the foundation of
for over 25 years has convinced me that the correct answer is a house, proceed along the barrier, and both snake and resi-
not “d.” dent meet at the back step. The result is usually one-sided:
Fortunately the 25 years at the phone was preceded while the snake scans the immediate area for safe cover, the
by 30 years of hands-on snake experience. I caught my first resident grabs a shovel. It is then that I get the call about a
snakes in 1966 and shortly thereafter began making a note water moccasin that was trying to get into the house.
of each snake that I encountered: what species, what it was The pencil snakes have small territories, and several may
doing, and where it was located. Patterns of behavior began occupy the space of a flower bed. The usual species are the
to emerge from my notes years ago, and my objective has tan and dotted Dekay’s brown snake, and the gray or earth-
been to learn the haunts, behaviors and peculiarities of each colored rough earth snake. Both are non-venomous and feed
species, as well as the general nature of snakes. Last month on worms, insects and slugs and usually stay hidden in the leaf
I logged snake number 13,000 - a satisfactory number for litter and monkey grass. They are not, what the know-it-all
statistical purposes, but most unsatisfactory for the average neighbor will confidently tell you, ground rattlers. They are not
homeowner. In fact, a single snake can be an infestation. a nest of snakes, nor are they baby snakes, nor is the mother
I think the main reason that snakes create such excite- nearby, in case the neighbor offers further myth-information.
ment is that they are usually presumed to be venomous by The aggressive snake is another that provides a lesson
the observer. It occurred to me that most people in Louisiana in snake psychology. Herpetologist Clifford Pope wrote that
can only name up to seven species of native snakes - the rat- “snakes are first cowards, then bluffers, and last of all war-
tlesnake, water moccasin, copperhead, coral snake and one riors.” Imagine walking along a dark street, and noticing a
to several of the non-venomous species like the grass snake, very large person approaching you who you know intends
king snake or the chicken snake. The reasoning is as follows: harm. You first duck into an alleyway and hope the person
it isn’t near water so it’s not a moccasin, doesn’t have a rat- passes. But the person enters the ally and peers about. At
tler on the tail so it’s not a rattlesnake, therefore it is a cop- that point you back up to cover and freeze, hoping that you
perhead. But there are 48 species of snakes in Louisiana, 41 are not spotted. But, when it is obvious that you have been
of which are harmless. Of several hundred snake reports that discovered and the intruder advances, you take your best fist-
I have received in which the caller declared an identification, fight stance, then go into fight-for-your life mode: punching,
about 97% were incorrect, and at least 98% of the time the biting, scratching, etc. In the case of snakes, they usually see
offending reptile was a non-venomous species. you first, because to them, you are as big as Godzilla, and you
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 15don’t notice them when they pull back into the shrubbery or child in the backyard together, only the snake is going to suf-
duck under the fence. fer. If you are one of 4,679,985 Louisianians, you will not be
In a year you probably never see a snake in your yard, bitten by a venomous snake this year. The other 15 should not
but a dozen snakes may have watched you. If you come upon have tried to pin a cottonmouth with a stick, walked barefoot
one that has not reached cover, it will often stop in place and in the woods at night, kept a rattlesnake as a pet or reached
hope that you continue on your way. I often encounter rat down into a weedy trash pile in the swamp. No problem.
snakes that are stretched out and remain frozen in place as In 1946 state biologist Nelson Gowanloch wrote a popu-
I step over them and continue on. If, however, you make ap- lar article on Louisiana snakes that began “I have a problem
parent that you are upon the snake and aware of it, the snake with snakes.” He discussed some of our state’s snakes, their
goes into defensive mode. If I prod the rat snake with my toe, behaviors, and how to identify them. In 1961 biologist Percy
it comes to life by immediately coiling into a striking pose, Viosca wrote a booklet with the same information, which was
hissing and vibrating its tail as a warning, its mouth open improved upon in 1971 by herpetologist Ed Keiser. I wrote
ready to bite. What the snake is wishing is that you would similar, reassuring articles in the 1990s, and a free booklet on
back away and let it reach the safety of cover. snake habits and identification in 2006. Yesterday I received
Large snakes have large territories, often covering sev- a call from a panicked citizen whose neighbor saw a snake: “I
eral or more acres. Radio telemetry studies have tracked in- have a snake problem!”
dividual snakes during their day-to-day travels, but a snake’s
activities vary between species. Snakes that actively forage Will it ever go away?
by day, like racers, seem to travel in circuits that include a half
dozen or more stop-over sites used for rest. EDITOR’S NOTE: After an illustrious 25+ year career with
During two years I encountered a speckled king snake LDWF, Dr. Boundy retired to further pursue his passion for lo-
under an old road sign that I frequently overturned. Most cating snakes and observing their behavior. When asked what
days it was not there, but its presence was regular, following else he would do with his newfound free time he replied “not
a pattern that I was unable to discern. Snake biologists Tim answer the phone.”
Borgardt and Craig Rudolph tracked timber rattlesnakes to
discover their annual routines. The snakes wintered in rotted
trees, down stump holes or under slabs of abandoned home- Timber Rattlesnake
sites. In spring they would crawl to summer grounds where
they exhibited stereotypic behavior. Once a snake discovered
a likely spot to encounter a rat or squirrel, it would lie in am-
bush posture along a log, base of a tree or game path. There
it would wait for prey, sometimes several days at a time, but if
nothing showed, the snake would move overland to another
likely rodent runway and repeat the process. A successful
rattlesnake might obtain three to five meals during the year.
Late in summer or early fall is mating time for rattlesnakes
and the males are territorial. If you encounter two rattlesnakes
raising upright against each other and intertwining, they are Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia (forestryimages.org)
battling, not courting. Females are receptive to mating every
other year and may not feed while they are gravid. When the Photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois (forestryimages.org)
young are born the following summer, they remain with the
mother for several days until they shed their skin, then the
family unit dissolves and each snake goes its own way.
Once snakes leave their nests or littermates, they have
no interest in others of their kind except during a brief, annual
mating period. However, snakes will congregate when there
is a shared resource, such as a basking site over a pond or
a drying slough crammed with fish. If you replicate a similar
resource in your yard, you will attract snakes.
You may have a bird feeder in your yard, and if you cre-
ate a goldfish pond you will also have a snake feeder. Do not
be surprised when a yellow-bellied water snake drops by one
evening and hoovers all of your koi. When it is satisfied that
there are no more fish, the snake will move on - it is not a
problem. If you have a garter snake, a Schnauzer, and a grand- Scarlet King Snake
16 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020Audubon’s Shearwater
CLEAR BLUE WONDER
Far Off The Louisiana Coast, Pelagic Pelagic birds are among the most poorly known birds in
the world, as they are difficult to find, much less follow and
Birds Thrive In The Gulf Of Mexico observe, in the vastness of the open ocean.
Despite the human presence offshore in Louisiana,
where oilfield infrastructure and fishing boats are common
story by ROBERT DOBBS, LDWF Non-game sights in nearshore waters, pelagic birds are typically confined
Ornithologist to deep, blue water beyond the edge of the continental shelf.
This area is largely inaccessible to most people, including
U
birders and ornithologists. Although birding and ornithological
exploration trips occasionally venture far offshore, those
efforts have simply not provided enough coverage to gain a
good understanding of the status and distribution of pelagic
Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the phrase out-of-sight, out- bird species.
of-mind. That would be a good way to describe pelagic birds, In addition, variations in water quality and water clarity,
including some species found off the Louisiana coast. influenced by the strength and position of dynamic currents
Pelagic birds, simply put, are seabirds that spend most such as the Gulf of Mexico loop current, as well as the flow
of their lives on the open ocean with many species coming of freshwater entering the Gulf of Mexico from the mouth of
to land only for a few weeks each year to nest. The pelagic the Mississippi River, further complicate our understanding
environment may appear as a featureless landscape to the of pelagic bird distribution.
human eye. If you’ve ever been on a cruise in the Gulf of The vast majority of pelagic birds occur in blue water,
Mexico, you’ve likely noticed what appears to be nothing but which is typically 40-60 miles south of the mouth of the
blue water once you get away from the coast. Mississippi. However, during periods of low river flow, blue
But currents, thermoclines, upwellings, and other water may be as close as 20-30 miles from the river mouth.
marine forces are constantly changing and shifting, thus Another factor that influences where pelagic birds occur is
creating a dynamic and diverse mosaic of variation in food the continental shelf. The width of the continental shelf varies
availability, water temperature, salinity, and other factors dramatically south of the Louisiana coastline. The shelf is very
that collectively influence the distribution, behavior, and wide in the western part of the state and narrows dramatically
ecology of pelagic birds. heading east. Thus, deep water is much closer to the shoreline
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 17below the mouth of the Mississippi River than anywhere Shearwaters are medium-sized to large seabirds that
farther west in the state. This almost certainly influences the have long, pointed, narrow wings and relatively short,
distribution of pelagic birds off our coast; not surprisingly, the often graduated, tails. Shearwaters fly by alternating stiff
vast majority of pelagic bird exploration occurs off the mouth wingbeats with long, seemingly effortless glides and land
of the river, further biasing our understanding of the status on the water to forage by taking prey from the surface or
and distribution of these species. by diving.
Pelagic birds spend most of their time foraging, often Cory’s and Audubon’s shearwaters appear to occur
flying long distances in search of food resources. When not regularly off the Louisiana coast during the summer to
foraging, many species will loaf and, presumably, sleep on early fall months. Great shearwater is considerably less
the water or while perching on floating marine debris. Some common (about 10 accepted records), followed by sooty
pelagic birds are even known to sleep while flying. Recent shearwater (two records) and Manx shearwater (one
work shows that great frigatebirds may regularly sleep for verified record).
extremely short periods of time - up to 10-seconds - while Storm-petrels are small, robin-sized, seabirds that
soaring upward on thermal updrafts. flutter at the ocean surface, often appearing to dance with
So what are some of the pelagic bird species seen south their feet touching the water, picking small prey items
of Louisiana’s coastal waters? Let’s take a look: from the surface of the water. Their foraging strategy and
delicate build set them apart from shearwaters.
PELAGIC BIRD SPECIES Three species of storm-petrels have been
• Tubenoses - These are the ultimate pelagic seabirds, documented in waters off Louisiana: Wilson’s, Leach’s
characterized by numerous adaptations for life at sea. and band-rumped. They are most often detected from
This group includes the petrels, shearwaters, storm- late spring through summer. Status, distribution, and
petrels, and albatrosses. timing of occurrence in Louisiana are not well known for
Their nostrils are enclosed within tube-like structures any of these species, but Wilson’s appears to be the most
at the base of their bills. Adapted to consume salty common and Leach’s the least common.
prey and saltwater, tubenoses have salt glands above A yellow-nosed albatross photographed just off
their eyes that remove the salt from their bloodstream, Holly Beach in May 1970 represents the sole record
excreting it in a concentrated solution out of the nasal of any albatross in Louisiana waters and one of only a
passages. Unlike most birds, tubenoses also have well handful of records in the Gulf of Mexico.
developed olfactory senses, which allows them to find • Tropicbirds - Highly pelagic during the nonbreeding
food in the vast expanse of ocean and to recognize season, red-billed tropicbird is one of the rarest
their individual nesting burrows among those of their pelagic birds off the Louisiana coast, where it has been
neighbors in dense colonies. documented on four occasions.
Nine species of tubenoses have been documented off • Terns - Terns, in general, are common birds along the
the Louisiana coast, including five species of shearwaters, Louisiana coast and in nearshore waters, and most are
three species of storm-petrels, and one albatross. not pelagic. However, two tropical breeding species
Bridled Tern Brown
18 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020- sooty and bridled terns - are highly pelagic during and red phalaropes off the Louisiana coast are not
the nonbreeding season. These species may be found known, but a recent trip documented approximately 60
foraging along mats of sargassum in blue water or red-necked phalaropes associated with sargassum in the
perched atop flotsam trapped within the mats. These Gulf’s deep, blue water.
terns are among the most likely pelagic species to be
detected inland during hurricanes and tropical storms. STORM BIRDS
• Boobies - Masked, red-footed and brown boobies are Hurricanes and tropical storms offer birders the rare and
three tropical-breeding species that rarely occur in unique opportunity to occasionally find pelagic birds inland.
Louisiana pelagic and nearshore waters. The masked These tropical cyclones regularly entrain pelagic birds at sea
booby was once the most commonly observed booby and then deposit them inland, sometimes very far inland,
in Louisiana. However, in recent years, the brown booby after making landfall. Once they find themselves in the
has ventured inland with surprising regularity and may unfamiliar terrestrial landscape, pelagic birds often seek out
surpass masked booby sightings. The red-footed booby large inland lakes or major rivers, which they may follow back
is exceptionally rare, having been documented only south to the Gulf.
three times in the state. Although most storm birds tend to be common
• Frigatebirds - The magnificent frigatebird is a large, coastal gulls and terns, pelagic species such as sooty tern
conspicuous bird that occurs in both pelagic and and magnificent frigatebird also turn up regularly. On
nearshore waters and may be seen regularly along the exceptionally rare occasions, a shearwater or storm-petrel
immediate coast and in coastal bays, particularly in may be found inland. In fact, the only two accepted Louisiana
southeastern Louisiana. records of brown noddy, a tropical pelagic tern, occurred
• Jaegers - Pomerine, parasitic and long-tailed jaegers following Hurricane Carla in September 1961.
are piratic and predatory seabirds closely related to Of course, any attempt to look for birds during or
gulls. Unlike most gulls, jaegers are highly pelagic during following a hurricane or tropical storm should only occur
the nonbreeding season. Jaegers may also be found in after safety concerns have been alleviated.
nearshore waters as they steal food from gulls and terns There is still much to learn about pelagic birds. The
that feed behind shrimp trawlers. Pomerine and parasitic Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries encourages
jaegers occur regularly in our waters, but only six records the public to submit photographs and details of observations
of long-tailed jaeger exist for Louisiana. of pelagic birds at sea.
• Phalaropes - Unique among shorebirds, Red-necked
and red phalaropes are highly pelagic during the
nonbreeding season. The vast majority of shorebirds ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
avoid the open ocean, except to migrate over it in long, To learn more and to submit information about
non-stop flights. In fact, the third species of phalarope, observed pelagic birds, contact Robert Dobbs
Wilson’s phalarope, is not at all pelagic. Like most species
at rdobbs@wlf.la.gov.
discussed here, the status and distribution of red-necked
Booby Great Shearwater
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 19WINTER WONDERLAND
A Few Adjustments
Can Help Anglers In
Louisiana Enjoy Fishing
During The Colder
Months Of The Year
FRESHWATER
In many parts of the south, and especially in Louisiana,
story by ALEX PERRET, LDWF Fisheries
JEFF SIBLEY, LDWF Fisheries
Whether you call them a white perch or a sac-a-lait,
the fall and winter months can be a great time to get out crappie fishing can be hot during the winter in Louisiana as
&
on the water. Not only can the weather make for enjoyable well. When the temperature drops, many crappie anglers
outings but many outdoorsmen have fled to the woods for get their gear ready and head to the lake when others would
hunting season. rather stay in the deer stand or inside where it is warm.
This can make for enjoyable, relaxing fishing excursions Crappie tend to seek deep water refuge in the winter
with lots of productive areas available for those who choose months and feed on lethargic baitfish to fatten up prior to
to get out on the water. spawning. Deep water is a relative term. In south Louisiana,
Bass fishing this time of year can be rewarding though that may mean fishing shiners or jigs under a cork in dense
more so with the quality of fish than the number. As water willow top laydowns in 6-8 feet of water.
temperatures drop below 50 degrees, fish metabolism slows Like bass, crappie will gather in the more stable waters
considerably. Bass are less likely to travel very far to capture of canals and small coves in this part of the state. Popular jig
prey at this time and they maximize the return on their en- colors are blue/white or black/chartreuse combinations.
ergy usage by focusing on big bait. In the reservoirs of central and north Louisiana, crappie
They need to get the most bang for their buck, so to will seek the deepest water in the lake during the winter.
speak. Big, bulky baits like jigs and Texas-rigged soft plastics When the crappie are biting, boats can be seen gathered
can be excellent choices because they mimic crawfish, which together near the dams of the reservoirs or along channel
are a preferred food item of bass this time of year. bends on lakes like Bistineau and D’Arbonne.
This is not a situation where you want to burn down the Anglers often use multiple rods and “spider-rig” troll
bank and cover a lot of water. Presentations should be slow these deep haunts with jigs set at multiple depths or even tip
and methodical. Fish areas that will warm up the quickest the jigs with live shiners or minnows. The best jigs are usu-
on sunny days. Those typically include dead end canals and ally shad colors or even bright colors like the popular electric
pockets that are sheltered from cold north winds. chicken. Crappie anglers are taking full advantage of modern
These are also the areas where bass will likely spawn in technology such as sidescan and live sonar. This technology
early spring as water temperatures climb above 60 degrees. has features to find schools of shad or submerged brush tops
Within those areas, target large woody cover, matted veg- to pinpoint exactly where the fish might be.
etation and rocks. These items will hold heat, as well as pro- Crappie are one of the first species in Louisiana to move
vide bass an opportunity to ambush bait without expending shallow for spawning. Late in the winter, some fish will begin
too much energy. to move to shallow flats in anticipation of warmer days.
When you get into a pocket or canal where you get a Yo-yo fishing is popular for targeting late winter crappie
few bites, slow down and pick apart all of the available cover. especially in the many cypress tree-filled reservoirs of the
Don’t be afraid to pitch to the same target five times or more state. Some of the largest crappie of the year are caught this
before moving on. way. Most anglers bait yo-yo’s late in the evening with live
Sometimes winter bass need a little more coaxing. You shiners suspended near the top of the water.
may have to put it right in front of them before they will eat. The anticipation builds while waiting on the fish to bite
On sunny afternoons when the water temperature warms up sitting by a warm campfire or in the heated camp. Anglers
several degrees, vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits can be used, usually run the yo-yo’s after a few hours and again at day-
with a slow-medium retrieve, to target the more active bass light. Yo-yo fishing can be a family tradition with parents
in these areas. and grandparents taking kids along and is a great way to get
young anglers interested in fishing.
20 Louisiana Conservationist | Winter 2020SALTWATER story by REBECCA HILLEBRANDT, LDWF Fisheries
Louisiana is one of those rare places where you can plan
JASON ADRIANCE, LDWF Fisheries
Cooler temperatures mean less active and aggressive
to hunt waterfowl and fish on the same trip. Of course, it coastal species looking to maximize their feeding and com-
&
has to be done in the winter and during duck season. Once fort. Anglers should look to move off the banks and instead
you’ve taken your limit of duck, or they’re just not buying look for areas that combine deeper pockets and canals with
into your decoy spread, you can then leave the blind and nearby under water structure.
head into Louisiana’s productive marshes to fish. The loss of white shrimp in the marshes lead red drum
This, too, can make for enjoyable, relaxing fishing excur- and spotted seatrout to congregate around rock piles and
sions with many productive areas available for those who oyster reefs where small prey fish seek shelter. Red drum
choose to get out on the water. and spotted seatrout will be looking to reduce energy expan-
There is plenty of action in the saltwater marshes along sion so fish the deep pocket edges where large fish will wait
the coast of the Sportsman’s Paradise in the winter. Popu- for the current and tides to bring smaller bait fish by. While
lar fish species such as red drum and spotted seatrout can red drum hit hard all year, spotted seatrout will be less likely
aggregate in the winter allowing for good hauls and plenty to make hard strikes in the winter. Choose line and gear with
of fish with slight changes in an angler’s approach to fishing enough sensitivity to feel their light taps.
compared to earlier in the year. As you plan your trips to the coast, make sure to check
Usually the only live bait available during the winter is the weather forecast. Cold fronts effect red drum and spot-
cocahoe minnows. However, successful fishing can be done ted seatrout differently and you’ll need to adjust your plan
in the winter using soft plastics on a lead head or under a accordingly.
cork. Pieces of dead shrimp also work in low visibility waters. Spotted seatrout tend to be more sensitive to tempera-
Focus on fishing near the bottom for spotted seatrout and ture changes and the reduced water clarity brought on by
red drum on colder days and in the early morning. As the strong cold front winds. It’s best to wait a few days after the
day warms up, start fishing further from the bottom as prey front passes to try spotted seatrout. Red drum on the other
fish move toward the surface. hand will bite before, during and immediately after a cold
When water temperatures start to drop, red drum and front and are less likely to move out as low water levels re-
spotted seatrout, along with other species, will seek a ther- sult in salinity shifts.
mal refuge, or water that is warmer and less likely to expe- When weather allows, anglers venturing offshore can
rience larger temperature swings. The deeper channels of find great action for tuna and wahoo along with a selection
bayous, pipeline canals or deeper areas of the marsh will be of reef fish available over natural bottom and around arti-
sought after locations by fish attempting to escape cooler ficial reefs and standing structures such as oil and gas plat-
waters or waters that experience rapid temperature swings. forms.
Just because fish are seeking stable warmer water that
does not mean they can’t be shallow in the winter. As the
water warms during the day under the winter sun, fish
will move to shallower flats and feed on prey that has also
moved and become more active. This has an added benefit
for anglers. Unless you plan on fishing a popular fishing hole,
no need for those pre-dawn runs since the winter bite picks
ups with the sun.
laconservationist.wlf.la.gov 21You can also read
