No lack of enthusiasm here! I am cooking a shrimp etoufee tonight to freeze for the hunt, have been shooting my bow daily, been wearing my new boots around the house to break them in, and can't stop thinking about being in the woods!
I read all the regulations on hunting on WMA's (which I've never done before) and it looks pretty straight forward. Just wondering if we will need an orange vest and hat since the "firearm experimental Quality deer season" is open until the 20th.
I like a lot of area to roam. I used to sit in one place all the time when I would rifle hunt, scared to move, but the most rewarding hunts always involve a stalk!
I have a target or two I can throw in the truck.

I definitely have to get on board for this next year. Looks like an absolute blast. Looking forward to seeing the bacon pics!!!

Jacob, looking through the regulations I came across this:

Any  person  hunting  any  wildlife  during  the  
open  firearms  deer  hunting  season  and  
possessing buckshot, slugs, a primitive fire
arm, or a centerfire firearm shall display on
their head, chest and/or back a total of not
less  than  400  square  inches  of  "HUNTER  
ORANGE."

and

WARNING: Deer hunters are cautioned to
watch for persons hunting other game or
engaged    in    activities    not    requiring  "Hunter Orange" or "Blaze Pink."

I take this to mean that it's not required to wear orange if your not carrying a firearm.  I'm not saying that it wouldn't be a good idea to wear orange during firearm season, just that it doesn't seem to be required if you're hunting with a bow.

Looking at the deer seasons I couldn't find a "experimental quality deer season" listed.  What page did you find that on?  If we stay in Caldwell parish and Catahoula parish west of the Beouf river there shouldn't be any modern firearms in season, though there is a primitive firearm season the 16-22.

Looks like we will be required to wear full orange till the 20th because of the experimental deer season and then after that we are required to wear an orange cap while hunting on the ground because of the rabbit and squirrel season that runs till the end of February. It will also be Bucks only and we will have to abide by the antler restrictions for the e.q.d.s. Till the 20th.  After that any deer is legal.  I will call the headquarters tomorrow to confirm.        

I know this is not ideal and definitely not what we had in mind.. I spoke with daniel this morning and he agrees that it is to late to try to change the dates. With people having taken off time from work and some traveling. So we will make the best of it and have a good time regardless!!  
I for one know that with a little effort we can get away from any possible rifle hunters.  (Which should be minimal because it ends on a week day when most people are still working)

Thanks for clearing that up, Randy.  That's what I get for looking at general regulations and not those specific to the WMA.  It's going to be a good time for sure!

Thanks Randy, that is what I was seeing on page 66. I'm not really worried about having to wear a vest, just want to make sure everyone is legal.

I was hoping it wouldn't be overrun with rifle hunters. Like you said, it is a weekday, and with the antler restrictions it should keep some of them at bay.

This is from an email Daniel sent me.


"There isn't any reason to be concerned with the rifle season being in.  The rifle hunt will only be going on on friday, which in my opinion is out "scouting day".  At this time of the year, and on this particular reserve, the people are scarce.  To be sure everyone is on the same page.  The time that I will be able to hunt will be possibly thurday evening(depending on when I am able to get away from work, threw sunday.  You are free to show up anytime you want on Thursday, but I will not be able to be down there much sooner than 3 on thursday. My father in law will be there and will show everyone where to set up, should any of you choose to get there before I am able to be there.  We may be able to get out and search a little thursday evening, but the general plan is for people to split up and try to locate some pigs, of hopefully, lots of pigs in several different locations and then we get a game plan to take some out.  

I will be down there thursday evening as soon as I can get away from work, but I can't promise exactly what time i'll be able to be there yet.  I see that several people have meals planned out, that is great!  I will be bringing a pot of taco soup, it looks like we will be eating like kings.  

The water levels are almost non existent in comparison to what we dealt with last year.  the only down side I see is I haven't seen near as much hog sign as I usually do, but I haven't been down as much as I usually do.  

IF anyone has any questions, please feel free to call/text me at 3185473756.  I look forward to a great weekend with you fellas.

Addition:
You will have access to everything we have(Kip).  

Please contact me if you have any questions.

For those that are coming in early I will be there on the 18th to get a few things set up in advance and try to get some scouting done.

Time to start weather-watching. It may be dry now, but with Marty and me involved, just plan on water. Check out the forecast at the link below. At least the temps look to be comfortable. If we kill anything we'll need to get meat on ice unlike last year when we could've just hung it in any tree.

 https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/14-day-weather-trend/louisiana/columbia

I agree with Daniel and Randy. Should not be too many people on that last day.     Most places you have to park and then walk in so even if there are some deer hunters Friday we should be able to see if there is a pile of them or just a few. May even get to talk to them about where they are going and go another direction. Most of the walk in trails and ATV trails pass through areas where you could hunt both sides of the road.

Rain chances and temps are as follows as of now: Friday- 10%- High 68, Saturday 50% High 66, Sunday 20%, High 63. Lows around 50 every morning so not too bad. The showers may make things more quiet for stalking too.  

Last year the hogs I saw were all very nice size. 2 sows with piglets. Each sow was about 175 pounds. One other pig that was about 110 and then the 6 pigs that came running by me and Kip! They were in the 125-150 range. I guess they made us nervous because we make those shots at the archery tournaments when the pig comes by on the cable every time!  

Just to help ya'll if you see some small piglets, throw down your bow and run em down! Sometimes that is easier!   hahaha
  piglet

QuoteOriginally posted by Mark Normand:
Just to help ya'll if you see some small piglets, throw down your bow and run em down! Sometimes that is easier!   hahaha
  piglet  

Yea Mark, but then what do you do when momma piggy comes back and finds you assaulting her little one and your bow is in the bushes? Hope you have a Crocodile Dundee knife handy!

I'm 2 steps ahead of you mark!! I caught 3 last year!! Lol
Momma wouldn't come back either! Idk???
I'll see if I can find the pics

bwahahaha that's great!  They'll make track stars outta ya!

Look at Marty trying to hide in that picture!!!

When you come from Alaska I think it is embarrasing to be seen with something that small!

     

Or maybe he doesn't want proof of hunting with the two characters holding those piglets!

       

Or maybe BOTH!!

Randy, I'm just gonna keep my big mouth shut here.. LOL

Daddy, Daddy....