LSU fans could soon be calling the hogs from the air?

LSU fans could soon be calling the hogs from the air?

The University of Arkansas and LSU have held a long rivalry on the football field chasing the pigskin, but Louisiana residents may soon control the skies.

Helicopter hog eradication programs are growing.  Texans have been using the practice for a couple of years now with huge success in both the quantity of hogs removed and in economic gains due to commercial activities that have risen form these activities. Organizations like Vertex Aviation Group have grown and adapted to help land owners, outdoor enthusiast and even many tactical enthusiasts like SHWAT control hog populations.

The success of these types of programs could soon have many LSU fans calling the hogs too. All SEC rivalries aside, this week the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) has announced plans to implement regulations that would allow the practice in Louisiana.

According to a recent Louisiana Sportsman article,  “Landowners, or groups of landowners, would have to contact LDWF and provide authorization to the permit holder to take hogs on their property. And the landowners could provide permission to the aviation companies to use ‘subagents’ like gunners or observers to directly participate in hog control activity.”

Interested parties are encouraged to voice their comments and any possible concerns to the LWFC during the open comment period.  Camille Warbington, LDWF Wildlife Division, Post Office Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, or email cwarbington@wlf.la.gov prior to Aug. 30, 2014.

Its unclear whether the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will follow suit, but in addition to Texas, and possibly Louisiana, Oklahoma passed legislation allowing the practice in 2013.  Arkansas, as Ricky Bobby would say, “if your not first, your last”.  All I’ve got to say is AGFC should consider the practice and remove any and all obstacles to help not just control the hog population in Arkansas, but eradicate it.  We’re ready for some cooler weather, some good BBQ and lets win some ball games this fall.  “Woo Pig Sooie – Razorbacks.”

Filming Wounded Warriors

I’ve had the oppertunity to work on some awesome stuff lately for the T.P. Outdoors Adventures TV Show. I’ve been filming some hunts with those guys for Wounded Warriors. Helping people has always been one of my main focuses in life, but these wounded warriors are some special people who really deserve it.

Just being a part of this, I’ve kinda been on a high now for the last few weeks since we first started filming. It’s just really incredible. Not what I’ve done. It’s not about me, but about being with these guys. Hearing their stories while sitting around the camp fire or in the blind.

One of the first things you notice is the camaraderie between these guys. They are truly like close brothers. (I guess you bond pretty quick when the enemy starts shooting at you.) Then you notice how…”beat down” doesn’t quite seem like the right phrase, but how even though they have scars, both emotional and physical, they are eager to get back to normal. Yet there is no normal anymore. You can’t take away the pain that they have, the things they have seen, the things they’ve endured. You can only share your normal and the things you love with them. For me, that’s the outdoors and Christ’s love for us.

Over the course of these events, There seems to be a legitimate healing that takes place. One guy stated that he didn’t really get very excited about anything anymore since coming home, but he sure got excited when there was an 11 point buck standing in front of him. I heard one person mention “this is what we were fighting for. There are good americans here at home. We’re protecting them and this way of life.”

It’s a little hard to think about someone protecting our hunting rights and our second amendment rights while fighting in another country. But the reality is the enemy hates our way of life.

To some degree, I’ve taken hunting for granted. I’ve hunted since I was about 5 years old. It’s hard to imagine that these guys have been fighting for us to have the opportunity to hunt. To watch the sun rise in a free country.

The outdoors is a connection that we share with these guys. It’s something that we both love. Being able to capture that, Bottle it up, and put it in a video to share with others is an amazing experience. I’m privileged to be a part of it.

The first episode aired on KNOE and KAQY last weekend. If you missed it, you won’t want to miss it again this weekend or for the next few weekends. You’ll see some of these patriots hunting and having a good time with their closest buddies.