In the early 1920’s South Dakota historian Doane Robinson, looked at a mountain in his home state and saw more than simply a mountain. In his mind’s eye, he saw the images of four U.S. presidents and hired sculptor Gutzon Borglum to convert the mountain into one of this nation’s most valuable treasures, Mount Rushmore.
In the late 1970s, a local citizen, in like manner of Robinson, looked at an area of northern Louisiana consisting of hills and hollows and streams and in his mind’s eye saw a beautiful park. Thanks to Fredrick Hoogland, his vision became reality when in March 1990, Lincoln Parish Park was officially dedicated and since its opening, has been enjoyed by thousands of hikers, bikers, campers et al.
Local police juror, Glenn Scriber, a visionary in his own right, saw a portion of Lincoln Parish Park that was not being otherwise utilized and dreamed of converting this 10 acre plot into an archery range. Through months of planning and with the assistance of sponsors, a 3-D Archery range was officially opened to the public a few days ago on Labor Day. Scriber invited me out for a tour of this facility last week and I was able to see for myself just what someone with a long-range vision can accomplish when a plan is put into action.
“We have finally gotten the range set up and ready to go,” said Scriber. “We invited all 22 sponsors to come out and enjoy the range this past weekend at no charge with the range opening to the public beginning on Labor Day.”
The range is set up to meet the standards of the Archery Shooter’s Associaton (ASA) which means the local range can host officially sanctioned tournaments. Scriber looks for the range to host three or four tournaments a year with the first sanctioned tourney planned for sometime in early 2022. Also, the local 4-H club will be having a tourney here in October.
As we toured the set-up, I saw a variety of life-size animal target spaced apart to the extent of 20 targets covering the 10 acres. Targets consist of everything from full-sized deer to hogs to turkeys to exotic animals and are all placed in life-like situations between trees and such obstacles calling for shooting expertise in the manner of authentic hunting situations. Painted lengths of rebar note the distance from the shooter to the target with ranges set up for beginners to experienced archers.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support of our sponsors,” Scriber said. “I had a 
goal of seeing if we could raise around $12,000 which would get us off the ground and running. Twenty-two sponsors stepped up to the plate and were more than happy to do their part in seeing that the archery range became reality. We exceeded that goal by several thousand dollars so this gives us some operating capitol to enable us to keep this facility as a top notch range.”
One thing that will be an added attraction to the new range is the very reasonable fee schedule put in place for members of the public to use the range.
“For an annual fee of $100, archers can come out as often as they want and shoot the range. This fee also includes the use of other amenities Lincoln Parish Park offers. In addition,” Scriber noted, “if shooters just want to come out occasionally and maybe tune their bows or practice for upcoming hunting season, they pay a daily fee of only $8, which includes permit to use the park and to shoot the range.”
We may not have a local Mount Rushmore but the same dedication and vision Glenn Scriber had has gone into carving out of the woods of Lincoln Parish a 3-D Archery range the public will enjoy for years to come.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are slow to fair with some schooling and hitting a variety of shad imitation topwater lures. Some bigger fish are hitting soft plastics and crank baits fished in the deeper channels and drop-offs. Some are hitting black spinners along the banks at night. Crappie fishing has been best fishing jigs or shiners around the deeper tops. Bream fishing is slow as they are moving away from the shallow beds. No report on catfish. For information contact Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water level is at a stand-still neither rising nor falling. However fishing overall has been slow this week. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are still in the deeper holes with the Ole Monster worms and jigs taking some in the 3-5 pound class. Crappie are scattered with some deep and some around stumps on the flats. Shiners and jigs are picking up a few. Bream fishing has slowed while catfish are still biting cold worms fished off the banks.. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Bream fishing continues to be fair to good on crickets with most caught around the piers and boat docks. Stripers continue to school and are hitting shad imitations with white bucktails taking some beneath the surface. Bass fishing has been best at night fishing around the lights with plastic worms and Shakey heads. Crappie fishing is best fishing 10 feet deep in 14-17 foot water on shiners or jigs. No report on catfish this week. For latest information, call Misty at Kel’s Cove at 331-2730 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing has been fair around the grass on crank baits, jigs and spinners. Bream fishing has improved in 5-6 foot water on crickets. Crappie are scattered and fair. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – Bream fishing has improved on crickets and worms. Bass and crappie are slow. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been fair with mostly smaller fish being caught. However, some bigger catfish are starting to show up. Bass, crappie and bream are slow. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE ST. JOHN – Bass are fair while catfishing is fair on yo-yos baited with shiners. Crappie and bream are slow. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.
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