As long as I’ve been a hunter, I have hunted on areas that have special names. The
“Cocklebur” stand? It’s located in the middle of a patch of – you guessed it – cockleburs.

One in particular is one I named myself because of my lack of skill in carpentry. I called it the “Shanty”. It was propped up on all sides to keep it from tumbling over.
On the adjoining hill, a buddy with expert skills at carpentry had constructed one that was plumb and square that totally put my stand to shame. We gave our approval when he named it the “Chateau” stand.

It didn’t have to be a deer stand; it could be a certain patch of woods that when you
mentioned that’s where you would be hunting, every club member knew exactly where you were talking about. Here’s how one such hunting spot earned its name.

It was a cool, clear October afternoon with little or no wind, a perfect time to be in the
woods after squirrels. I finished what I had to do at work for the day, took the afternoon off with plans to head for my favorite squirrel hunting spot.

Changing into hunting clothes and gathering up my shotgun and gear, I jumped in my
truck, turned off onto the dim little road that I had traveled many times that led to my squirrel woods a mile down the road.

Ordinarily, I drive up and around the little road to a hill where I park my truck only a
couple hundred yards from the woods. This time, however, there was something blocking my way. There was a car parked in the middle of the road.

I thought it odd since I didn’t recognize the car as belonging to any of my hunting club
member friends. The land was privately owned with only our group having permission to hunt there.

I was puzzled, not only at the presence of the strange vehicle but also frustrated by the fact that it was blocking the narrow woods road I had to travel to reach my hunting spot.

While pondering the problem, I noticed that there were some small pines on either side of the little road and if I could remove a few of them, I might be able to ease around the car and make it to my hunting spot in time for an afternoon hunt.

I always keep an axe behind the seat of my truck in case I might need it in such an
emergency. In addition, I never head for the woods without my camera because you never know when a photo op might present itself.

Reaching behind the seat, I picked up the axe and with my camera hanging around my neck, it was my intension to remove enough of the small pines to allow me access.

That’s when I noticed movement in the parked vehicle that was blocking the road. I realized that there were people in the car as I saw two faces appear in the side window. The faces turned ashen in color with eyes wide as they watched a guy dressed in camo walk up behind them with a camera and an axe.

It was not rocket science to figure out that I had happened upon a secret venture of a
couple who only wanted time alone and what better way to find such special times than to drive down a dim woods road in the middle of the day to insure their privacy.

Long story short, I backed my truck out of the way so the couple could drive away,
shielding their faces as they passed me.

I was able to drive on in and enjoy my afternoon squirrel hunt. I don’t recall if I got any
squirrels but I now had the name of my favorite hunting spot.

To this day, that fine scope of woods is known by a special name I gave it that day.
Hanky Panky Hill.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best fishing around the docks and grass lines early mornings on top water lures. They’re also hitting at night with Carolina rigs, big 10 inch plastic worms and deep diving crank baits picking up some nice sized fish. Crappie are fair around the deep brush on shiners or jigs. The bream bite is slow. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU –Crappie have been fair on jigs; bass best on topwater lures around the brush. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE –Bass fishing continues to be fair to good with spinners with trailers and flipping jigs around the brush working best. The crappie are scattered around the brush. Bream have slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water level continues to be dropping. Bass are best fishing in the cuts where there is a bit of current. Topwater lures, crank baits and spinners best. Crappie are best fishing shiners or jigs in the river lakes as well as around sunken tops in the river. Bream are fair. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has been best fishing the flats fishing 6-8 feet deep in 12 foot water. Bass fishing has been good early mornings fishing topwater lures around the grass. Later in the day, look for them on the points with square bills, soft plastics and swim baits working best. Bream are starting to slow down off the beds. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE –Bass fishing has been best fishing around the docks and grass lines with swim baits and soft plastics or spinners. Night fishing has been best for crappie fishing shiners under the lights around the piers and boat houses. Bream are slow to fair. Catfishing is fair on noddles using a variety of baits. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish and bream are biting. Bass and crappie have slowed. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a slow fall with good catches of crappie, bass and catfish reported. Water is too low in the chute to allow safe access to the river. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

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