It began with a dynamite meal last Thursday night at the Ruston Civic Center when the 8th annual fund raising banquet for Whitetails Unlimited was launched. Have you ever had the Log Cabin’s “Catfish Opelousas” meal? A catfish filet resting on a bed of rice with crawfish etouffee drizzled over the top was “slap yo mama” good.
What followed was a series of events that saw multiple attendees put their hands around valuable prizes from dozens of guns, prized works of art, gun safes, hunting bows topped off by a trio of unusual but coveted prizes, a Lane Burroughs helmet donated by LA Tech baseball coach, a guitar autographed by Hank Williams Jr and a Cincinnati Bengals helmet autographed by none other than Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of LSU’s national championship, Joe Burrow.
There was one “fly in the ointment” that kept the crowd a bit lower than in years past. Several other events in the community were taking place at the same time which meant scores of folks who would have attended were obligated to take part in some of the other important activities.
Even so, there were more than 350 men, ladies and youngsters in attendance who forked over some $70,000 in gross proceeds. Once expenses were paid to finance the banquet half of the net proceeds stayed here in the community to assist local groups that promote outdoors activities.
Since the banquet was first held eight years ago with COVID knocking out the event for two years, here are some of the groups that have received benefits from funds raised at the annual banquets. It’s no small piece of change when you consider that over the years, Whitetails Unlimited has invested over $100,000 right here at home.
A partial listing of groups that have been benefactors of these funds include the Lincoln Parish Archery Range, Lincoln Parish 4-H Shooting Sports, Med Camps of Louisiana, LA Tech Scholarship Fishing Team, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 fund, Lincoln Parish NRA, Lincoln Parish Ducks Unlimited, Trailblazer, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Lincoln Parish Livestock Club and Louisiana AIM.
This year’s banquet was spearheaded by a heads-up group of volunteers headed by
chairman Brandon Williams.
“Knowing that we had competition this year because of other events being scheduled the same night, we ended up about where we thought we would,” said Williams.
Since the Lincoln Parish chapter of Whitetails Unlimited became a popular local
organization eight years ago, the attendance and funds raised caught the attention of national headquarters. After the first year of local operation National Chairman of the organization, Jeff Schinkten, flew down from Wisconsin to present the Lincoln Parish chapter with national honors as the chapter had risen to the top nationally in raising funds and in banquet attendance.
Except for the two years when COVID prevented the banquets from being held, this
group has caught the attention of area folks as well because of the popularity of the annual get together. However, for the success to continue, something is badly needed, something chairman Williams addressed.
“Although we have had a fantastic group of volunteers working with us to put on our
annual banquet, we are always looking for other folks willing to work with us,” said Williams. “We would love to have more volunteers.”
If you’d like to have a hand in seeing this organization continue to grow, visit Lincoln
Parish Whitetails Unlimited on Facebook to offer your services.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best fishing bouncing jigging spoons off the bottom and also 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 has improved on both worms and crickets. 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 – A few bream and crappie have been biting early mornings before water temp heats up. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE –Bass fishing continues to be fair 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 around submerged tops. Some catfish are being caught fishing cut bait on rods and reels. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has been best fishing in the channels where water temps are cooler. Spider rigs are starting to produce. Bass fishing has been good early mornings fishing topwater lures around the grass. Later in the day, look for them on the points with Rapala jerk baits, spinners and soft plastics. Bream are slow. 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 – Striper fishing has improved fishing shad imitation lures in the coves early mornings or late afternoons. Bream fishing has been fair on crickets. Crappie have been best at night fishing under the lights while the bass have been best early mornings on topwater lures and at night on dark plastic worms and spinner baits. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Fishing for catfish has improved while other species ae slow. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
LAKE YUCATAN – The lake is on a slow fall but few folks are fishing because of the heat and fishing overall is slow. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.