A Fun Weekend For Boys Catching Gators
Alligator season is on in Louisiana and if you have tags, you can catch them. Such was the case this past weekend for five youngsters and a handful of adults as the gators put on a show for these kids who likely had never had the thrill of catching, dispatching, skinning and fleshing out seven alligators.
The event took place in northeast Louisiana on property owned by Wesley McConnell who was joined on the outing by adults, Mark Johnson, Milt May and George Seacrist. The gathering was arranged as a special weekend by an organization, Cross Trail Outfitters, (CTO)a national group with the stated purpose “Guiding the Next Generation to Christ through the Outdoors.”
The state’s first and only chapter of CTO is headquartered in Lincoln Parish with Mark Johnson, owner of Mark Johnson and Sons Plumbing, as the Director and Facilitator for the organization’s fledgling work in Louisiana.
“It’s really a blessing for me to be part of this,” said Johnson. “When we get boys into the outdoors, we get their attention, and having fun leads to discussions about Christianity.” Of the seven youngsters who participated in this weekend’s event, two made professions of faith in Christ while there.
Visiting with George Seacrist earlier this week, he shared details of how the weekend came together.
“There are four of us, Mark, Milt and Wesley and I who are the leaders of the group who put the event together. The Director of a CTO group in North Carolina, came and brought four youngsters with him. Mark contacted the principal at Choudrant and he suggested three boys he felt would benefit.”
“Milt has a hunting lodge near Waverly which was our headquarters and Wesley owns the property where we hunted gators. He had received 20 tags for trapping alligators and we thought that the boys would really enjoy what it’s like to trap for gators since likely none of them had trapped alligators before,” Seacrist explained.
To ensnare alligators, a heavy line is attached to a stout tree branch and the line includes a big hook to which a chicken quarter is impaled. The enticing bait hangs several inches to a foot or more above the water and alligators show no hesitation at leaping from the water to snare the tasty morsel. Too late, the hook is also swallowed and next morning, the gator has no choice but to wait until hunters arrive.
“We ended up catching seven alligators with the longest being about eight feet in length. The boys got to finish the task by dispatching caught gators with a single round from a .22 rifle, the gator are then hoisted to the bank where the tag is attached and then the fun begins,” Seacrist said.
The gators are skinned and fleshed out with the boys having trophies to take home along with packages of gator meat.
Thinking back to the stated purpose of Cross Trails Outfitters, during the fun weekend, devotionals around the campfire are shared with the kids with an opportunity to accept Christ.
“We have another outing slated for January when we’ll host a duck hunt for the boys,” Johnson said. “We hope to be able to offer a number of fun events down the road for them.”
To learn more and get your son involved for future events, contact any of the four local leaders or go to http://www.TeamCto.org for more information.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are best fishing topwater lures early around the grass lines. Later, best fishing has been on secondary points on soft plastics and crank baits. Crappie are good fishing shiners or jigs around the submerged tops. 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 – No report. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing is best fishing the wind rows with soft plastics with some in the 8-10 pound range reported. A slow presentation is best. Crappie are still hitting shiners and jigs around deep brush. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is low because of a levee issue below Columbia. Launching is possible at Joe Bob’s. A few crappie are being caught around deep brush in the river. Bass are fair in the cuts. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is down 5 feet and fishing has been good. Bass are best fishing the mouth of creeks where there is current using soft plastics, crank baits and spinners. Crappie are bunched up on the channel edges and shiners and jigs are working on them. Bream are slow; catfishing good off the banks. Just be sure if you go to watch out for stumps and obstructions just below the surface. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been best late afternoons with shiners seeming to work best. No report on stripers. Bass have been caught early mornings on topwater lures fished along the edges of grass. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie are improving in deeper water on the south end as well as some being caught on the north end. Catfish are fair to good. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water has fallen back to pool stage. Catfish are biting and commercial fishermen are catching a good many buffalo. The bass and crappie are slow. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.