Black Bear Season Concludes With Mixed Emotions
When it was announced early last year that a season on black bears had been set for this past December, the announcement was met with mixed results. Some thought it a shame for anyone to shoot a bear; we needed to have more of these special animals in our state.
Others, especially those who live in the northeast Louisiana who have farms or who have hunting camps in the area also had some negative things to say about allowing lottery hunters to take 10 black bears.
“Taking ten bears is not nearly enough; it won’t make a dent on these creatures that are give us fits, tearing up camps and deer feeders. We need to have an open season on them.”
Looking back on the season that ran from December 7-22, those hunters fortunate enough to take a bear got their 10 in short order. Included in the bears taken were some heavyweight bruins, one of which will likely be a state record for black bears.
Deron Santiny, a Louisiana military veteran and Purple Heart recipient, downed the heaviest of those taken with a bear that weighed in at 696 pounds.
A total of 10 bears – eight males and two females – were taken during the lottery season, an event administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Permits that were distributed to Bear Management Area 4, which is made up of Tensas, Madison, East Carroll parishes and portions of Richland, Franklin and Catahoula parishes.
Interestingly, two of the males were taken in north Madison parish near where Teddy Roosevelt camped in his successful Louisiana bear hunt in 1907.
Wildlife and Fisheries officials were pleased with the success of the season. According to a statement by LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan, “We are so excited about the success of this historic black bear season and proud of the many efforts of our department, hunters, private landowners and partners to bring back this treasured Louisiana species. Providing hunters in our state a chance at harvesting a bear for the first time this century is a big win for conservation, and to see our hunters have such great success with a military veteran taking a potential record-breaking bear is indicative of many prosperous black bear seasons to come.”
Regarding the Santini bear, it was taken in Tensas Parish and is believed to be in its late teens to early 20s. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager, John Hanks said it is the largest bear he has seen in Louisiana, topping a 608 pound bear that was killed in a vehicle accident. He noted that Louisiana adult male black bears generally grow to between 450 and 550 pounds. After a 60 day waiting period the bear will be officially measured for Boone and Crockett scoring.
Looking down the road, it is likely that future bear seasons will eventually take in more of north Louisiana as bears are showing up in areas unheard of decades ago. Our neighbor to the north, Union parish, has a growing population of bears, as evidenced by hunters posting photos on social media of bears in Union parish around corn feeders, sometimes pulling them down and destroying them to get at the corn inside.
Lincoln parish has reported a few bears over the last several years that have shown up even in the city of Ruston. Likely, these are young males that have been chased away by dominant males in parishes to the east.
I saw my first bear several years ago while on a deer hunt in Madison Parish. More recently, I watched a female and two cubs from the safety of my vehicle at close range on the Tensas Wildlife Refuge. It’s sort of like seeing a gorilla or lion behind the fences at a zoo. They are fun to look at but I’m not sure I’m ready to have one ambling through my back yard.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs around the deeper tops. Some big bass are hitting jigs and deep diving crank baits fished very slow in deep water. No report on bream or catfish. 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.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Anglers are catching some really big crappie on jigs and shiners fished really slow in deep water. No report on bass. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is still low. A few catfish are being caught. For latest
information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is finally full again. Crappie have moved to the deepest water in the channels and have been fair on shiners and jigs. Bass are slow to fair fishing jigs very slow on deep structure. No report on bream or catfish. 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 with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs in the deep channels. Bass are fair fishing jigs in deep water. No report on bream, catfish or stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie are fair on the south end fishing mostly with shiners. A 2.06 pounder was reportedly caught. No report on bass. Catfish continue to bite. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a slow fall. A few catfish are being caught. Most of the activity has to do with duck hunters willing to brave the cold. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.