M & B News
LOWA Awards to Encourage Youth Into the Outdoors
by Butch Thurmond
It is so important to keep getting our children into the outdoors so they can realize how much more there is than a tablet , Iphone , or computer game ! Whether it ’ s a hunting trip , fishing trip , camping , or just a walk in the woods , get them involved .
The Louisiana Outdoor Writer ’ s Association ( LOWA ) has made a lot of moves in that direction . I ’ m proud of this organization , it has done what larger writer organizations haven ’ t done , and that ’ s encouraging participation by giving awards to youngsters … A lot of awards !
At their recent conference in Shreveport , the winners were announced and awards given to them . In past years , it was overwhelming to see how many families made the trip to accept the awards . Unfortunately , the flooding this year throughout south Louisiana prevented some from making the trip .
The Youth Hunter Award is a joint effort of the LOWA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ( LDWF ) and is awarded to a boy and girl who write about their hunting experience . It isn ’ t about the biggest and best , it ’ s about the experience itself . Winners receive a nice package of gift certificates , and they can attend the banquet with up to four guests .
Dave Moreland started the project when he was a biologist with LDWF , now retired . " The main
Above , Kamryn Paige Hatton the 2015 Female Youth Hunter of the Year . Right , Earl Darby the 2015 Male Youth Hunter of the Year .
goal of the program is to keep the hunting tradition alive in the Bayou State by recognizing young hunters and their families . Hunting has deep roots in the families of Louisiana , and it is this next generation of hunters who will be the ones that keep it strong ," Moreland states .
This year ’ s award for the Female Hunter of the Year went to Kamryn Paige Hatton of Crowville . She is the daughter of William and Angel Hatton , and she is ten years old . Her story was about her first deer hunt with her father .
Earl Darby , Jr . won the award in the male category . The story about his squirrel hunt and following deer hunt caught the eye of the judges . Thanks to his grandparents , Rhonda and Arden
Delahoussaye , he got the opportunity to make the hunts and write about them . Earl lives in Broussard .
The 2016 Youth Hunter of the Year Contest kicked off this year with the 2016 Turkey Season
Essay winner , Gracie Cain of Houma .
and gets into full swing in September when the 2016 Hunting Season opens for doves and teal . Individuals interested in this program can visit the LDWF or LOWA websites and obtain further information .
LOWA member Wendy Billiot started the same type of contest two years ago for young fishers . Entrants must be 15 or under at the time of the their entry . The male winner this year is 11-year old James Sanders of Trout , LA . His essay was titled " It Doesn ’ t Get Better than This " and was about his catfishing trip with his grandfather . The female winner is 15-year old Grace Crain of Houma , and her essay was titled " Today I went Catching ," a story about her bass fishing trip that turned into a “ catching trip .” Each youngster won a lifetime fishing license , sponsored by CCA ( Coastal Conservation Association ) and LOWA , a plaque from LDWF , and a rod & reel combination from LOWA . Billiot will announce the rules for next year ’ s awards in January , but you can write your essay now . There is no minimum length for the essay . In the event the winner already has a lifetime license , they will be given a cash equivalent . They also can attend the banquet free with two free guests .
The Youth Journalism Contest was started by
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September 2016 www . marshandbayou . com