The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Louisiana Office of State Parks (OSP) and Louisiana Hunters for Heroes (LHH) pooled community resources this past weekend to provide a rabbit hunt experience for US Army personnel in appreciation for their service to country.
The Feb. 7-8 event included meals and accommodations for the servicemen at Chemin-A-Haut State Park near Bastrop. LDWF provided the servicemen and hunt coordinators access to the recently acquired Ben Lilly Conservation Area, which is adjacent to the state park.
“We are proud to have been a part of this event and grateful to the staff at Chemin-A-Haut for the accommodations provided for these dedicated Americans,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.
LHH coordinated arrangements for participating soldiers and sponsor support to cover the cost of the weekend for the servicemen who have served or who are currently serving in the US Army. The hunt included 13 soldiers in the warrior transition unit, nine from Fort Polk in Louisiana and four from Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
“This effort was made possible by the cooperative efforts of all involved to give these soldiers an all expenses covered outdoor weekend as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made to defend this country,” said LHH’s Donnie Vocker.
Contributing sponsors included the Bartholomew Dutch Oven Club, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, Atomic Ink, Cabela’s, Coca-Cola, JPS Equipment, Pro Foam, House of Raeford, Hixson, Lane Rugg, Wayne Martin, Perry and Sons, Roger Herring, Travis Holley, Eyre Motor Service, Zane Tubbs, Venoy Kinnard, National Wild Turkey Federation, Wilderness Acres, Mer Rouge Bank, Med Life, Spotted Dog Sporting Goods, McCain Farms, Parker Paper, Rimcon, Bastrop Daily Enterprise, North Monroe Baptist Church at Bastrop and Golden Funeral Home.
Louisiana Hunters for Heroes is a non-profit dedicated to giving back to the wounded veterans of our great country's military by introducing service men and women to the joys of hunting and the great outdoors. Visit the organization’s website at http://www.lahuntersforheroes.wordpress.com .
For more information on future LHH events, contact Donnie Vocker at (318) 278-2909 or lahuntersforheroes@gmail.com. LDWF contact, Bo Boehringer, ph. 225-765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov.