Lynn Bennett, a wildlife technician supervisor with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), was recognized by the Lake Charles chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for his work with the species and assisting with LDWF’s annual turkey youth lottery hunt.
 
Bennett, who has been with LDWF for 19 years, was previously honored as the state NWTF Wildlife Management Area Technician of the Year. He helps to trap wild turkeys on southwest Louisiana Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest lands for research. In addition, he has been involved with the Peason Ridge WMA Youth Lottery Turkey hunt for many years.
 
“We’re very proud of Lynn and the outstanding work he does every day,’’ LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said. “He’s on the front line as we work to restore robust populations of turkey throughout southwest Louisiana and the state. And his assistance with the youth turkey lottery hunt is a key reason to why those efforts are so successful.”
 
“I enjoy watching Lynn during these hunts; it’s evident he truly loves doing this for these kids,’’ said NWTF Lake Charles Chapter committee member Harold Yarborough, a volunteer during the youth turkey lottery hunt. “I know of no one else more deserving to be recognized for his contributions to wild turkey management and our sport of wild turkey hunting than Lynn Bennett.’’
 
Said Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission member Bart Yakupzack, chapter chairman of the NWTF Lake Charles chapter: “Mr. Bennett makes sure every young hunter has a gift bag after the hunt with all types of hunting related items such as calls and compasses. Some things are donated but many times he pays out of his own pocket to make sure these young hunters have something other than memories of their morning chasing turkeys.’’
 
Bennett’s latest effort was assisting with the recent youth turkey lottery hunt at Peason Ridge WMA in Vernon, Sabine and Natchitoches parishes on March 30. A total of 19 youth took part with two turkeys harvested. It was one of three youth turkey lottery hunts conducted by LDWF. The other two were held at J.C. “Sonny’’ Gilbert WMA in Catahoula Parish and Tunica Hills WMA in West Feliciana Parish. The youth were selected through LDWF’s lottery application system and paired with volunteer guides to give them a unique hunting experience.
 
In addition to the guided lottery hunts on March 30, unguided lottery hunts and open youth hunts were held on Big Lake, Bodcau, Clear Creek, Pearl River and West Bay WMAs where 83 hunters participated, harvesting nine gobblers.
 
There are several late youth season hunts remaining on Bodcau, Pomme de Terre, Sherburne and Spring Bayou WMAs, as well as open turkey seasons, which are open to hunters of all ages, on various other WMAs.
 
For more information on these seasons, go to http://www.eregulations.com/louisiana/hunting/
 
LDWF conducts several other lottery hunts for other species such as deer and waterfowl. For more information on LDWF lottery hunts, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts