The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) formally recognized the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for assistance provided for the department’s turkey research projects on Kisatchie National Forest. That assistance was noted at the May 1 meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
Since 2011, LDWF staff and partners have captured 116 gobblers on Kisatchie National Forest in an effort to evaluate harvest rates. In 2014, 34 hens were also captured and fitted with GPS-telemetry units as part of a hen-brood habitat use study.
“Success at capturing turkeys for these research projects has been due to dedicated efforts of the team that participated,” said LDWF Biologist Program Manager Jimmy Stafford. “Both LDWF and USFS wildlife staff, plus researchers from the University of Georgia and support from the National Wild Turkey Federation made it happen.”
Those honored with letters of appreciation from LDWF Secretary Robert Barham include the following:
U.S. Forest Service -- Karen Anderson, Jason Beaubouef, Charles Boles, Al Brazzel, Jonny Fryar, Jessica Husbands, Ernie Noel, Jason Nolde, Steven Pace, Danielle Reed, Doug Rhodes, Ashley Semerena and Emlyn Smith.
LDWF -- John Avis, Lynn Bennett, Todd Bridges, Todd Buffington, Forest Burke, John Hanks, Kate Hasapes, David Hayden, Ben Holten, Jarrod Hughes, Ryan Ipes, Jeff Johnson, Seth Miller, Chad Moore, Kenneth Parker, James Stewart and Tony Vidrine.
University of Georgia -- Jeremy Wood and Nathan Yeldell
NWTF -- Luke Lewis
For more information on the turkey research project, contact Jimmy Stafford at 225-765-2361 or jstafford@wlf.la.gov.