The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Deer Program are encouraging youth hunters 15 years of age or younger to participate in the 2008 Youth Hunter Registry.

To participate in the program, youths need to fill out a Youth Hunter Registry form available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/biggamehunts that gives details of their 2008 hunting experience. The program is for all hunting activities including small game, waterfowl, deer, turkey and hogs.

Participating youths will receive a certificate recognizing their hunting achievement and may be recognized in the Big Game Records Newsletters that are also available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/biggamehunts.

Youth hunters can also enter the Youth Hunter of the Year contest for 2008. The contest requires youth hunters to submit a story about their hunting experience along with photographs of the hunt. LOWA and LDWF will then select a male and female youth hunter of the year based upon the stories and photos that are received.

Anna Helm of Sunshine won the 2007 Female Hunter of the Year, and Chris Campbell of Shreveport won the 2007 Male Hunter of the Year. Both received plaques and gift certificates to Bowie Outfitters of Baton Rouge recognizing their achievements at the August Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting. Anna and Chris were recognized again at the LOWA conference in Morgan City in October.

Anna harvested her first Eastern wild turkey during the 2007 Youth Hunt on the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. Anna was hunting with her dad and a local guide. Anna and her dad were featured on the cover of the 2008 LDWF Turkey Regulations pamphlet. Chris scored a non-typical buck with a muzzleloader that is the new Louisiana state record for that category. Glynn Harris, Louisiana outdoor writer from Ruston, wrote a story about Chris and his hunt that was published in the Louisiana Sportsman magazine and in the February 2008 issue of North American Whitetail.

Seth Johnson of West Monroe was selected by random drawing to also receive a gift certificate. Seth killed his first deer in Winn Parish during the 2007 deer season while hunting with his dad.

The Bayou State Bowhunters Association, the South Louisiana Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association, the Louisiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Program and Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge sponsor this program.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.louisiana.gov.