Printable Version2012 DESCRIPTION OF COURSES
*Backpacking 101
Learn equipment selection and fit. How to select and set up a "Leave No Trace" campsite. Hike several miles on and off trail. This class is not for you if you have health, leg or joint problems. Bring a pack that fits you. Class will start at 10 am on Friday; registration will be open at 9 am. For further information phone Mike at 318-487-5889 or e-mail at mburns@wlf.louisiana.gov
Backyard Wildlife
Many people find wildlife watching to be relaxing and educational. Whether you have the old family farmstead or a postage stamp patio, this course will provide you with information that will help turn your property into a good wildlife habitat with general tips as well as ways to target particular species or groups of animals.
Basic Camp Cooking
A variety of cooking styles, including dutch oven cooking, will be used to prepare easy delicious one-pot meals, breads and deserts. You will also prepare and sample each dish.
Basic Camping Skills
Learn what to take and what to leave behind. Discuss equipment best suited for your needs: tents, sleeping bags and cook stoves. Learn to put up a tent, build a safe fire and make a camp with low or no impact on the environment.
Basic Handguns
Learn the basics of selecting a gun. Handgun shooting, cleaning, storage, and self-protection. Bring your own handgun, unloaded, or one will be provided. (22 cal. & 38 ammo will be available, if different is needed, please bring.) PREREQUISITE - Firearms and Firearm Safety course or Certification in the Hunter Safety course.
Beginning Fly-fishing
Learn the basics of casting and fly presentation, types of flies, selection of equipment and other helpful facts. You may bring your own equipment however, equipment will be provided. A valid Louisiana fishing license is required to fish.
Birdwatching
Hike the nearby ridge and identify common birds using information on seasons, bird calls and bird habitat preferences. You may bring your own binoculars, pad and pencil and bird guide. Some will be provided.
Boating / Trailering
Demonstrations and discussion will involve basic La. freshwater boating safety rules and legal requirements. Actual experience includes selection and care of Personal Flotation Devices and a trip to the water to launch and load a boat.
Bucks and Does
Class will cover deer biology, senses, preferred habitat, how to locate deer signs, different deer stands, management and hunting, and gun and ammo selection.
Campfire Cuisine
A variety of cooking methods will be demonstrated utilizing a campfire as a heat source. Prepare and consume numerous delicious meals including wild game and fish as well as domestic fare. Come enjoy cooking around the campfire, but come hungry!
Compass Skills
This class will familiarize the student with the practical use of a compass in land navigation. Classroom discussion as well as field exercises will be utilized. Other navigation techniques will be taught if time permits. No need to bring anything, but dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes or boots.
Don’t Jump, Rappel
Don’t worry if you are afraid of heights. This course is designed to build your confidence and help you overcome your natural fear of heights. Participants will learn basic rappelling techniques and will rappel down a forty foot tower. Participants should wear pants, comfortable shoes, no lose clothing, must be able to climb six flights of stairs, and involves some physical exertion.
Falconry
Discover the world of raptors. Learn the laws and best practices of falconry. Learn how to properly care for and hunt with a hawk. Have your picture taken holding a hawk. The class will be an instructional setting outside. Those who want to go on an actual hunt with the instructor and the hawk may, during the last 2 hours of the class. Please dress appropriately and bring your bug spray and cameras.
Firearms & Firearm Safety
The class will cover the basic types of firearms, firearm safety, and selecting and purchasing firearms. No actual shooting, but THIS IS A PREREQUISITE for handgun, rifle, and shotgun courses.
Fires, Knots, and Etc.
Participants will learn the basics of fire building in the wilderness using materials found in the wild. All students will build and safely maintain and extinguish fires for survival or cooking. Practical knots and hitches will be taught and practiced. Please bring a locking blade pocket knife and a magnesium fire starter.
Game Cleaning
Learn how to take care of your harvest. This class deals with hands-on field dressing while identifying the biological parts of a white-tailed deer. Then you move straight into cutting and packaging.
Get ‘Em Hooked!
Give a kid a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a kid to fish and you have a good excuse to be at the lake! Learn the ins and outs of getting your child, or grandchild, hooked on fishing. Find out what type of tackle is best, learn how to load their tackle box, and discover other fun activities to do while near the water.
Hear A Duck, There A Duck
Learn waterfowl ID, blind building techniques, safety and ethical issues, hunting specific areas, duck calling, and cleaning. Plus, the actual cooking and tasting of ducks using various recipes.
Horseback Riding
Experience a part of the Old West. Learn how to mount and dismount while riding in an arena. You will be introduced to tack components, proper saddling, and bridling techniques. This class has an additional fee of $25.00, payable at check-in (not with registration fee) to: Buddy Gill. Boots are required.
Intro to Archery
An introduction to the wonderful world of archery. Students will be informed about archery by means of brief lecture and printed handouts. The majority of time will involve hands on experience with archery gear. Equipment will be provided but you may bring your own.
Intro to Fishing
The course will include equipment selection, types of lures, knot-tying, baitcasting and actual fishing. Learn fish biology, fish identification and site selection for fishing. You may bring your own equipment. A valid Louisiana fishing license is required to fish.
Intro to Shotgun
Improve your shooting skill in skeet or to fine-tune your bird hunting techniques. This is the fastest growing shotgun sport in the United States. Equipment, guns and ammo are provided. Please do not bring your shotgun. PREREQUISITE - Firearms and Firearm Safety course or Certification in the Hunter Safety course.
Kayaking 101
In this on-water seminar, you'll learn everything you need to know to learn how to paddle a flatwater kayak efficiently. We'll cover all the basics including terminology, the best ways to enter and exit a kayak as well as all the basic strokes. Our goal is for you to be able to easily paddle your kayak in a straight line, turn quickly in both directions and to do it with techniques that will minimize effort on your arms. These are double tandem, sit on top, kayaks. Please wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet!
Living With LA Wildlife
Investigate pelts of LA's fur bearing animals and learn about their habitats and behaviors. Identify wildlife tracks and learn the identifying traits that distinguish them apart. Learn to live among wildlife without causing conflict.
Now That I've Caught It, What Is It, and What Do I Do With It?
Identify and define biological parts of fresh and saltwater fish. Experience how to hold and clean the fish. Then after all that, you get to cook and eat the fish using various delicious recipes.
Off-Road Biking
Hit Louisiana’s wooded trails on a mountain bike. Learn about cycling safety, ethics, and proper equipment. Participants who have their own bikes and helmets please bring your own. If you bring your bike you must bring a helmet. Don't forget your water bottle. Indicate on the registration form if you are bringing your own bike and helmet by placing YES next to the Off-Road Biking session.
Outdoor Adventures with Your Pet
Let your four-legged friend share in your adventures by properly training, outfitting and protecting your pet in the great outdoors.
Identify wilderness hazards and ways to avoid dangerous situations. Learn pet first aid, CPR and emergency treatments. Hands-on practice includes physical examination of a live dog, build your own first aid kit, applying splints and bandages and identifying toxic plants.
Outdoor Personal Protection
Defense from 2 and 4 legged predators using firearms, knives, sticks, chemicals and unarmed.
Outdoor Photography
Participants will learn techniques in selecting a location and setting up equipment. Special concerns for the nature photographer and other useful information for the beginning photographer will be covered. Tips will be given on how to use your photos to create unique items. NOTE: Bring your digital camera for hands-on experience during an outdoor photo session. Please bring the camera’s instruction manual.
Outdoor Women of the 1800's
Learn hands-on how to put up teepees and all the hard work that goes into it. Enjoy stories of how the true Outdoors-Woman was the Native American Indian woman.
Reading the Night Sky
Participants will learn how to identify constellations and the stories about them. They will learn what planets are out and some navigation tips by the stars and the moon. Activities include making and reading a 'planispere', making your flashlight night ready, how to remember what planet is out and when, and viewing and identifying constellations. This class will resume Friday night, after the evening entertainment, to visually identify constellations. Please bring a flashlight and binoculars if you have them.
Rifle MarksWomanship
Students will be coached in markswomanship techniques and have the opportunity to practice their shooting skills at a fully operable shooting range. Rifles are provided. Please do not bring yours. PREREQUISITE - Firearms and Firearm Safety Course or Certification in the Hunter Safety course.
Talking Turkey
Learn the biology and habits of wild turkeys and tips on photographing them. Practice executing calling techniques, learn the uses of camouflage, how to handle equipment, and how to set up a turkey hunt.
Those Dam Beavers
Check, discuss and set snares, conibear, and leg holds. Learn about beaver damage management and trapping. Dead beavers will be investigated and studied. You will travel to a beaver swamp to view a dam removal by use of explosives. Knee boots, preferably hip boots are required.
Where Am I?
Learn how a Global Positioning System (GPS) works, the terminology, and benefits. During field exercises you will navigate yourself to a specific destination. PREREQUISITE is Compass Skills class.
*Wood Duck Carving
Carve out your own duck and then bring it home. Learn about the best types of carving wood, wood duck coloration and habitat, proper equipment, and safety.This class has an additional fee of $10.00, payable at check-in (not with registration) to: Jim Robinson.