John K. Flores: A look back at hunting and fishing in 2023

In late December and early January, I’m always intrigued by what the top stories were from the previous year, and that goes for local, state and national news.
It occurred to me that I’ve never looked back and thought about what some of the top “outdoor” stories were and how I would rank them. Essentially, ranking them would be difficult for me. For example, how would I rank a young person’s first deer that may be a doe, to a seasoned hunter who just killed a 10-point buck that gross scored 150 Boone & Crockett?
Sure the 10-point would get a lot of attention, but there’s really nothing quite like the excitement that comes from a kid who harvested their first deer. I rank that first deer right up there with the 10-point as far as emotions go. So, keeping in mind there is no specific ranking as I look back on 2023, here are some of the top stories that I think are worth noting.
2023 appeared to be the year of the big bass on Toledo Bend, when back in mid-February, Houston resident Bill Cook set the new Toledo Bend Lake record when he landed a 15.67 pound largemouth bass. Toledo Bend is known for big bass and the Toledo Bend Lake Association runs a “Lunker Bass” Program, where any angler who catches and releases a largemouth 10 pounds or more receives a replica of their fish to commemorate the achievement.
In the June 2022 to June 2023 year, there were 56 10-plus pound “lunker” largemouth bass caught on Toledo Bend. Since early December, in the current June 2023 to June 2024 period, there have been 11 big bass caught. None have come close to Cook’s Toledo Bend Lake record.
Another top story that should be included is the change in spotted seatrout (more commonly known as speckled trout) size and creel limits that went into effect on Nov. 20.
Following spotted trout stock assessments, which noted a decline in spawning numbers since 2009 that ultimately was reflected in harvest rates, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries took action in 2023 to reduce some of the impact on this species. The new regulations include placing a daily creel limit of 15 speckled trout on licensed anglers with a slot length of 13 to 20 total inches in length of which only two fish can be over 20 inches in total length.
When considering the new regulations, a daily limit of 15 speckled trout, down from 25, isn’t too cumbersome in reality. The LDWF makes note on their website in the area of the state from the Texas border to the Mermentau River (which includes Sabine and Calcasieu lakes), which has a bag limit of 15 trout, with no more than two exceeding 25 inches, 94% of angler trips harvest 10 fish or less.
Also, back in November, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to hold a Louisiana black bear season sometime in December of this year. Currently, there’s a period asking for public input, but unless something changes it will be the first time Louisianans will have an opportunity to hunt black bears since 1987.
The planned hunt will take place in northeast Louisiana and will be limited to 10 lottery permits. Additionally, the regulations are designed to minimize the potential harvest of female black bears and cubs weighing 75 pounds or less.
Another popular game fish that received a lot of attention this past year is the Red Drum, aka redfish. Redfish became a controversial subject when the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued its Notice of Intent to drastically change the creel and size limits for this species.
The current regulations allow anglers to keep five redfish between 16 and 27 inches, with one fish over 27 inches.
LDWF biological data has indicated that the spawning potential ratio has trended downward since 2005 primarily due to overfishing. As a result, the LDWF recommended a minimum reduction of 35% total harvested weight to possibly rebuild the SPR by 2050.
During the first week of December 2023, the LWFC amended their initial Notice of Intent and proposed the red drum size limit be adjusted to an 18- to 27-inch slot size limit, with a three fish per day creel limit. A one-time public hearing on the changes will be held Jan. 22 in Baton Rouge.
Like with other news, there are people in the outdoor community that pass away who for their contributions whether to wildlife, the environment, or promoting good causes should be recognized. Local business man Anthony “A.J.” Cannata was one of those who passed away at the age of 69 on Nov. 22, 2023.
A month earlier, I had gone to lunch with A.J. and we talked about what the impact of the new redfish regulations was going to have on the redfish category in next year’s Morgan City Open Fishing Rodeo. I honestly didn’t know Cannata very well, but I wish I did. It was several years ago when I was asked if I’d be willing to volunteer to be the fishing rodeo’s weigh master that I was first introduced to him.
The MCOFR, according to his obituary, was an accomplishment that he took little credit for. For the past 11 years, the fishing rodeo and golf tournament that runs in conjunction with it have created proceeds in excess of $160,000. The money has gone to scholarships and support to students who attend South Louisiana Community College and Nicholls State University as well as other charitable causes, including the local Boy Scouts organization.
Hopefully, the rodeo and golf tournament will continue in A.J.’s absence.
Every year somewhere in the state someone shoots a really big buck. Big deer normally are taken in the northern parishes, but every once in a while a good one will be harvested in the coastal parishes.
Just before Christmas, Chase Sonier and his father Ronald Sonier, were hunting deer on their private property in Lafourche Parish. They had been seeing a very large deer on their trail cameras, but couldn’t get access to their property due to a marsh fire near Houma.
Finally, on Sunday morning, Dec. 17, the two Schriever hunters were able to get on their deer stands. Around 9:30 a.m., the younger Sonier shot the buck they’d been seeing on their trail cameras.
It turned out to be a 14-point behemoth of a buck that unofficially gross scored 189 Boone & Crockett and will probably shuffle some of the deer standings in the state record book.
Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year, with hopes you’ll find great adventures in the outdoors this coming year!
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.