By Jack M. Willis
Journal Correspondent

Hold on! There is hope for landowners, both large and small, which in the sixties cleared bottomlands to plant and promotes the raising of $10.00 bushel soybeans. Their intentions and labors were indeed honorable. They were going to enrich their own coffers, and feed the whole world at the same time. There were several drawbacks in their planning and subsequent implementation. For one thing, the soybean market was soon glutted. Still, $6.00 beans are to be hoped for, but at present is a thing of the past. And untold thousands of acres of pristine hardwood forests, which had taken centuries to mature, were destroyed forever. These marginal soils laid bare were, and still are, too poor nutrient-wise to promote the growth of anything but hardwood timber and resultant wildlife habitat. As one old seasoned veteran of the soybean revolution near Hebert, La. so succinctly put it, "Why this old dirt is so pore, you can't even raise a flag on it!"

But, there is help on the horizon! A group has banded together to form a membership called the Delta Outdoors and Wildlife Association. These individuals, from the financial and educational community, have agonized over the negative results of massive land clearing, and resultant crop failures for years. So they have decided that these marginal lands, so irresponsibly managed for decades, should receive a reprieve, and be returned to the purposes originally intended by the Creator. Their objects and aims are to develop, promote, and execute programs that are in the best interests of the land owners and resource user. They also intend to promote and develop all areas of the defined geographic area in order to stimulate economic enterprise growth, and maintain a political position with the elected officials at all levels of Federal, State and Parish government. Their prime objective is to promote research-based information in the development and conservation of wildlife habitat on these marginal lands in the well-defined geographic regions.

The Delta Outdoors and Wildlife Association has already successfully registered with the La. Secretary of State, the Honorable Fox McKeithen. And they have duly elected an interim slate of officers. They are Interim President Howard Gryder; Interim Vice President, Howard Dee Smith; and Interim Treasurer, David Paulk. Board members are Wes Newman, Wade Buskin and Larry Foster.

Memberships to the new organization fall into three categories. General-$25.00 per year dues; Provider- $100.00 per year dues; and Corporate-Featuring three levels, $1,000; $3,000; $5,000 / yr. General- This is an open membership for individuals and businesses with an interest in natural resource development, resource sustainability, and / or concerned with regional economic growth. Benefits include an annual meeting with meal and entertainment. There is a quarterly newsletter containing current articles of interest, i. e...private property rights issues, resource management information, results of on-going technical demonstrations and current research, tourism, and economic growth developments. There will also be a constantly updated listing of recreational activities and sites in the area.

*Provider - This level is for any person, group or business engaged in providing products or services for profit and enriching the experiences enjoyed by visitors. Examples: Restaurants, motels, bait stands, stores, outfitters, guides, repair services, landowners providing leasing, etc. The Provider receives all the benefits of general membership, and the name of business or individual, and contact information and services offered will be displayed in a written promotional brochure issued by the association. The association's home web page includes products or services, contact information and other essential provider information.

*Corporate - These three levels of membership are available (details upon request) to any business /corporation engaged in providing services or products for profit. Also financial and material supporters of the Delta Outdoors and Wildlife Association and related activities are welcome. The Corporate membership will consist of all of the benefits of general and provider memberships, plus packaged hunts and activities will be made available to corporate memberships or designees. Package stature will be dependent upon membership level.

According to reliable information compiled in a recent treatise by A. Denise Coolman of the LSU Ag Center, some of the goals of the Association are already being attained. She states that David Paulk; one of the board members has already incorporated over 11,00 acres of his property into wildlife management. He has opened up the land to visitors for hunting and fishing. Also, according to Ms. Coolman, Wes Newman, another board member is making noises also with his developments. He's invested 450 acres of land with ponds with rice and added 36,000 lbs. of crayfish to the rice crop. He's placed duck blinds in the ponds for hunters. Newman has even added a web site for his operations. All very interesting information; thanks to Ms. Coolman.

In discussing the new organization's goals and purposes with the Interim President Howard Gryder, he related an incident of particular significance. He was also quoting from Ms. Coolman's research. He related that three hunters came from North Carolina to hunt on a lease, which cost them $300 per hunter for three days. On the way to the lease located in Catahoula Parish, they stopped at a local Wal-Mart and spent in excess of $600 on shells, clothing, hip boots, etc. It doesn't take a borderline genius to figure that these three individuals pumped over $3300 worth of "new" money into the local economy in just three days. The projected results of a network of these recreational facilities are staggering in terms of income. This one scenario is an apt illustration of what can be done with fallow, marginal land worth the sum of nothing to a disgruntled landowner.

One of the driving forces behind this new program is Steve Hotard, a LSU AgCenter forester. He has worked hand in hand with David Neal, Catahoula Parish county agent to get the afore mentioned projects in place and operational. To say that they are excited with the preliminary results is an understatement.

The new organization, Delta Outdoors and Wildlife Association is alive and well. At the present they are designing their new web site for the Internet. It should go on line in January according to the President Howard Gryder. He states in closing, "If you're a land owner and have lands with marginal soils, unproductive, and once covered in hardwoods, you might be a prime candidate for a financial bonanza by obtaining membership in "Natural Resource-Based Enterprise Initiative". This program is the brainchild of Hotard and demonstrates to landowners methods of blending moneymaking endeavors with preservation of natural resources. Hotard may be contacted at (318) 644-5865 or email shotard@agcenter.lsu.edu .

There is light at the end of the soybean tunnel and it's a profitable membership in Delta Outdoors and Wildlife Association. Hurry and join up! You'll be glad you did, and your pocket book will soon know the difference.

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