1. Trophy deer don't get that way by being stupid but, during the rut, using some Tink's 69 Doe Scent can greatly increase your odds of a successful hunt. Before hunting season, I collect medicine bottles stuffed with cotton balls. When heading to the woods I pour the Tink's in the bottles, on the cotton. On my way to the stand, I strategically place three or four bottles about three feet up from the ground around the area. Believe me -- if a buck smells it -- he's coming to you.

2. My weapon of choice for deer hunting is a Browning 30-06 outfitted with a 2x7 Leopold scope. This riffle makes a great ladies gun. It's not too heavy but, has the knock down power needed when hunting big deer, without the kick.

HUNTING IN SOUTHERN LOUISIANA

Along with a professional angling career comes a lot of stress and high stimulation. In addition to the travel schedule and actual tournaments, there are shows to work and seminars to produce. During my rare times off, I enjoy hunting and the tranquility that comes with being in the woods.

If there is such a thing as "Heaven on Earth" - I may have found it. Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, between Natchez, MS, and Videlia, LA, is an island known as Glascock. Esperance Plantation is a 2000 acre section of Glascock Island that was worked by slave labor, before and during the civil war. The entire levee system, much of which still exist today, was built by hand. Hunting relics from that time period can quickly become an adventure in itself.

"The Plantation" was originally purchased for hunting, about six years ago. It has since become a year round retreat, offering so much more than just great hunting opportunities. Since the season runs from October to February, which happens to coincide with the off season of tournament fishing, this is where you'll find me in the winter months. There is no greater therapy than sitting in a deer stand, just as day breaks, watching the woods come to life.

With all shareholders of "the Plantation" being big on conservation, every hunter practices deer management with the harvesting of only mature bucks. On this heavily wooded, river bottom land, live some big deer. The best bucks usually come during the rut. Some have scored as well as 150-180 class B&C. The rut is the short time most females are in estrous and receptive to breeding. The bucks are well aware of this and begin to act differently, sometimes even getting careless.

After hunting season closes, the riffles are cleaned and stored, we turn to other things to be enjoyed in the woods. Most of the pits and ponds are busting with crawfish just waiting to be netted. The fishing in the river starts to heat up about this time, also. After a morning of fishing, we like to go trail riding on the four wheelers. Getting off the beaten path and getting stuck in a mud pit is the objective and often the most dirtiest clean fun you can imagine.

An evening crawfish boil or fish fry will follow. More times than not, there's a bon fire burning long before darkness comes. It's usually just at dusk that the geese and ducks start coming in to roost for the night. This is my favorite time of the day. It's never more clear to me how fortunate I am to have such a place to unwind and recharge.