A brother-and-sister team were recently named the 2013 Louisiana Male and Female Youth Hunters of the Year (YHOY) at the 2014 Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) Conference in Houma on Aug. 9. Chloe Slayter, of Pineville, received the award for the 2013 Female YHOY and her brother, Jay Chase Slayter, received the award for the 2013 Male YHOY. The brother and sister team received their awards from Rebecca Triche, executive director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF).
LWF is one of the sponsors of the YHOY Program along with the South Louisiana Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association, the Louisiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Harrison Law LLC, the BR Chapter of Delta Waterfowl and Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge.
Previously honored as 2012 Female YHOY, Chloe last year harvested a huge 14-point buck in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area.
In 2013, during the youth lottery hunt on Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Chloe was escorted by her uncle, Billy Porche. Her short story submitted to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' (LDWF) Youth Hunter Registry Program described the hunt as a cold, windy day that evolved from a morning during which no deer were sighted.
Chloe drew stand number two, her favorite number, for the evening hunt. The weather conditions were still not too favorable for hunting, but Chloe was certain stand number two was going to bring her success. At 4:20 p.m., a buck appeared within range and the veteran hunter raised her rifle, aimed and fired. Once the excitement of the shot was over, Chloe and her uncle went to look for the deer she knew she'd hit cleanly. In a short time, Chloe had her hands on another monster buck. This time it was an 11- point, 210 pound buck with a 17- and 5/8-inch inside spread.
In her narrative, Chloe spoke highly of all the NWR personnel involved with the youth hunt, stating that she fully understands how much work goes into these programs and that she was very thankful that she was able to participate.
Chase Slayter was selected as the 2013 Male YHOY for his participation in the East Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Catahoula Lake. Chase and his two friends were guided on the hunt by his dad, Jay Slayter. Chase's hunting story described a very foggy morning and quite challenging boat ride to the blind. But his group arrived safely and in a short time the decoys were made ready, the hunters were in the blind, and the ducks were everywhere.
The three young hunters limited out that morning with pintail drakes being the duck of the day. It was an exciting hunt for Chase because both he and his dad were doing the calling and the ducks that day were very responsive to their calls.
Catahoula Lake is known nationally as a waterfowl area of importance. LDWF manages the lake to enhance the aquatic plant species that ducks eat and this lake generally provides excellent waterfowl hunting each fall. Many young hunters get their start on Catahoula Lake.
"Those of us who are involved with the Youth Hunter of the Year Program salute the Slayter family for keeping the Louisiana hunting tradition alive," said David Moreland, YHOY Program co-coordinator. "The goal of the program is to get the youths in the woods hunting and to keep them hunting as they become adults. No doubt Chloe will be a lifetime hunter."
The two winners received plaques recognizing their achievement and a gift card from Bowie Outfitters. The 2014 YHOY competition started during the 2014 spring turkey season and continues when the 2014-15 dove season begins in September. LDWF and LOWA encourage all youth hunters, 15 years old or younger, to participate in the Youth Hunter Registry Program and the Youth Hunter of the Year Program.
Image by David Moreland.
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