BAYOU STATE
BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION

1995

In researching the accomplishments of our first two inductees, we could not help but unearth the history of Louisiana archery season. The Louisiana archery season, as we know it today, took several years to evolve.

Mr. Jack Bell (deceased) from Monroe, one of our first inductees, was instrumental in helping influence the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission establish a statewide archery season. As President of the Louisiana Field Archery Association, he was constantly corresponding with and petitioning our Commission and our Legislature; letting them know what the biologists were then discovering; that archery hunting provided recreational opportunity with no adverse effects on deer populations. Unfortunately for all of us, Mr Bell passed away in 1991. Mrs. Nanine Bell, Jack's wife, was in attendance at the 1995 Spring Fling Banquet and accepted the award on his behalf.

Our next distinguished inductee was Mr. Sterling Harrell, from Ruston. Also known as Mr. Longbow, Sterling was an organizer and leader of the Louisiana Bowhunters of The American Bowhunters Association back in 1960. Even then there was a national group dedicated to protecting the future of bowhunting. As president of the Ruston Archery Club, he was involved in numerous youth programs. Through his work with E. B. (Blue) Hogg, the Louisiana Tech Physical Ed. Director, he was influential in the development of the successful archery program at that school in the early 1960s. As a close personal friend Mr. Ben Pearson, he, Mr. Ben, and others traveled to a Wildlife and Fisheries hearing in Alexandria to speak and present a petition for a 30-day statewide season.

Louisiana's first archery season was in the fall of 1957-1958 with a seven (7) day bucks only season on the old Evangeline Wildlife Management Area. This was followed in 1958-59 by a fourteen (14) day bucks only season for that area only. The Jackson Bienville WMA was awarded a ten (10) day either-sex season in 1959-60. The trend was developing. Archery hunting for deer was expanding to more and more WMAs in Louisiana.

By the 1962-63 season significant changes had taken place in Louisiana Archery Season: either-sex deer could be taken in all areas declared open to deer hunting, including nearly all Wildlife Management Areas.

1999

At the 1999 Annual Spring Fling Banquet Harold & Nita Barnette were inducted into the Bowhunter Hall of Fame.

Individually and collectively, Harold and Nita are responsible for all that is this Association. Their values, leadership, commitment, dedication, and perseverance are woven through the fabric of what we stand for as an Association. Without them, it's hard to imagine that any of what we've accomplished in the past several years, would have even been remotely possible.

• The extension of the Archery Season
• The defeat of the Crossbow in the Legislature
• The defeat of the Drawlock Device before the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
• The parking lots that have been resurfaced on some of our WMAs and NWRs
• The monies that have been donated for Whitetail research
• The thousands of dollars that have been raised for conservation projects across the width and breadth of this State

It's simply not possible to overstate their role in the successes of this Association. But their involvement goes beyond the scope of this Association. Their ,commitment goes back nearly three decades to the early-1970's.

In the early `70's, under their tutelage, and through their influence, the original Louisiana Bowhunters Association (LBA) flourished and prospered. It wasn't until some years after having to leave the State to further careers, that the old LBA became defunct. But during their tenure, that association was strong and it prospered. This fact, further gives evidence to the leadership role they play in our own organization.

2005

The BSBA is pleased introduce you to a new inductee into the BSBA's Bowhunter Hall of Fame - Russell Lantier.

Russell has been a member of the Bayou State Bowhunters Association since 1992 and became a life member soon afterwards. He has served this Association in the roles of Advisor, District Advisor, Bowhunting Director and Association Director.

He has worked hand in hand with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He has testified countless times on behalf of the Louisiana Bowhunters before the Louisiana Legislature and the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission and has been instrumental in:

• The extension of the statewide archery season through January 31
• The defeat of legislative action that would have allowed crossbows for able bodied sportsmen The defeat of the drawlock device before the Wildlife & Fisheries Commission
• Under his leadership we generated thousands of dollars for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for reforestation projects on wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges across the State.

He is a member of the (PBS) Professional Bowhunters Society, Pope & Young Club, Louisiana Traditional Bowmen and many other State and National conservation groups.

Congratulations - Russell

2008

Mike Colvin
Bowhunter Hall of Fame

This award is also one that is not given on an annual basis.  In fact it is presented only on rare occasion.  It is given to a person who is first and foremost a bowhunter - but not just any bowhunter.  Only to a bowhunter who has demonstrated the most extraordinary commitment to the sport – in his values – in his ethics, in his dedication to the sport by giving of himself an extraordinary amount of time… of energy… and  of talent.

This person has been a member of numerous State and National Bowhunter organizations over the years.  He has served this organization in more capacities that we can enumerate.  He has made presentations and debated issues that directly affect us (as bowhunters) before our Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and before delegates at the Louisiana Wildlife Federation… in both friendly and in hostile environments.

He has traveled the width and breadth of this State attending meetings and provided input that has had direct impact on Louisiana bowhunters.  He has traveled the width and breadth of this State to work youth programs.  He has assisted the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries National Hunting and Fishing Day program more times than can be counted.  He has developed and implemented Conservation programs that will have positive impact on bowhunting in this state for years to come.

He’s a strong proponent of Bowhunter Education and has long, long been a Master Bowhunter Ed instructor and is probably responsible for issuing more bowhunter education certificates than any other one person in this State.  He is a past Association Director of this Association and has addressed us many times.   All of these things are not flash in the pan kinds of commitments.  These are things this gentleman has been doing for 20 years and more… some long before the inception of the BSBA.

Welcome Mike Colvin, to the Louisiana Bowhunter Hall-of-Fame.

We thank them for their leadership, their character... and their friendship.