Calling all young hunters in Louisiana: the stage is set for the 2025 Youth Hunter of the Year award, and your tales of hunting adventure could snag you not only state recognition but also some nifty prizes. This annual accolade, hosted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), celebrates the passion, joy, and fellowship found in the cherished tradition of hunting. So if you're 15 or younger and bagged game—or just enjoyed a striking sunrise in the stand—during this calendar year, consider throwing your camo hat in the ring.
For those youngsters keen to follow in the footsteps of last year's champs, Caroline Ellerbe of Wisner and Kaiden Scarborough of Haynesville, you've got till January 30, 2026, to submit your entry; you need a filled application form, a short story of your hunting escapade penned by yourself, and some photographic mementos of the time spent amidst nature’s expanse, be it in triumph or merely the peace of the wilds, the competition is not about the harvest it's about the experience. Winners will be honored with a plaque and a gift card and get to bask in the limelight at LWF’s 60th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards banquet come April 2026, but even participants who don't nab the top spot get a shot at a $100 gift card just for joining in.
For context on the organizations behind this contest, the LWF boasts more than 11,000 members and continues a decades-long mission as a voice for the state’s wildlife and natural resources, as reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. They're joined by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF), which's pitching their own conservation effort—an inaugural raffle offering participants the chance to win a $60,000 Chevy Silverado, with proceeds aiding LDWF's habitat, research, and education endeavors. Details and official rules are a click away for those of age, available at the LAWFF website.
The competition highlights the enthusiasm of young hunters in Louisiana and the longstanding outdoor traditions they help preserve. Organizers note that the event aims to encourage the next generation of outdoorsmen and women, who are not only participating in a pastime but continuing a cultural legacy that has been passed down through generations.
