Captains Meet: Setting the Plan Before the Hunt

The captains meeting is the first step in each year’s tournament. Team leaders gather with veterans, volunteers and organizers to review the goals of the event, confirm safety protocols and ensure every participant understands the shared responsibilities. The conversation starts with a reminder that feral hogs cause about 76 million dollars of agricultural damage in Louisiana each year, and that the hunt also serves as a chance to bring veterans together in a supportive setting.

Safety is the top agenda item. Captains decide on hunting boundaries, set clear rules for firearm use, and assign first‑aid points on the field. They also pair each hunting crew with a veteran, confirming that the veteran’s comfort level and any medical considerations are addressed before anyone heads out.

Logistics for the weigh‑in, skinning and donation process are finalized next. Captains agree on the location of the weigh‑stations, the timing for hog processing, and the method for sorting meat to food kitchens, families in need and the veterans themselves. Detailed record‑keeping plans are set so that every hog is accounted for and the contributions can be reported accurately.

Finally, the meeting reinforces the community purpose of the tournament. Organizers remind participants that about 23 veterans a day are lost to suicide in this country, and that the event’s proceeds support Fredrick Hebert VFW Post 4158, Hero Hunts and other veteran assistance programs. By aligning hunting goals with outreach and support, the captains ensure the day is about more than hog control-it’s about giving back and building lasting bonds.