Captains Meeting Sets the Stage for a Successful Tournament

The captains meeting brings together landowners, team leaders and veteran partners a week before the hunt. It is a quiet gathering where everyone reviews the schedule, confirms the number of hogs expected, and makes sure the day’s goals are clear.

Safety is the first item on the agenda. Leaders walk the fields, mark any hazards, and agree on communication signals. They also set the boundaries for each team, decide where dogs can be released, and confirm that every hunter has the required gear and a working radio.

The meeting is also where veteran pairings are finalized. Each hunting team is assigned a veteran, and the captains discuss any special accommodations, transportation needs, and ways the day can support the veteran’s wellbeing. Knowing that about 23 veterans a day are lost to suicide nationwide, the organizers treat these pairings as a chance to build camaraderie and give a sense of purpose.

Finally, the group reviews the impact of the hogs on the region. With feral hogs causing about 76 million dollars of agricultural damage in Louisiana each year, the tournament’s harvest and the donated meat help protect farms and feed families. The captains leave the meeting with a shared commitment to hunt responsibly, honor the veterans, and give back to the community.