Order in the blind

For most hunters, their greatest memories from partaking in one of Louisiana’s most beloved sports consist of killing their first banded duck or finally bagging that buck of a lifetime. However, for Evangeline Parish Judge Chuck West, his most memorable moments have less to do with what he killed, and everything to do with having his children by his side for the hunt.
West said, “I’ve always hunted, but it wasn’t as big of a part of my life until in my 20s when I finished school, and then moved back to Evangeline Parish. It’s a part of the culture here, and I’m glad because it provided me with a way to get to spend more time with my kids.”
The 55-year-old judge, who is clothed in a black robe during the week, first began gearing up in camouflage as a teenager looking to kill rabbits in the Chataignier area where he was raised.
Once the sport of hunting became how West enjoyed family time, he transitioned from hunting small game as a teen to big game, which he has hunted in places that stretch from Whiteville, Louisiana to various parts of Texas.
Hunting deer in Texas is where some of West’s fondest memories of hunting deer with his son Owen and his daughter Erin were made.
West said, “My daughter killed a nice buck in Texas when she was nine-years-old, and when she went back to school they were talking about hunting. She told me that she heard all the little boys talking about how they can’t wait for the day when they can kill a buck.”
Laughing, West then said, “My daughter said to them, ‘I already did.’ That made me proud.”
When it comes to West’s son, one of his greatest hunting moments they shared was also during a hunting trip they made to Texas.
“Right before my son Owen went into the Navy, he and I were hunting in Texas and there was a deer that came out,” West said. “It was about 200 yards away, and he shot it right in the neck. He made a perfect shot from 200 yards away, and that was the big thing; the shot. It wasn’t the deer itself, but the actual shot because that was a very difficult shot. It was nice to get to experience that with him because that was his last hunt before he went into the Navy and became stationed in Japan. It was three years before he got to come home and do it again.”
Having those moments where he could watch his children succeed in the sport of hunting are special to West, but according to the lawman, hunting trips for him are not always about the kill.
West said, “Hunting for me is actually rarely about the kill. Yes, you are always excited when you kill your first antlered deer. I remember being excited to kill my first one, especially because it was an eight point, but what I enjoy more than that is just sitting and observing things like the beautiful sunrises and gorgeous valleys. The scenery can truly be amazing.”
One of the hunting trips that has provided West with one of the most unforgettable sceneries took place in a Missouri valley.
“The fog was so thick it was like you were inside of a cotton ball. We were sitting in a blind and you couldn’t see six inches out of the blind,” said West. “All of a sudden me and my son looked up and you could see little things sticking out of the fog, and we came to realize that it was the tops of trees we were seeing as the fog was beginning to settle.
“We sat quietly for about an hour just watching the fog dissipate. It was like we were just watching this picture unfold as more and more fog disappeared and more things could be seen. Eventually all of the fog was gone and we were staring at an unbelievable picture of the valley. It was so peaceful and quiet. To this day both me and my son list that as one of our most enjoyable hunts, and we didn’t kill anything. We actually didn’t even see a deer.”
It’s views like the Missouri valley, and well spent time making memories with his children that, according to the judge, will keep him hunting for many years to come.
West said, “I don’t necessarily enjoy the getting up early to hunt, but it’s all worth it when you get to make great memories with the people you are hunting with and you get to see just how beautiful God’s creation is. I plan on doing it for a long time. I did it with my kids, and I’m hoping to do it with my grandchildren one day too.”