A New Iberia outdoorsman was more than ready when opportunity rang. It didn’t knock, as the tried and true saying goes.
With his opening day Louisiana black bear hunt delayed by heavy rainfall until approximately 10 a.m. on Dec. 6, Lannie Buteau was more than a little anxious when he finally sat with his back against a tree on his 600-acre lease in St. Mary Parish. He could see the broad back of a bear in the distance but wasn’t in position for a solid, ethical shot with the Browning 7mm rifle he has used on deer hunts since around 2000.
The 65-year-old Jeanerette native, however, forgot to turn off his cellphone. He tried to call a longtime friend, Jacques Hebert of Patoutville, to alert him he was on his way to hunt bear and might need help if successful, but there was no answer. Buteau also notified Louisiana Black Bear Program personnel as required before finally starting his hunt at approximately 10:30 a.m. It was a 300- to 400-yard walk in hunter orange to the spot he chose…