Featured photo by Glynn Harris: “The crowd that ultimately maxed out the capacity of the Ruston Civic Center begins to take seats for the 10th Annual Whitetails Unlimited banquet.”
The dream of one man was the trigger point for the formation of one of the most successful fund raising events this area has ever seen. That man is Glenn Scriber.
“I was sitting on my couch one Sunday afternoon checking my computer for anything having to do with whitetail deer and the site, Whitetails Unlimited popped up,” said Scriber.
“There was a name and phone number of the state representative for Whitetails Unlimited, Brian Andrews in Jena so on a whim, I decided to give him a call. Andrews told me that coincidentally, he had Ruston on the radar for a site for a future chapter.”
Quoting an often used expression, the rest is history.
The first banquet was held ten years ago and this writer attended to check out this new kid on the block. I have been to annual fund raising banquets for several other worthwhile and valuable groups and have been impressed that this area supports the efforts of these groups
Frankly, I have never attended one that featured the enthusiasm and burst of energy of that first one of Whitetails Unlimited. In fact, the following year, the president and founder of Whitetails Unlimited flew down from national headquarters in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to present the local chapter with awards, citing the local group for proceeds raised by a new organization, focus on youth and banquet attendance which, incidentally, maxed out the capacity of the Ruston Civic Center several years in a row.
A couple of weeks ago, the Lincoln Parish Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited met for its 10th annual banquet and like the nine previous banquets, the level of energy and enthusiasm this year had not been dampened at all.
Different members have directed the banquet each year and this year, it was Brandon Williams’ turn.
“I put together a team of local folks who had the same commitment as I did to make it work again as it has over the past ten years,” said Williams.
The question has to be asked; why is the Whitetails Unlimited banquet been so successful for the past decade?
Both Scriber and Williams believe one reason is the commitment of the guys who work tirelessly on the committee to produce such successful results. Another reason has to do with the critter being honored, the whitetail deer. There are probably more deer hunters in north Louisiana than those passionate about hunting turkeys, squirrels or waterfowl.
The big kicker, though, may have to do with the way proceeds from Whitetail Unlimited banquets work. Half the proceeds raised stay right here in the community to assists such groups as the 4-H club shooting team, Cross Trail Outfitters and those physically challenged youngsters participating in med-camps.
Final figures are in for the 2025 banquet that reveal that some 400 enthusiasts attended, which was the largest crowd since the 2020 banquet. Funds raised totaled around $75,000, half of which stay right here in the community.
“If you want to be successful in such an endeavor,” said Scriber, “surround yourself with quality people who are not going to be satisfied with mediocracy.”
If you really want to know what enthusiasm and high energy really feel like, you don’t need to chugalug a power drink. You should plan now to attend next year’s Whitetails Unlimited banquet. I guarantee you’ll feel it.