With the duck season nearing the end of its 60-day run, it’s time to catch up on a variety of outdoors activities, some with approaching deadlines.

There’s a special place every year for the Governor's State Conservation Achievement Awards. This is the 54th year for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation to honor individuals and organizations for their respective contributions to our state.

The LWF has set a Feb. 5 deadline to submit nominations in eight categories, those being Professional, Volunteer, Business, Educator, Youth, Elected Official, Communicator and Organization.

While the focus is on accomplishments during 2017, there’s room for a lifetime of work in the nomination.

A nomination form can be found on the LFW’s website: lawildlifefed.org. for more info, call the LWF (225) 344-6707 or email: lwf@lawildilfed.org.

Award winners receive wildlife statuettes and will be presented March 17 at Boudreaux’s in Baton Rouge.

High school seniors

Ducks Unlimited has set a March 1 application deadline for graduating high school seniors to apply for 61 one-time scholarships in its inaugural national scholarship program.

There are three scholarship levels: Varsity at $500 each, Conservation at $1,000 each and the $10,000 National award.

Applicants need to be DU members and provide a high school transcript, their DU member/volunteer history, a list of any service or academic awards and “a letter of recommendation highlighting your involvement with DU and commitment to conservation,” along with a 300-word essay describing their most memorable outdoor experience and how that experience furthered their commitment to conservation.

After a review panel has decided the winners, a list of scholarships recipients will be sent to all applicants on or before April 15.

For details and to apply, go to the DU website: ducks.org/scholarship.

Turkey lottery

It’s not too early to beat the Feb. 9 deadline the LDWF Wildlife Division has set for hunters to apply for the upcoming spring turkey lottery hunts on state wildlife management areas.

Scheduled are youth lottery hunts on 11 WMAs and “regular” lottery hunts on nine more WMAs.

Applications for adult and youth hunters can be found on the LDWF website: wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts.

The website lists all dates and locations and how and where to submit applications.

White Lake fishing

There’s a Feb. 16 deadline for submitting applications for lottery applications for the 100 permits to fish the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area between March 15-Aug. 15.

If drawn, the permits will cost $40 for the WCA south of Gueydan in Vermilion Parish, and those drawn will get a map of the open and closed areas.

Boats are limited to outboards rated 40 horsepower or lower.

Applications can be mailed to: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Room 418, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, ATTN: White Lake Fishing. There’s a limit of one application per angler, and each application must include a $5 nonrefundable fee.

Applications are available on the LDWF website: wlf.louisiana.gov/refuge/lottery-applications.

For more info, call (225) 765-2812.

High school offer

Lew’s Fishing and the Future Fisherman Foundation are teaming to offer all high school fishing club and teams a chance to apply for rod-and-reel combos to help with equipment for their anglers.

Although the Lew's High School Product Grant Program runs through Sept. 30, it’s one of those sooner-than-later processes because the program will shut down after all product has been distributed.

According to Lew’s executive David May, there are three product-award levels, a 4, 8 or 12 Mach rod-and-reel combos (even split between baitcast and spinning) with product awarded according to club size, activities and conservation involvement. He said the program is funded from a portion of the sales of its Mach line of rods and reels.

The online application is on the Lew’s website: Lews.com, or you can go to: Futurefisherman.org.