Living by the Seasons in South Louisiana
by Kimberly Morand
Living off the land has been a part of our culture since the early days of hunting and gathering. Both fishing and trapping have sustained the lives of many families. And in the Deep South, part of this tradition continues to live through the people of our time.
Tom Billiot, maintains this tradition in the small town of Pointe-aux-Chenes, Louisiana, on the Gulf of Mexico south of New Orleans. Billiot, was raised in the South where he learned to hunt, trap, and fish at an early age. As his full time job, he is a boat Captain for Cypress Swamp Tours at Bayou Signette, Westwego, LA. When he is not working, he spend his days on the banks of the Louisiana. Here he operates a side business in commercial fishing, which helps support his family.
Billiot is what is referred to as a small-time commercial fisherman because he does not go out for weeks at a time on large fishing vessels that yield high profits. Instead, he works from his homedock yielding smaller gains, but spending more time with his family.
He operates his business by “living by the seasons,” the way our ancestors did. This means that he only harvests from the land and water the riches that they give, that are both in season and bountiful. He is very serious about following the guidelines set forth in The Farmer’s Almanac, a perennial classic created in 1818. It contains information on planting and gardening, best times for fishing, timely household tips, and weather forecasts.
Billiot said he likes living in Pointe-aux-Chenes, away from city life, in a place where he feels his family is safe and where he is able to enjoy the simple life of a small community. It is here in this small town that he and his family enjoy the riches of the land that are born in the bayou and the marshes of Louisiana.
