MAGAZINE ARTICLES
Dr. Juan C. Levesque, Fishery Biologist, has written feature articles for
several popular outdoor sports magazines like Florida Sportsman; he enjoys writing about his outdoor passions. Through creative writing, he attempts to connect with with his readers by giving first hand
experience of a species or an exhilarating adventure. Dr. Levesque educates his readers and emphasizes his passion for the outdoors and the creatures he loves to pursue with his rod and reel or
bow and arrow, such as his first black bear bowhunting trip to La Crete, Alberta, Canada or the time he chased goats on the side of a mountain near Honolulu, Hawaii. His motto is Life's
Short...Fear Nothing, Hunt Hard!
Feature Magazine Articles:
- Fish are Listening All Over Florida Sportsman Magazine. November 2021 54-57.
- Summer Fishing's a Breeze Florida Sportsman Magazine. June 2021 56-61.
- Hunting the Miami Flats Florida Sportsman Magazine. August 2020 60-63.
- Patterning African Pompano Florida Sportsman Magazine. June 2020 40-43.
- The Ray Connection Florida Sportsman Magazine. February 2019 34-40.
- Maverick Marathoners: Big bluewater sharks on the rise, or just passing through? Florida Sportsman Magazine. December 2018 34-37.
- On the Trail of Permit. Florida Sportsman Magazine. April 2018. 6 pp.
- Call me Old Fashioned. Florida Sportsman Magazine. April 2018. 1 pp.
- School of Fish. Florida Sportsman Magazine. May 2016. 6 pp.
- Ladies Day. Florida Sportsman Magazine. May 2015. 4 pp.
- Gladiator: Broadbill Swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Florida Sportsman Magazine. September 2014. 4 pp.
- Stalking Sailfish. Florida Sportsman Magazine. February 2014. 4 pp.
- Close Encounters of the South African Kind. Texas Bowhunter’s Journal. November/December 2012. 7 pp.
- Texas Mountain High: Bowhunting Exotic Rams in the Texas Hill Country. Texas Lone Star Bowhunting Journal. 2012. 35: 2. 3 pp.
- Hotter ‘N Hell Boars. Texas Bowhunter’s Journal. May/June 2012. 4 pp.
- Liv’n on the Edge: Goats in Paradise. Texas Bowhunter’s Journal. March/April 2012. 5 pp.
- Boats, Broadheads, and Bears. Texas Bowhunter’s Journal. January/February 2012. 7 pp.
- 10 Deadly Sins of Bowhunting. Texas Lone Star Bowhunting Journal. January 2009: 4 pp.
Gladiator: Swordfish Life Cycle
As a Fishery Biologist working aboard commercial fishing vessels back in the 1990s, I can still remember the first broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) I saw captured in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Besides its brilliant, radiant blue color, I remember becoming instantly fascinated by the swordfish’s bill; it’s no wonder why Linnaeus named it after the Latin word for sword, gladius, back in 1758.
From the perspective of a modern sportfisherman, “gladiator of the sea” is a great way to describe the swordfish: a powerful, determined fighter, capable of astonishing runs and leaps. And the fact is, science tells us these fish are fighters from day one.
Stalking Sailfish
One of the most thrilling tactics to use for Atlantic sailfish is to spot-and-stalk them at the surface. Providing ideal habitat for Atlantic sailfish, the crystal clear turquoise waters off Islamorada is a premier destination to hunt these magnificent billfish at the surface.
Rising 41 m (136 ft) above the water, Alligator Reef light (24° 51′ 6″ N, 80° 37′ 6″ W) is one of the most famous navigational aids in the Florida Keys. Located about four nautical miles east of Indian Key; Alligator Reef light is considered the gateway to blue water heaven among dire hard avid offshore anglers. For many local, regional, and international saltwater anglers, the waters off the structure are a premier fishing destination and access point for those pursuing highly migratory (blue marlin, tuna, swordfish, and sailfish) and coastal pelagic (dolphin, kingfish, and wahoo) species. Built in 1873, Alligator Reef Light has an extensive history for the Sunshine State and its residents, especially offshore anglers. For my wife, Frances, and her family (sister: Helen; parents: George and Charlotte), fishing off Alligator Reef light had always been a special and traditional family outing, so it was no surprise to the sisters that their parent’s wanted their remains spread off the famous beacon when they passed.
Ladies'
Day
Working as Fishery Biologist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) during the mid-1990s, I helped collect valuable fisheries data on juvenile fish populations throughout Florida. During my time with FDEP, I became intrigue with ladyfish because they have a unique early life-history. For many fish, the journey to adulthood is somewhat basic in terms of early life development, but as you will read, ladyfish go through a specialized metamorphosis period.
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Livin' on the Edge: Goats in Paradise
O'ahu, Hawaii is home to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. The island is famous for its beaches, world-class surfing, scuba diving, and offshore fishing. Generally, bowhunting is not one of those outdoor activities that come to mind when you think of Hawaii. However, despite this misconception, the island has various exotic species that the adventurous bowhunter can easily pursue with an over the counter permit.
Close Encounters of the South African Kind
Africa is known for its rich cultural, social, and natural history. The bible doesn't specifically state when or where God created mankind, but much of the scientific and archaeological evidence suggests that the origin of man and archery was in Africa.
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