Pawpaw has 7 rules for chasing the Rougarou.
I have 1 rule for Pawpaw: Don’t.
But after 30 years of marriage and 3 grandkids who believe TikTok, I lost that fight somewhere between Vacherie and Honey Island Swamp.
I’m Tina, Certified Aromatherapist since 2013. In Pearl River, I’m just NanaTee. Pawpaw’s the one in the camo hat who thinks he’s Louisiana’s Steve Irwin.
These are his rules. Written down so I have evidence when he gets us lost again.
PAWPAW’S 7 RULES FOR CHASING LEGENDS - AS TOLD TO NANATEE
**RULE #1: NEVER GO AFTER DARK**
Pawpaw’s logic: “Rougarou hunt at night, sha.”
NanaTee translation: Pawpaw can’t see at night without his readers. Last time he tried, he walked into a cypress knee and blamed the Rougarou.
Buy this instead of night vision: OLIGHT BATON 3 PRO - Bright enough to blind a gator. And Pawpaw.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
**RULE #2: BRING MORE BUG SPRAY THAN GAS**
Pawpaw’s logic: “Rougarou hate DEET.”
NanaTee translation: Swamp mosquitoes carry off small dogs. The Rougarou is just confused and itchy. Pawpaw came home looking like a strawberry once.
Buy this: REPEL 100. 98.11% DEET. Swamp mosquitoes bite through jeans.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
**RULE #3: IF PAWPAW SAYS “I KNOW A SHORTCUT,” RUN**
Pawpaw’s logic: “I grew up here.”
NanaTee translation: He got lost for 3 hours in 2019. We found him by the interstate eating gas station boiled peanuts. The Rougarou was not impressed.
Buy this: SAWYER MINI WATER FILTER. For when “shortcut” = 2 hours with no water.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
**RULE #4: PACK GUMBO. ROUGAROU HATES GUMBO.**
Pawpaw’s logic: “It’s science.”
NanaTee translation: It’s lunch. He gets hangry by 11am. Hangry Pawpaw is scarier than any werewolf. Last time he forgot gumbo, he tried to eat my Thermacell.
Buy this: THERMACELL MR450. 15ft bubble of “no bugs” so you can eat gumbo in peace.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
**RULE #5: WEAR CAMO. ROUGAROU CAN’T SEE CAMO.**
Pawpaw’s logic: “It’s in the Discovery Channel.”
NanaTee translation: He owns 17 camo shirts. Zero are clean. The Rougarou sees you. So do the park rangers. And they ticket you for feeding gators.
Buy this instead: ADVENTURE MEDICAL KIT.5. For when Pawpaw trips over a root “the Rougarou put there.”
Shop it: [Link HERE]
**RULE #6: NEVER SAY “ROUGAROU” THREE TIMES**
Pawpaw’s logic: “It summons him.”
NanaTee translation: It summons your 8-year-old to have nightmares for a week. I said it twice during this blog and now the dog’s under the bed.
**RULE #7: THE ROUGAROU IS PROBABLY JUST PAWPAW’S COUSIN LARRY**
Pawpaw’s logic: “Larry’s been missing since ’98.”
NanaTee translation: Larry moved to Texas. He sends Christmas cards. The Rougarou doesn’t do Hallmark.
Buy this: Peace of mind.
Shop NanaTee’s full “Louisiana Roadtrip Essentials” [Link HERE]
WHY TRUST PAWPAW’S RULES?
You shouldn’t.
Trust my survival kit instead.
Pawpaw once tried to fight a Rougarou with a fly swatter. The Rougarou was actually a palmetto bush.
30 years in South Louisiana. I’ve survived Pawpaw, 4 hurricanes, and 3 Rougarou “expeditions.”
This kit got us home safe every time. With pictures. And no bug bites.
NANATEE’S ACTUAL RULE #1: LISTEN TO YOUR NANA
1. Don’t go after dark.
2. Spray everything.
3. Bring water.
4. Tell someone where you’re going.
5. If you hear banjos, you’re not in Louisiana anymore.
YOUR TURN
What’s the dumbest thing your Pawpaw ever did “for the legend”?
Team Rougarou or Team Cousin Larry? Fight in the comments. Winner gets Pawpaw’s secret boudin "hole in the wall" eating stop.
With love, a little DEET, and zero patience for shortcuts,
NanaTee
P.S. Pin this for the next time Pawpaw says “hold on.” You’ll need the medical kit.
P.P.S. Full Rougarou Survival Kit Link HERE
Important Note:
Honey Island Swamp has real gators, snakes, and Pawpaws who think they’re tour guides. Stay on trails. Don’t feed wildlife. Don’t feed Pawpaw after 8pm. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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