La. Considering Legalizng Air Gun Hunting, Much More

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted notices of intent for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 hunting seasons, 2023-24 general and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) hunting seasons and rules and regulations, 2024 general and WMA turkey hunting season and rules and regulations and 2023-24 migratory bird hunting season and rules and regulations at its January meeting Thursday (Jan. 5) in Baton Rouge.

The notices of intent include proposed hunting season dates and regulation changes from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) for the upcoming hunting seasons and provide for a public comment period.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• Deer Area 5 and 9 language change to with or without dogs season;
• Adding pre-charged pneumatic devices, air guns that fire projectiles such as arrows or bolts, as allowable gear for hunting exotics and deer;
• Clarifying language on hunting/discharging firearms on LDWF WMA public roads;
• Establishing a limited access area on Pomme de Terre WMA;
• Addition of night time raccoon hunting on Bodcau WMA;
• Night time closure of certain activities on Bussey Brake WMA;
• Addition of either-sex deer days on Joyce and Maurepas WMAs;
• Converting primitive firearms either-sex days to modern firearm either-sex days on Little River WMA;
• Establishing a two-day youth turkey lottery on Pearl River WMA;
• Closure of turkey season on Richard K. Yancey WMA;
• Establishing a two-day youth turkey hunt on Sandy Hollow WMA;
• Closure of turkey season on Sherburne WMA;
• Reduction of seven days of modern firearms either-sex, seven days of bucks only and four days of primitive firearms either-sex hunting on Sherburne WMA. Removal of the general turkey lottery and proposing a nine-day open season on Tunica Hills WMA;
• Moving parts of Franklin, Madison, Richland and Tensas Parishes from Turkey Area A to Turkey Area C;
• Mottled duck season and bag limit change;
• WMA and LDWF leased field dove hunting shooting hours will be same as outside.

To view the full notice of intent, all regulation changes and proposed hunting dates for the upcoming hunting seasons, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items.

Public comment will be accepted through 4 p.m. on March 2, 2023. It will also be accepted at LWFC monthly meetings from now through March 2. Comments may be submitted directly to Tommy Tuma, LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA. 70898-9000 or 225-765-2349 or by e-mail at ttuma@wlf.la.gov.

LDWF will also hold a public meeting to be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Tommy Tuma at 225-765-2349 or ttuma@wlf.la.gov.