The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission accepted notices of intent proposed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, outlining next year’s hunting season dates, rules and regulations.

Jimmy Anthony of the Wildlife Division presented the proposal to the commission at a recent meeting. The acceptance of the notices of intent by the commission is the first step to finalizing the rules, regulations and dates for the next hunting season.

The next 120 days will be open to allow for public comment and debate. During this time, LDWF will hold public meetings across the state.

The final ratification will come at the LWFC meeting slated for July 2. One of the main changes proposed was a delay in the opening of archery season in Area 6.

The delay is requested due to documented late rutting activity by deer in this area. The boundaries of Area 6 will also be changed if the proposal passes. A portion of Terrebonne Parish, currently in Area 7, would move to Area 6. This portion is the area north of Louisiana Highway 182 and east of the Houma Navigation Canal. Also, all of Avoyelles Parish, except the portion west of Interstate 49, would move to Area 6. In the new Area 6 portion of Avoyelles, only still hunting would be allowed north of Louisiana Highway 1 from Simmesport westward to Louisiana Highway 115 at Marksville, east to Louisiana Highway 115 from Marksville northward to the Red River near Moncla, south and west of the Red River to Louisiana Highway 1 at Simmesport.

Another change in hunting rules and regulations concerns the hunting of nutria. During waterfowl seasons, it is proposed that nutria hunters on Wildlife Management Areas only use shotguns, and may not use shot larger than BB lead or F steel. This proposal is expected to help increase safety by reducing the risk of ricochet from the use of rifles.

Also, during the gun deer seasons, nutria hunters would be required to display 400 square inches of “hunter orange” and wear a “hunter orange” hat or cap.

Regulations regarding the use of All Terrain Vehicles were also included in the proposals. They include limiting the legal limit on the size of ATVs to 750 pounds, 85 inches in length and 48 inches in width. The use of ATV’s would be prohibited from March 1 through Aug. 31, except on specified trails that provide access for fishing or other purposes.

Hunting guides and outfitters will no longer be allowed on WMAs, according to another suggested change. Recreational hunters have complained that competition from so-called “professional hunters” has discouraged them from participating.

Changes to WMA rules and regulations were also included in the notices brought before the commission.

Among them is the proposal to end the waterfowl lottery hunts on Yakey Tract at Red River WMA and the deer lottery on Buckhorn WMA. Yakey Tract would be open for hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The changes are designed to increase hunting opportunities at these sites. Also, Georgia Pacific WMA is to have its name changed to Plum Creek WMA. And hunters at Kisatchie National Forest would be required to follow “hunter orange” rules just as on WMAs.

These changes, and others, will be discussed at public meetings across the state and at the upcoming meetings of the LWFC. When the commission ratifies the rules, regulations and dates in July, they will be made available in pamphlets distributed by LDWF.