HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE SCHEDULED

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and local volunteers are sponsoring hunter education courses in your community. Anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1969 must take this course before purchasing a hunting license at age sixteen. The course is free to the public and anyone 10 years and older can be certified for life in all 50 states. Participation the entire length of course is mandatory and tardiness is grounds for dismissal. The two courses in Terrebonne Parish is set for July 16-17 and July 30-31 from 7:30-4:30 all days at the sheriffs rifle range, savanne road in Houma.

BOWHUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM SET

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with local bow hunter instructors will be sponsoring a NBEF bow hunter education course. Bow hunters are required to have completed this course to hunt on federal lands such as Mandalay, or Tensas National Wildlife refuges. These will be the only two courses available in this area, so be there if you intend on hunting these areas. Also, if you want to become a knowledgeable bow hunter, this is the course for you. The course is free and open to the public. Items you will need to bring include: bow and arrows, bug repellant, rubber boots, rain gear and something to write with. NOTE: THESE TWO COURSES ARE SCATTERED IN SUCH A WAY, AS THE 7 & 7 WORKERS WILL CATCH ONE OF THESE COURSES. Courses are both at the Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s rifle range on savanna road in Houma. Dates are Aug. 12-13 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. till noon on Saturday. The second course is set for September 16 &18, 6 p.m. till 10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. till noon on Sunday.

PUBLIC COMMENT TO BE ACCEPTED ON 2005-06 DUCK HUNTING SEASON

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) is encouraging public comment on proposed duck hunting season dates and bag limits that will be considered at the next commission meeting on Aug. 4.

The commission has a limited time frame during which to consider duck season dates once federal guidelines become available in August. The LWFC is providing this forum now so that the public will have an opportunity to comment before the state’s final duck seasons are adopted at the August commission meeting. Federal guidelines this year will allow either a 60-day or 45-day duck season.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) recommends the following dates under these federal guidelines:

60-DAY DUCK HUNTING SEASON

WEST Zone

Nov. 12 (Saturday) to Dec. 4 (Sunday) (23 days)

12-day split

Dec. 17 (Saturday) to Jan. 22 (Sunday) (37 days)

EAST Zone

Nov. 19 (Saturday) to Dec. 4 (Sunday) (16 days)

12-day split

Dec. 17 (Saturday) to Jan. 29 (Sunday) (44 days)

45-DAY DUCK HUNTING SEASON

WEST Zone

Nov. 12 (Saturday) to Nov. 27 (Sunday) (16 days)

19-day split

Dec. 17 (Sunday) to Jan. 14 (Saturday) (29 days)

EAST Zone

Nov. 19 (Saturday) to Nov. 27 (Sunday) (9 days)

19-day split

Dec. 17 (Saturday) to Jan. 21 (Saturday) (36 days)

The 60-day season is the same as last year, except that it is adjusted for this new calendar year. “Those season dates were well received last year and represent a later season option, which is popular with many hunters,” Robert Helm, LDWF waterfowl program manager, said.

Louisiana has had 60-day seasons since 1997 and the opening date in the west and east zones have ranged from Nov. 7-13 and Nov. 13-20, respectively, during these years. The west zone season, which includes all of the coastal marshes, is normally set earlier than the east because of the early migration of teal and gadwall into those marsh areas. The season closure usually runs to the latest possible date allowed, which is Jan. 29 this year.

The 45-day season recommendation removes a week off the end of each season segment.

Both hunting season proposals will have a daily bag limit of six ducks with no more than four mallards, three mottled ducks, one black duck, two wood ducks, three scaup and two redheads. However, the public will also have the option to comment about whether they believe there should be a one or two mallard hen daily limit with the 60-day hunting season. The 45-day hunting season will only allow for a one mallard hen daily limit.

The two sets of recommended dates listed above are not the only ones available. The season for each zone can only have two segments that total the allocated number of days (60 or 45). LDWF will take other duck hunting season suggestions from the public. Those suggestions will be forwarded to the LWFC, who will consider them before ratifying the final season dates.

Send your comments to comments@wlf.louisiana.gov