New waterfowl hunting zone would create coastal zone.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission last week approved a three-zone framework for the 2012-2015 waterfowl seasons.
In a presentation prepared by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Waterfowl Program, commissioners heard data gathered during a recent survey conducted by the Department. Hunter comments were collected via a mail-out and an online survey form.Options presented included no change in the current two-zone configuration and two, three-zone options that offered different boundaries for a revised west zone layout. The previous west zone was divided to form a new coastal zone and a west zone.
Based on hunter preferences in survey data and the department’s recommendation, the commission approved creation of a third zone with a new boundary of state Highway 106 from its junction with U.S. Highway 167 west to Oakdale, then south from Oakdale on U.S. Highway 165 to its junction with U.S. Highway 190, then west on U.S. Highway 190/Lousiana Highway 12 to the Texas border.
The existing zone boundary in Northwest Louisiana between the east and west zones changes to U.S. Highway 167 north from Jonesboro to the Arkansas border.
The season dates in each zone for the 2012-13 waterfowl season will be proposed at the July commission meeting and approved at the August meeting.
For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-2346 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.
