Southeast Louisiana deer regulations modified

Hurricane Isaac impacts force changes, LDWF says.

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Deer-hunting regulations were changed in the Lake Maurepas basin after Hurricane Isaac blasted the deer herd there.

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Deer-hunting regulations in a portion of Southeast Louisiana have been modified for the 2012-13 season because of the impacts of Hurricane Isaac, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries announced today (Oct. 4).

The changes were approved during the monthly meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, the LDWF said.

The areas most impacted by Hurricane Isaac included the Lake Maurepas Basin, along with Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, the LDWF said.

In the Lake Maurepas Basin, storm surge pushed water levels 5 to 6 feet above normal, causing major flooding that lasted four days in some areas and encompassing an estimated 391,000 acres, the agency said. LDWF assessment noted light to moderate adult deer mortality, but high fawn mortality estimated at nearly 90 percent.

Deer-hunting regulations were addressed for the area that includes ortions of St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes; beginning west of the Tchefuncte River from Lake Pontchartrain to LA 22; also south and east of LA 22 to LA 70, and east of LA 70 to LA 3125; and north and east of LA 3125 to LA 641; and west of LA 641 to US 61; then north of US 61 to the Jefferson Parish line.

Regulations for properties within this area that are not within the state wildlife management area system now read:

• Archery season — no change
• Youth (bucks only, still hunting) — Oct. 27-28
• Bucks only (still hunting) — Nov. 23-Dec. 2
• Bucks only (with or without dogs) — Dec. 8-30
• Bucks only (primitive weapons) — Jan. 19-27

Changes to regulations covering state wildlife management areas within this region.

There is no change to the archery seasons for Biloxi and Manchac WMAs, while Joyce WMA will be regulated the same as the general Lake Maurepas Basin There were no changes to the archery and bucks-only regulations for Pass-a-Loutre WMA.

Maurepas Swamp WMA regulations now read:

• Archery — no change
• Youth (bucks only) — Nov. 3-4
• Bucks only (modern firearms, mandatory check) — Nov. 23
• Bucks only (modern firearms) — Nov. 24–25; Dec. 22-28
• Bucks only (primitive weapons) — Jan. 14–20

Regulations also were addressed for those areas of Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes outside the major flood walls:

• Archery — no change
• Youth (bucks only, still hunting) — Oct. 27-28
• Bucks only (still hunting) — Nov. 23-25
• Bucks only (with or without dogs) —Dec. 22–Jan. 6
• Bucks only (primitive weapons) — Jan. 19-27