General
Legislators address hunting and fishing issues during 2013 legislative session
Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its regular session in early June after debating dozens of bills related to hunting, fishing and the outdoors. […]
Articles by Jeremy Alford
General
LDWF to pay $2 million for property already owned by state after last-minute budget deal
With only one opposing vote out of 144, the Legislature decided, during the final hours of its regular session’s last day, that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries should pay $2 million for various properties already owned by the state to expand existing wildlife management areas and refuges, among other purposes. […]
Fishing Tournaments
House backs high-school bass fishing
The House Education Committee unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday that could lead to the establishment of competitive bass-fishing tournaments for Louisiana’s high schools. […]
Inshore Fishing
Erosion gobbles up Plaquemines Parish hotspots
It’s a busy morning off the floor of the state House of Representatives, where lobbyists and reporters are bird-dogging lawmakers, looking for votes and quotes. Still new to freshman Rep. Chris Leopold, a Republican from Belle Chasse whose district follows the winding Mississippi River well below Venice, the pace and stress of ongoing budget hearings are beginning to show. […]
General
House restores money to Artificial Reef Fund, shuns LDWF land purchase
The House of Representatives voted late this afternoon to advance the state’s $24.7 billion budget plan for the next fiscal year, and in the process took firm stances on line items related to sportsmen. […]
News Breaker
Bill banning possession of red snapper moves forward in state Legislature
The drive by a state senator to outlaw the possession of Gulf red snapper for recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as everyone else in Louisiana, cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, and the debate now swims to the full Senate for further consideration. […]
General
State budget includes LDWF purchase of Office of State Lands properties
Among the contingencies propping up Gov. Bobby Jindal’s budget proposal is a unique and possibly unprecedented land deal involving the state selling properties at a significant markup to, well, itself. That’s the latest twist in the winding debate over Jindal’s proposed $24.7 billion budget, which is short on revenues by about $1.3 billion. […]
General
Legislative update: Hunting regs, Commission appointments and red snapper
The Louisiana Legislature dealt with a few outdoors-related issued today. Here’s a quick look: […]
News Breaker
Sweep of Artificial Reef Development Fund pushing through the House
The House Appropriations Committee approved the required legislation earlier this week to transfer $20.6 million from the Artificial Reef Development Fund to help plug holes in the administration’s annual budget. […]
News Breaker
Congress considering extension for conservation funding
A federal program providing matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships for wetlands conservation projects lost its congressional authorization last year, but U.S. Sen. David Vitter is pushing to have it renewed. […]
News Breaker
Senator Allain: Administration could empty Artificial Reef Fund
If the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal moves forward with a $20.6 million transfer from the Artificial Reef Development Fund to fill holes in its budget for the next fiscal year that commences July 1, the administration will almost certainly come up short, the Senate Finance Committee was told today. […]
News Breaker
LWF Commission still considering suit to stop Artificial Reef Fund raid
A possible lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration involving the state’s Artificial Reef Development Fund is still in the works, the head of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission confirmed yesterday. […]
News Breaker
Federal bill would mandate state management of red snapper
Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation have introduced the Offshore Fairness Act to extend the Bayou State’s jurisdiction in the Gulf of Mexico and solidify its position on the management of the red snapper fishery. […]