$10 fee per hunter on four sites in three parishes across the state
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is providing opening day dove hunting opportunities this Saturday on leased private land in three parishes.
The 2015-16 dove season opens on Sept. 5 in the north and south zones, with shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. But on opening day of the first split on WMAs and LDWF-leased land, shooting hours will be 12 noon to sunset.
Note: Shooting hours for dove on the Point Farm Unit at Pointe Aux Chenes WMA in Terrebonne Parish will be one-half hour before sunrise to 12 noon since all dove hunting hours for all dates within all splits end at noon on Pointe Aux Chenes WMA. On Elbow Slough WMA, lottery hunt participants also will hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon on both Sept. 5 and 6.
LDWF has leased private land in the following parishes for Sept. 5 only:
Beauregard Parish, DeRidder — 500 acres harvested corn and milo: Directions – Take Hwy. 190 west from DeRidder. The field is approximately 5 miles west of DeRidder on the south side of Hwy. 190, just past Hwy. 3226. An LDWF sign will designate the check-in area. Contact Kori Legleu at 337-491-2575 for more information. Maps are available in the Lake Charles field office, 1213 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601, or on the LDWF website by clicking here.
Jefferson Davis Parish, Roanoke — 300 acres, harvested rice and partially plowed fallow fields that were planted in rice last year: Directions – Take I-10 to Exit 59 (Roanoke). Drive north on Hwy 395, then turn west on Blanchard Rd. Follow Blanchard Rd to Compton Rd.; field is located on southwest corner of Blanchard and Compton roads. An LDWF sign will designate the check-in area. Maps are available in the Lake Charles field office, or on the LDWF website by clicking here.
Jefferson Davis Parish, Elton — 300 acres harvested rice, hay and pasture with goatweed: Directions – From Hwy 190, drive south on Hwy 26 for 3 miles, then west on Dan Buller Rd. From I-10, exit Hwy 26 Jennings and drive north for approximately 14 miles, then west on Dan Buller Rd. Fields are located on the right approximately ½ mile from Hwy 26. An LDWF sign will designate the check-in area. Maps are available in the Lake Charles field office, or on the LDWF website here.
Tangipahoa Parish, Wilmer — 152 acres prepared native grass pasture: Directions – Take Route 10 to Wilmer then Hwy. 1061 North to Olon Bankston Road. Check-in area will be on Olon Bankston Road. Call 985-543-4777 for more information. Maps will be available at LDWF’s Hammond field office, 42371 Phyllis Ann Dr., Hammond LA 70403, or on the LDWF website here.
According to a press release, alcoholic beverages are prohibited, as is shot larger than size 7 ½. All trash, including shell hulls, must be picked up.
Additionally, all hunters must have a daily permit as well as appropriate hunting license with HIP certification. Hunters under 16 years of age do not need HIP certification. The daily permit is available at the field and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. HIP certifications are available from hunting license vendors. If hunters have formed a line prior to the time permits are issued, permits will be issued to those in line in order of arrival.
Only legal doves may be taken.Legal doves include: mourning, white-winged, fully-dressed Eurasian collared and ringed-turtle doves.
There is a $10 fee per hunter, 16 years of age and older, which can be paid by either cash or check. Hunters under 16 will be admitted free, but they must check-in and have a permit.
When a predetermined number of hunters are admitted, the field will be closed. Additional hunters may be admitted when someone leaves the field and surrenders a permit. Use of vehicles, including ATVs, may be restricted and varies from field to field. Consult with department personnel about restrictions when you check-in.
The leased fields are open to the public on Sept. 5 only — entrance at any other time is considered trespassing.
All licensed hunters are reminded that the appropriate Louisiana hunting license with HIP certification is required to hunt doves on public and private land. Those hunters who are ages 18 to 59 are also required to have a WMA Hunting Permit when hunting doves on WMAs.
For more information, contact Jeff Duguay at 225-765-2353.
