Despite Harvey’s distractions, dove season opens Saturday

Hunters limited to non-toxic shot size 6 or smaller on state WMAs and LDWF dove fields

For what seems like weeks — but has really only been days — all anyone has been talking about in South Louisiana is Hurricane, now Tropical Storm, Harvey.

School closures, tornado warnings, flooded streets and sandbags – along with the devastating images from Texas -have been common topics of conversation.

But if your time — and the weather allows — dove season kicks off statewide this Saturday morning, Sept. 2.

And with it comes a brand new regulation for those who hunt on state wildlife management areas and leased dove fields overseen by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: Hunters will be limited to the use of non-toxic shot, size 6 and smaller for dove hunting.

The change is intended to reduce the disposition of lead shot and potential lead effects on wildlife, according to a news release from the LDWF.

For more information, go to page 51 of the 2017-18 Louisiana Hunting Regulations handbook,  or contact Steve Smith at 225-765-2359.