LDWF News

June 6, 2017 – Though they may appear to be vulnerable and in need of assistance, unattended white-tailed deer fawns encountered in the wild should not be disturbed, according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) biologists. LDWF is reminding the public the best practice is to leave them alone and to remember it is against the law to capture young deer or any other wild animal.
 
Newborn fawns rely on their spotted coats and concealment during the first few weeks of life. Does will forage nearby and return periodically to nurse the young fawn. The lack of flight and hiding strategy phase of a newborn fawn often creates the illusion of abandonment. However, as fawns grow and develop, they will begin to forage for food alongside the mother.
  
Every year LDWF receives calls from concerned citizens who have found what they consider to be an abandoned deer fawn. If caught transporting or possessing wild deer or other wild animals without a permit, individuals may be subject to citations and fines. 
 
Quiet departure from the area is recommended if a fawn is encountered. This action will provide the young deer the best chance to survive in the wild and prevent a possible citation.
 
Louisiana’s deer herd has a wide range of breeding dates depending on the location within the state. Fawning typically occurs from April thru August, occurring earliest in southwest Louisiana followed by north central and northwest Louisiana. The latest fawning occurs along the Mississippi River parishes and parts of southeast Louisiana.
 
For more information, contact LDWF Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon at 225-765-2344 or jbordelon@wlf.la.gov.
 

June 5, 2017 – The Louisiana Department and Wildlife and Fisheries will hold an informational meeting on urban foxes and nuisance wildlife control June 7 (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. in Lafayette. The meeting will be held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/NOAA Building conference room located at 646 Cajundome Blvd. in Lafayette.
 
The presentation will provide information on fox biology and behavior in urban areas of Louisiana, citizen science and Fox Finders' research results and nuisance wildlife control regulations. LDWF biologists and Dr. Linda Hooper-Bùi, an associate professor with LSU’s Department of Environmental Sciences, will field questions regarding urban foxes and control of nuisance wildlife on private property.   
 
Foxes have adapted to living in urban and residential areas and can sometimes cause concern for citizens unfamiliar with living with wildlife. This meeting will detail how to deal with foxes and other wildlife that make their homes in urban areas. 
 
For current LDWF nuisance wildlife information, go http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/nuisance-wildlife .
 
For additional information regarding the meeting, contact Melissa Collins, LDWF Wildlife Biologist, Permits Coordinator, at mcollins@wlf.la.gov or 225-763-8584.

The next regular Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Building located at 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, La.
 
The following items will be discussed:
 
1.     Call to Order
 
2.     Pledge of Allegiance
 
3.     Roll Call
 
4.     Adoption of May 04, 2017 Commission Meeting Minutes
 
5.     Commission Special Announcements / Personal Privilege
 
6.     Enforcement Report May, 2017 – Captain Edward Skena
 
7.     Presentation of Enforcement Awards to Civilians – Captain Edward Skena
 
8.     Receive Legislative Update – Cole Garrett, Attorney and Legislative Liaison
 
9.     Receive an update on status of Federal Exempted Fishing Permit presented by LDWF to NOAA 
 
10.  Receive an Update on the 2017 Master Plan from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority – Bren Haase, Chief, Planning and Research Division, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
 
11.  Receive an Update and Report on the Potential for Special Artificial Reef Site (SARS) Development in Nearshore and Offshore Louisiana – Mike McDonough, Biologist, Artificial Reef Program Manager
 
12.  Receive a Summary Report of the 2016/2017 Public Seed Ground Oyster Season and Supplemental Information – Steve Beck, Biologist, Oyster Program Manager
 
13.  Consider a Notice of Intent for Proposed Waterfowl Hunting regulations for Black Bayou Game and Fish Preserve – Ronnie Festavan, Black Bayou Watershed Commission
 
14.  To discuss possible federal action to address historically short federal waters red snapper season 
 
15.  Set October 2017 Commission Meeting Date
 
16.  Receive Public Comments
 
17.  Consider Holding an Executive Session, Pursuant to R.S. 42:17(A)(2) for discussion and consideration of settlement offer in the matter entitled Charles S. Reily, et al. v. State of Louisiana, et al., No. 81-42886-I, 15th Judicial District Court, Parish of Vermillion, Louisiana – Ryan M. Seidemann, Assistant Attorney General, and Daniel D. Henry, Jr., LDWF Deputy General Counsel
 
18.  Adjournment 
 
A live audio/video stream of this meeting will be available via Gotowebinar.com.  To attend this meeting via webinar visit: 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6096377843285449473
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
 
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.
 
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is committed to accommodating all
reasonable special requests regarding access to our meetings. Please direct all sign
language interpreting services or other accommodation needs to the contact at the top of
this announcement at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. 

June 5, 2017 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet and his staff will conduct an informational meeting outlining LDWF’s efforts to control salvinia on Lake Bistineau and to gather public input on the situation.
 
Who:  LDWF Inland Fisheries Staff
 
What:  Public information meeting on Lake Bistineau
 
When:  Thursday, June 15, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.
 
Where:    Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Region 1 Office
                Jonathan Glasscock Memorial Classroom
                9961 Hwy. 80
                Minden, LA 71055
 
The meeting will include an update on the current status of the lake, and LDWF staff will field questions concerning the management of the lake and giant salvinia. A new idea will be discussed concerning a scheduled “Weevil Day”, planned by LDWF to provide salvinia weevils to the public for stocking into Lake Bistineau. Everyone interested in Lake Bistineau is encouraged to attend. 
 
Space is limited to 100 individuals, so please keep this in mind when making plans to attend.  
 
The current LDWF Lake Bistineau Management Plan can be viewed at: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/waterbody-management-plans-inland. 
 
For additional information regarding the meeting, contact Jeff Sibley, LDWF Biologist Manager, at jsibley@wlf.la.gov or (318) 371-3066.

June 1, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will close Sandy Bayou Road and Muddy Bayou Road from Deville Crossing to Nolan Bayou Road at Dewey W. Wills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) once the water level on Larto Lake reaches 42 feet mean sea level (msl), which could happen in the coming days.
 
Increasing water levels in the Mississippi, Black and associated river systems have created backwater flooding on these roads. Once the water recedes to 40 feet msl and conditions allow, the roads will be reopened.
  
Dewey W. Wills WMA is located in the southern portion of LaSalle and Catahoula parishes in central Louisiana approximately 20 miles northeast of Alexandria. For more information on the WMA, go to: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2753 .
 
For more information, contact Cliff Dailey at 318-487-5885 or adailey@wlf.la.gov .
 

June 1, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced the rules and timeframe for the 2018 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp or Louisiana Duck Stamp competition.
 
“Canvasback will be the featured species in this year’s competition,” said Larry Reynolds, LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager.
 
Traditionally referred to as the “King of Ducks”, canvasbacks are large, fast-flying diving ducks that winter in large numbers on Catahoula Lake and the deltas of the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers. Nearly every year, Louisiana hunters harvest more canvasbacks than any other state in the Mississippi Flyway. With a bag limit of only one or two per day, canvasbacks have long been prized for their size, speed, striking appearance and culinary quality. Many hunters travel to Louisiana specifically for the opportunity to take a big “bull can” over decoys.
 
The 2017 contest was restricted to designs featuring green-winged teal. Richard Clifton’s mesmerizing painting of a resting trio continued a long tradition of excellent stamp designs. The Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp bearing that design went on sale June 1.
 
The 2018 contest will be restricted to designs with canvasback as the focal species.  Artists are also reminded of the requirement for associated habitat.
 
“The primary objective of this program is to provide revenue to create, enhance and maintain habitat for waterfowl and associated wetland wildlife,” Reynolds said, “so a habitat component is required in each entry and is one of the five judging criteria.”
 
To enter, an artist must submit an original, unpublished work of art, along with a signed and notarized artist's agreement and a $50 entry fee.  Entries should be addressed to:
 
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Attn: Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Program
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
 
Entries will be accepted from Oct. 16-Oct. 24, 2017, with the contest to be held in the Louisiana Room at the LDWF Headquarters building, beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25, 2017.  The public is invited to attend.
 
To fill out the 2018 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp competition artist agreement and see the full list of rules, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/2018-louisiana-duck-stamp-contest.
 
The Louisiana Legislature authorized the Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp program in 1988. The program was created to generate revenue for conservation and enhancement of waterfowl populations and habitats in Louisiana. During the last 25 years, more than $12.5 million has been generated for wetland conservation with approximately $6 million spent on land acquisition. In addition, revenue has supported wetland development projects on Wildlife Management Areas and the Louisiana Waterfowl Project, a cooperative endeavor between LDWF, Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds on private lands.
 
Judging for the art competition will be based on the following criteria:
 
1. Accuracy of form, size, proportion, color and posture.
2. Level and accuracy of detail in all aspects of the waterfowl.
3. Appropriateness, accuracy and detail in depiction of the habitat.
4. Attractiveness and creativity in composition, subject, background and lighting.
5. Suitability for reproduction as stamps and prints.
 
A panel of judges with experience in waterfowl biology and/or artistic method will select the winning design. The competition is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Employees of LDWF and members of their immediate families are ineligible.
 
For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-0456 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.
 
 

May 26, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has closed several roads on the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area due to flooding. The roads include Hog Pen Lake Road, Dobbs Bay Road, Goose Lake Road, Ross Road, Hooper Road, Lac A’Sostein Road and all roads on the east side of the Mississippi River Levee within the WMA.
 
Once the water recedes and necessary repairs have been made to restore roads to safe condition, roads will be reopened.
 
Richard K. Yancey WMA is located in Concordia Parish, approximately 35 miles south of Ferriday on Louisiana Hwy. 15.
 
For more information on this WMA, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/36994. For more information, contact Tony Vidrine at 337-948-0255 or tvidrine@wlf.la.gov  or Cody Haynes at jhaynes@wlf.la.gov. 

May 26, 2017 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has closed all interior access roads at Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Area due to flooding from recent heavy rain.
 
Once the flooding recedes, LDWF will reopen the closed portion of the road if able to restore safe travel conditions.
 
Grassy Lake WMA is located in northeastern Avoyelles Parish, approximately 12 miles from Bordelonville.
 
For more information, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2767 or contact Tony Vidrine or Cody Haynes at 337-948-0255 or tvidrine@wlf.la.gov or jhaynes@wlf.la.gov.

May 25, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will host a Kids Summer Fishing Day Camp on June 13-16 at the Woodworth Outdoor Education Center located near Alexandria in Rapides Parish. The camp, for children ages 10-15, will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
 
The registration fee is $75 and registration deadline is May 30. To obtain a registration form, go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov/2017fishingdaycamp .
 
Participants will learn several angling techniques in addition to fishing each day. Other activities include how to rig fishing equipment, fish identification, boating safety, casting and lure selection. Each participant will receive a rod/reel combo and stocked tackle box.
 
For more information, contact Dustin Champagne at 318-484-2183 or dchampagne@wlf.la.gov or Theresa Cross at 337-491-2575 or tcross@wlf.la.gov.

May 25, 2017 – The Louisiana Department and Wildlife and Fisheries will hold an informational meeting on urban foxes and nuisance wildlife control June 7 (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. in Lafayette. The meeting will be held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/NOAA Building conference room located at 646 Cajundome Blvd. in Lafayette.
 
The presentation will provide information on fox biology and behavior in urban areas of Louisiana, citizen science and Fox Finders' research results and nuisance wildlife control regulations. LDWF biologists and Dr. Linda Hooper-Bùi, an associate professor with LSU’s Department of Environmental Sciences, will field questions regarding urban foxes and control of nuisance wildlife on private property.   
 
Foxes have adapted to living in urban and residential areas and can sometimes cause concern for citizens unfamiliar with living with wildlife. This meeting will detail how to deal with foxes and other wildlife that make their homes in urban areas. 
 
For current LDWF nuisance wildlife information, go http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/nuisance-wildlife .
 
For additional information regarding the meeting, contact Melissa Collins, LDWF Wildlife Biologist, Permits Coordinator, at mcollins@wlf.la.gov or 225-763-8584.