The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission received a report on the upcoming dove season at their June 5 meeting in Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) Wildlife Division, based on information collected in a spring dove hunter survey and the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s new harvest strategy, is planning a 2014 dove season that will include:
- A 90-day season which adds 20 additional days to hunt doves in Louisiana
- A north zone with three splits including Sept. 6 – 28; Oct. 11 – Nov. 9; and Dec. 10 – Jan. 15 (the first split provides an extra seven days and the third split provides an extra 13 days more than previous seasons)
- A south zone with three splits including Sept. 6 – 14; Oct. 11 – Dec. 3; and Dec. 20 – Jan. 15 (the second split provides an extra 10 days and the third split provides an extra 10 days more than previous seasons)
- Opening dove hunting hours at one-half hour before sunrise on all dates in each split
The Commission will finalize the 2014 dove season dates at their July 3 meeting.
LDWF’s spring survey received 438 responses from hunters who shared their experiences and opinions about dove hunting on topics including season dates, hunting activities, hunting success, ammunition used, and demographic variables.
For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Duguay, LDWF Wildlife Division, at jduguay@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2353.