The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved the 2015-17 hunting season dates and the 2015-16 General and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) rules and regulations at their April 2 meeting. The season dates approved include the 2016 Turkey season and associated rules and regulations.
 
The notices of intent presented in January by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) for the upcoming hunting seasons were approved with an amendment made subsequently in March, and following the public comment period.
 
That amendment pertained to Biloxi Wildlife Management Area and the use of mud boats or air-cooled propulsion vessels that can only be powered by straight shaft “long tail” air-cooled, mud motors. The original NOI had set the maximum total power limit at 16 hp and the amendment changed the maximum total power limit to 25 total hp or less on the WMA. All other types of mud boats or air cooled propulsion vessels (including “surface drive” boats) are prohibited.
 
Changes from previous hunting seasons in the approved NOIs include but are not limited to:
 
*Change to Area 5 Deer Season for the 2016-17 Season, in which Area 5 will become part of Area 1.
 
*Addition of pistols to allowable gear for primitive firearms season for deer.
 
*Addition of bird dog training to allowable uses on some Small Game Emphasis Areas on certain WMAs.
 
*Prohibition on the “possession” of bait on WMAs
 
*Allowance for certain UTVs to be utilized on ATV trails on WMAs, if the manufacturers specification for weight, length, and width do not exceed those limits set for ATVs.
 
*Vessel restrictions for Biloxi WMA.
 
*Prohibition on nighttime activity during open waterfowl seasons on Wham Brake, on Russell Sage WMA.
 
*Conversion of youth lottery to open youth weekend for turkey on Big Lake WMA.
 
*Modification to open all ranger districts of Kisatchie National Forest for entire youth weekend for turkey.
 
*Addition of two days of open season for turkey on US Army Corps of Engineers Indian Bayou Area.
 
*Addition of youth squirrel season on Maurepas Swamp WMA.
 
*Addition of six days of firearms either sex deer season on Sherburne WMA.
 
*Addition of shotgun youth either sex deer season on National Park Service Barataria Preserve.
 
*Addition of small game opportunity on Bogue Chitto, Black Bayou, Catahoula, and Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuges.
 
*Change in waterfowl closure times from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm on Cameron Prairie, Lacassine, and Sabine National Wildlife Refuges.
 
*Addition of youth waterfowl opportunity on Grand Cote, Lake Ophelia, and Red River National Wildlife Refuges.