Tuesday, July 20
July 20, 2010Thursday, July 22
July 22, 2010Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced Friday they plan to hold a six meeting series to gauge worries waterfowl hunters have prior to the start of their hunting season.
Several hunters have expressed concern about the oil’s role in coastal marshes and how that may impact the hunting season.
These meetings are planned to take comments from hunters, while also laying out LDWF’s current plans for the season.
Houma hunters’ opportunity to express their concerns will come July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Houma Municipal Auditorium.
Despite the hunters’ worries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has said throughout the oil crisis that restricted hunting seasons are not currently necessary.
No broad-scale closures are currently expected when the season opens, but depending on where oil is found, some areas may have to be closed in the future.
But LDWF secretary Robert Barham said the season is going to happen, which he hopes eases concerns hunters have about their season being oiled out.
“Louisiana hunters can be assured that the waterfowl season is going to open,” Barham said. A 16-day teal season, Sept. 11-26, was set at the July Commission meeting, and continental waterfowl populations are at very healthy levels.”
