LOUISIANA

NEWS FROM THE LA. DEPT. OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
The Public Information Section of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is responsible for the distribution of LDWF news releases and the department's biweekly newsletter.

2008-199 (July 14, 2008)

WHITE LAKE WETLANDS CONSERVATION AREA TEAL SEASON LOTTERY ANNOUNCED

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is accepting applications for lottery teal hunts on the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area.  Available dates are Saturday, Sept. 13; Sunday, Sept. 14; Tuesday, Sept. 16; Thursday, Sept. 18; Saturday, Sept. 20; Sunday, Sept. 21; Wednesday, Sept. 24; Saturday, Sept. 27; and Sunday, Sept. 28.

A total of three applications per hunter, each one for separate dates, will be accepted.  Hunters will not be allowed to submit more than one application per hunting date or more than three applications for the season, or they will be disqualified. 

Persons 18 years of age or older may now send applications, available on the LDWF Web site (www.wlf.louisiana.gov) and at LDWF headquarters, to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Attention: White Lake Teal Hunt, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898.  Applications must be received by close of business on Aug. 14, 2008.  A $5 administration fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries must accompany each application.  Applications without a correct driver's license number will not be processed.

Successful applicants will be allowed to bring no more than one guest.  All hunters must have appropriate licenses, including a basic hunting license (or Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise license), migratory waterfowl conservation license, federal duck stamp, HIP permit and WMA Permit.

Successful applicants will be notified and required to submit an additional check or money order for $200.  In the event that a hunter is unable to participate on the date selected, he or she may transfer his or her permit to a qualified hunter of his or her choice, as long as the total number of hunts does not exceed three for the 2008 teal season.  Transfers must be in writing and presented to the hunt coordinator on the morning of the hunt.  Questions regarding the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area lottery teal hunt should be directed to Wayne Sweeny at 337-479-1894.

2008-201 (July 14, 2008)

BOATU.S. OFFERS FOUR TIPS TO BOATERS TO PREVENT HURRICANE DAMAGE

With the first storm of the year, Hurricane Bertha, lurking offshore, the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.), with 40 years of experience gained from post-storm recovery efforts and thousands of hurricane-related insurance claims files, has four tips that can help boaters make it through this storm season.

“We are smack dab in the middle of hurricane season as we speak.  The hurricane season will only intensify over the coming months,” said Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Boating Safety Officer Sgt. Rachel Zechenelly.  “Taking the proper precautions now can save a lot of heartache and agony later in the uneventful chance we get a hurricane or tropical storm this year.”

Make your hurricane plan now, before hurricane warnings are posted. Year after year, some boaters are lulled into believing a storm won't come their way and fail to make a serious effort until a hurricane is forecast.  However, by then there may be no one available to haul their boat ashore and stores may be sold out of basic hurricane supplies such as rope, anchors or fenders.  Whether you are new to boating or been on the water for years, waiting until the last moment and making only a token effort is tempting fate.  If you're likely to be away from your boat during hurricane season, make arrangements ahead of time for someone else to prepare your boat - many insurance policies provide coverage for professional evacuation to a hurricane hole or other storm preparation efforts.

• Speak to your marina staff about their hurricane plans.  BoatU.S. has found that the best hurricane damage prevention requires a full partnership with your marina or boat club.  If you have not already talked with your marina manager, do it today.  Does your marina have a hurricane club?  Learn the details now.  There is nothing worse than seeing boats that weren't prepared break loose during a storm and damage others that were properly prepared.  Ultimately, the success or failure of your own hurricane preparation efforts depends upon the steps taken by everyone in the marina working together.
• Review the free hurricane planning resources at www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes.  Take advantage of the BoatU.S. online hurricane preparation worksheet, guide, and other storm planning information - all free for the taking.  When a storm approaches, the Web site's "spaghetti" models can help you track where a storm may come ashore.
• Tell your boat or yacht club's leadership about the best club hurricane-planning guide ever, written by their peers at the Houston Yacht Club (HYC), available at www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes. HYC has developed the most comprehensive boat and yacht club storm-planning guide - developed from years of storm-hardened experience - and it's completely free to download and discuss at your club's membership meeting.

BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services including a group-rate marine insurance program that insures nearly a quarter million boats; the largest fleet of more than 500 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel, slips, and repairs at over 885 Cooperating Marinas; boat financing; and a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine, the most widely read boating publication in the U.S. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

2008-198 (July 9, 2008)

SHRIMP SEASON TO CLOSE IN ADDITIONAL PORTIONS OF ZONE 1

The 2008 spring inshore shrimp season in Shrimp Management Zone 1 will close on Saturday, July 12, at 6 p.m. except for the following portions of Zone 1:

• That portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds west; thence southeasterly to a point at latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 12 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds west; thence northeasterly to the most easterly point on Isle Au Pitre at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west, which is a point on the double–rig line as described in LA R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly along the double–rig line to a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 12 minutes 37.9056 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds west; thence westerly along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary to the point of beginning.
• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line (LA R.S.56:495.1).

A portion of Mississippi Sound and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds all located in Shrimp Management Zone 1 as well as that portion of Zone 3 which includes the Calcasieu Ship Channel originating at a line between Channel Markers 85 and 86 thence southward to a point originating along the inside/outside shrimp line at Calcasieu Pass as described in LA R.S.56:495(A) and including East Pass from its origin at the Calcasieu Ship Channel to the south end of Calcasieu Lake and West Pass from its origin at the Calcasieu Ship Channel to the south end of West Cove will remain open until further notice.

Zone 1 includes state waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River and Zone 3 includes state waters from the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island to the Louisiana/Texas state line.

The closure was announced today by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham and was based on recommendations made by LDWF Marine Fisheries Division biologists.

The number, distribution and percentage of small juvenile white shrimp within the areas to be closed have progressively increased in recent weeks and these waters are being closed to protect these developing shrimp. 

2008-197 (July 8, 2008)

L.D.W.F. ANNOUNCES NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) unveiled a new logo at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting on July 8. 

The new logo is an updated and simpler version that represents most of the vast Louisiana outdoor landscape.  The logo design includes silhouettes of three major species managed by LDWF: deer, waterfowl and fish.  The coastline in the background is the outline of Vermilion Bay and cypress trees fill in the horizon set against a Louisiana bright blue sky.

“The old logo served us well through many generations,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.  “The new logo is a bold symbol of the conservation mission we are responsible for overseeing.”

LDWF will be using the new logo on all future projects, publications, programs, signage, trucks and other department objects.  The old LDWF will be slowly phased out as equipment and publications are replaced and reprinted. 

LDWF’s Public Information Office researched and designed the new logo with input from local graphic artists, marketing firms and LDWF employees.

2008-196 (July 8, 2008)

L.D.W.F. ISSUES LIST OF APPROVED PRIMITIVE WEAPONS FOR 2008-09 PRIMITIVE HUNTING SEASON

In a response to the recent approval of Act 51, which partly consists of changing the language from a muzzleloader season to a primitive firearm season, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has issued a list of approved primitive firearms for the 2008-09 Primitive Firearm Season.

All of the approved primitive weapons meet the criteria set forth by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission as authorized primitive firearms.  The criteria is a single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifle with metallic cartridges loaded with either black powder or modern smokeless powder, .38 caliber or larger, of a kind or type manufactured prior to 1900 and replicas, and reproductions or reintroductions of that type rifle having an exposed hammer.  The pre-1900 distinction applies only to the firearm and not the ammunition.  All approved primitive firearms may be fitted with magnified scopes.

Approved single shot breech loading primitive weapons:

· Sharps rifles or replicas
· Remington Rollingblock rifles or replicas
· Ballard rifles
· Maynard rifles or carbines
· Burnside carbines
· Frank Wesson rifles
· Farrow rifles
· Remington Hepburn rifles
· M1873-1888 Springfield (Trapdoor) rifles and carbines and replicas
· Snider (British) rifles and replicas
· Wesson & Harrington 1871 rifles
· New England Firearms or Harrington & Richardson Handi rifles in caliber larger than .38
· Winchester M1885 Hi Wall or Lo Wall rifles or replicas (Also Browning B78 or 1885) .38 or larger
· Knight KP-1 in caliber .38 or larger
· CVA Optima Elite in caliber .38 or larger
· Traditions Pursuit break-open single shot in .38 caliber or larger

Non-approved single shot breech loading rifles:

· Ruger Number 1 and Number 3 (Reason: No exposed hammer)
· Thompson Center Contender or Encore Carbines (Reason: Designed after 1900)
· Mossberg SSi Single Shot Rifle (Reason: No exposed hammer and designed after 1900)

A primitive firearm license, formerly sold as a muzzleloader license, is required for the taking of deer during the primitive firearm season in addition to the required basic and big game hunting licenses.  During the still hunt and with-or-without dogs segments of the (conventional firearms) deer season, the primitive firearm license is not required.

For more information on Louisiana hunting regulations, visit the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

2008-194 (July 8, 2008)

L.W.F.C. SETS TENTATIVE EARLY MIGRATORY BIRD SEASONS

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the tentative dates for the 2008-09 early migratory bird hunting seasons at their July 8 meeting.

The length of the September teal hunting season is based on the breeding population estimate of blue-winged teal.  A population estimate below 4.7 million would provide a nine-day season and an estimate above that base line provides for a 16-day season.  However, if the estimate is below 3.3 million teal, then no special teal season can be held.  The 2008 estimate was over 6 million, allowing for a proposed teal season of 16 days from Sept. 13-28.  A daily bag limit of four and possession limit of eight would be allowed.

The proposed dove season is broken down into a north and south zone with each zone having three segments and includes mourning, white-winged, Eurasion collared and ringed-turtle doves.  The dove season in the south zone would go from Sept. 6-14, Oct. 18-Nov. 30 and Dec. 20-Jan. 5.  The north zone would be from Sept. 6-21, Oct. 11-Nov. 9 and Dec. 13-Jan. 5.  The daily bag limit for mourning, white-winged and fully dressed Eurasian collared-doves and ringed-turtle doves would be 15 in aggregate and possession of 30 in aggregate.  However, there is no bag limit on Eurasian collared-doves or ringed turtle-doves provided that a fully feathered wing and head remain attached to the carcass of the bird.  Fully dressed Eurasian-collared doves and ringed turtle-doves (those without a fully feathered wing and head naturally attached to the carcass) shall be included in the aggregate bag.

The following boundary divides the dove season zones: Beginning at the Texas-Louisiana border on La. Hwy. 12; thence east along La. Hwy. 12 to its intersection with U.S. Hwy. 190; thence east along U.S. Hwy. 190 to its intersection with Interstate 12; thence east along I-12 to its intersection with Interstate 10; thence east along I-10 to the Mississippi state line.

Rail and gallinules seasons are proposed to last 70 days.  The first segment would be open from Sept. 13-28.  The other segment will be set in August with the regular waterfowl seasons.  King and clapper rails would have a daily bag limit of 15 with a possession limit of 30.  Sora and Virginia rails would have a daily and possession limit totaling 25.  Common and purple gallinules would have a daily bag limit of 15 and possession limit totaling 30.

Under the proposal, woodcock season would last 45 days from Dec. 18-Jan. 31.  A three-bird daily bag limit and a six-bird possession limit would be allowed.

Shooting and hawking hours for dove, woodcock, rail, teal and gallinules are tentatively set for half an hour before sunrise to sunset, except for a 12 noon start time on the first day of dove season on Sept. 6.

Extended falconry mourning dove season would open from Sept. 22-Oct. 7.  Extended falconry woodcock season would open from Oct. 28-Dec. 17 and will reopen from Feb. 1-11.  The falconry daily bag limit would be three and possession limit of six birds for all permitted migratory game birds during the extended falconry and regular hunting seasons.  Extended falconry seasons for ducks, rails and gallinules will be set in August with the waterfowl regulations.

2008-195 (July 8, 2008)

2009 TURKEY HUNTING SEASON DATES PROPOSED

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries proposed the season dates for the 2009 turkey hunting season to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at the commission's July 8 meeting.

The recommended statewide opening date is Saturday, March 28.  The season in Area A would extend to April 26, Area B to April 19, and Area C to April 12.  The daily bag limit would be one gobbler, and the season limit would be two gobblers. 

Special private land youth hunts for those 17 years of age and younger and hunts for wheelchair confined hunters are proposed to take place on March 21 and March 22. 

The proposal also includes a requirement that all turkey hunters, regardless of age or license status, obtain tags prior to hunting turkeys.  Successful hunters will be required to tag their harvested gobbler immediately and report their harvest within 72 hours.  Harvest reporting can be done by telephone or on the internet at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

The recommendation also includes:

· A new youth lottery hunt on Clear Creek WMA on March 21.

· Opened a new area around Miller’s Lake in Central Evangeline Parish.  The new area is bordered on the west by La. Hwy. 13, on the south by La. Hwy. 10, on the east by U.S. Hwy. 167 and on the north by La. Hwy. 106.

· Adding a lottery hunt on the Dewey Wills WMA for a total of two lottery hunts.  The lottery hunts would take place on April 18-19 and April 25-26.

Public comment on this issue can be submitted to Kenny Ribbeck, Administrator, Wildlife Division, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, prior to Sept. 4, 2008.

2008-192 (July 1, 2008)

4TH OF JULY BOATERS REMINDED OF NEW BOATING REGULATIONS

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division (LDWF/LED) is advising boaters to be aware of new boating regulations, effective July 1, 2008, that affect hand tiller outboard motorboats and towed water sports participants.

The LDWF/LED researched boating incident statistics to determine factors that would reduce boating accidents and boating accident fatalities.  Based on recommendations prompted by that research, new recreational boating regulations were implemented by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.  From July 1 forward, anyone boating recreationally in Louisiana waters should be aware of the following:

¨ Anyone onboard a vessel less than 16 feet (Class A), propelled by a hand tiller outboard motor is required to wear a Type I, II, III, or V United States Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD) while the vessel is underway. A hand tiller outboard is described as an outboard motor that has a tiller or steering arm attached to the outboard motor to facilitate steering and does not have any mechanical assist device which is rigidly attached to the boat and used in steering the vessel, including but not limited to mechanical, hydraulic, or electronic control systems. This does not include any type of electronic trolling motor.

¨ Anyone onboard a vessel less than 26 feet (Class A and Class One), propelled by hand tiller outboard motors in excess of 10 horsepower, is required to use an engine cutoff switch while underway, if the outboard motor is equipped with such device. An engine cutoff device can be described as an operable emergency cut-off engine stop switch installed on a hand tiller outboard motor and that attaches to the motorboat operator by an engine cut-off switch link. These regulations do not apply to sailboats and vessels engaged in licensed commercial activity.

¨ Persons engaged in water sports, which includes but is not limited to waterskiing, towing a tube, wake boarding, wake surfing, etc… must wear a Type I, II, III or V PFD. An inflatable PFD does not meet the requirement.  Vessel operators cannot tow a water sports participant who is not wearing a PFD.  Certain exceptions are applicable for marine events that have been issued a permit by LDWF/LED and/or the United States Coast Guard.

The LDWF/LED also wants to remind boaters to follow the Boating Safety “Rules of the Road”, wear a PFD and designate a sober vessel operator this holiday weekend to keep Louisiana’s waterways safe for all boaters.  For more information on boating regulations or boating safety, please visit the LDWF website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating.

2008-189 (July 1, 2008)

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES BEING OFFERED STATEWIDE

As the fall hunting season draws closer, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Hunter Education Section will offer more courses in hunter education and bow hunter education with classes being added every week. 

For those needing to get their hunter education certification for the 2008-09 season, now is the time to start looking for a session.  LDWF is encouraging all aspiring hunters to not miss a hunting opportunity this year because they waited too long and missed the classes offered in their area.

For more information on LDWF’s hunter education program, to view a list of current classes or to find contact information for your regional coordinator, visit the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/education.

The free hunter education course is mandatory for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1969, who plans on purchasing a hunting license.  Anyone can participate in the basic student course, but only those persons 10 years of age or older are eligible for certification.

Hunter education certification cards can be obtained a couple of different ways from the LDWF Hunter Education Program. The traditional standard hunter education course is taught in a classroom setting by an LDWF hunter education instructor.  The standard course usually takes place over a two or three-day window and includes a mandatory live fire.  The home study program can be taken over the Internet at LDWF’s Web site or by requesting a CD-Rom from LDWF.  With the home study program, students must schedule and attend a field day that includes a mandatory live fire and written test.   

2008-188 (July 1, 2008)

WOOD STORK BIRDING EVENT TO TAKE PLACE AT SHERBURNE W.M.A. ON JULY 19

A wood stork birding event is scheduled for July 19 from 7 a.m. to noon on the South Farm of the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA).  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are sponsoring the event.

At the event site, participants will be able to park within the South Farm area to facilitate a shorter walking distance.  Once at the event, participants can walk at their own pace along the levees and observe wood storks and other wildlife.  Tents will be set up for participants to get out of the sun, but those attending are encouraged to bring their own food and water.

No registration or fee is required other than a valid Hunting/Fishing License or Wild Louisiana Stamp, except for persons 15 years of age and younger or 60 years of age and older.  Licenses or stamps can be acquired at various license retailers across the state, online at www.wlf.louisiana.gov or by telephone at 1-888-765-2602.

To get to the Sherburne WMA South Farm, take the Ramah Exit off Interstate-10 (Exit #135), then head north and follow the signs from there.

For more information, contact LDWF at 337-948-0255 or USACE at 337-585-0853.

2008-191 (July 1, 2008)

LOUISIANA OYSTER HARVESTERS ADOPTING NEW HEALTH REGULATIONS

Oysters have been touted for their delicious flavor and health benefits for years, including their high content of vitamin B-12 and Zinc.  Louisiana is the largest producer of oysters in the United States, and the majority of the oysters Louisiana produces go out of state, helping to make these low-calorie mollusks available to oyster lovers everywhere, according to Ralph “Buddy” Pausina, former chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force.

Oysters can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including the very popular raw oyster, but like all raw seafood, special precautions have to be taken to ensure that these Louisiana delicacies are delivered safely to consumers.

Louisiana is a voting member of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC).  The ISSC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversee the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, which is a state/federal cooperative program charged with the sanitary control of shellfish produced and sold for human consumption.

In August 2007, the ISSC adopted proposal 07-202.  This proposal was concurred with by the FDA on Dec. 20, 2007.  Proposal 07-202 states that in order for oysters to continue to be sold in interstate commerce, anytime water temperatures rise above 81 degrees Fahrenheit, oysters for the half-shell market must be refrigerated within five hours after harvest.  If oysters are not refrigerated within five hours after harvest, then they must be tagged, “For Cooking or Post-harvest Processing Only.”

Because of this new oyster refrigeration requirement, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission ratified a declaration of emergency at their June 5 meeting allowing permitted vessels to receive oysters from harvest vessels for mechanical refrigeration within five hours of the beginning of daily harvest.  This rule became effective June 24, 2008 and will only be in effect from May through October for oysters sold for raw consumption.  The mechanical refrigeration must deliver an air temperature of 45 degrees or cooler. 

Because of this new rule, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will be issuing Oyster Cargo Vessel Permits.  The permits provide for larger oyster vessels equipped with on-board mechanical refrigeration to accept containerized and tagged oyster harvests from smaller boats that do not have the room to install a refrigerator and cannot make it back to the dock within the five-hour refrigeration window.  These permitted oyster cargo vessels will then transport the oyster harvests for these smaller vessels to the dock.

The Louisiana oyster industry has led the nation in the development of post-harvest processes including: individual quick freezing, low heat/cool pasteurization and high-hydrostatic pressure.  These processes reduce the risk of oyster related illness from Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp).

According to the Center for Disease Control, Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterium that lives in brackish saltwater and causes gastrointestinal illness in humans.  It is present in higher concentration during the summer, and some people become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.  According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), on average, two cases of Vp are reported annually from persons consuming raw Louisiana oysters. 

“People from all around the world love oysters, especially Louisiana oysters,” said Pausina.  “There is no reason to stop eating them in the warmer summer months because oyster harvesters and processors are taking extra steps to ensure that we are able to bring oyster lovers everywhere a delicious, quality product year round.”

This proposal went into effect on June 20, 2008, and will only have to be implemented when water temperatures rise above 81 degrees Fahrenheit.  Regulations for harvesting during cooler water temperatures remain the same.  This proposal will be implemented by the Louisiana DHH’s Center for Environmental Health Services and enforced by LDWF’s Enforcement Division.

For more information about Louisiana oysters, post-harvest processing and oyster awareness, visit www.louisianaoysters.org or www.beoysteraware.com.  For more information about Vp, visit www.CDC.gov.