Several deer hunters I’ve met since Thursday have said they
agree with the state’s decision to renew the declaration of
emergency for revised deer hunting dates in much of the Atchafalaya
Basin.
The nation’s last great overflow swamp flooded in late spring
and early summer, which prompted the declaration of emergency in
July. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists
recommended renewing the changes based on estimates of deer
mortality caused by the historic flooding along the Mississippi
River, which prompted the opening of the Morganza Spillway on May
14.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission reaffirmed those
deer hunting season changes for the Atchafalaya Basin at its
regular meeting Thursday in Baton Rouge.
So these revisions remain in effect:
• Sherburne WMA
• Archery, either-sex: Oct. 16-Feb. 15.
• Youth & Physically Challenged, either-sex: Oct. 29-30. All
other seasons closed. Self-clearing permits.
• Youth Lottery, either-sex: Oct. 29-30 and Dec. 23, 26, 28 and
30.
All lands within the Morganza floodway, from the Morganza water
control structure, south of Interstate 10, and from I-10 south,
within the protection levees of the Atchafalaya Basin:
• With or without dogs, bucks-only: Dec. 12 to Jan. 15.
Attakapas WMA
• Primitive firearms season will be bucks-only: Jan. 23-29.
For more information, call (225) 765-2351.
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Water, or lack of water, will determine who has successful duck
hunts when the 2011-12 waterfowl season gets under way Saturday in
the West Zone. Youth waterfowl hunts were scheduled for this
weekend.
Bob Dew of Lafayette, Ducks Unlimited biologist who has worked
in this area for eight years, said much of the state “is very dry,
particularly southwest Louisiana.” Waterfowlers who hunt rice
fields that can be pumped with water will do well, he said.
Water is the key. Those who have it anywhere in the state should
have a great season. I think we should cross our fingers and hope
the state gets some much-needed rainfall soon.
DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.