3 Zones for Duck Hunting
 

** Printable Version
Release Date: 06/07/2012


June 7, 2012 *-- The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) today approved a three-zone framework for the 2012-2015 waterfowl seasons.
In a presentation prepared by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Waterfowl Program, the Commission heard data gathered during a recent survey conducted by the Department.* Hunter comments were collected via a mail-out and an on-line survey form.
Options presented included no change in the current two-zone configuration and two, three-zone options that offered different boundaries for a revised west zone layout. The previous west zone was divided to form a new coastal zone and a west zone.
Based on hunter preferences in survey data and the Department’s recommendation, the Commission approval created a third zone with a new boundary of La. Hwy. 106 from its junction with US Hwy. 167 west to Oakdale, then south from Oakdale on US Hwy. 165 to its junction with US Hwy. 190, then west on US Hwy. 190/La. Hwy. 12 to the Texas border.
The existing* zone boundary in northwest Louisiana between the east and west zones changes to US Hwy. 167 north from Jonesboro to the Arkansas border.
The season dates in* each zone for* the 2012-13 waterfowl season will be proposed at the July Commission meeting and approved* at the August* meeting.
For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-2346 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/35533

Ok I'm coastal zone now. Hmmm

Yea, I figured this would effect a lot of people on here.

If you click on the link at the bottom, they show a map.

so what is going to be the difference in the number of days or splits?

It says they don't set dates and such until July. I don't know what will change.

if we don't get 60 days i'm killin someone

I really dont see the point in this change. Would live to see the data that they used to make the decision.

Lol I'm with you on that!!

Don't worry I've got some tshirts being made :D


Someone posted a link to the survey awhile back.

Lol

I sure dont like the idea! I would now be in coastal zone which means the season will open the soonest and close the soonest. Our duck huntin is usually the best at the end of January when the big ducks show up :cry:

60 days or bust!

we always close last in the east zone:D... Im planning some coastal zone hunts too though

Ya'll do realize that it won't be 60 days forever right? When the drought returns to the breeding grounds you won't see 60 days. Could be 45, could be 30 or it could be closed altogether under the AHM matrix.

But I give money to DU!

And at least 7

And a 16 day teal season or bust!!!

Well you will be sorely disappointed! LOL

what exactly was the point for the 3 zone change? and what all would be the considerations for change in the number of days??

This makes no sense to me at all. I don't see there point in doing this and I sure hope we don't open any earlier. I would be happy if they pushed us back 2 weeks.

This survey was put out on every outdoors website in Louisiana, and I am glad they listened to the people. This is what the majority wanted, if someone feels they were left out of the survey, I think the state waterfowl biologist went through great lengths to get this survey to everyone

the 3 zones makes no difference to me.. I just want to know if we are going to have the same amount of days? How many splits? and what are the conditions and reasonings for the days change. I agree that I wouldnt mind if the season openned later and stayed open a couple weeks later. I dont like sweating when im hunting the first part of Nov. even though the bellies do it nasty then!

the dates/splits will come later in the year. The feds set the framework for the seasons, this was just for the state, probably the same setup as the last few years = 60/6, but the 60/6 ain't gonna last forever

Google Adaptive Harvest Management and you can learn how the seasons are set regarding how many days you will get.

Couldn't agree more, I wish we could hunt in February. But as far as sweating, I hunted the last weekend of the season, and hunted specks every weekend after that til the end and sweated and swatted mosquitoes like teal season everytime. Hopefully we have a much colder winter this year. Did I mention I'm ready to shoot something's face off?

I just want to kill birds, don't care when.

X infinity

Larry Reynolds will present the season dates to the commissioners at the July 2nd commission meeting. It's been raining recently in prairie Canada. The season will be set based on the Bpop ( Breeding Duck Population Estimate). Let's hope on a good report from up north. As soon as I hear I will post.

Feesherman is correct 60 and 6 is not going to last forever. Lots more farming is going on up there with farmers getting out of CRP. If we have a drought up there ducks will have very limited places to go and the Bpop would decline.

Not if we have a drought, it's WHEN we have a drought. It's a cycle and it will happen again.

Of course there will be bad years for breeding in the future due to droughts and other issues. However, in the last few years breeding numbers hatches have been up. This year is looking promising as well. So my question is, since what they set has to stay set for four years, will they lower the number of days or our limits just because it is possible that a drought could occur in the next couple of years? And why in the hell can't they change these things every year as needed?

Great questions.

I read today in the br paper, we should likely have another 6 duck / 60 day season...

Louisiana is not a big enough state to warrant 3 zones like Texas has. Northeast La is probably the culprit in the 3 zone garbage since they have been having a tuff go of it for atleast 10 yrs, water/farming practices haven't helped either. Most of the good stuff up there is under private ownership or long term high $$ lease and those people dont Internet much or even live in Louisiana.
Buddy in Fargo ND says mild winter has most birds still in state so it should be a bumper crop his year but will still need ice/snow to move them south. Plenty of water in Nodak also, now if I can make some chedda before oct 15 I might get up there this year.

No they will always set the seasons and bag limits based on the total population after the annual flight surveys are done. The BPOP will hit the press every year usually around July 1.

Your next question would have to be addressed by Larry Reynolds or someone with the Feds. That is a Federal mandate.

I am pretty sure we will get 60 and 6 this year.

Northwest LA hunters actually caused the change from what I gathered at the Commission meeting. Our Zone ( Coastal) should basically be the same as the old West. Open on 11/10 and close on 1/18 with a split after Thanksgiving.

Cool deal, I e-mailed Larry Reynolds with some further questions but still waiting on a response.

We are really fortunate to have a waterfowl study leader like L Reynolds, he wants the hunters to maximize their harvest anyway that is legal and anyway he can. He constantly sends out surveys and is always open to public discussion. He is a Californian but everyone has their faults:rotfl:

That sounded kinda gay, but still you get the point:shaking: