Several topics discussed at LWFC meeting

• By JOE MACALUSO
• Advocate Outdoors writer
• Published: Jul 3, 2009 - Page: 7C

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Increased boating safety enforcement, changes in the 2010 spring turkey season, dates for the early migratory bird seasons and the use of deer to hunt dogs on Kisatchie National Forest lands dominated Thursday’s Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division’s wrap-up of it activities in June noted five more fatal boating-related accidents, two in Iberville Parish, two in Cameron Parish and one in Natchitoches Parish. Four of the victims were not wearing life jackets.

Enforcement Division Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze also noted in the report that agents issued 67 DWI citations in June with 57 of them coming on the water. It’s the highest number for any single month for the LDWF.

TURKEY SEASON: The process for setting the 2010 turkey season began with the announcement of a change in framework for the setting of opening day.

The proposed change will set the statewide opener as the “Saturday nearest March 22,” with Area A hunters getting a 30-day season, Area B 23 days and Area C 16 days.

For 2010, it means a March 20 opening, a move that will push the Special Youth and Physically Challenged weekend on private lands to March 13-14.

This proposal will face a 120-day comment period before the LWFC ratifies the season dates and other regulations at its Nov. 5 meeting in Baton Rouge.

The move was a compromise struck with turkey hunters who called for an earlier season. Since 2002, the turkey season’s statewide opener was pinned to the last Saturday in March.

Larry Savage, a LDWF game biologist and Turkey Study leader, said the changing of target date means “half the time the season will open on the third Saturday in March and half the time it will open on the fourth Saturday (in March).”

Savage said included in the proposal are added youth hunts on the Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Area and firm youth-only seasons on 14 WMAs and two national refuges.

MIGRATORY BIRDS: LDWF biologist Mike Olinde submitted dates for the 70-day dove and 16-day special September teal seasons to the LWFC for its approval. Though most times it’s a formality, the dates are subject to approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Teal hunters will have a Sept. 12-17 season with a four-teal-per-day limit.

For the second year, dove hunters can hunt in North and South zones with a 15-doves-per-day limit.