New dove hunting regulations for 2017-18 hunting season

Aug. 10, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding dove hunters that a new regulation governing the type of shot dove hunters may use on LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and LDWF leased dove fields will be in effect for the 2017-18 hunting season.
Hunters on those areas will be limited to the use of non-toxic shot, size 6 and smaller for dove hunting.
The change is intended to reduce the deposition of lead shot and potential effects of lead on wildlife. Current research has demonstrated that in dove fields and areas surrounding dove fields, deposition of lead is high and concentration of lead is elevated in the soil.
The regulation was proposed and adopted in order to mitigate the potential exposure of lead to wildlife in areas impacted by this activity. Go to the LDWF web site at wlf.louisiana.gov to see the 2017-18 hunting rules and regulations.
For more information, contact Steve Smith at ssmith@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2359.