LDWF Proposes New Waterfowl Hunting Zones for 2016-2021
Oct. 5, 2015 – In action taken at the Oct. 1 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) was directed to present to the public revised waterfowl hunting zones that would be considered for the 2016-21 waterfowl hunting seasons.
Zones for waterfowl hunting can be changed every five years, and this opportunity comes at the same time the review/approval process for setting waterfowl hunting regulations is being moved to an earlier time frame in the calendar year. Consequently, changes to waterfowl hunting zones must be decided prior to December 1, 2015 to take effect for the 2016-17 hunting season.
New proposed boundaries are:
East Zone: The area of the state between the Mississippi State line and the line going south on Hwy 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer; then south on Hwy 9 to Arcadia; then south on Hwy 147 to Hodge; then south on Hwy 167 to Turkey Creek; then south on Hwy 13 to Eunice; then west on Hwy 190 to its junction with Hwy 171 at Ragley; then south on Hwy 171 to Lake Charles; then south and east on Hwy 14 to its junction with Hwy 90 in New Iberia; then east on Hwy 90 to its junction with the Atchafalaya River; then south along the east bank of the Atchafalaya River to the boundary of Atchafalaya Delta WMA; then along the eastern boundary of the Atchafalaya Delta WMA to the end of Point au Fer Island ; then due south to the end of state waters.
West Zone: The area between the Texas State line and the line going east on Hwy 190/12 to Eunice; then north on Hwy 13 to Turkey Creek; then north on Hwy 167 to Hodge; then north on Hwy 147 to Arcadia; then north on Hwy 9 to Homer; then north on Hwy 79 to the Arkansas border.
Coastal Zone: Remainder of state.
Click each map to view larger version.
For larger side-by-side comparison, click HERE.
The major changes conferred by the proposed new zones include moving the marshes of southeast Louisiana from the Coastal into the East Zone; moving a large amount of rice-growing acreage in Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, and Vermilion Parishes from the Coastal to the East Zone; and moving a portion of NW LA from the East Zone to the West Zone.
LDWF Wildlife Division staff received comments and suggestions on waterfowl hunting zone changes from waterfowl hunters at public meetings conducted in September.
Proposed changes to the waterfowl hunting zones are available for public comment through Nov. 5, 2015. The Department is requesting comments be sent to Larry Reynolds, Waterfowl Program Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Oct. 30, 2015, but additional comment can be provided directly to the Commission at the Nov. 5, 2015 meeting in Baton Rouge. Public comment received by Oct. 30, 2015 on the proposed waterfowl hunting zone changes will be summarized and presented to the Commission at their Nov. 5, 2015 meeting.
Waterfowl hunting zones approved by the Commission in November would take effect in the 2016-17 waterfowl hunting season and remain in place for five years. There will be no changes to the current zone alignment for the 2015-16 waterfowl season.
To make a comment, or if you have additional questions or comments, please contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-0456 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .