The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has added seven days in designated areas within Kisatchie National Forest for bucks-only still hunting with firearms, during the 2013-14 deer season.
The dates include Nov. 22 through 28, 2013, providing additional bucks only hunting opportunity during the Thanksgiving week holiday period.
The still hunt, bucks only, modern-firearms areas within KNF include Catahoula (Grant and Rapides parishes), Winn (Winn, Grant & Natchitoches parishes), Kisatchie Ranger Districts (Natchitoches Parish), Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Rapides Parish), and the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District (Vernon Parish, excluding Fort Polk/Vernon WMA).
Previously approved and announced dates in these areas include Nov. 2-21, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 14-29. These dates have not changed.
The online version of the 2013-14 Louisiana Hunting Regulations pamphlet has been updated to reflect these changes on page 83. To view the full document, visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/regulations .
The U.S. Forest Service requested the additional week of Nov. 22-28 be included in this year’s season dates for deer hunting to provide additional hunting opportunities during the Thanksgiving week holidays.
The action was taken by Declaration of Emergency since the Commission’s season date rule has already been submitted to the legislative leadership and the Louisiana Register, and insufficient time remained to make these changes via standard rulemaking prior to the opening dates of these seasons.
The action was taken in accordance with the emergency provisions of La. R.S. 49953 of the Administrative Procedure Act, and under the authority of La. R.S. 56:115 and 116, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.