New state land dove reg

Good news for hunters. There is yet another pair of new regulations to keep up with.

If you are a dove hunter, remember that you can no longer use lead shot when hunting doves on state management areas or state leased land. Areas that are being leased by the department and open to the public in a couple of weeks haven’t been announced yet.

Dove season will open statewide Sept. 2. The South Zone season is Sept. 2-10, Oct. 7-Nov. 26 and Dec. 17-Jan. 15. In the North Zone, the season will be open Sept. 2-24, Oct. 7-Nov. 12 and Dec. 17-Jan. 15. Hunters are allowed 15 doves each per day.

The apparent reason is that after a hundred years of shooting doves with lead shot, there is concern that buildups in fields can cause lead poisoning in doves that dont actually get shot. You’ll also be glad to know that California is on the leading edge of this reform, completing banning any kind of  lead hunting ammunition beginning in 2019.  Unfortunately, California has not taken any steps to ban lead ammunition in guns used to shoot people. California runs about 2,000 murders per year. Also, no studies have been conducted on the effects of additional rust accumulations in the outdoors from spent steel shot in heavily hunted areas, but you can bet some of your tax dollars its coming.

But I digress. Back to Louisiana dove shot regulations. There is also a size restriction on the shot used on state land. It may be no larger than size 6, so make sure you’re not only shooting the proper shells, but also packing the proper shells before you head out to the fields. Don’t even have an illegal shell in your pocket, hunting bag or lunch bucket.

Dove season in Louisiana will open statewide on the 2nd of September. Hunters in the North zone of the state will be allowed to hunt September 2 through the 24th. Then again from October 7th through the 12th of November. The season in the North Zone will wrap up December 17th thru the 15th of January 2018. I think this is all correct. But just to make sure, it’s your responsibility to check and follow all the rules and regulations.

If you are like me and pretty much think a dove is a dove is a dove, better check this site out. Pretty interesting information (Just don’t read it on state property if you are in direct possession of lead shot).