Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 76 - WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES › Part V - Wild Quadrupeds and Wild Birds › Chapter 3 - Wild Birds › Section V-321 - Bird Dog Training Areas

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A.
				Purpose. Bird dog training areas (BDTA) are established to afford users of
				wildlife management areas (WMA) and other public land an opportunity to train
				pointing dogs and flushing retrievers or spaniels with live released birds. The
				BDTA is not intended to serve as a hunting preserve. The following regulations
				are adopted to ensure that users of the BDTA utilize the area as intended, and
				to minimize the potential for negative impacts on wildlife.
B. Establishment and Posting. BDTAs may be
				established on any WMA or other public land with written consent of the
				managing agency. Portions of the WMA/public land without significant wild quail
				populations, and where wildlife will not be negatively impacted are suitable
				for establishment of BDTAs. BDTAs must be marked with signs and/or paint
				clearly indicating the boundaries.
C. Permits and Licenses. Each person using
				the BDTA for dog training must have a valid self-clearing permit in his/her
				possession while engaged in dog training on the BDTA. Said permit must indicate
				the number and species of birds released for training purposes in the comments
				section. For purposes of this rule, a person or party will be considered to be
				engaged in dog training if they possess or release live bobwhite quail,
				mallards or pigeons at any time, or if they are present on the BDTA with
				pointing dogs, spaniels or retrievers during the time quail, woodcock, dove or
				waterfowl season is closed on the WMA/public land. All users of the BDTA must
				comply with the WMA/public land self-clearing permit requirements. Any person
				who takes or attempts to take released or wild bobwhite quail, mallards or
				pigeons on the BDTA must comply with applicable hunting license and WMA/public
				land permit requirements.
D. Dogs.
				Only recognizable breeds of pointing dogs, spaniels, and retrievers may be
				trained on the BDTA. All dogs must wear a collar or tag imprinted with the name
				and phone number of the owner or trainer. Trainers shall not knowingly allow or
				encourage their dogs to pursue rabbits, raccoons, or other wildlife.
E. Birds. Only bobwhite quail, mallards or
				pigeons may be released for dog training activities on the BDTA. However, use
				of pigeons and mallards may be prohibited on specific BDTAs. Bobwhite quail,
				mallards and pigeons may only be released within the boundaries of the BDTA.
				Bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may be shot in conjunction with dog
				training activities. When WMA/public land hunting seasons are closed, only
				bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may be taken and possessed. When the
				WMA/public land quail, waterfowl or woodcock hunting season is closed, bobwhite
				quail, mallards and pigeons may only be shot within the boundaries of the BDTA.
				No more than 6 quail or mallards per day may be released, taken, or possessed
				per permittee. Wild quail may be taken on the BDTA at any time the BDTA is open
				to dog training and must be included in the 6-bird limit. There is no limit on
				the number of pigeons that may be taken, released, or possessed. All mallards
				must be toe-clipped, or fitted with a seamless band, or otherwise marked in
				accordance with federal regulations. Pigeons are not required to be banded.
				Persons in possession of live bobwhite quail or mallards must have a valid game
				breeders license or bill of sale from a licensed game breeder.
F. Firearms. When the WMA/public land hunting
				seasons are closed, only shotguns with shells containing shot not larger than
				lead size 8 or steel size 6 are permitted on the BDTA. Mallards may only be
				taken with steel or other approved non-toxic shot. Firearms must be encased or
				broken down upon entering and leaving the BDTA when the WMA hunting seasons are
				closed. Pistols capable of firing only blanks are also permitted.
G. Seasons. Unless specified, BDTAs are open
				to dog training all year. Closure periods may be adopted for some BDTAs. Such
				closure periods will be noted in the Louisiana Hunting Regulations
				brochure.
H. Hunter Orange
				Requirements. Persons engaged in dog training on BDTAs during WMA hunting
				seasons must comply with WMA/public land hunter orange requirements.
I. Wildlife Management Area/Public Land
				Regulations. Except as provided herein, all rules and hunting seasons
				applicable to the WMA/public land on which the BDTA is located are also
				applicable to the BDTA. Additional regulations may be adopted for some BDTAs
				and will be listed for each BDTA within the Louisiana Hunting Regulations
				brochure.
J. Violation of Rules. A
				person who is convicted or enters a guilty plea for violation of any provision
				of this rule shall be guilty of a class 2 violation.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
				  Promulgated in accordance with
				  R.S.
				  56:109(B),
				  R.S.
				  56:115, and
				  R.S.
				  56:141(C).