The roadmap for Louisiana's hunting seasons over the next couple of years is now set in motion following a nod from the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC). In a meeting held in Baton Rouge on Thursday, the LWFC approved the notice of intent (NOI) concerning the 2025-26 and 2026-27 hunting schedules, alongside general and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) hunting seasons and regulations. This approval didn't just emerge out of thin air; it was the culmination of efforts that began earnestly in January, per a release by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The NOI to now be reviewed — with the expectation that it be accepted or further amended — will make its way to the Legislative Oversight committee. Should they find the proposed plans and rules for the hunt stand up to scrutiny, the LDWF Secretary is set to finalize the Rule. Once sealed and delivered, hunters can look to find the full rundown published in the State Register, as outlined by information from the official announcement yesterday.
Changes to hunting regulations can often stir up a diverse range of opinions among conservationists, hunters, and residents. Yet, the transparency provided by the LWFC through their several amendments during the NOI process, which began earlier in the year, offers assurance that various stakeholders had the chance to weigh in. Those amendments are a testament to the public voice – a sign that the commission is tuned in to the opinions and knowledge of those vested in the state's wildlife and natural resources.
