Bayou Bucks Magazine — June 2012
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Sportsmen’s Heritage Act
In late April, a U.S. House of Representatives vote of 274 to 146 passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. The bill now awaits Senate approval. Also known as the “Heritage Act,” this legislation was lauded by both the NRA and Safari Club International as the most significant, pro-sportsmen bill passed in years.
The Heritage Act explicitly classifies Bureau Of Land Management and Forest Service land as open to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting.The only exception would be lands restricted due to documented scientific reasons. is has the potential to impact some 700 million acres of public land nationwide.
Another important aim of the bill is to eliminate the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban lead in hunting and fishing gear. The EPA’s regulations on ammunition have required duck hunters to use non-lead shot shell loads for years.This bill would strip this federal agency of its jurisdiction in the matter and allow individual states to decide on the matter.
2012 Turkey Harvest Reporting
One of this month’s featured writers, James “Mitch” Mitchell, experienced some difficulties in reporting his 2012 gobblers to LDWF’s automated telephone reporting system. His birds were taken in Iberville Parish, and the system did not recognize his pronunciations despite trying multiple times. When attempting to submit the harvest information online, he again encountered issues and was unable to report the kills.
Mitchell inquired to Jimmy Stafford, the Louisiana Turkey Study Leader with LDWF who explained that there were still some issues to be worked out in the system. Stafford recorded Mitchell’s harvest information, and he encouraged other BBM readers who experienced similar difficulties to email their tag information to jstafford@wlf.la.gov. He went on to stress the importance of the data and asked that readers use whatever means available to report this information to LDWF.
LWFC Announces “Free Fishing Weekend”
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has designated the weekend of June 9th-10th a “Free Fishing Weekend” for both residents and nonresidents of the state.This designation means that people without a valid fishing license are allowed to legally fish in Louisiana waters for the entire weekend.
The program is geared towards attracting inexperienced or novice anglers to the sport. By giving these individuals a free trial, LWFC hopes to ultimately increase license sales by sparking their interest and creating a lifelong passion for fishing and the outdoors.
There are several events to be hosted by LWFC on Saturday, June 9th as follows:
Bass Pro Shops Kids Fishing Rodeo at Waddill Wildlife Refuge
Flannery Road, Baton Rouge Fishing competition from 7 to 11 a.m. followed by lunch at Bass Pro Shops.
Free Fishing Day at Lake D’Arbonne State Park
3628 Evergreen Road, Farmerville Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the fishing contest at 9 a.m. and bait casting contest at 10 a.m. with awards to be presented before noon.
Louisiana Saltwater Series Youth Fishing Event at Elmer’s Island
LA Hwy. 1, Grand Isle Tournament hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, contact John Sturgis at (225) 763-5448 or jsturgis@wlf.la.gov or Danica Williams at (504) 628-7282 or dwilliams@wlf.la.gov.
In late April, a U.S. House of Representatives vote of 274 to 146 passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. The bill now awaits Senate approval. Also known as the “Heritage Act,” this legislation was lauded by both the NRA and Safari Club International as the most significant, pro-sportsmen bill passed in years.
The Heritage Act explicitly classifies Bureau Of Land Management and Forest Service land as open to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting.The only exception would be lands restricted due to documented scientific reasons. is has the potential to impact some 700 million acres of public land nationwide.
Another important aim of the bill is to eliminate the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban lead in hunting and fishing gear. The EPA’s regulations on ammunition have required duck hunters to use non-lead shot shell loads for years.This bill would strip this federal agency of its jurisdiction in the matter and allow individual states to decide on the matter.
2012 Turkey Harvest Reporting
One of this month’s featured writers, James “Mitch” Mitchell, experienced some difficulties in reporting his 2012 gobblers to LDWF’s automated telephone reporting system. His birds were taken in Iberville Parish, and the system did not recognize his pronunciations despite trying multiple times. When attempting to submit the harvest information online, he again encountered issues and was unable to report the kills.
Mitchell inquired to Jimmy Stafford, the Louisiana Turkey Study Leader with LDWF who explained that there were still some issues to be worked out in the system. Stafford recorded Mitchell’s harvest information, and he encouraged other BBM readers who experienced similar difficulties to email their tag information to jstafford@wlf.la.gov. He went on to stress the importance of the data and asked that readers use whatever means available to report this information to LDWF.
LWFC Announces “Free Fishing Weekend”
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has designated the weekend of June 9th-10th a “Free Fishing Weekend” for both residents and nonresidents of the state.This designation means that people without a valid fishing license are allowed to legally fish in Louisiana waters for the entire weekend.
The program is geared towards attracting inexperienced or novice anglers to the sport. By giving these individuals a free trial, LWFC hopes to ultimately increase license sales by sparking their interest and creating a lifelong passion for fishing and the outdoors.
There are several events to be hosted by LWFC on Saturday, June 9th as follows:
Bass Pro Shops Kids Fishing Rodeo at Waddill Wildlife Refuge
Flannery Road, Baton Rouge Fishing competition from 7 to 11 a.m. followed by lunch at Bass Pro Shops.
Free Fishing Day at Lake D’Arbonne State Park
3628 Evergreen Road, Farmerville Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the fishing contest at 9 a.m. and bait casting contest at 10 a.m. with awards to be presented before noon.
Louisiana Saltwater Series Youth Fishing Event at Elmer’s Island
LA Hwy. 1, Grand Isle Tournament hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, contact John Sturgis at (225) 763-5448 or jsturgis@wlf.la.gov or Danica Williams at (504) 628-7282 or dwilliams@wlf.la.gov.
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