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In accordance with the emergency provisions of R.S. 49:953(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and under authority of R.S. 56:115, the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby adopts the following Emergency Rule.
The hunting seasons for early migratory birds during the 2006-2007 hunting season shall be as follows:
Mourning and White-Winged Doves: Split Season, Statewide, 70 days
September 2 - September 10
October 14 - November 19
December 16 - January 8
Mourning, White-Winged and fully dressed Eurasian Collared-Doves and Ringed-Turtle Doves: Daily bag limit 12 in aggregate, Possession 24 in aggregate but note: Eurasian collared doves and ringed turtle doves may only be hunted or taken during the open mourning dove season. There is no bag limit on Eurasian collared-doves or ringed turtle-doves provided that a fully feathered wing and head remain attached to the carcass of the bird. Fully dressed Eurasian-collared doves and ringed turtle-doves (those without a fully feathered wing and head naturally attached to the carcass) shall be included in the aggregate bag.
Teal: September 15 - September 30
Daily bag limit 4, possession limit 8, blue-winged, green-winged and Cinnamon teal only. Federal and state waterfowl stamps required.
Rails: Split Season, Statewide, 70 days
September 15 - September 30
Remainder of season to be set in August with the duck regulations.
King and Clapper: Daily bag limit 15 in the aggregate and possession 30 in the aggregate. Sora and Virginia: Daily and possession bag 25 in the aggregate.
Gallinules: Split Season, Statewide, 70 days
September 15 - September 30
Remainder of season to be set in August with the duck regulations. Common and Purple: Daily bag limit 15 in the aggregate, possession of 30 in the aggregate.
Woodcock: December 18 - January 31, Statewide
Daily bag limit 3, possession limit 6.
Snipe: Deferred to be set in August with the duck regulations.
Extended Falconry Season
Mourning Doves: Split Season, Statewide
September 11 - October 13
November 20 - November 23
Woodcock: Split Season, Statewide
October 28 - December 17
February 1 - February 11
Falconry daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory game birds must n ot exceed 3 and 6 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during the extended falconry seasons and regular hunting seasons. Remainder of extended falconry seasons for ducks, rails, gallinules to be set in August with the duck regulations.
Shooting and Hawking Hours:
Teal, Rail, Woodcock, and Gallinule: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Mourning Dove: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except 12:00 noon to sunset on the opening weekends of each segment, September 2-3, October 14-15 and December 16-17.
A Declaration of Emergency is necessary because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service establishes the framework for all migratory species. In order for Louisiana to provide hunting opportunities to the 140,000 sportsmen, selection of season dates, bag limits, and shooting hours must be established and presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service immediately.
The aforementioned season dates, bag limits and shooting hours will become effective on September 1, 2006 and extend through sunset on February 28, 2007.
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