NEW ORLEANS – Following Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries deer herd assessments made to determine the impacts of Hurricane Isaac on the deer population, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the LDWF has revised the 2012-2013 Bonnet Carré Spillway hunting season rules and regulations.
LDWF’s population assessments showed that parishes impacted by Hurricane Isaac, which have historically lower deer productivity, required revised harvest rules for 2012-13 based on storm-related deer mortality, including high fawn mortality. The changes to deer season at the Bonnet Carré Spillway follow the revisions approved Oct. 4 by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission for the Maurepas Basin, including St. Charles Parish, and are as follows:
All hunting shall be still-hunting only, EXCEPT as otherwise specified.
Deer*: Archery and Shotgun (buckshot) only.
Archery: Oct. 1 - Oct 15 bucks only; Oct 16 – Feb. 15, either sex
Shotgun: Nov. 23–25, bucks only; Dec. 15 – Dec. 30, bucks only
Youth: Oct. 27-28, bucks only. Additional permit required from Spillway office.
Additional permit required and posted restrictions apply for all persons regardless of age. Permits must be signed prior to hunting any game and must be carried at all times while in the field. For permits or more information, see bulletin boards on-site, visit the project website at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/recreation(then click on Bonnet Carré Spillway), or contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonnet Carré Spillway Project Office at (985) 764-7484 for more information.
Release no. 12-060