WHEREAS, trespassing during hunts is a contentious issue every year in Louisiana as evidenced by annual squabbles in sportsmen’s internet chat rooms such as LouisianaSportsman.com and BayouBucks.com; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) generally oversees hunting in Louisiana and has an obligation to the public to manage its programs so that hunters can more easily comply with legal requirements; and
WHEREAS, most states educate their public regarding the legalities of trespassing by including information in their annual hunting regulations – for example:
Texas – “Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.” (Regulations Summary, Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Annual 2012 – 2013, pg 23),
Oklahoma – “Hunters must obtain permission to enter any posted or occupied land or land primarily devoted to farming, ranching, or forestry purposes.” (www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/general-hunting-regulations/ — Oklahoma Hunting, The Official Oklahoma Hunting Guide, General Hunting Regulations, Landowner Permission section),
Arkansas – “To hunt, fish, trap, or release hunting dogs on private property, hunters must have permission from the landowner or leaseholder.” (www.agfc.com/hunting/pages/huntingregulations.aspx — Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, 2012 – 2013 General Hunting Regulations, Hunting on Private Property section),
Mississippi – “Landowner permission is required to hunt, fish, or trap on private lands.” (www.eregulations.com/mississippi/general-hunting-regulations-and-requirements –Mississippi General Hunting Regulations & Requirements),
Alabama – “It is illegal to hunt, trap, capture, injure, kill, or destroy any wild game on another person’s land without having in possession the written permission of the landowner or person in control of such land, unless accompanied by the landowner or unless a guest of the landowner.” (http://www.eregulations.com/alabama/hunting-regulations-info/ — Alabama Hunting & Fishing Digest, 2012 – 2013 Requirements, Fees, & Season Dates – Hunting Permission Requirement section); and
WHEREAS, LDWF has proposed to provide guidance in documents (such as the annual hunting regulations) commonly read by Louisiana sportsmen concerning trespassing.
Resolution No. 11D, 2013 – HUNTING-RELATED TRESPASS EDUCATION, Page 2
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports LDWF reducing unnecessary annual contentiousness among Louisianans by providing guidance in documents commonly read by Louisiana sportsmen concerning trespassing.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, February 24, 2013 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide conservation education and advocacy organization with more than 8,500 members and 25 affiliate groups. Established in 1940, it is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation and represents a broad constituency of conservationists including hunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.