Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 76 - WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
Part V - Wild Quadrupeds and Wild Birds
Chapter 3 - Wild Birds
Section V-321 - Bird Dog Training Areas

A. Purpose. Bird dog training areas (BDTA) are established to afford users of wildlife management areas (WMA) and other public land an opportunity to train pointing dogs and flushing retrievers or spaniels with live released birds. The BDTA is not intended to serve as a hunting preserve. The following regulations are adopted to ensure that users of the BDTA utilize the area as intended, and to minimize the potential for negative impacts on wildlife.

B. Establishment and Posting. BDTAs may be established on any WMA or other public land with written consent of the managing agency. Portions of the WMA/public land without significant wild quail populations, and where wildlife will not be negatively impacted are suitable for establishment of BDTAs. BDTAs must be marked with signs and/or paint clearly indicating the boundaries.

C. Permits and Licenses. Each person using the BDTA for dog training must have a valid self-clearing permit in his/her possession while engaged in dog training on the BDTA. Said permit must indicate the number and species of birds released for training purposes in the comments section. For purposes of this rule, a person or party will be considered to be engaged in dog training if they possess or release live bobwhite quail, mallards or pigeons at any time, or if they are present on the BDTA with pointing dogs, spaniels or retrievers during the time quail, woodcock, dove or waterfowl season is closed on the WMA/public land. All users of the BDTA must comply with the WMA/public land self-clearing permit requirements. Any person who takes or attempts to take released or wild bobwhite quail, mallards or pigeons on the BDTA must comply with applicable hunting license and WMA/public land permit requirements.

D. Dogs. Only recognizable breeds of pointing dogs, spaniels, and retrievers may be trained on the BDTA. All dogs must wear a collar or tag imprinted with the name and phone number of the owner or trainer. Trainers shall not knowingly allow or encourage their dogs to pursue rabbits, raccoons, or other wildlife.

E. Birds. Only bobwhite quail, mallards or pigeons may be released for dog training activities on the BDTA. However, use of pigeons and mallards may be prohibited on specific BDTAs. Bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may only be released within the boundaries of the BDTA. Bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may be shot in conjunction with dog training activities. When WMA/public land hunting seasons are closed, only bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may be taken and possessed. When the WMA/public land quail, waterfowl or woodcock hunting season is closed, bobwhite quail, mallards and pigeons may only be shot within the boundaries of the BDTA. No more than 6 quail or mallards per day may be released, taken, or possessed per permittee. Wild quail may be taken on the BDTA at any time the BDTA is open to dog training and must be included in the 6-bird limit. There is no limit on the number of pigeons that may be taken, released, or possessed. All mallards must be toe-clipped, or fitted with a seamless band, or otherwise marked in accordance with federal regulations. Pigeons are not required to be banded. Persons in possession of live bobwhite quail or mallards must have a valid game breeders license or bill of sale from a licensed game breeder.

F. Firearms. When the WMA/public land hunting seasons are closed, only shotguns with shells containing shot not larger than lead size 8 or steel size 6 are permitted on the BDTA. Mallards may only be taken with steel or other approved non-toxic shot. Firearms must be encased or broken down upon entering and leaving the BDTA when the WMA hunting seasons are closed. Pistols capable of firing only blanks are also permitted.

G. Seasons. Unless specified, BDTAs are open to dog training all year. Closure periods may be adopted for some BDTAs. Such closure periods will be noted in the Louisiana Hunting Regulations brochure.

H. Hunter Orange Requirements. Persons engaged in dog training on BDTAs during WMA hunting seasons must comply with WMA/public land hunter orange requirements.

I. Wildlife Management Area/Public Land Regulations. Except as provided herein, all rules and hunting seasons applicable to the WMA/public land on which the BDTA is located are also applicable to the BDTA. Additional regulations may be adopted for some BDTAs and will be listed for each BDTA within the Louisiana Hunting Regulations brochure.

J. Violation of Rules. A person who is convicted or enters a guilty plea for violation of any provision of this rule shall be guilty of a class 2 violation.