State: LA

Why It Matters: Menhaden are a critical part of the coastal ecosystem, serving as an important forage food for many recreationally important species such as redfish, speckled trout, and others. It’s also a critically important resource for the commercial fishing industry in Louisiana. Over the years, there have been growing concerns by the recreational fishing community…

Why It Matters: Louisiana and Florida are two of the most recent states to re-establish hunting seasons on black bears. While hunters cannot just go and buy tags or permits over the counter, they are throwing their names into the proverbial hat (lottery system) in hopes of drawing tags. Hunters are not the only ones…

Why It Matters: For over 80 years, sportsmen and women have been the primary funders of conservation in North America. The “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) relies on those who consumptively use the resource to pay for the privilege to do so. Today, most state fish…

Why It Matters:  The “Sportsman’s Paradise” has seen several different pieces of legislation and regulations cross the finish line thus far in 2025. From committing funding to revitalize one of the most historic waterfowl hunting areas in the state, to incentivizing private landowners to enhance wildlife habitat, expanding black bear hunting opportunities, modernizing primitive firearms…

Why It Matters: The White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) spans over 71,000 acres and has long been considered one of the most important areas in North America for wintering waterfowl and an important destination for sportsmen and women. Over the years, the WLWCA has been without adequate funding to repair and maintain critical infrastructure, such…

Why It Matters: Louisiana becomes the latest state to recognize the advancements in muzzleloading technology, such as the Firestick, that have enhanced the safety and reliability of traditional muzzleloading firearms. With a new method of take opportunity on the table, hunters in the Sportsmen’s Paradise will have expanded access to pursue our time-honored traditions. Additionally, on the…

Why It Matters:   Advancements in muzzleloading technology, such as the Firestick, have enhanced the safety and reliability of traditional muzzleloading firearms while maintaining the traditional characteristic of loading the projectile down the barrel. However, many states have outdated definitions of “muzzleloaders” or “primitive firearms” that don’t allow for the use of such technologies during their…

Red snapper are a popular sportfish in the South Atlantic, but despite having the healthiest population of red snapper in recorded history, recreational anglers have been met with severely restrictive season lengths. This punitive result to having more fish in the water can be attributed to a federal management system that relies on often variable…

Why It Matters: Thanks to the conservation management efforts of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and their partners, the Louisiana black bear’s population has rebounded to feature a harvestable surplus – resulting in one of the greatest conservation success stories in the South. The 2024 Louisiana bear hunting season, which ran from Dec….

Why It Matters: Once on the brink of extinction, the Louisiana black bear’s population has rebounded to the point where it must be managed. Beginning in December of 2024, the story of the Louisiana black bear is among the greatest conservation success stories in the southern United States and is a testament to the North…

Why It Matters: Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for good reason. Abundant hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping opportunities can be found throughout the state, and these traditions continue to be protected in large part by the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. However, having a pro-sportsmen governor as a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s…