§116. Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; special hunting seasons

            A. Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 1226, §2, eff. June 29, 1995.

            B. The commission may establish special deer hunting seasons in one or more periods, separate from the regular open season established by the commission pursuant to R.S. 56:115, wherein deer may be hunted and taken with bow and arrow and crossbow. The commission may establish the following special deer hunting seasons: (1) a bow and arrow only season, and (2) a bow and arrow and crossbow season. The length of such special seasons and the area for hunting shall be determined by the commission.

            C.(1) The commission may establish a special deer season for primitive firearms. The taking of deer in such season shall be limited to persons who are licensed in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 56:3002. The commission shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing such season, including the type and size of weapons used, licenses required, sex of deer to be hunted, and the areas included in the season. In addition to any other weapon restriction the commission may adopt, such rules and regulations shall provide that breech loading rifles with a caliber of .35 or larger may be used during primitive firearms season. The taking of deer during this season shall be limited to still hunting and may be allowed in all or some areas of the state where deer hunting is now or shall in the future be allowed.

            (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, during primitive firearms season any licensee may use a magnified scope on any weapon authorized for use during the primitive firearms season.

            D.(1) The commission shall establish a special open deer hunting season for youth under eighteen years of age. The taking of deer in such a season shall be limited to a weekend prior to the opening weekend of the regular gun season in all of the applicable zones. Properly licensed resident and nonresident youths may participate in this special season. Any youth participating in the special youth hunting season shall be accompanied by one adult eighteen years of age or older, but only the youth may participate in the actual hunting. If the accompanying adult is in possession of a valid hunter safety certificate, or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course approved by the department, a youth under eighteen years of age shall not be required to have these items. However, if the accompanying adult is not in possession of these items, the youth shall be required to have in his possession either a hunter safety certificate or proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course approved by the department. A youth who is under the age of eighteen shall have in his possession a youth hunting license as required by law. The accompanying adult shall maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times.

            (2) The commission may establish a special open deer hunting season for Louisiana residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The taking of deer in such a season shall be limited to a weekend prior to the opening weekend of the regular gun season in all of the applicable zones and shall run concurrently with the open deer hunting season for youth provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. In order to qualify for the veterans special season, a veteran shall hold and be in possession of either a basic hunting license and a deer license, a Sportsman's Paradise license, or an equivalent license that grants both basic hunting and deer privileges and shall be able to provide proof satisfactory to the department of such honorable discharge. The special open deer hunting season authorized pursuant to this Paragraph shall be applicable to hunting on private property only and shall not be applicable to any state-owned or federally owned or managed property.

            Acts 1992, No. 434, §1; Acts 1992, No. 579, §1; Acts 1992, No. 966, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1226, §§1, 2, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 69, §1; Acts 1999, No. 255, §1; Acts 1999, No. 391, §1; Acts 2001, No. 27, §1; Acts 2004, No. 100, §1; Acts 2006, No. 775, §2; Acts 2008, No. 22, §1; Acts 2008, No. 51, §1, eff. June 5, 2008; Acts 2012, No. 68, §1; Acts 2014, No. 678, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.