[StBernard] Advisory for duck hunters encountering ongoing oil spill activities

[Westley Annis]

Advisory for duck hunters encountering ongoing oil spill activities


In advance of the opening of the regular duck season this weekend, the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is advising duck hunters to
remain aware of ongoing activities in coastal areas affected by the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

 

The 2010-11 duck season will run from Nov. 13 through Jan. 30 and hunters
may encounter clean-up crews and Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA)
teams gathering samples for testing. Clean-up activities continue in the
marshes, bays and on beaches of coastal southeast Louisiana. In addition,
NRDA data collection activities involving aerial and boat surveys, fish
trapping, and submerged aquatic vegetation sampling may be seen in some
areas. Hunters are required to stay at least 65 feet from any existing
clean-up operation or equipment and are asked to be tolerant and respectful
of this important work.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard and oil spill response operations personnel have been
briefed and will delay initiating work to reduce crowding at boat ramps and
marsh disturbance during the popular early-morning hunting hours on opening
weekend. Hunters are advised that for the duration of the season, clean-up
crews will be easily recognized as clusters of workers wearing white Tyvek
suits and their presence puts added emphasis on standard gun-safety
procedures.

 

If a hunter harvests an oiled bird, it must be kept as part of the daily bag
limit, but LDWF is advising hunters NOT to eat visibly oiled ducks. Hunters
are asked to report any oiled bird harvested or any other oiled birds
observed in the field to LDWF at (225) 278-8082. If a harvested bird is
observed to be oiled, wrap the bird in aluminum foil or paper and deliver it
to the nearest LDWF field office or active bag check station so the bird can
be analyzed and become part of the oil spill damage assessment.