New Hog Trapping, Hunting Regulations In Effect in Louisiana

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries 10.28.12

Regulations regarding the trapping and hunting of hogs that were adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) are now in effect. The regulations are authorized by a change in state law that allows year-round trapping of hogs under rules recommended by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and promulgated by the LWFC.

Under the new rules, feral hogs may be trapped year-round. Persons who use snares to capture feral hogs must have a valid Louisiana trapping license. Persons who use cage or corral traps must have a valid Louisiana hunting license. It is required that all cage or corral traps have an opening in the top that measures 22 inches by 22 inches or larger or 25 inches in diameter or larger.

The required opening in the top of hog traps will allow black bears that are inadvertently captured in a hog trap to escape. Persons setting hog traps without the required opening are subject to citation and seizure of the trap.

Although not required by the regulations, the department advises trappers not to use snares in areas where bears are present. Several bears have been captured in snares intended for feral hog or coyotes. Trappers are advised instead to use foot-hold traps for coyotes and cage or corral traps for hogs in these areas. If snares are used, it is strongly recommended that trappers use snares with a relaxing lock and breakaway device rated for 350 lbs. or less. For more information on using snares in areas occupied by bears, visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/36018-bear-snare/bear_snare.pdf .

For questions concerning trapping hogs, contact any private lands biologist at an LDWF field office. For questions about the hog trapping regulations, contact Fred Kimmel at 225-765-2355 or fkimmel@wlf.la.gov.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.