HLS 23RS-644 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 85
BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS JOHNSON
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries to study the feasibility of allowing a black bear hunting season
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to study
3 the feasibility of allowing a black bear hunting season.
4 WHEREAS, the Louisiana black bear was listed as threatened under the Endangered
5Species Act in 1992; and
6 WHEREAS, after the Louisiana black bear was listed under the Endangered Species
7Act, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service developed a recovery plan for the
8subspecies, including at least two viable subpopulations, one each in the Tensas and
9Atchafalaya river basins, immigration and emigration corridors between the two
10subpopulations, and protection of habitat and corridors that support the two subpopulations;
11and
12 WHEREAS, to meet the recovery criteria and reduce threats to the Louisiana black
13bear, state and federal agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and private
14landowners partnered in conducting numerous research and habitat restoration projects and
15in implementing regulations; and
16 WHEREAS, the LDWF, in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife
17Service and the United States Geological Survey, developed a database that is used to track
18bear occurrences, captures, and mortalities to better understand subpopulations; and
19 WHEREAS, because of these projects and regulations, the Louisiana black bear
20population is now considered viable over the next one hundred years with sufficient
21protected habitat to support breeding and exchange between subpopulations; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-644 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 85
1 WHEREAS, black bears remain protected by state laws, which currently do not allow
2hunting of these animals; and
3 WHEREAS, the LDWF continues to conduct research to monitor demographic and
4genetic characteristics of the individual subpopulations of the Louisiana black bear; and
5 WHEREAS, as the state wildlife management agency, the LDWF has the
6responsibility to ensure Louisiana black bear populations live on into the future; and
7 WHEREAS, the LDWF has released a management plan that creates a framework
8from which the LDWF and stakeholders can work to maintain a sustainable Louisiana black
9bear population within the state and ensure the subspecies remains a valued part of the state's
10wildlife community; and
11 WHEREAS, the LDWF has a responsibility to manage human and bear conflicts, and
12promote research and education related to these issues.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
14urge and request the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study the feasibility
15of allowing a black bear hunting season.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
17Fisheries shall provide a written report of its findings and conclusions to the House
18Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural
19Resources by February 1, 2024.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
21secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 85 Original 2023 Regular Session Travis Johnson
Urges and requests the La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to study the feasibility of allowing
a black bear hunting season. Requires a written report to be completed by the department
and submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the
Senate Committee on Natural Resources by Feb. 1, 2024.
Page 2 of 2