ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 85
BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS JOHNSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to study
the feasibility of allowing a black bear hunting season.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana black bear was listed as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act in 1992; and
WHEREAS, after the Louisiana black bear was listed under the Endangered Species
Act, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service developed a recovery plan for the
subspecies, including at least two viable subpopulations, one each in the Tensas and
Atchafalaya river basins, immigration and emigration corridors between the two
subpopulations, and protection of habitat and corridors that support the two subpopulations;
and
WHEREAS, to meet the recovery criteria and reduce threats to the Louisiana black
bear, state and federal agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and private
landowners partnered in conducting numerous research and habitat restoration projects and
in implementing regulations; and
WHEREAS, the LDWF, in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service and the United States Geological Survey, developed a database that is used to track
bear occurrences, captures, and mortalities to better understand subpopulations; and
WHEREAS, because of these projects and regulations, the Louisiana black bear
population is now considered viable over the next one hundred years with sufficient
protected habitat to support breeding and exchange between subpopulations; and
WHEREAS, black bears remain protected by state laws, which currently do not allow
hunting of these animals; and
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WHEREAS, the LDWF continues to conduct research to monitor demographic and
genetic characteristics of the individual subpopulations of the Louisiana black bear; and
WHEREAS, as the state wildlife management agency, the LDWF has the
responsibility to ensure Louisiana black bear populations live on into the future; and
WHEREAS, the LDWF has released a management plan that creates a framework
from which the LDWF and stakeholders can work to maintain a sustainable Louisiana black
bear population within the state and ensure the subspecies remains a valued part of the state's
wildlife community; and
WHEREAS, the LDWF has a responsibility to manage human and bear conflicts, and
promote research and education related to these issues.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study the feasibility
of allowing a black bear hunting season.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries shall provide a written report of its findings and conclusions to the House
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources by February 1, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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