HLS 24RS-378 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 409
BY REPRESENTATIVE FIRMENT
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides relative to harassment of hunters, trappers, and
fishermen on lands and waters managed by the state
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(introductory paragraph), relative to
3 harassment and disturbance of hunters, trappers, and fishermen; to provide
4 definitions; to expand the state lands and waters on which the prohibition against
5 harassment and disturbance applies; to provide for the Northwest Louisiana Game
6 and Fish Preserve; and to provide for related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(introductory paragraph) is hereby amended and
9reenacted to read as follows:
10 §648. Definitions
11 As used in this Subpart, the following definitions shall apply:
12 * * *
13 (2) "Process of taking" means any act directed at the lawful taking of a wild
14 animal, including the acts of travel, camping, or other activity occurring in
15 preparation for the taking which occurs on state-managed lands or waters, including
16 but not limited to the Northwest Louisiana Game and Fish Preserve, governed by the
17 provisions of R.S. 56:781-R.S. 56:787 or which occurs on private lands or waters
18 with the permission of the owner or his agent.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-378 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 409
1 §648.1. Harassment and disturbance prohibited
2 No person shall engage in any of the following activities on lands or waters
3 managed by the state, including but not limited to the Northwest Louisiana Game
4 and Fish Preserve pursuant to R.S. 56:781 through R.S. 56:787, or upon private lands
5 or waters where a hunter, trapper, or fisherman has been given permission by the
6 owner or his agent to take wild animals:
7 * * *
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)]
HB 409 Original 2024 Regular Session Firment
Abstract: Prohibits the harassment and disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on
all lands and waters managed by the state, including but not limited to the Northwest
La. Game and Fish Preserve, rather than restricting the prohibition to state managed
wildlife refuges, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife management areas, public hunting
grounds, and upland game preserves.
Present law prohibits the harassment and disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on
lands and waters managed by the state pursuant to present law regarding wildlife refuges,
wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, and upland game
preserves.
Proposed law removes the restriction to state-managed wildlife refuges, wildlife sanctuaries,
wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, and upland game preserves in present
law to prohibit harassment and disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on all state-
managed lands and waters.
Proposed law further provides that the prohibition applies to the Northwest La. Game and
Fish Preserve.
(Amends R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(intro. para.))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.