Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents issued a total of 141 dove hunting related citations for alleged dove hunting violations on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 dove hunting season that took place from Sept. 5-7.

On Sept. 5, agents issued 102 citations for hunting migratory game birds over bait, 12 citations for placing bait to take migratory game birds, seven citations for aiding and abetting others in hunting migratory game birds over bait, six citations for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun, two citations for hunting without a basic hunting license, two citations for taking other than game birds and one citation for hunting migratory game birds from a public road.

On Sept. 6, agents issued one citation for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun.

On Sept. 7, agents issued six citations for hunting migratory game birds over bait, one citation for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun and one citation for hunting migratory game birds from a moving vehicle.

State charges for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun, hunting migratory game birds from a vehicle, hunting migratory game birds from a public road, and taking other than game birds brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Hunting without a basic hunting license brings up to a $50 fine.

All migratory game bird baiting cases are filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution in Federal Court.