Rising flood waters in the Atchafalaya Basin could trigger an automatic deer hunting season closure in parts of Deer Area 9 as early as Friday (Jan. 8).
The High Water Benchmark Closure, enacted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in Title 76, will close deer hunting in an area of the Atchafalaya Basin in portions of Iberia, Iberville, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes when the flood gauge reaches 18 feet at Butte LaRose. That benchmark water level is expected to be reached either Friday or Saturday (Jan. 9).
The area encompasses those parishes south of I-10, west of the East Guide Levee, east of the West Guide Levee and north of U.S. 90.
The public is encouraged to monitor river levels this week prior to planning deer hunting in this area.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov or www.FishLA.org. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.