(The Center Square) – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on Friday reported that enforcement agents issued 141 citations for alleged dove hunting violations during the opening weekend of the 2026-27 dove hunting season, with most of the violations involving hunting over bait.
The citations were issued last Saturday through Labor Day, according to Wildlife and Fisheries. Agents issued 135 citations on Saturday, including 102 citations for hunting migratory game birds over bait, 12 for placing bait to take migratory game birds and seven for aiding and abetting others in hunting migratory game birds over bait.
Agents also issued six citations Saturday for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun, two for hunting without a basic hunting license, two for taking other than game birds and one for hunting migratory game birds from a public road.
An unplugged gun is a shotgun that has had its capacity-limiting plug removed. Migratory game bird regulations generally limit shotguns to three shells, including one in the chamber and two in the magazine. Removing the plug allows the shotgun to hold more shells than permitted for migratory bird hunting.
On Sunday, agents issued one citation for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun.
On Monday, 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 carry a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense, according to Wildlife and Fisheries.
Hunting without a basic hunting license carries a fine of up to $50.
All migratory game bird baiting cases are filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution in federal court, according to Wildlife and Fisheries.
Of the 141 citations issued during the three-day opening weekend, 120 involved hunting migratory game birds over bait, placing bait or aiding and abetting others in hunting over bait.
