Hunting deer with or without dogs will be allowed on the Kisatchie National Forest from Dec. 15 through Dec. 23, 2012. Permits are required for all deer hunters during this period of time.

Permits are available at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries offices and their website www.wlf.la.gov

The U.S. Forest Service's decision to prohibit hunting deer with dogs on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana was issued Feb. 29, 2012.

The decision was affirmed by the Washington Office on September 28, 2012. A lawsuit was filed on Nov. 16, 2012, by Louisiana Sportsmen Alliance, LLC, challenging the decision.

While the Forest Service intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit, the decision will not be implemented at this time and the 2012 season will proceed as described above (December 15-23, 2012).

All Kisatchie National Forest hunting seasons for the 2012-2013 season are described in the Louisiana Hunting Regulations publication distributed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries pages 81 through 84.

For additional information please contact Jim Caldwell at (318)473-7168 or at (318)613-1048 or Mike Balboni at (318)473-7102.