WILDLIFE/HABITAT: Urges and requests the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior and to reinstate the enforcement mechanism that restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooding standing crops

HLS 26RS-665 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 54
BY REPRESENTATIVE FONTENOT
WILDLIFE/HABITAT: Urges and requests the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to
study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior and to reinstate
the enforcement mechanism that restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally
flooding standing crops
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to conduct a
3 study on the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior and to reinstate
4 the enforcement mechanism that restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally
5 flooding standing crops.
6 WHEREAS, migratory waterfowl are an important natural resource in the state of
7 Louisiana, contributing to the state's ecology, economy, and outdoor heritage; and
8 WHEREAS, recent reports indicate that certain hunting practices, such as the
9 flooding of standing crops to attract ducks, may influence migratory patterns and reduce the
10 number of waterfowl reaching southern states, including Louisiana; and
11 WHEREAS, the long-term sustainability of waterfowl populations is essential for
12 Louisiana's hunting community, local economies, and conservation goals; and
13 WHEREAS, the USFWS is the federal agency responsible for protecting migratory
14 birds and their habitats; and
15 WHEREAS, the Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act, enacted by Congress in 1998,
16 eliminated the strict liability standard that had previously governed federal waterfowl baiting
17 violations; and
18 WHEREAS, in 1999, the USFWS promulgated a final rule that codified the Act and
19 reaffirmed broad exemptions for areas classified as "normal agricultural planting" which
20 include certain flooded crop fields where standing crops are intentionally flooded; and
Page 1 of 3
HLS 26RS-665 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 54
1 WHEREAS, this action by the USFWS removed the enforcement mechanism that
2 previously restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooded standing crops; and
3 WHEREAS, concerns have been raised that the practice of flooding standing crops
4 may alter natural waterfowl migratory patterns and reduce the number of ducks reaching
5 Louisiana, potentially impacting both wildlife populations and the state’s hunting economy;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, in January 2026, United States Senator John N. Kennedy formally
8 requested that the USFWS study the effects of these hunting practices on waterfowl
9 migration and populations, emphasizing the need for scientific evaluation and habitat
10 protection; and
11 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana recognizes the importance of providing input to
12 federal wildlife agencies to ensure that management practices reflect the needs of both
13 wildlife and the communities that depend on them; and
14 WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana finds it necessary to formally urge and
15 request the USFWS to study and, if appropriate, adjust hunting regulations and management
16 practices to protect waterfowl populations, preserve migratory patterns, and support
17 sustainable hunting and conservation in the state.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
19 urge and request the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a comprehensive
20 study on the impacts of crop-flooding and other hunting practices on waterfowl migration
21 and population levels, particularly in Louisiana and the Mississippi Flyway, and to evaluate
22 potential adjustments to hunting regulations and habitat management strategies that would
23 support sustainable waterfowl populations.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
25 director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Page 2 of 3
HLS 26RS-665 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 54
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)]
HCR 54 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Fontenot
Urges and requests the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a study on the impact of
flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior and to reinstate the enforcement mechanism
that restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooding standing crops.
Page 3 of 3