WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Memorializes Congress and the United States Forest Service to take such actions as are necessary to allow the use of dogs for hunting in the Kisatchie National Forest

HLS 26RS-77 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 79
BY REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Memorializes Congress and the United States Forest Service
to take such actions as are necessary to allow the use of dogs for hunting in the
Kisatchie National Forest
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To memorialize the United States Congress and the United States Forest Service to take such
3 actions as are necessary to allow the use of dogs for deer hunting in the Kisatchie
4 National Forest.
5 WHEREAS, the Kisatchie National Forest, spanning approximately six hundred four
6 thousand acres across seven parishes in central and northern Louisiana, provides valuable
7 wildlife habitat and public access for outdoor recreation, including hunting; and
8 WHEREAS, deer hunting is a long-standing tradition in Louisiana, and the use of
9 trained dogs for deer hunting has been an important part of that tradition in many rural
10 communities; and
11 WHEREAS, the use of dogs for hunting, training, and retrieval is a longstanding
12 tradition among hunters in Louisiana and throughout the United States; and
13 WHEREAS, properly managed hunting with dogs assists in the effective and humane
14 harvesting and recovery of game and reduces wounded-animal loss thus supporting wildlife
15 population objectives consistent with federal and state conservation laws; and
16 WHEREAS, current federal regulations and management policies of the United
17 States Forest Service restrict or prohibit the use of dogs for deer hunting in the Kisatchie
18 National Forest; and
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HLS 26RS-77 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 79
1 WHEREAS, Louisiana sportsmen and sportswomen believe that allowing the use of
2 dogs for deer hunting in Kisatchie would promote hunter participation, preserve hunting
3 heritage, and provide additional wildlife management benefits; and
4 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has the capacity and
5 expertise to work collaboratively with the United States Forest Service to establish clear,
6 reasonable rules, seasons, and management practices to ensure safe and sustainable use of
7 dogs for deer hunting within the Kisatchie National Forest consistent with conservation and
8 public-safety objectives; and
9 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the cultural, recreational, and
10 economic benefits of hunting in Louisiana and seeks to restore opportunities for the lawful
11 use of dogs in deer hunting on federal lands within the state.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
13 memorialize the United States Congress and the United States Forest Service to take all
14 necessary and appropriate actions to allow the use of dogs for the hunting and retrieval of
15 deer in the Kisatchie National Forest.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
17 memorialize the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work with the United
18 States Forest Service to establish clear, reasonable rules, seasons, and management practices
19 to ensure safe and sustainable use of dogs for deer hunting within the Kisatchie National
20 Forest consistent with conservation and public safety objectives.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
22 President of the United States, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
23 the majority leader of the United States Senate, the secretary of the United States
24 Department of Agriculture, the chief of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest
25 Service, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and each
26 member of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
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HLS 26RS-77 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 79
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 79 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Butler
Memorializes the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to take all necessary and
appropriate actions to allow the use of dogs for deer hunting in the Kisatchie National Forest.
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