NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, has revised the 2012-2013 Bonnet Carré Spillway hunting season rules and regulations following a recent LDWF deer herd assessment to determine the impacts of Hurricane Isaac on the deer population.

The agency’s population assessments show that parishes impacted by Hurricane Isaac, which have historically lower deer productivity, required revised harvest rules for 2012-13 based on storm-related deer mortality, including high fawn mortality.

The changes to deer season at the Bonnet Carré Spillway follow the revisions approved Oct. 4 by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission for the Maurepas Basin, including St. Charles Parish. All hunting shall be still-hunting only, unless otherwise specified.

Deer can only be hunted through archery or shotgun (buckshot.)

Archery season on bucks and fawns opened Oct. 1 and continues through Feb. 15. Shotgun season is Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 15-30, bucks only. Youth hunting season dates are Oct. 27-28, bucks only.

Additional permits are required from the spillway office.

Permits and posted restrictions apply for all persons regardless of age. Permits must be signed prior to hunting any game and must be carried at all times while in the field. For permits or more information, see bulletin boards on-site, visit the project website at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/recreation and click on Bonnet Carré Spillway, or contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonnet Carré Spillway Project Office at 985-764-7484 for more information.

For additional information on revisions to Louisiana’s deer hunting season, please visit the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website at http://www. wlf.louisiana.gov/news/35981.