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HB 164

WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides relative to mallard hunting licenses for hunting preserves

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 4 co-sponsors

Louisiana now requires specific hunting licenses for mallard hunting at commercial and private preserves, effective August 2025.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 153.
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Bill Summary · HB 164

Legislative bill overview

HB 164 modifies Louisiana's hunting regulations to create or adjust mallard hunting licenses specifically for hunting preserves. The bill, now Act No. 153, became effective August 1, 2025, after receiving gubernatorial approval in June 2025. The legislation addresses licensing requirements for mallard hunting in commercial or private preserve settings rather than wild populations.

Why is this important

Hunting preserves represent a distinct segment of the hunting industry separate from public wildlife management, involving stocked birds and controlled environments. This bill clarifies the regulatory framework governing these operations, which has implications for preserve operators, recreational hunters who use preserves, and wildlife management policy. The effective date delay between signing (June 2025) and implementation (August 2025) allowed time for regulatory agencies to establish operational procedures.

Potential points of contention

  • Conservation concerns: Critics may question whether preserve hunting dilutes support for wild mallard population management or diverts hunting license revenue from traditional wildlife conservation efforts
  • Regulatory clarity gaps: The bill's specific provisions regarding license types, fees, and restrictions are not detailed in this summary, leaving questions about fairness to different operator classes or hunter types
  • Public access implications: Depending on implementation, preserve-focused licensing could shift hunting access toward private commercial operations rather than public hunting areas

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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