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HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE".

I'M BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF LPB AND JOINING ME IS AN AVID OUTDOORS MAN IS CHRIS MACALUSO.

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE TO SHARE MY PASSION FOR OUR STATE'S FANTASTIC OUTDOORS.

HUNTING AND FISHING IS REALLY A PART OF OUR CULTURE AND LIVELIHOOD HERE IN LOUISIANA, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE PLENTIFUL RIGHT NOW YEAR-ROUND.

RIGHT NOW THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN DEER HUNTERS SWITCH OUT BOWS AND RIFLES AND TAKE TO THE WOODS.

WE WONDER IF THERE IS TROUBLE IN PARADISE.

URBANIZATION AND DECLINE IN HABITAT CHALLENGE THE SIZE AND QUALITY OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.

A REBOUNDING ECOSYSTEM TESTS COASTAL FISHERIES AND DISPUTES LEAD TO DISCUSSION ON EACH SIDE.

"LOUISIANA: SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE OR PROBLEM?."

TRENT HAS BEEN HUNTING FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

STARTING WITH DUCKS, THEN DEER AT THE AGE OF NINE.

IT'S FUN.

IN LOUISIANA IT'S A LOT ABOUT HERITAGE, BEING OUTSIDE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALSO IT'S JUST ENJOYING WHAT MOTHER NATURE GAVE US.

WHILE HE HUNTS DEER WITH A RIFLE, HE PREFERS USING A BOW, ONLY STRIKING WHEN THEY ARE WITHIN 30 YARDS OR LESS.

DEER ARE SO SMART AND THEIR ABILITY TO SMELL AND SEE AND JUST SENSE HUMAN BEINGS IS PHENOMENAL, SO GET TO GET THIS INTO THAT TIGHT OF AN AREA, THAT CLOSE OF A RANGE, WITHOUT THEM SMELLING YOU OR SEEING YOU IS A CHALLENGE IN ITSELF.

SEEING A DEER HAS ALSO BECOME A CHALLENGE.

TRENT SAYS NUMBERS HAVE DWINDLED WHERE HE HUNTS.

IN THE SIX YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE WERE SEEING DOE NUMBERS, SIX TO TEN DOES, WHERE LAST LAST YEAR THE SAME CONDITIONS, SAME TIME OF YEAR, YOU ARE LUCKY TO SEE ONE OR TWO.

IN THE MEANTIME HE SAYS THE FERAL WHO GO POPULATION HAS DOUBLED.

WE ARE SEEN 10 TO 20 AT A TIME, AND THEY WILL GENERALLY PUSH DEER OUT.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FEWER DEER.

DAVE MORELAND WAS A DEER BIOLOGIST FOR 12 YEARS.

HE SAYS THAT URBANIZATION LIKE THAT ON THE NORTH SHORE FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA IS DRIVING DEER NUMBERS DOWN.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT UP IN SHREVEPORT WHERE PEOPLE ARE MOVING INTO BOEZER PARISH AND THAT'S BECOMING URBANIZED.

IN ADDITION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BY THE TIMBER INDUSTRY SINCE THE 1990S HAS DIMINISHED THE FOOD SOURCE.

INTENSE HERBICIDE TREATMENTS TO KILL THE COMPETITION WITH THE HARDWOODS TO LET THE PINE TIMBER GROW FASTER.

THE HARDWOOD COMPONENT THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR FOOD FOR DEER, WHAT WE CALL BROWS, IS BEING ELIMINATED BECAUSE OF THIS.

THIS HAS A DOMINO EFFECT.

WITH LESS PRODUCTIVE HABITAT, THAT MEANS THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE DEER DECLINES SO YOU SEE LESS DEER, THE QUALITY OF THE ANIMAL, YOU HAVE LOWER BODY WEIGHT, THE ANTLER DEVELOPMENT.

THE ANNUAL WATER FOUL SURVEY INDICATES THE STATE'S DUCK POPULATION IS ALSO DOWN.

1.52 MILLION LESS THAN NOVEMBER 2016 ESTIMATES.

BASED ON THE PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA DUCK STANDS, THE NUMBER OF DUCK HUNTERS HAS ALSO DECLINED.

103,000 RESIDENTS PURCHASED STAMPS IN 2000.

JUST UNDER 60,000 RESIDENTS IN 2016.

ANY TIME YOU GET DECLEANING HUNTER NUMBERS THEN YOU GET DECLINING REVENUES FOR BOTH MANAGEMENT OF GAME AND NON-GAME SPECIES, SO EVERYBODY LOSES WITH THAT.

LOUISIANA SPORTS MEN WILL BE LOSING ACCESS SOON TO THE LAKE.

POPULAR FOR ITS FISHING AND DUCK HUNTING.

IF A JULY RULING STANDS.

A DISTRICT COURT DECIDED THAT THE LAKE IS ACTUALLY A RIVER, AND THEREFORE CAN'T BE MANAGED FOR PUBLIC USE.

THE STATE IS APPEALING THE DECISION AND A RULING IS EXPECTED NEXT SUMMER.

PROMINENT GOOD FISHING AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR YEARS IN THE PAST ARE NOW BECOMING MORE AND MORE LESS ACCESSIBLE.

KEVIN IS PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISIANA BASS NATION.

THE NATIONAL GROUP ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST THAT IT WON'T ALLOW PARTICIPANTS IN ITS 2018 TOURNAMENT ON THE SABINE REFER TO FISH IN ITS LOUISIANA BORDERS.

THE UNUSUAL LAWS GOVERNING ACCESS HAVE CREATED CONFLICT AND CONFUSION.

A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE FISHING IN NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS WHERE THE LAND AROUND THEM, THE BANKS MAY BE POSTED THAT THEY ARE NOT INFRINGING UPON, THAT THEY ARE JUST FISHING IN THE WATERWAY, NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT NAVIGABLE WATERWAY IS PRIVATE, AND AS THE LAND OWNER OR THE LESS EE, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO RUN YOU OFF THE PROPERTY.

UNDER LOUISIANA LAW JUST BECAUSE A WATER WAY IS NAVIGABLE DOESN'T MEAN IT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON NAVIGABLEABILITY, WHEN IT BECAME AND HOW IT BECAME NAVIGABLE, IS IT A RIVER OR LAKE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS COME INTO PLAY.

IT CREATES ANOTHER AREA OF CONFUSION.

IF YOU ARE IN A BAY OR IN A LAKE AREA WHERE WHAT USED TO BE LAND IS NOW WATER, AND THERE IS NO SIGNS THERE, AS A RECREATIONAL FISHER MAN, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO KNOW IT'S PRIVATE AND YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE?

THE KEY IS TO THINK OF PUBLIC RIVERS AND BY YUS LIKE A THOROUGHFARE.

WHEN YOU GET OFF OF THOSE, LIKE A STREET WHERE YOU TURN INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT, YOU HAVE IN A PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.

FREY SAYS THE RESOLUTION IS UNNECESSARY SINCE LOUISIANA'S LEGAL HISTORY HAS BEEN CONSISTENT ON THE ISSUES.

AND ALL OF THOSE COURT CASES WHERE THERE WAS A PRIVATE PROPERTY ISSUE BETWEEN A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE STATE, THE COURTS HAVE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE PROPERTY OWNER.

AND IF IT DATES BACK TO WHEN LOUISIANA BECAME A STATE IN 1812, WHAT WAS NAVIGABLE THEN VERSUS WHAT'S NAVIGABLE NOW.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, LOUISIANA SPORTS MEN FACE, FOR TRENT THE JOY CAN STILL BE FOUND IN THE PURSUIT.

IF I COME HOME EMPTY HANDED FROM A HUNTING TRIP, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LET DOWN, BUT IT'S ABOUT FAMILY TRADITIONS FOR US AND HARVESTING AN ANIMAL AS A BONUS, DEFINITELY, FOR ME AT LEAST.

JOINING US TO EXPLORE LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN'S PAIR DIED IS OUR STUDIO AUDIENCE AND DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISHERIES, THE LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN'S COALITION, WE SLS HAVE TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL.

THANKS, EVERYONE, FOR BEING HERE.

IN AUGUST THE U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELEASED RESULTS FROM THEIR NATIONWIDE 2016 SURVEY.

AMONG THE FINDINGS, FISHING REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH 35.8 MILLION INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN 2016.

83% OF THESE FISH IN FRESH WATER, 27% IN SALTWATER IN 2016, 5% OF AMERICANS OR -- IN NORTH AMERICA IN 1990, THAT NUMBER BALLOONED TO 50 MILLION DUCKS BY 2015.

SO LET'S START THERE WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

DO YOU GUYS SEE A DECLINE IN HUNTING AND A DECLINE IN INTEREST IN HUNTING, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES THAT YOU SEE FACING THE SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN HERE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA?

ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT THE COST OF GETTING A LEASE, WHETHER A DEER LEASE OR A DUCK LEASE, HAS PREVENTED ME FROM HUNTING EITHER OF THOSE TWO FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

SURE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STATE MANAGED HUNTING LAND HERE IN LOUISIANA.

IS THAT AN OPTION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OR IS IT STRICTLY ABOUT A PRIVATE LEASE?

I KNOW SOME GUYS WHO ARE FISHING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.

I AM A LITTLE LEERY IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS BECAUSE I LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS HUNTING AROUND ME.

SURE.

THAT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE.

THANKS, MICHAEL.

I APPRECIATE IT.

ANYONE ELSE?

SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN THIS STATE FOR EVERYBODY TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY HUNTING HAS GOT TO COME BACK TO THE SPORTSMAN THEMSELVES, AND HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES, PRIVATE PROPERTY ON THOROUGH FARES AND SO FORTH.

BUT THE OTHER THING THAT'S REALLY SERIOUS IS THAT WE'VE GOT TOO MUCH "ME TOO" WITHIN THE HUNTING COMMUNITY.

WE FOCUS ON JUST ON WHAT OUR INTERESTS IN HUNTING ARE.

I AM WITH THE LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN'S ALIGNS, AND WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT HUNTING FOR EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY DESERVES A RIGHT TO HUNT AND IT'S A FINITE RESOURCE, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HUNT THE WAY THAT IS LEGAL AND ALSO TRADITIONAL.

THE ONUS IS REALLY ON THE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES TO HELP US ALLOCATE THOSE RESOURCES AND TIMES TO HUNT.

LET'S SWITCH A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE FISHING SIDE AND REALLY TO THE HABITAT SIDE.

I KNOW A LOT OF YOU GUYS SPENT TIME IN THE MARSH, A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAVE AVID DUCK HUNTERS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FOR LOUISIANA'S COASTAL FISHER MEN AND COASTAL DUCK HUNTERS, FROM A LAND ACCESS OR HABITAT STANDPOINT.

BEING ON THE COASTAL FISHING, CHARTER FISHING, A LOT OF PROBLEM WE HAVE ON THE COAST IS ACCESS TO WATER.

OUR ACCESS GETS DRAWN OFF EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE BEEN GETTING THROWN OUT OF PLACES WE HAVE BEEN FISHING 25, 30 YEARS, AND THEY TELL US WE CAN'T GO THERE.

WHO DO WE KNOW WHO THEY REALLY ARE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT WE ARE ON THE PUBLIC'S WATER.

WE ARE NOT ON THE LAND.

WE ARE ON WATER, PLACES WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELING FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THAT'S REALLY OUR BIGGEST ISSUE IS ACCESS TO OUR WATER WAYS IN THE COASTAL AREAS.

ANTHONY, YOU RUN A CHARTER BOAT SERVICE.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

WHY DO YOU FEEL AT THAT LIKE THAT ACCESS TO PLACES WHERE YOU FISHED FOR SO LONG HAS BEEN CUT OFF NOW?

WE HAVE OPINIONS OF WHY IT'S PROBABLY CHANGED.

YOU KNOW, THE DOWNTURN OF THE OIL ECONOMY PROBABLY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH IT, SO NOW THEY ARE LEASING THESE LANDS TO FISHER MEN.

YOU KNOW, CRABBERS, OYSTER MEN, AND THOSE ARE THE GUYS RUNNING US OFF.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE HAVE SEEN CHANGED.

SURE.

RUDY SPARKS, YOU ARE HERE FROM THE LOUISIANA LAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION.

WHY DO YOU FEEL LIKE THESE CONFLICTS HAVE ARISEN OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE SO MANY BEFORE?

WELL, I THINK PART OF IT IS THAT WE ARE SEEING A CONSTANT CHANGE IN THE TERRAIN AND IN THE HABITAT, AND SO THAT CREATES SOME QUESTIONS IN SOME PEOPLE'S MIND AS TO WHERE DOES THE PRIVATE LAND STOP AND WHERE DOES THE PUBLIC LAND START, AND I THINK IN MANY CASES OVER THE YEARS LAND OWNERS HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ALLOW FISHERMEN GREATER ACCESS TO THEIR PROPERTIES AND SOME PRIVATE CANALS, BUT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, PARTICULARLY THE FACT THAT WE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AND TRYING TO PRESERVE OUR COASTAL MARSHES, A LOT OF DAMAGE IS CAUSED WHEN THESE BOATS GET IN THERE AND BEGIN TO CHURN THE WATERS, SO AS LAND OWNERS AND LAND MANAGERS WHO ARE HIRED BY THOSE LAND OWNERS, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THOSE RESOURCES AND THOSE ASSETS THAT THOSE LANDS HAVE.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT, THAT AND THE POTENTIAL DETERIORATION THAT'S CAUSED TO THESE MARSHES AS A RESULT OF THESE FISHING ACTIVITIES.

ANTHONY, YOU SEEMED TO HAVE AN AN OPINION ON THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT RUDY SAID?

IT SAINT FISHERMEN THAT'S DOING THE DETERIORATION OF THE MARSH AND ALL THE LAND OWNERS' PROPERTIES.

IT'S THE COMMERCIAL COMPANIES THAT'S GOING IN THERE WITH THE BARGES AND DOING ALL OF THAT WORK.

THAT'S THE ONE -- IT AIN'T US FISHERMEN.

WE ARE RUNNING IN CANALS THAT'S BEEN THERE FOREVER.

WE DON'T DAMAGE THE MARSH AND TEAR IT UP AS WE RUN THROUGH IT.

IT'S EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE BEFORE.

IT'S BEING DONE BY NATURAL EROSION BECAUSE OF ALL THESE CANALS THAT WERE DUG.

SURE.

LAND LOSS IS CERTAINLY THAT'S NOT SOMETHING ISOLATED TO PRIVATE LAND.

WE DEAL WITH IT ON PUBLIC LAND, AS WELL.

ANTHONY AND DARYL ARE RUNNING CHARTER COMPANIES AND ARE RUNNING MOTOR BOATS THROUGH THERE.

THAT'S NOT DAMAGING IT, BUT GUYS LIKE THE KAYAK FISHING CLUB HAVE ALSO BEEN EXCLUDED FROM PRIVATE CANALS OR WHATEVER, AND I ASSURE YOU ME GOING THROUGH THERE IN A KAYAK IS NOT DAMAGING THE PROPERTY.

SURE.

DARYL, YOU HAVE AN OPINION, I'M SURE.

WELL, CHRIS, THE THING THAT'S AFFECTED OUR COAST THE MOST IS OUR COASTAL EROSION AND OUR LOSS OF HABITAT AND THE FACT THAT OUR COAST IS MOVING NORTH.

IT'S BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED, VETTED AND PROVED, THERE IS TWO CAUSES TO THAT.

ONE IS THE LEVEE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ALL THE CANALS THAT WERE DUG.

THESE ARE ALL ERODING AWAY NOW.

WE HEAR THE ARGUMENT AND I AM GOING TO SPEAK FROM MY AREA AND WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT MANAGING THE LAND AND WHAT'S TEARING IT UP, THERE IS NO MANAGEMENT.

MANAGEMENT IN THAT AREA THE FACT WHEN A CANAL ERODES FURTHER AWAY, THEY STAKE MORE PIPES AND BLOCK THE ENTRANCE.

IF MOTOR BOATS WERE TEARING IT UP, THE OLD PEOPLE THEY ARE LEASING THESE LANDS TO ARE RUNG MUD BOATS, TUG BOATS PUSHING BARGES, THROWING UP MUD FOUR FEET UP IN THE AIR.

IT'S NOT A MANAGEMENT ISSUE.

IT'S STRICTLY AN ACCESS ISSUE.

YOU ARE HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF LAND OWNERS.

HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO MANAGE THE LAND IN THE CASE OF COASTAL LAND LOSS?

AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GUYS THAT SAY THAT THEY ARE ACCESSING PROPERTY THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY CAN'T GET ON IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS?

SURE, CHRIS.

TO ME IT'S FAIRLY SIMPLE.

LOUISIANA LAW HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE LOUISIANA ACHIEVED STATEHOOD.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.

THESE PRIVATE PROPERTIES ARE STILL PRIVATE PROPERTIES.

THEY MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTIC NOW WITH COASTAL EROSION BUT THEY ARE STILL PRIVATE.

ALL LAND OWNERS MAY HAVE ACQUIESCED IN THE LAST 20, 30, YEARS, THEY STILL MAIN TINE TH RIGHT TO DO THAT.

WHATEVER REASON A LAND OWNER MAY HAVE.

WE'VE GOT THE TWO ASSISTANT SECRETARY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISHERIES.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO WORK ON PUBLIC LAND AND PRIVATE LAND.

HOW DO YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, WOK WITH SOME -- WORK WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES, WORKING BOTH WITH THE PRIVATE LAND OWNER AND THE PUBLIC?

OUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP THE RESOURCES ON PRIVATE LAND.

WE HAVE DONE SOME REORGANIZATION TO PUT MORE PRIVATE LAND BIOLOGISTS ON THE LANDSCAPING RECOGNIZING THAT THE PRIVATE LAND ONNERS ARE VERY CRUCIAL TO WHAT WE DO IN PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION STANDPOINT.

BUT WE ALSO ARE ACTIVE IN PROVIDING ACCESS THROUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AND WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, THE U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LOCAL PARISHS THAT MAY HAVE ACCESS TO LAND FOR HUNTING AND FISHING.

WHAT ABOUT ON THE IF SHE REESE SIDE?

WHAT KIND OF ISSUES HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN ON THE FISHERIES SIDE FROM COASTAL LAND LOSS?

WE CERTAINLY HAVE LESS HABITAT FOR FISHERIES RESOURCES, CRAB, FIN FISH, BUT WE CERTAINLY PROMOTE AS MUCH ACCESS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, BUT AS VIC MENTIONED LOUISIANA LAW HASN'T CHANGED AND WE ARE NOT AT ALL ABOUT TO DEMAND THAT PRIVATE LAND OWNERS GIVE ANYTHING UP, ANY KIND OF LEGAL RIGHT THAT THEY HAVE, BUT WE DO WANT AS MUCH ACCESS AS POSSIBLE, WHICH IS WHY WE PUSH FOR THAT ALL THE TIME.

OKAY.

WELL, GUYS, I THINK IT'S BEEN AN EXCELLENT DISCUSSION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESOLVED ANYTHING HERE, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AND SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE WORKED OUT IN CONVERSATION AND MEETINGS AND WITH THE STATE LEGISLATOR AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS PORTION OF OUR SHOW.

WHEN WE RETURN, WE WILL BE JOINED BY A PANEL OF EXPERTS AS WE EXPLORE LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE.

.

WELCOME BACK TO LOUISIANA PUBLIC SCARE.

TONIGHT WE ARE DISCUSSING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT LOUISIANA SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN FACING.

JOINING US IS JACK MONTOUCET WHO WAS NAMED THE SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES IN DECEMBER OF 2016.

PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT HE SERVED AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 42 IN LAFAYETTE IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR.

BEN WEBER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISIANA CHARTER BOAT ASSOCIATION, ALSO A BOARD MEMBER OF THE LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN'S COALITION.

PAUL FREY IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISIANA LAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION.

THE GOAL OF THE GROUP IS THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, LLA'S MEMBERSHIPS INCLUDE HUNDREDS OF SMALL AND LARGE LAND OWNERS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING FARMERS, TIMBER PRODUCERS, DEVELOPERS AND RANCHERS.

AND DAVE MORELAND HOLDS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN BIOLOGY AND SPENT 30 YEARS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES, 12 OF THOSE WERE AT LOUISIANA'S DEER PROGRAM MANAGER.

MORELAND HAS WRITTEN SIX BOOKS AND IS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE.

BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AUDIENCE, FOR MORE QUESTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EACH OF YOU FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, VERY BRIEFLY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES CURRENTLY FACING THE SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN HERE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA?

AND WE WILL START WITH SECRETARY MONTOUCET.

THANK YOU, CHRIS.

CERTAINLY A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS NUMBER OF HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE AND THOSE NUMBERS DECLINING IN THE PAST RECENT YEARS.

WE'VE GOT A GENERATION THAT IS GETTING OLDER AND NOT DOING AS MUCH FISHING AND HUNTING, AND THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR OUR DEPARTMENT.

WE CERTAINLY ARE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS REALLY CLOSE AND TRYING TO DEVELOP SOME PROGRAMS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY ENTICE THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO GET INVOLVED IN FISHING AND HUNTING.

THAT'S CERTAINLY A CONCERN ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS HUNTERS DECLINE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BEN, YOU REPRESENT CHARTER BOAT ASSOCIATION HERE IN LOUISIANA.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOUR MEMBERS ARE FACING?

I THINK IT'S NOT TOO DISSIMILAR WHAT YOU FIND EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.

MOST OF THE CONCERN IS THE QUALITY OF THE HABITAT AND ACCESS TO IT.

SURE.

PAUL.

YOU ARE AN AVID HUNTER AND FISHERMAN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS AS WE MOVE FORWARD HERE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WITH HUNTING AND FISHING?

THE MAIN CONCERN IS WE DON'T BASE ANY OF OUR DECISIONS IN LOUISIANA ON EMOTION.

THAT WE DEAL WITH THE FACTS.

LET'S BE RESPONSIBLE.

I THINK I HEARD SOMEONE SAY EARLIER, BE A RESPONSIBLE SPORTSMAN, AND THAT BEE HOOVES ALL OF US TO DO THAT.

RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, THAT'S THE KEY.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF LOUISIANA SPORTS MEN WHO ENJOY PRIVATE PROPERTY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THEY USE LEASES AND PERMITS TO ACCESS THAT PROPERTY.

AND THAT'S AVAILABLE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE LOST THAT IN THIS DISCUSSION.

DAVE, YOU HAVE BEEN A DEER BIOLOGIST.

YOU WORKED ON PUBLIC LANDS AND PRIVATE LANDS.

YOU HUNT PUBLIC LANDS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FROM A DEER HUNTING PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU ARE SEEING WITH, YOU KNOW, HABITAT AND THINGS FACING HUNTERS HERE IN LOUISIANA?

WELL, THERE HAS BEEN CHANGES IN THE FORESTRY MANAGEMENT IN THE PINEY WOODS, IN SOME OF OUR SWAMP HABITAT AND COASTAL HABITAT, THE HURRICANES HAVE CREATED PROBLEMS.

BUT THE DEER HAVE RESPONDED AND HUNTER RECRUITMENT I THINK IS A BIG ISSUE AND WE WERE HUNTING PEARL RIVER THE OTHER DAY AND IT WAS LIKE OUR OWN PRIVATE LEASE, VERY FEW HUNTERS WERE THERE, AND PEOPLE, WE HAVE A RICH HERITAGE IN THIS STATE OF PUBLIC LANDS AND PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR LANDS AND OPEN FOR HUNTING AND FISHING.

SOME OF THE BEST WATER FOWL OPPORTUNITIES ON THE STATE ARE ON PUBLIC LANDS, SOME OF THE AREAS DOWN RIVER, IN THE WAX LAKE AREA AND THE DELTA.

ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN YOU START PEELING BACK THE LAYERS OF HOW FISH AND GAME ARE MANAGED IN THIS COUNTRY, ON THE FISHING SIDE SOME FEDERAL LAW ALLOWS SOME MONEY TO BE USED FOR RECRUITMENT, BUT ON THE HUNTING SIDE THAT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT SLOWER IN DEVELOPING.

DO YOU THINK THAT UTILIZING SOME OF THE TAXES GENERATED OFF THE SALE OF HUNTING AND FISHING EQUIPMENT -- EXCUSE ME, HUNTING EQUIPMENT SPECIFICALLY TO DO MORE RECRUITMENT WOULD HELP BRING MORE HUNTERS BACK INTO THE FOLD?

I THINK THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE BIG ISSUE IS IN RECRUITING THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THERE ARE SO MANY -- SO MUCH MORE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR THEM AND THEY CAN GO HUNTING AND FISHING IF THEY WANT TO OR DO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS.

I AM NOT SURE IF MORE MONEY IS NECESSARILY THE ANSWER.

WE'VE GOT SOME YOUNGER FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE.

AARON, YOU ARE HERE, TELL US, DID YOU LIKE TO HUNT AND FISH AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES GETTING FOLKS YOUR AGE TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES?

WELL, I DON'T REALLY HUNT.

I DO FISH SOME, AND I LIVE IN A COMMUNITY, WAKEFIELD THAT HAS A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 600.

IT'S REALLY FAMILIAR TO ME.

A LOT OF MY FRIENDS HUNT AND FISH AND A LOT OF THEM HUNT FOR DEER, AND FOR DUCKS AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND SO I THINK THE BIG ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS MORE ORGANIZATION AND THERE IS A BROADER AMOUNT OF IDEAS THAT ATTRACTS THESE YOUNGER PEOPLE OTHER THAN HUNTING, SO THEY ARE KIND OF MOVING AWAY FROM HUNTING TOWARDS MORE MODERN RECREATIONAL THINGS.

LIKE TECHNOLOGY.

AND SO YOU JUST DON'T SEE THAT MANY YOUNGER PEOPLE GETTING INTERESTED IN HUNTING BECAUSE IT'S MUCH MORE CORRELATED WITH OLDER GENERATIONS.

YOU ARE A YOUNG FELLOW AS WELL.

WHAT IF WE TRIED TO INCORPORATE THIS TECHNOLOGY INTO HUNTING?

WHAT IF WE SNAP CHATTED SOME HUNTS, WOULD THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

I DON'T USE SNAPCHAT A WHOLE LOT.

[ LAUGHTER ] SOCIAL MEDIA, I DON'T KNOW OF THE THE BIGGEST ISSUE I SEE FOR YOUNGER HUNTERS IS A LACK OF AN OLDER GENERATION THAT HAS INTRODUCED THEM TO HUNTING.

YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS NOT SOMEBODY SAY LIKE A DAD OR GRANDFATHER THAT SHOWS THEM HOW TO HUNT, IT'S HARDER FOR THEM TO GET INTERESTED IN HUNTING.

YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS AND HOW TO POST THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY.

WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION TO OUR PANEL?

WHAT CAN THEY HELP YOU WITH?

WHAT CAN LAND OWNERS DO TO INSURE THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED ADEQUATE POSTING OR POSTING ABOUT THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY TO FISHERMEN SO THAT THEY DON'T ACTUALLY STRAY INTO THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY?

MOST OF THE FISHERMAN HAVE ACCESS TO GPS AND THERE ARE MAPS ON LINE.

I KNOW THE CHARTER FISHERMEN DEFINITELY KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.

MOST RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN DO AS WELL.

THAT'S ONE WAY.

STATE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO POST, BUT MANY OF THE COASTAL LAND OWNERS DO POST THE PROPERTY.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS AN EXPENSE THERE, AND WHEN SOMEBODY SHOOTS THE SIGN OR TEARS IT DOWN, THERE YOU GO WITH DAMAGE TO PROPERTY WHICH IS AN ISSUE WHY CONTROLLING ACCESS IS SO IMPORTANT TO PRIVATE LAND OWNERS.

IF I COULD CHIME IN A LITTLE THERE, I THINK ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO FIND ONE MAP THAT EVERYONE IN THE STATE AGREES UPON IS AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT IS PRIVATE AND WHAT IS PUBLIC.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LANDSCAPE THAT CHANGES EVERY MINUTE AND WE ARE BASING A LOT OF THESE DEFINING BOUNDARIES BETWEEN WHAT'S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ON A MAP FROM THE 1800S, WHICH COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT OUR COAST LOOKS LIKES NOW.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL.

BUT THAT MAP IS AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS OWN.

I MEAN THAT'S WHEN TITLE PASSED OR WAS SEVERED FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND WENT INTO PRIVATE LAND OWNERS.

SO THOSE MAPS ARE RELIABLE.

AND THE MERE FACT THAT WATER COVERS A LAND MASS DOESN'T BY ITSELF MAKE THE LAND MASS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE.

IT'S STILL PRIVATE PROPERTY.

IF IT WAS SEVERED FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AFTER 1812 AND FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE PRIVATE DOMAIN.

AND THOSE MAPS ARE RELIABLE, EVEN TODAY.

I WANT YOU TO COME SHOW ME ON MY MAP FROM THE 1800S, IF YOU KNOW THAT, YOU CAN COME FISHING WITH ME ANY TIME.

THOSE MAPS ARE NOT USEFUL.

BACK TO OUR QUESTION.

YOU ARE HERE FROM THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER.

I THINK YOU'VE GOT A VERY IMPORTANT REQUEST TO ASK THE LAND OWNERS ABOUT LIABILITY: WHAT IF SOME OF THE LIABILITY OF POTENTIAL HARM WAS ALLEVIATED, WOULD SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BE RESOLVED.

I KNOW THE WORD SPORTSMAN IS A NINE LETTER WORD AND THE WORD PARADISE IS AN EIGHT LETTER WORD, BUT WITHIN YOU ZOOM IN ON THAT WORD IT'S KIND OF A ONE-SIDED WORD BECAUSE IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR ONLY THE HUNTER AND WHERE DOES THE LIABILITY COME IN.

THE LIABILITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THAT'S THE KEY POINT TO ACCESS, KNOWING WHO IS ON YOUR PROPERTY AND WHEN THEY ARE ON YOUR PROPERTY.

I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT LOUISIANA HAS BEEN NOTED AS BEING A FAIRLY FRIENDLY SUE-HAPPY STATE SO TO SPEAK.

YOU ARE A LAW STUDENT.

I HOPE YOU CAN TURN THAT AROUND.

MR.

SECRETARY, YOU SERVED IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR FOR A [LAUGHTER] IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A REALLY -- IT'S A DIFFICULT ISSUE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO RESPECT PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.

CERTAINLY AS A LEGISLATOR WE TOSSED THAT AROUND, WENT ROUND AND ROUND WITH IT AND COULD NEVER COME TO ANY REASONABLE SOLUTION, AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE DISCUSSION IS STILL TAKING PLACE.

I THINK A SEA GRANT IS -- HAS INITIATED SOME FORUM AS OF LATE WHERE WE ORGANIZED A GROUP TO SIT DOWN WITH LAND OWNERS AND SIT DOWN WITH THE FISHERMEN, SIT DOWN WITH ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED, AND SEE IF AT LEAST CONVERSATION CAN'T COME TO SOME SORT OF NOT COMPROMISE, BUT AN AGREEMENT, IF WE CAN BEGIN THAT PROCESS OF THEM AGREEING ON CERTAIN THINGS, THEN I THINK THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A DUAL ROLE THAT IT'S A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE, BUT I THINK THAT THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR AT LEAST COMMUNICATION TO BEGIN AND CONCERNS THAT BOTH SIDES CAN RECOGNIZE, IDENTIFY THOSE CONCERNS THAT EACH OTHER HAVE, AND HOPEFULLY COME TO SOME KIND OF AT LEAST AGREEMENT WOULD BE A GOOD START.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD STARTING POINT.

RYAN LEVINE, YOU HAVE FISHED IN THE LARGEST BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD.

YOU REPRESENTED LOUISIANA PROUDLY IN THE BASS MASTER CLASSIC THIS YEAR.

YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF FISHING.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BIOLOGY.

THIS IS A WAY PEOPLE MAKE THEIR LIVING.

SO WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION?

CURRENTLY OUR HIGH SCHOOL NUMBERS ARE GROWING TREMENDOUSLY WHEN IT COMES TO BASS FISHING.

COLLEGE HAS TAKEN ITS FOLLOWING, TOO.

WE HAVE HAD A BASS EVENT, A COLLEGE SERIES EVENT TWO YEARS AGO IN MORGAN CITY, ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS WE HAVE HAD IN SOUTH LOUISIANA IN YEARS, BASS MASTER CLASSIC IN THE PAST IS COMING TO NEW ORLEANS NUMEROUS TIMES.

ALL THESE EVENTS BRING A LOT OF MONEY TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DEPEND ON THAT MONEY.

I AM JUST WONDERING, YOU KNOW, IF AN AGREEMENT WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THESE ISSUES THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE HAVING.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE NEXT YEAR AN ELITE SERIES EVENT THAT WILL NOT ALLOW GUYS TO FISH THE LOUISIANA SIDE OF THE SAVINE RIVER.

THEY CAN ONLY FISH TEXAS BECAUSE TEXAS LAWS ARE DIFFERENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF ACCESSIBLE LOUISIANA WATERS THERE FOR THEM THAT ARE GREAT FISHING, BUT THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO COME INTO OUR STATE.

I JUST WONDER -- THIS IS KIND OF FOR EVERYBODY.

HOW DO WE FIX THAT?

YOU KNOW.

WELL, I ACTUALLY INTERVIEWED WITH BASS.

YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT.

AND I MADE SOME COMMENTS AND I WILL JUST REPEAT THOSE SAME COMMENTS.

IT'S -- BASS ONLY SELECTED THE RIVER TOURNAMENT ANYTHING ELSE.

THEY DID MENTION THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER.

THE VENICE AREA, YOU'VE GOT THE DELTA, OVER 200,000 ACRES.

I WOULD IMAGINE THERE IS A FEW PLACES TO FISH.

LOUISIANA RANKS FIFTH NATIONALLY IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES IN WATER.

FIFTH.

ONLY ALASKA, FLORIDA, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN, AND YOU CAN THROW WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN OUT BECAUSE THEY TAKE IN THE GREAT LAKES.

SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PUBLIC WATER OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK FOLKS ARE JUMPING ON THE BAND WAGONS AND THEY NEED TO LOOK AT THE FACTS, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

I EVEN LOOKED AT SOME NUMBERS RELATIVE TO OUT OF STATE FISHING SALES.

U.S.

AND FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PUBLISHES THAT.

THE STATES HAVE TO REPORT THAT INFORMATION.

YOU HAD A COMMENT?

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE ECONOMIC SIDE.

I HAVEN'T GONE OVER THE NUMBERS YET.

SURE.

2016 TO 2017 NUMBER OF OUT OF STATE NONRESIDENT FISHING LICENSES WENT UP 11,000.

YOU GO BACK TO THE YEAR 2000, 150,000 MORE LICENSES WERE SOLD THIS YEAR THAN THE YEAR 2000.

SO IT PUZZLES ME THAT WE ARE RUNNING FISHERMEN AWAY.

I HAVE HEARD THAT SAID AND I WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY -- IT'S AN ACCURATE STATEMENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACTS.

IF I MADE THAT ASSUMPTION, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT.

I DID NOT SAY WE ARE RUNNING ANYONE AWAY.

I AM SPEAKING ON THE TOURNAMENT SIDE OF IT, BECAUSE BASS WILL NOT COME TO SOUTH LOUISIANA.

THEY WILL GO NORTH, BUT THEY WILL NOT COME TO SOUTH LOUISIANA UNTIL SOMETHING IS RESOLVED.

IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS REMOVE THE GRAY AREA.

BECAUSE AS -- I KNOW SEAN KNOWS, HE AND I FISH AGAINST EACH OTHER A LOT.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS MAYBE A MARSH POND THAT'S GOT FOUR DRAINS YOU CAN ENTER IT THROUGH.

THREE OF THEM MAY HAVE A SIGN, ONE DOESN'T.

IF I GOT A GUY FISHING AGAINST ME AGAINST TENNESSEE THAT DOESN'T KNOW OUR LAWS OR THINKS HE KNOWS OUR LAWS AND GOES INTO AN ENTRANCE, WHICH ISN'T POSTED, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE TO DO, THAT I AM ESSENTIALLY GETTING BEAT BY SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T REALIZE THEY ARE DOING ANYTHING WRONG ON PRIVATE LAND.

THAT'S THE GRAY AREA.

I APOLOGIZE IF I MEANT THAT WE ARE RUNNING PEOPLE OUT BECAUSE THAT IS NOT WHERE WE ARE GETTING.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY RUNNING PEOPLE AWAY AND I CAN SPEAK TO THAT FROM THE CHARTER SIDE.

THE TERM BANDWAGON WAS USED AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS GETTING ON IT.

WHEN YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON PROVIDING A SERVICE WITHOUT BEING HARASSED, THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR LOUISIANA.

I GOT PHONE CALLS FROM AS FAR AWAY AS MONTANA, CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK FROM COLLEAGUES WHO SAID WE JUST SAW THIS BASS PRESS RELEASE, WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE.

I CAN SHOW YOU NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS SAYING I WILL NOT COME BACK TO FISH IN LOUISIANA, I WITH A HAS RASED THERE.

I LOSE A SECURITY CLEARANCE FROM WORK IF I WAS HARASSED FOR SIMPLY FISHING.

WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE LICENSE SALES THAT ARE MANAGED, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA BEING IN AN AWFUL FINANCIAL POSITION RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A STATE THAT HAS THE WORST LAND LOSS CRISIS THAT WE HAVE EVER SEEN, AND A $50 BILLION PRICE TAG ATTACHED TO THE PLAN TO FIX IT.

NOT ONLY ARE WE PHYSICALLY LOSING HABITAT AND SEEING LESS AND LESS PEOPLE BECOMING INVOLVED IN HUNTING AND FISHING, WE ARE ALSO SEEING THE EFFECT THAT HAS ON LICENSE SALES, THE INTEREST THAT YOUNG ANGLERS HAVE.

AND WE WANT TO RESTORE THE LANDSCAPE, AND NONE OF US IN OUR RIGHT MINDS WOULD SAY ANYTHING TO IMPEDE IT.

IT'S TOO IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.

YOU ARE TELLING MOST OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NOT JUST LOUISIANA, NOT ONLY THE COUNTRY, IF YOU COME HERE YOU WILL BE HARASSED AT THE VERY LEAST, TICKETED AND IN SOME INSTANCES BE SUBJECT TO A VIOLENT ALTERCATION, WHICH HAS HAPPENED.

THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE OF THESE INSTANCES CREATING VIOLENCE.

HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WE LET THE BLACK EYE FALL ON LOUISIANA?

THE YOUNG GUY THAT WANTS TO GO HUNT, DEPENDS ON BEING ABLE TO GO OUT AND HUNT AND FISH.

THE RESOURCE MANAGERS DEPEND ON LICENSE SALES SO THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB, AND AT THE SAME TIME PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TO HAVE THEIR RIGHTS RESPECTED.

WE FEEL LIKE ACCESS TO THE WATER SHOULD BE FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BRING A DIGSAL LIABILITY FOR LAND ONNERS AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUBMIT ALL THE PROTECTIONS NECESSARY FOR THE LAND OWNERS WHILE ALLOWING ACCESS AND ALL THE ACTIVITY THAT COMES WITH IT.

.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT DEER HUNTING.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT'S BENEFITED PRIVATE LAND OWNERS IS THE DEMAP PROGRAM, AND HENRY YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

CHRIS, I WAS WONDERING IF WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE DEMAP PROGRAM AND THOUGHT OF ANY OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN MANAGE DEER.

I HAVE DONE SOME READING AND SEE THAT OTHER STATES DO THINGS A LOT DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE THE NUMBER OF LAWS IN THE BOOKS -- LOUISIANA IS ON THE DECLINE.

THE DEMAP PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR AWHILE.

DAVE, YOU CAN SPEAK TO DEMAP A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S WHAT YOU DID, ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DID WITHIN YOU WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DEMAP AND THE DIRECTION THAT PROGRAM IS HEADED.

YEAH, I WAS WORKING WENDY MAP WAS ADMITTED IN 1980.

IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP LAND OWNERS MANAGE THE DEER HERDS, TO GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO HARVEST THE NUMBER OF DEER THAT NEEDED TO COME OFF OF THE PROPERTY AND ALSO TO PROVIDE HABITAT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION TO IMPROVE THE HABITAT CONDITIONS.

IT HAS WORKED REAL WELL.

YOU KNOW, TODAY THERE IS MORE ADULTS, MATURE ADULT BUCKS, THREE-AND-A-HALF AND OLDER, BEING KILLED THAN YEAR AND A HALF OLD.

WE STARTED DEMAP, PROBABLY 80% -- DEMAP HAS HELPED.

THERE IS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT'S INVOLVED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE LANDSCAPE AND THE ATTRITION THAT WE HAD.

EVERYBODY PLANTED PINE TREES AND NOW EVERYBODY WHEN THEY PLANT THE PINE TREES THEY HERBICIDE IT AND IT KILLS THE HARDWOOD COMPONENT THAT IS THE DEER USE FOR BROW.

THE OVERALL NUTRITIONAL NEED THAT THE DEER HAVE TO HAVE TO GROW AND DEVELOP IS NOT THERE LIKE IT SHOULD BE, AND I MADE THE STATEMENT BEFORE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER LEARN TO ADAPT TO FEWER DEER AND DEER THAT AREN'T THE QUALITY THAT THEY WANT OR THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING, WHICH IS VERY COSTLY, OR YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOME INTENSE FARMING, FOOD PLAT PLANNING, WHICH MOST CLUBS AREN'T DESIGNED TO DO.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT HAS PRIVATE BIOLOGISTS THAT CAN HELP LAND OWNERS ACHIEVE AND TRY TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT HE WANTS, YOU KNOW, ON HIS PROPERTY.

MR.

SECRETARY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT?

THE BIOLOGIST AND THEIR AVAILABILITY TO HELP.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF BIOLOGISTS, BUT I AM GOING TO DEFER TO MY HEAD OF WILDLIFE WHO CERTAINLY HAS ALL OF THE ANSWERS FOR ALL OF THIS, AND HE IS THE EXPERT AND I AM NOT.

WE HAVE REGIONAL OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE BIOLOGISTS IN EACH ONE OF THOSE REGIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH THE DEMAP COOPERATORS.

DEMAP HAS VARIOUS LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION AND DEPENDING ON WHAT THE GOALS OF THE LAND OWNER IS.

IN THE PINEY WOODS WE ARE SEEING DECLINE, BUT HOWEVER THE VALLEY IS VERY FERTILE, AND WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE WITH THE DEMAP PROGRAM IN BODY WEIGHT, LACTATION, AS WELL AS ANT DLER SIZE AND DEVELOPMENT.

IT MAY BE MORE OF A LOCALIZED ISSUE THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH GROUPS THAT HAVE DEMAPPED LAND, BUT STATEWIDE OUR DEMAP PROGRAM IS SHOWING THAT IT IS WORKING.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU, AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR PANEL.

YES.

WHAT I WANTED TO ASK IS PERTAINING TO THE DEER HUNTING, AND WHERE I SEE THE DEER PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE DEMAP SITUATION WITH THE SMALLER LAND OWNERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE MANAGED AREAS, FOR THE MOST PART IT CREATES A SAFE HAVEN FOR THE DEER.

YET THEY HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ACRES TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE THAT IF AM' TOO SMALL, MAYBE MY PROPERTY WITH THE NEXT GUY'S PROPERTY WOULD BE A SITUATION THAT WE COULD STILL GET INTO THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S BENEFITTING LARGER DEER AND MORE DEER.

BUT ALSO ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE OR COMMENT THAT IN MY AREA, WHICH IS EAST OF 61, AND WHAT IS SEEN TO BE IN THAT AREA, WE DON'T HAVE A WINTER ANYMORE.

NOT SO MUCH LAST YEAR, BUT YEAR BEFORE LAST, I NOTICED THE HOOKS AND SCRAPES EARLY, AND IT TOTALLY WENT AWAY, AND THEY COME BACK RIGHT AT THE END OF DEER SEASON.

WHY NOT A LATER SEASON, THAEN WASTE YOUR TIME FIGHTING MOSQUITOES IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

SOMETHING THAT COMES UP WITH THE DUCK HUNTERS AS WELL, WHAT IF WE MOVE THE SEASON A LITTLE BIT LATER?

THE COLD WEATHER SEEMS TO BE LATER IN COMING.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT BIOLOGISTS COULD CONSIDER?

HAS THAT IS BEEN LOOKED AT AND SEASONS HAVE BEEN SET TO ADJUST FOR THE LATER RUN.

BASICALLY A LATE DECEMBER-JANUARY.

YOU DO GET BREEDING GOING ON IN FEBRUARY.

OF COURSE WE CAN'T CONTROL THE WEATHER, AND COLD WEATHER CERTAINLY MAKES THE DEER ACTIVE AND YOU SEE THE BREEDING THINGS THAT THEY DO, THE HOOKING AND SCRAPING MORE WITH THE COLD WEATHER, BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BREED REGARDLESS.

MOST OF IT IS PROBABLY AT NIGHT WHEN THEY ARE MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT IT.

SMALL LAND OWNERS CAN COMBINE THEIR PROPERTY TO GET ENOUGH ACREAGE TO ENROLL IN DEMAP.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A REALITY OF THE PROGRAM, THAT YOU CAN DO THAT.

SO YOU MIGHT CHECK INTO THAT WITH YOUR ADJACENT LAND OWNERS AND SEE IF YOU CAN JOIN, EVEN PERHAPS JOIN THE DEMAP PROPERTY ITSELF.

MAYBE THEY WOULD ALLOW YOU TO BE PART OF THEIR PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE YOUR LOWER LIMITS?

I AM NOT SURE NOW.

500 TOTAL ACRES, BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS.

WE CERTAINLY ALLOW THAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN COOPERATION WITH ADJACENT LAND OWNERS.

GUYS, LET'S GO BACK DOWN TO THE COAST A LITTLE BIT.

SEAN, YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT COASTAL LAND LOSS AND HOW THE STATE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH REPAIRING THAT.

YES.

SO BEN ALLUDED TO IT A LITTLE BIT AND SECRETARY WAS MENTIONING LOWER LICENSE SALES, BUT MY QUESTION KIND OF INVOLVES FUNDING.

SO CPRA IS IN CONTROL OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT'S GOING TO BE TOWARD -- PUT TOWARD COASTAL RESTORATION, AND HAS BEEN SAID NOBODY WANTS TO ADVOCATE FOR NOT DOING IT BECAUSE LOUISIANA ABSOLUTELY NEEDS THAT.

BUT MY QUESTION REVOLVES AROUND THE FACT THAT THAT IS BASICALLY PUBLIC MONEY, WAS GIVEN TO THE STATE TO REBUILD THE COAST FOLLOWING THE OIL SPILLS FOR THE MOST PART.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE PRIVATE OWNED LANDS WILL BASICALLY BE REBUILT BY THE STATE USING THAT MONEY AND ONCE THE COASTAL RESTORATION IS GOING TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE PRIVATE LAND OWNER.

MY CONTENTION I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC SHOULD GET SOMETHING IN RETURN AND MAYBE WATER ACCESS ONLY, NOT LAND ACCESS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT WATER ACCESS MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

I WANT TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY COMMENTS.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE FOR THE SECRETARY AND FOR MR.

FREY TO HANDLE.

MR.

SECRETARY, YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATOR WHEN THE STATE COASTAL MASTER PLAN PASSED.

WE HAD THREE ITERATIONS NOW.

80% OF COASTAL LOUISIANA IS PRIVATELY HELD, SO IF WE WANT TO DO RESTORATION IN LOUISIANA IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE PRIVATE LAND.

AND PRIVATE LAND WHERE THE LAND WAS LOST ALSO.

KIND OF A TWO-EDGED SWORD THERE.

I THINK THAT'S AN AWESOME IDEA.

I NEVER HEARD THAT BEFORE, BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU -- WHEN YOU START TALKING AND WE START DISCUSSING SOME THINGS KICK OUT THAT COULD BE EXPLORED.

THAT'S ONE AREA THAT COULD BE EXPLORED CERTAINLY.

IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATING LAND, WE COULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH LAND OWNERS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS BENEFIT THE STATE AS A WHOLE AND NOT ONLY BUILD THAT LAND TO GIVE BACK TO THAT PRIVATE LAND OWNER, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT OTHER LAND THAT IS FURTHER INLAND AND THE PEOPLE AND ALL THE RESOURCES THAT BELONG WITH THAT.

SO IT'S KIND OF AL -- YOU SAY IT'S A TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS, YES, GOING BACK TO RESTORE LAND FOR PRIVATE LAND OWNERS, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE YOU ARE DOING MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

ALTHOUGH I'VE GOT TO SAY THAT'S INTERESTING WHAT YOU BROUGHT UP AND IT'S CERTAINLY AN AREA THAT SHOULD BE EXPLORED SOME MORE.

THANK YOU.

PAUL, IN COASTAL RESTORATION, IT'S A HUGE ISSUE.

IT THREATENS THE FUTURE OF OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES, THE COASTAL LAND LOSS THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.

IT REALLY -- PRIVATE LAND OWNERS HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FOR COASTAL RESTORATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE STATE NEEDS ACCESS TO THOSE CRITICAL AREAS AND IT HAS TO COME FROM PRIVATE LAND OWNERS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND A NUMBER OF OUR PRIVATE LAND OWNERS THAT ARE MEMBERS OF LOUISIANA LAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION HAVE DONE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS ON THEIR OWN, OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET WITHOUT ANY PARTICIPATION FROM THE STATE, AND WE CAN CITE SEVERAL EXAMPLES.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PRESENT THAT INFORMATION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

BUT I THINK YOU DO HAVE -- YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH DISCUSSING, SEAN.

I CAN'T REFUTE THAT FACT, BUT I CAN ALSO SAY THAT REMEMBER THAT LAND OWNERS ARE TAXPAYERS AS WELL.

I UNDERSTAND.

WELL, DON, YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT FERAL HOGS.

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM ALONG OUR COAST.

THEY ARE DESTROYING WET LANDS AND LELEVEES.

WHEN ARE WE ARE GOING TO DO GET TO A SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM?

YOU CAN'T TRAP THEM OR HUNT THEM OR SHOOT THEM OUT OF THE SKY WITH HELICOPTERS OR WHATEVER.

YOU GOT TO TAKE 70% OF THEM A YEAR JUST TO STAY EVEN.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CAN DO THAT.

THEY ARE BAD ON LOCAL FLORA, ON FAUNA.

THEY EAT BABY DEER.

THEY WILL EAT THE SNAKES AND THE FOREST SERVICE, I HATE TO SAY THIS, IS OPERATING A REFUGE FOR THE FERAL HOGS.

WORST OF ALL THEY CARRY ABOUT 25 DIFFERENT DISEASES AND SOME OF THEM ARE DIRECTLY COMMUNICABLE TO HUMANS.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE FERAL HOGS.

DAVE, YOU TRIED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM ONE AT A TIME.

THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC THAT'S NOT JUST IN LOUISIANA, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YEAH.

IT'S A PROBLEM THAT INVOLVES INTENSE WORK, EFFORT, TRAPPING, HUNTING, AND STILL THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, AND RESEARCH, THE UNIVERSITIES ARE WORKING ON TRYING TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION THAT WOULD ADDRESS DEPOPULATION OF THE LARGE NUMBERS OF THEM ON A LARGE SCALE.

THAT'S PROBABLY FORTHCOMING.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.

BUT REMEMBER YOU GOT TO GET TO 70% JUST TO STAY EVEN WITH THE HERD.

EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'S BIOLOGICAL I THINK.

THAT'S THE APPROACH THEY ARE TAKING, TRYING TO DEVELOP SOMETHING THAT WILL KILL THEM OR KILL THEIR PRODUCTIVITY.

THE BIG ISSUE IS THE NON-TARGET ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY THE BLACK BEAR, THINGS LIKE THAT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER IS DONE DOES NOT DAMAGE THOSE POPULATIONS.

MR.

SECRETARY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CLOSELY.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT BIOLOGICAL PROJECTS FOR STERILIZATION.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT RESEARCH RIGHT NOW TO PUT DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEEDSTOCK, WHERE THEY COULD FEED THESE ANIMALS TO GET RID OF THEM.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS WE HAD IS THE WAR FRIN WAS THE FIRST INITIAL PRODUCT TO GET RID OF THE HOGS, BUT THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE THAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED, IT'S FAR WORSE THAN WHERE THE HOGS ARE AT TODAY.

WITH THE RESEARCH GOING ON RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME BIOLOGICAL ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITH FERALING HOGS.

CERTAINLY THEY ARE A HORRIBLE PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM WE HAVE, IT'S COMING FROM THE FERAL HOG HABITAT.

WE ARE WORKING WITH WILL THE SU, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THERE ARE SOME NATIONAL COMPANIES THAT ARE WORKING AND LOOKING AT SOME ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES AT THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO TO APPLY TO GET RID OF THESE HOGS.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TAKING PLACE.

I WISH I COULD SNAP MY FINGERS AND MAKE THEM GO AWAY.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE AREN'T DOING ANYTHING AND WE DO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT ISSUE AND WHAT EFFECTS IT HAS ON THE REST OF THE LANDSCAPE WITHIN LOUISIANA.

GUYS, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME FOR THIS SEGMENT, BUT IT HAS BEEN AN ENGAGING CONVERSATION.

WE COULD BREAK ANY OF THESE ENTITIES TOPICS OUT AND SPEND HOURS TALKING ABOUT THEM.

JUST SOME CLOSING COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL BEFORE WE WRAP UP.

FIRST OF ALL, I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT BEING HERE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US, FOR US TO SIT DOWN AS CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA AND DISCUSS WHAT OUR DIFFERENCES ARE AND SEE IF WE CAN'T FIND SOME COMMON GROUND.

I GOT TO TELL YOU WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THIS STATE, THIS SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE, I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND WE STILL HAVE THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE.

WE WORK WITH PRIVATE LAND OWNERS.

WE DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN WE COME BACK AND ENFORCE ALL OF THE REGULATIONS THAT WE IMPOSE ON HOW MANY -- WHAT'S THE LIMIT ON DUCKS, GEESE, DEER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE BIOLOGISTS IN-HOUSE THAT WORKS ALL OVER THE STATE WITH PRIVATE LAND OWNERS AND WITH OUR PUBLIC LAND THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, AND CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR US IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO SEE WHERE WE GO AND WHERE WE HEAD WITH ALL OF THIS, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S IN COMMUNICATIONS LIKE THIS AND INTERACTIONS LIKE THIS THAT WE CAN FIND SOME COMMON GOAL WHERE WE CAN GET TO SOME GOOD PLACES AND MAKE THIS A BETTER SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA AND PEOPLE THAT VISIT HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU, BEN.

SOME BRIEF FINAL SHOTS.

SURE.

I WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC WATER, POSTED WATER ACCESS ISSUE.

THERE IS THREE THINGS WE HAVE GOING, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS SO FAR.

ONE, WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST BIOLOGY DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT SOMETIMES IT LEAVES US A BIT VOCAL ABOUT EXPECTATIONS.

LOUISIANA IS BECOMING A GLOBAL LEADER IN COAST LAND WETLAND RESTORATION, WATER RESOURCES ISSUES, SO WE HAVE BASICALLY THE DREAM THINK TANK IN LOUISIANA TO COMBAT ALMOST ANY WATER RESOURCE ISSUE WE HAVE, SO WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERTISE IN OUR WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT AND IN OUR COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION DEPARTMENT.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY WHICH IS REALLY GOOD NEWS, ALMOST EVERY SERIOUS MAJOR CONSERVATION VICTORY HAS BEEN BORNE OUT OF RESOURCE MANAGERS, PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE FOLKS THAT USE THESE RESOURCES, AND WITH THE EXPERTISE WE HAVE HERE AND WITH THE HISTORY IN AMERICA OF WORKING THROUGH VERY DIFFICULT RESOURCE ISSUES, I'M HOPEFUL FOR THE COASTAL WATERWAY ISSUE, THAT WE WILL GET TO SOME MEANINGFUL RESOLUTION THAT PROTECT THE PROPERTY OWNERS' RITES AND ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO BETTER ACCESS THE RESOURCE.

PAUL, YOUR THOUGHTS?

WELL, MANY OF YOU KNOW I WORK FOR A STATE AGENCY IN LOUISIANA FOR 33 AND A HALF YEARS, SO I WAS ON THE PUBLIC SIDE.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PRIVATE LAND OWNER, SO I AM ALSO ON THE PRIVATE SIDE.

I TRY TO RIDE THE FENCE ON THE SIDE OF PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE.

IT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

OBVIOUSLY AS YOU HEARD FROM ALL THE DISCUSSIONS TODAY.

I THINK WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE AT TIMES, BUT WE CAN ALSO GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT SOME POSSIBILITIES.

WE HEARD ABOUT A FEW TONIGHT, AND I WOULD ASK THAT ALL THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO POINT FINGERS AT LAND OWNERS WOULD UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT LAND OWNERS HAVE TO FACE, AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS ARE PARAMOUNT IN OUR CONSTITUTION, BOTH OUR STATE AND OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

DAVE?

WELL, I THINK REGARDING DECLINING HUNTERS, I THINK WE ARE SEEING THE EVOLUTION OF OUR HUNTING HERITAGE AND CHANGES IN SOCIETY AND CULTURE.

I THINK THE KEY IS THAT WE AS HUNTERS SHOW THE NON-HUNTERS THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE, THAT WE ARE CONCERNED FOR THE RESOURCE.

WE ARE JUST NOT TAKERS AND USERS, THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUR JOB TO MANAGE THE RESOURCE THAT EVERYONE WILL BENEFIT FROM.

THANK YOU, GUYS.

IT'S BEEN A VERY ENCOURAGING AND ENGAGING CONVERSATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS WHO ARE LISTENING AND WATCHING, GET INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

TALK TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

GO TO A WILDLIFE FISHERIES COMMITTEE MEETING, GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT IN THIS STATE.

THAT WRAPS UP OUR SEGMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE.

WHEN WE COME BACK WE WILL HAVE A FEW CLOSING COMMENTS.

♪ ♪ .

WELL, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AS LPB.ORG/PUBLICSQUARE.

YOU CAN VIEW EXTEND THE INTERVIEWS AND COMMENTS ON TONIGHT'S SHOW AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, SO PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT.

IT'S BEEN NEARLY 12 MONTHS SINCE YOU MADE YOUR NEW YEARS' RESOLUTIONS AND I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T FOLLOW MINE, SO IF SHEDDING EXTRA POUNDS WAS ON YOUR LIST, IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE" NEXT MONTH FOR AN ENCORE BROADCAST OF HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO LEARN THE BEST WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP IT OFF.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.

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