The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, in consultation with Kisatchie National Forest (KNF), is requiring a permit for those hunting deer on KNF during the "with or without dogs" portion of the hunting season (Dec. 18-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, 2010). Permits are free and available on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Web site or through one of LDWF's or KNF's field offices.

The permitting process will enable KNF and LDWF to gather information necessary to proceed with future hunting opportunities on these properties.

Every deer hunter in Kisatchie National Forest (except on the Caney Ranger District) during these dates, regardless of age, is required to have this permit. Deer hunters using dogs must register an identifying mark with LDWF and each dog must wear a collar providing the owner's name, address and phone number.

Registered hunters must print and save their permit and it must be in the hunter's possession during the dates mentioned.

To obtain a free permit via the Internet, go to: http://knf-permit.wlf.louisiana.gov/ or call Justin Rabalais at (225) 765-2346 or the LDWF Pineville Field Office at (318) 487-5885.

General complaints about dog-deer hunting on KNF can be addressed to the local Forest Service Ranger District as follows:
Catahoula Ranger District: (318) 765-3554
Kisatchie Ranger District: (318) 472-1840
Winn Ranger District: (318) 628-4664
Calcasieu Ranger District: (318) 793-9427

To obtain more information about Kisatchie National Forest hunting, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie/hunting/index.html or refer to pages 50-51 of the LDWF 2010-11 Hunting Regulations, or contact the KNF Supervisor's Office, 2500 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville, LA 71360 or (318) 473-7160.

To report any hunting regulation violation, call the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline at 1-800-442-2511.

For more information, contact Justin Rabalais, ph. 225-765-2346 or jrabalais@wlf.la.gov.