LA HCR15

Louisiana Legislature expresses support for U.S. Senator John N. Kennedy's request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study how flooded corn affects migratory waterfowl behavior, wintering distributions, and economic outcomes in the Mississippi Flyway.

Louisiana's mallard population declined from approximately 800,000 in 1999 to 130,000 in 2016, while Missouri's mallard count increased from 280,000 to 500,000 during the same period.

Annual mallard harvest in Louisiana declined by approximately 95% between 1999 and 2021, the most severe drop among states in the Mississippi Flyway.

The 1998 Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act and a 1999 USFWS rule change weakened enforcement of baiting regulations and removed restrictions on hunting over intentionally flooded crops, including corn.

A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.