The Future of Hunting In Louisiana Looking Dim?

Tip of the hat to the Dead Pelican.

Former powerful State Senator now Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries Robert Barham gave a rather bleak overall speech on the future. See Barham paints dim picture at chamber luncheon He hits all sort of themes about the budget situation . Barham knows more about these things than most. But at the end of the article he is touching on some the areas he is over currently and has even depressing news there


Another issue that concerns Barham is the declining number of young people who hunt, fish or participate in activities outdoors.When he was a child, Barham said, if he wasn't in school, he was hunting or fishing. The same can be said for many of the older generation. Yet, the younger generations spend more time with electronic devices, watching television or playing video games, he said."They are spending 42 hours a week in front of some kind of electronic monitor," Barham continued. "That's a full-time job, and they're not hunting and fishing."

Since the department relies heavily on hunting and fishing licenses and fees each year, this does not bode well for the future, Barham said.

He said the department is working to help single moms become more familiar with outdoor activities so they can encourage their children to be more active outside. The department also is conducting outreach programs in schools to promote outdoor activities to children.