Louisiana Changes Law: Frog Hunters Can Now Pack Heat

If truth be told, this will only apply to a very select group of Louisiana outdoorsmen, but that doesn't invalidate its importance.

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As a rural kid growing up here in Louisiana, during the summer months, it seemed as though everyone spent weekend nighttime hours out frog hunting.

The number of people involved in this sport has been drastically cut, but there are still a few die-hard fans of the actual hunt and the table fare that a sack full of freshly caught frogs will provide.

During my younger years, the only legal method of catching frogs was by hand.  It was against Louisiana law to pierce the skin of a bullfrog, so gigs or spears were out of the question.  I can recall my Dad having hands so fast, he could snatch a bullfrog from the bank of 12 Mile Bayou, before the water moccasin sitting behind it, even knew what happened.

That law changed decades ago, permitting the use of frog gigs and just this week Louisiana has released another change in law for those who enjoy frog gigging.

According to an article from Louisiana Radio Network, we learn that now frog hunters are actually even permitted to carry a firearm with them while they hunt at night.

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Apparently, the law prohibiting the carrying a firearm while frog hunting conflicted with law just passed a couple of years ago.  This new law, written by Louisiana Senator Eddie Lambert spoke on the conflict stating, "There was a constitutional amendment that gave you the right to carry firearms. A greater right than normal, which that put in conflict the law prohibiting the carrying of a weapon while you were frog hunting."

Of the new law, Lambert said, "They realized they had some unconstitutional issues, and it was clean-up legislation to remove that prohibition."

This doesn't mean that the weapon can be used on the frogs; the legal manner for that includes gigs, nets or bare hands, but according to Lambert, having a gun for personal protection during these night hours gives hunters a better sense of security.

Lambert added, "A lot of times, you may be in a situation where you break down at night or whatever or coming back to a boat landing. You’re going to wish you had a gun with you if somebody wants to rob you or do something lying in wait for you."