BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana Illuminator) – Louisiana is set to once again nearly double the number of black bears hunters can legally bag starting later this year.

The number of bear tags issued to hunters will increase from 26 in 2025 to 42 this year, according to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced Thursday. Hunters are still limited to one bear each, so the increased count clears the way for more people to pursue the animals.

Black bear hunting season, which resumed in Louisiana two years ago, is scheduled for Dec. 6-20 this year.

The number of black bear tags could change based on continuously updated population counts, said John Hanks, large carnivore program manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, during the meeting. This, in part, is because the commission also ratified an expansion to where black bears can be hunted. Once restricted to only about a third of the state, hunting tags are being made available across more of Louisiana.

Most tags will be available in Bear Management Area 4 in the northeast corner of the state, where 20 will be awarded through a hunter lottery. The area encompasses all of Madison, Franklin, Tensas, West Carroll and East Carroll parishes and smaller portions Catahoula and Richland parishes.

Other parts of the state will have fewer tags, ranging from two to eight per bear management area.

The state brought back black bear hunting in 2024 after banning the practice in 1987, citing successful conservation efforts. The Louisiana black bear was listed as a federally threatened species in 1992 and taken off the list in 2016 as its population grew.

The first season saw 11 bear tags issued, and hunters took 10 bears, eight males and two females. The state increased its tag count to 26 last year, when hunters took 10 males and six females.

Wildlife and Fisheries estimates there are roughly 1,500 black bears in the state.

There are three types of black bear hunting permits in Louisiana: general permits, for people hunting on private lands with the owner’s permission; wildlife management area permits, for those hunting in public areas the state manages; and private landowner permits, for those who own at least 40 acres in areas where bear hunting is allowed.

Out-of-state landowners could also soon be able to join in on the black bear hunting season in Louisiana.

A bill by state Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, is moving through the Louisiana Legislature that would allow non-residents who own land to apply for bear tags to hunt on their own property. It has gained House and Senate approval and awaits the governor’s signature.

Applications for this year’s Louisiana bear hunting lottery will be accepted July 28 through Aug. 28. Applicants must pay for a non-refundable $25 bear hunting license and a $50 permit fee, which goes toward the state’s bear conservation programs. Hunters can apply for multiple types of permits but can only win one.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

Faith leaders and politicians paid tribute at a funeral Saturday to eight children who were killed in a mass shooting last month in Louisiana.

The victims of the April 19 shooting in Shreveport included seven siblings who were shot by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin.

The service on Mother’s Day weekend at Summer Grove Baptist Church began with a long procession of mourners slowly filing past eight white caskets with large photos of the children next to them. Gold crowns and bouquets of white flowers were placed on top of the closed caskets. A choir behind the altar and individual singers performed throughout the service.

“In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good,” Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, said in opening remarks.

The funeral’s pamphlet contained tributes to each of the children, who ranged in age from 3 to 11. Some of them had affectionate nicknames: 3-year-old Jayla Elkins was “Jaybae;” Kayla Pugh, 6, was called “K-Mae,” and 10-year-old Mar’Kaydon Pugh was “K-Bug.”

Six-year-old Khedarrion Snow had “a sweet and loving heart,” and “though his life on earth was short, his light was mighty,” according to the pamphlet. Layla Pugh, 7, was “bright, intelligent, bold, and full of love” and enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins.

Pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell reminded family and community members trying to make sense of the shootings that “God is still on the throne.”

“To ask the question, ‘Why is this fair, God? How could you, Lord?’ He’s still God,” Burrell said. “The same God that healed you from the stuff that you don’t want to tell nobody about. But he is a God that doesn’t have to give us all the clues. Just know that he makes no mistakes.”

The children’s father, Shamar Elkins, used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. His wife, who was seeking a divorce, and another woman were wounded in the shooting that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood.

Elkins died after fleeing and a police pursuit. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.

An investigation remains ongoing into the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.

During the service, other speakers included Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who acknowledged that “there are no words sufficient to ease this pain,” while Councilman James Green implored audience members to collectively “take off our funeral face” because “this is a celebration” of the children’s lives.

Indeed, churchgoers often stood clapping their hands in response to singers and speakers. The children’s names were read or shown several times throughout the service, where Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed the city’s condolences.

“May we honor them by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared,” Arceneaux said.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff over the next week at the Capitol and state government buildings. A message read from Landry said the victims “were the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms. They were full of promise and found joy in the simplest things, such as dancing, playing outside and sharing laughter with family and friends. Their futures were bright and held great promise.”

“It is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of those lost by standing together against such senseless violence.”

Among those in attendance was former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose political career was cut short by a 2011 assassination attempt.

“She just wanted to come and just let the family know that this pain is not just in Louisiana,” said U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Louisiana. “This pain is all across the nation.”

Buses were made available afterward to transport mourners to a graveside burial. At the conclusion of the church service, Kimble prayed for healing to begin.

“Help us as we move from this spot,” he said. “Because we know, oh God, grief is only temporary. And if we’ll put our hands in your favor, you’ll lead us through this.”

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert Friday for a 76-year-old New Orleans man who has been missing since Wednesday.

Elbert Welch was last seen in the 1700 block of Holiday Drive on May 6 at approximately 11 a.m. State police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 6:54 p.m. Friday on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department.

Welch is a white male with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He is 5′10″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt, black pants and a blue baseball cap.

Family reports that Welch has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.

Welch is believed to be walking on foot in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information regarding Welch’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department, 4th District, at (504) 821-2222 or dial 911. All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.

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