A range officer told me that checking in at front gate is no longer required but we still have to have either a hunting or fishing licence. I seem to remember there was another type you could buy.. something like a "nature observing" tag which you could buy for the nature trails.
From talking to LDWF AND Range officers: A LDWF License is required to enter any WMA. If you are only going to the range, you do not need to check in at the WMA entrance, you check in at the range. If you go anywhere else on the WMA, regardless if you went to the range or not, you must check in with the self clearing permit at the WMA Entrance. Any LDWF License grants you entrance. I've taken non-residents with the Wild Louisiana license. Please read under State Requires: http://www.honeyisland.org/info.htm
Anybody know the reason for this inconvenience?
Revenue producer? Most gun folks already have hunting/fishing licenses. The ones who do not are only going to get a $3-5 cheapo - can't be that many per year to generate a lot of income for the state.
Safety? Paying $3-5 for a "permit" that does not involve any training makes for no increased safety that I can think of.
Government bureaucracy run amok? Makes more sense than anything else.