Duck Hunters can Ignore Curfews

You just have to love a state that keeps it's priorities in order!

Louisiana duck hunters worried they couldn't get to the marshes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes because of dusk-to-dawn curfews in those areas. Spokespersons for each parish now say duck hunters will be allowed through police checkpoints to reach their blinds Saturday morning, the opening day of the season. Checkpoints were put into place shortly after Hurricane Katrina ravaged southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29.

In St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff's Office spokesman Col. Richard Baumy said hunters can enter the parish via Paris Road and Interstate 510 at 4 a.m. Saturday. Baumy said hunters must present identification to get through the checkpoint, and officers will inspect vehicles leaving the parish. The Sheriff's Office is asking that all hunters leave the parish before dark.

Plaquemines Parish spokesman Major John Marie said hunters will be asked to show a valid Louisiana ID, a hunting license and a federal duck stamp to cross a checkpoint near Point a la Hache. Hunters also should have appropriate hunting gear with them, Marie said.

So if law enforcement is going to let hordes of men armed with shotguns through the checkpoints..............what's the purpose of those checkpoints again? Isn't it time to close them down?