There’s a reason nutria have bounties on their heads, and it isn’t entirely because Harry Lee was such an avid sportsman. Existing in the marshy wetlands of Louisiana’s coast is a scourge of ecological destruction. When documentary filmmaker Quinn Costello found out about the eradication efforts against Nutria, he was intrigued. From there, the documentary, Rodents of Unusual Size began to take shape.

Isaac's devastating consequences for humans have rightly been the focus of the recovery, but the wildlife didn't get off scot free, either. Along with everything else Isaac churned up, it appears to have created some new oil pollution. In the midst of a pollution assessment following the storm, the U.S. Coast Guard reported finding new oil on the coast in the marshes near Myrtle Grove. They also found three oiled pelicans - one of which was dead - and 10 dead nutria, according to a news release. Wildlife Response Services will attempt to rehabilitate the pelicans, and conduct autopsies.

On Monday, the 2012 legislative session wrapped up. But before our politicos head out on the hunt, we at NoDef recap some of the bills that were passed that you may not have heard about. 

Down here, we have rodeoes and Righteous Fur. But up North, there seems to be a little more sympathy for the nutria. Over at the New York Times, Washingtion state animator Drew Christie has an "op-doc" titled "Hi! I'm a Nutria." The piece challenges the idea that nutria fit into the rodent family, and dares to ask the question, "How long does it take to become a native?" As any Louisianan can tell you, those varmints have to be born here, unless, of course, they came from eastern Quebec. Watch the video here.

It's time once again for a lot of guys named Buddy and Butch to gather in the House That Long Built. Up in Baton Rogue, the annual legislative session convenes today. This year's sesh doesn't have to wrap up until June, giving legos time to debate complex laws about the budget and education, with plenty of time left over to talk about issues near and dear to their hearts: hunting and gambling!

For the better part of the year, coyotes have managed to evade capture in New Orleans, as well as Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes. But it was a different story at Golden Meadow. Last Saturday, participants in the first-ever Nutria Rodeo did their best roadrunner act, and managed to clip two of the beastly canines, an organizer said. The event was designed to raise awareness about invasive species like wild boar, Asian carp and the titular coypu, as well as the beast's culpability in destroying the wetlands. But, as the coyote net evidenced, there was some serious going on, too.

Finally, someone found an event to bridge the gap between guns and green. The meddlesome varments that run rampant in SoLa like nutria and wild boar aren't only annoying. The invasive species damage the wetlands and other parts of the fragile ecosystem,  too. So, it's time to stop letting Jefferson Parish cops have all the fun. It's time to get together and shoot these critters! On Dec. 3, an environmental group is staging the first-ever Nutria Rodeo in the Bayou Lafourche town of Golden Meadow. For as little as $10, eager participants can have access to the fertile bayou hunting grounds, where they will try to capture the two aforementioned ferals, coyotes, and, because Sportsman's Paradise is a Big Tent, Flying Asian Carp.

Howdy there, Defenders! Today, we have a treat for y'all as NoDef launches our first contest. Our cartoonist over at the Community Print Shop had some writer's block, and couldn't think up a caption for her comic (pictured after the jump). So, it's up to you; six lucky winners will receive tickets for this weekend's Daiquiri Days - a bus tour of neighborhood daiquiri shops with after party at the Hi-Ho Lounge. Leave your best caption in the comments with your e-mail, or leave it in the comments AND email it to us contests@noladefender.com. 

If he gets tired of the Big Oozy and wants to go more Harry Lee, Billy Nungesser has a valuable lieutenant governor platform plank waiting for him. Plaquemines Parish took home the crown for killing the most nutria this year. According to the Houma Courier, the state's southernmost parish turned in roughly 80,000 tails this year.

Those on the hunt for invasive justice received a pair of helping hands from the Louisiana legislature yesterday. The state Senate approved a pair of bills that will assist in the eradication efforts of some of our craziest cast-off critters, Da Paper reports. One bill would allow hunters to trap or kill our most mysterious interloper, the feral hog, to at anytime, and allows any type of firearm to be used to kill them.