Hunting Regulations in Louisiana
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before hunting. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Hunting License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Senior Discount
Resident seniors (60+) pay reduced fees. Additional tags required: Big Game tags included with license. WMA permit required for hunting on Wildlife Management Areas. Federal Duck Stamp and HIP required for migratory birds. Louisiana requires separate deer tags for antlered and antlerless deer.
🦌 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer - Archery | October 1 – January 31 | Season limit varies by area | Antler restrictions vary by WMA | Areas 3,7,8,10: Sept 20 – Jan 15 either-sex. Areas 1,2,4: Oct 1 – Jan 31 either-sex. Areas 5,6,9: Oct 1-15 bucks only, either-sex Oct 16 – Feb 15. Deer tag required. |
| White-tailed Deer - Primitive Firearms | October 11 – January 31 | Season limit varies by area | Antler restrictions vary by WMA | Areas 3,7,8,10: Oct 11-17 and Jan 5-11. Areas 1,4: Nov 8-14 and Jan 19-31. Area 2: Oct 18-24 and Jan 12-18. Areas 5,6,9: Nov 8-14 and Jan 19-31. |
| White-tailed Deer - Firearms (Still Hunt) | October 18 – January 18 | Season limit varies by area | Antler restrictions vary by WMA | Still-hunt only zones: Area 1,4 Nov 15–Dec 5 & Jan 5-18; Area 2 Oct 25–Dec 2; Areas 3,7,8 Oct 18–Nov 30; Area 10 Oct 18–Jan 4. With/without dogs zones have different dates Dec–Jan. |
| Wild Turkey - Spring | April 3 – May 3 | 2 bearded birds | Bearded birds only | Area A: Apr 3–May 3. Area B: Apr 3–26. Area C: Apr 3–19. Youth/Disabled Mar 28-29 statewide. Turkey license required. |
| Waterfowl - Ducks | November 15 – January 31 | 6 per day (species sub-limits apply) | None | West Zone: Youth/Vet Nov 8-9, Regular Nov 15–Dec 7 and Dec 20–Jan 25. East Zone: Youth/Vet Nov 15-16, Regular Nov 22–Dec 8 and Dec 20–Jan 31. Federal Duck Stamp and HIP required. |
| Dove - Mourning | September 6 – January 25 | 15 per day | None | Three split seasons typical in North and South zones. HIP certification required. Combined dove limit includes all dove species. |
| Small Game - Rabbit & Squirrel | October 4 – February 28 | 8 rabbits / 8 squirrels per day | None | Spring squirrel season May 2-24 where open. Quail season Nov 15–Feb 28. Public land WMA permits required for some areas. |
| Black Bear | Closed – Closed | 0 | None | Louisiana black bear is a state-threatened species. No open season. All bear encounters should be reported to LDWF. |
Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (wlf.louisiana.gov). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Hunting in Louisiana
Louisiana is one of the most diverse hunting destinations in the South, offering exceptional opportunities from the fertile bottomland hardwoods of the Atchafalaya Basin to the longleaf pine savannas of the northwest. The state's 10 deer management zones reflect its incredible habitat diversity, from coastal marshes to upland forests. Louisiana consistently ranks among the top states for whitetail deer harvest, with quality bucks produced by the rich agricultural lands of central and northeastern parishes.
Waterfowl hunting in Louisiana is legendary — the state sits squarely in the Mississippi Flyway, and its coastal marshes host millions of migrating ducks and geese each winter. The Atchafalaya Basin, Catahoula Lake, and countless WMAs provide world-class duck hunting. Spring turkey hunting is another highlight, with the Gulf Coast strain of Eastern turkeys providing excellent calling opportunities in April through May across all three zones.
Best Times to Hunt in Louisiana
🌱 Spring
Excellent turkey hunting April–May; spring squirrel season in May
☀️ Summer
Scouting season; dove fields preparation; no major open seasons
🍂 Fall
Deer archery opens October; squirrel and rabbit season begins; early duck seasons
❄️ Winter
Peak firearms deer season Nov–Jan; prime waterfowl season Dec–Jan in marshes
🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Louisiana
- Hunt the Catahoula Wildlife Management Area during peak rut in November for excellent buck movement in flooded timber and hardwood ridges.
- Target flooded agricultural fields and coastal marshes near Cameron Parish during the late January duck season when birds concentrate on wintering grounds.
- Scout Atchafalaya Delta WMA by boat before season — pinpoint key cypress edges and willow flats where deer travel between feeding and bedding areas.
- For spring turkeys in Area A, set up near creek bottoms in Kisatchie National Forest where birds roost in tall pines and strut in adjacent open areas.
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
🗺️ Nearby States (South)
Also available: Fishing Regulations in Louisiana — season dates, bag limits, size limits, and license info.