Hunting Seasons & Licensing · LA
Louisiana Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonLouisiana offers a long deer season and diverse hunting opportunities across its bottomland hardwoods, marshes, and piney woods. The state is a premier waterfowl destination — the coastal marshes and rice fields of the Atchafalaya Basin and southwest Louisiana draw duck and goose hunters from across the country. Louisiana also has a strong tradition of dove hunting, and feral hogs are abundant statewide. The state manages over 1.6 million acres of Wildlife Management Areas.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 15 – Feb 15, 2026 (varies by area) | 6 deer per season (varies by area) | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Gun | Nov through Feb (varies by area) | 6 deer per season (varies by area) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No closed season | No limit | Any legal firearm, bow, trapping |
White-tailed Deer (Gun): Season structure varies significantly by deer area — check area-specific dates
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Late Mar – late Apr, 2026 (varies by area) | 2 gobblers | Shotgun, bow |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 15 – Feb 28, 2026 | 10 daily | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep through Jan (split season) | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Nov through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
| Geese | General | Nov through Feb (varies by zone) | Varies by species | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Mississippi Flyway. Louisiana is a top-3 waterfowl hunting state.
Geese (General): Light goose conservation order extends through March
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Oct 4 – Feb 28, 2026 | 8 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Oct 4 – Feb 28, 2026 | 8 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Basic Hunting License | $15 | — |
| Non-Resident Basic Hunting License | $150 | — |
| Resident Big Game License | $14 | Required for deer and turkey |
| Non-Resident Big Game License | $150 | — |
| Non-Resident 3-Day All Game | $100 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free | — |
| Senior (60+) | $5 (sportsman license) | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most Louisiana hunting licenses are available over the counter. Quota hunts on Wildlife Management Areas require a drawing through the LDWF lottery system. There is no preference point system. Self-clearing permits may be required for some WMAs. Louisiana offers a lottery for special alligator harvest permits.
Harvest Reporting
Louisiana uses a mandatory harvest reporting system for deer, turkey, and bear. Reporting must be completed through the LDWF app, website, or by phone before moving the animal. CWD surveillance is active — check for mandatory testing areas.
Louisiana Wildlife Resources
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-442-2511
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.