Louisiana Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Senior Hunting and Fishing Permit

This is a combo license that is accessible to older citizens in Louisiana. To apply for this license, you must be at least 65 years old. It will set you back $5.

Permit to Hunt in the WMA

A WMA hunting license is required to enter several Wildlife Management Areas in Louisiana. It costs $15 for residents and $15 for non-residents.

Permit for Small Game and Migratory Birds

This permit allows holders to hunt small game and migratory birds across the state. It is only good for one day and is only available to non-residents. It is priced at $29.

Permit for Deer Hunting

This license allows holders to shoot deer in Louisiana. It is only good for one day and is only available to non-residents. It is priced at $36.

Permit for Turkey Hunting

This permit entitles the possessor to shoot turkeys in Louisiana. It is only good for one day and is only available to non-residents. It is priced at $36.

Permit to Hunt in a Preserve

Hunters with this permit will be able to access Louisiana hunting preserves. From October 1st to April 30th, the license is always accessible. It is only good for one day and is only available to non-residents. It is priced at $15.

Permit for a 5-day Native Basic Trip

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. Except for large games, the permission allows them to participate in a variety of activities. It is priced at $15.

Permit for a 5-day Native Big Game Trip

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. The permit allows them to participate in a variety of large games. It is priced at $14.

Native Bow Trip for 5 Days

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. The permission enables them to participate in the archery season. It costs $10.5 USD.

5-Day Native Primitive Firearms Expedition

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. They can participate in primitive firearm seasons with the permit. It costs $10.5 USD.

Trip to a Native Turkey for 5 Days

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. They are permitted to take a variety of turkeys under the terms of the permit. It is priced at $14.

5-Day Native Duck Expedition

This permit is only valid for 5 days and is only available to non-residents. They are permitted to take a variety of ducks under the terms of the permission. It is $5.50.

Licenses, permits, and tags for fishing in Louisiana

The following fishing licenses, permits, and tags are available in Louisiana:

License for Hook and Line Fishing

Residents who want to catch fish using hooks and lines must obtain this license. Non-residents are not permitted to use it. It is $2.50.

Basic Fishing Permit

This license is required for people who want to fish in several Louisiana bodies of water. Residents and non-residents can purchase it for $9.5 and $60, respectively.

License for Saltwater Fishing

This license allows holders to catch fish in Louisiana’s saltwater waters. Residents and non-residents can purchase it for $13 and $30, respectively.

One-Day Basic Trip Permit

This fishing permit is only valid for one day. Non-residents must pay a $5 fee to access it.

Basic Saltwater License for One Day

This fishing permit is only valid for one day. It is possible for non-residents to catch fish in salt water for $17.5.

Fishing License for Cans and Buckets

This license is required in Louisiana to catch fish with cans and buckets. Residents and non-residents can purchase it for $10 and $40, respectively.

Permit for Crab Trapping

A crab trapping license is required in Louisiana in order to trap crabs. The minimum amount of garbage gathered for this license is ten. It is offered for $15 and $60 for locals and non-residents, respectively.

Permit for Crawfish Trapping

A crawfish trapping license is required in Louisiana to trap crawfish. This license requires 35 tons of garbage to be harvested. It is offered for $15 and $60 for locals and non-residents, respectively.

Permits for Slat Trapping

A crab trapping license is required in Louisiana to trap crabs. This license requires a total of 5 fish to be harvested. It is offered for $20 and $80 for locals and non-residents, respectively.

Hunting Season in Louisiana

Louisiana hunting seasons are determined by the type of game and the hunting weapons used to capture it.

The following species will be hunted in Louisiana during the 2020–21 hunting season:

Deer Hunting Season in Louisiana

Archery Hunting Season (September 1st to January 31st)
Muzzleloader Hunting Season (October 10th to January 31st)
No-Dog Firearms Hunting Season (17th of October to 24th of January)

The seasons for deer hunting in Louisiana vary depending on the state hunting zone. Hunters can check the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries website for precise dates for their hunting season.

Season for hunting wild turkeys in Louisiana

General Hunting Season (April 2nd to May 2nd)
Youth and Disabled Hunting Season (March 27th to March 28th)

In Louisiana, there are three hunting regions for turkeys, with different seasons for each.

Small Game Hunting Season in Louisiana

Open Season for Raccoon Hunting
Open Season for Opossum Hunting
Open Season for Bobcat Hunting
Squirrel Hunting Season (October 3rd to February 28th and May 1st to May 23rd)
Rabbit hunting season lasts from October 3rd to February 28th.
Season for quail hunting (November 21st to February 28th)

Bag restrictions for small games differ depending on the species. Hunters can go to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website to find out what the bag restrictions are for the games they want to take.

Louisiana Fishing and Wildlife Games

Louisiana’s wildlife and games include the following:

Deer hunting in Louisiana

There are a lot of white-tailed deer in Louisiana, and the state does a good job of keeping them alive for hunting. As a result, white-tailed deer are the most commonly harvested game in the state. They are widely spread throughout the state and can be found in practically all places, including some coastal areas.

Turkey hunting in Louisiana

Turkey hunting is more popular in Louisiana today than it was in previous decades. Wild turkeys can be found in practically every section of the state and in every suitable habitat. Every year, an estimated 20,000 hunters participate in the state’s turkey hunting season.

Alligator hunting in Louisiana

Alligator hunting in Louisiana is done in waterbodies such as marshes, rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes. Alligator hunters are picked through a lottery procedure, and only those chosen will be issued an alligator license and tag. To hunt alligators on private land, you must either be the landowner or gain permission from the landowner, but you must have a state alligator license and permit tag.

Duck hunting in Louisiana

Duck hunting in Louisiana takes place in wetlands such as ponds, rivers, and lakes. Hunters who have access to wildlife refuge areas can also go duck hunting there. Ducks prefer shallow areas of bodies of water.

Dove hunting in Louisiana

Mourning Dove hunting is highly prevalent in Louisiana, and it is the most popular species of dove found in the state. They can be observed perching in trees or on phone cables outside of residential areas. They also spend a lot of time roaming the grounds, especially while hunting for food.

Bobcat hunting in Louisiana

The Louisiana Bobcat Refuge is the state’s sole wildlife area where bobcats can be found. Bobcats are the only species of wildcat found in Louisiana and live in wooded areas.

Quail hunting in Louisiana

Estimates for quail hunting in Louisiana reveal that approximately 2,500 of the game birds are taken by approximately 800 hunters in the state each year. Although the figures are lower than in prior years, they are still higher than in other states. The reduction in quail hunting in Louisiana is attributed to habitat deterioration caused by farming activities in Louisiana.

Raccoon hunting in Louisiana

Raccoons are widely spread in Louisiana because they can thrive in the majority of the state’s environments. They can be found in densely forested areas, woodland regions, and pine areas. Raccoons are easily identified by hunters due to their black masks on their faces and their characteristic yellow and black tails.

Shooting ranges in Louisiana

The following are some of the public shooting ranges in Louisiana:

Shooting Range in Bodcau
Shooting Range on Honey Island
The Hunter’s Run Gun Club
Junior Hunter Education Club Jeanerette
Firing Range of the Lafourche Sheriff’s Department
Natchitoches Gun Range
The Ouachita County Sheriff’s Department
Shooting Range in Sherburne
Woodworth Target Range
The Shooting Ground at Tallow Creek
The Arcadia Gun Club

Hunting Land in Louisiana for Sale and Lease

Louisiana hunting lands for sale include the following:

351 acres in Kelly, Louisiana (Caldwell County).
104 acres in Winnsboro, Louisiana (Franklin County).
75 acres in Plain Dealing, Louisiana (Bossier County).
70 acres in Springhill, Louisiana (Webster County).
20 acres in Marion, Louisiana (Union County).
1,239 acres in Haynesville, Louisiana (Claiborne County).
17,728 acres in Plaquemine, Louisiana (Iberville County).
100 acres in Winnsboro, Louisiana (Franklin County).
10 acres in Melville, Louisiana (Saint Landry County).
132 acres in Winnsboro, Louisiana (Franklin County).
1,058 acres in Gilliam, Louisiana (Caddo County).

Louisiana hunting lands for lease include the following:

7000 acres in Elizabeth La. Allen County
Annual hunting memberships are now available on 3200 acres in Calcasieu County, northeast of Dequincy.
Deer and turkey hunting is available on 1500 acres in Sabine County, less than a mile from Converse.
In Dequincy, Calcasieu County, there are 225 acres available for lease.
Lafourche County duck land, 25 acres
45 acres of duck pond in La Salle County, North East Louisiana flyway
Caddo County, M/L-Lots 49 and 50 Lewis E. Chase Sub, 35.18 acres
4500 acres of prime deer hunting in Beauregard County fields
Sabine County deer hunting on 1460 acres
3700 acres of prime deer hunting in Winn County
34-acre remote backwater location on Lake Darbonne in Union County