However, if ducks aren’t your target, Louisiana offers plenty of hunting for deer, turkey, and wild hogs. So, before you make plans and grab your gear, make sure you know when the season starts for the game you’re after. You’ll also need to know how to get a hunting license and how many ducks (or deer) you can take home.
In this resource, we’ve gathered the details you need to hunt in Louisiana — no matter the game you’re after. Plus, we highly recommend downloading the HuntWise app to find the best spots to hunt and plan our days in the field for the game you’re after this season.
When Can I Hunt in Louisiana?
Knowing when and where you can hunt in Louisiana takes research and time, so we’ve pulled together some good information for you to help you get out in the field faster this season.
However, be sure to research on your own and check with state agencies to confirm the latest information about bag limits, regulations, and season dates before heading out for your next hunt!
We'll continue to make updates as new dates are released from the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries (LFW) website.
Louisiana Hunting Seasons 2026 | |
|---|---|
Louisiana Deer Hunting SeasonDates for Louisiana deer hunting season vary by how you hunt (archery vs. firearms with or without dogs) and the type of deer (buck vs. either sex). For details to plan your hunt, visit the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website. Archery
Primitive Firearms
Firearms (Still-Hunt Only)
Firearms (With or Without Dogs)
Youth and Honorably Charged Veterans
Get ready for your Louisiana deer hunt with insights into where to hunt and the best strategies for success. | Turkey Season 2027Hunters can go after gobblers in the Spring based on open season dates for three different areas.
|
Migratory Game Birds
| Other Small Game
|
Bobcat, Raccoon, OpossumYear-round | AlligatorCheck the Alligator Regulations guide for season dates and information. |
For additional information on these and other species, visit the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website.
What Are the Bag Limits for Louisiana Hunting?
How many ducks, turkeys, or deer can you bring home this season? To comply with Louisiana’s hunting regulations, follow the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt.
Louisiana Hunting Bag Limits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | 1 antlered, 1 antlerless (6 in possession per season) | Duck | 6 per day, (3x daily limit in possession) |
| Turkey | 1 per day (spring), 2 per season (fall) | Coot | 15 per day, (3x daily limit in possession) |
| Dove | 15 in aggregate (45 in aggregate in possession) | Merganser | 5 per day, (3x daily limit in possession) |
| Quail | 10 per day (30 in possession) | Light Geese | 20 per day (no possession limit) |
| Rabbit | 8 per day (24 in possession) | White-fronted Geese | 3 per day (9 in possession) |
| Squirrel | 8 per day in the Fall (24 in possession) 3 per day in the Spring (9 in possession) | Canada Geese | 1 per day (3 in possession) |
| Bobcat | 1 per calendar year | Conservation Order | No limits |
| Teal | 6 perr day (18 in possession) | Woodcock | 3 per day (9 in possession) |
| King & Clapper Rails | 15 in aggregate per day (45 in possession) | Snipe | 8 per day (24 in possession) |
| Sora & Virginia Rails | 25 in aggregate per day (75 in possession) | Gallinules | 15 per day (45 in possession) |
| Crow | No limits | ||
What Do I Need to Know About Louisiana Hunting Regulations and Licenses?
All hunters in Louisiana need a license. The state offers several types of licenses, including a lifetime license for the most avid hunters. However, if you’re not ready to commit to the cost of a lifetime license, you can purchase a basic hunting license or licenses specific to what you plan to hunt, like deer or turkey.
If you also love to fish, consider a combination sportsman’s license for both outdoor activities.
For more details on bag limits, visit the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Louisiana?
As we mentioned, the big draw for hunting in Louisiana is duck hunting. It’s an ideal landscape for waterfowl hunting through swamps, marshes, coastal bays, inland lakes, and rivers.
The state also provides plenty of opportunities to bring home a buck, whether you hunt with a bow or firearm.
Still, if neither ducks nor deer are on your list this year, the state also offers open seasons for turkey, quail, rabbit, and year-round opportunities to hunt bobcats.
Where Should I Hunt?
Louisiana is, well, flat.
Be prepared to slog through marshes, dense trees, flatlands, and coastal plains in pursuit of game. While you’ll find a few hills near the Arkansas border, “hills” is the keyword to keep in mind. You will not experience any mountainous terrain in the state.
To learn more about the terrain related to where your game of choice roosts, use HuntWise map layers to scout and mark the best hunting areas to tag out. Our map layers, satellite imagery, and land boundaries help you understand different terrains so you can plan accordingly. With these insights, hunters can bring the right gear for a successful hunt.
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
Hunters born after September 1, 1969, need to have a hunter education certification before hunting. However, you can hunt without a license if accompanied by a certified and licensed hunter born before September 1, 1969. You can also hunt without a safety certification if you are active-duty military, a veteran, or a law enforcement officer with an exemption.
Along with the right documents, you also need the right gear, like a good ground blind for deer or turkey hunts.
HuntWise Helps You Have a Successful Louisiana Hunting Season
HuntWise is here to help you tag out this season! We hope the information in this guide is helpful as you plan your hunts for ducks, deer, or doves.
Before you head out into the field, make sure you also download the HuntWise app. The Huntwise app is your best tool for hunting in Louisiana, including real-time animal and weather forecasting.
Plus, with species-specific, real-time information, you can target the best hunt areas and conditions to reach the bag limit for everything you plan to hunt this year.
You’ll be ready to get out ahead of other hunters on opening day.
Content and season dates reviewed and updated October 6, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to some of the top questions about hunting in Louisiana.
Q: What kind of hunting is there in Louisiana?
A: Louisiana offers a wide range of hunting, including deer, waterfowl (ducks and geese), turkey, feral hogs, small game (squirrels, rabbits), alligator, and various migratory birds.
Q: Is Louisiana a good hunting state?
A: Yes, Louisiana is a good hunting state. Louisiana is especially known for excellent duck hunting and solid deer hunting, with abundant public land and diverse habitats like swamps, marshes, and forests.
Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Louisiana?
A: A basic non-resident annual hunting license in Louisiana is roughly $150–$200, but total cost varies depending on permits (deer, waterfowl stamps, etc.). Short-term licenses are also available at lower prices.
Q: Where are the biggest bucks killed in Louisiana?
A: The largest whitetail deer in Louisiana are typically found in the Mississippi River Delta region—especially parishes like Tensas, Madison, and Concordia, known for fertile soils and strong genetics.
Q: How many deer can you shoot in one day in Louisiana?
A: The daily bag limit for deer in Louisiana is generally 1 deer per day (with restrictions on antlered vs. antlerless), though season limits and specific rules vary by area and hunting zone.
